Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10







The sun was beginning to set as O’Malley began the long ride back to Red Lodge. He rode slowly toward the south  and east with Slade’s body draped over Slade’s horse. It was a good twenty to twenty-five mile ride to Red Lodge.  It would be midnight or later before he got into town.

O’Malley wondered about Nine Mile and Kate. They should be in Red Lodge by now. He hoped the old coot Nine Mile would let the doctor do something for him. As he rode toward Red Lodge in the gathering dusk he thought about what had happened over the last few days. 

He had lost a younger brother to the greed of a man. Three men had died for what? Coal and money.  O’Malley stopped Star on a knoll and looked at the country around him. Somehow facing death had made life much more precious to him. The Beartooth Mountains were to his south and a Montana sunset had turned the sky into orange and purples . He could smell the sage and feel the chill of the winds blowing down from snowcapped peaks and the plateau. It was a bountiful country, with timber, grass, water, and unlimited beauty.

The land of the Montana Territory had blood spilled in almost every square mile. First, it was the rivalry between the Indian tribes. The killing of the buffalo and the beaver. Then the white man and the Indians. And last but not least was the killing which had occurred between “civilized” people the white man verses white man.  O’Malley felt a pain in his heart knowing that so many peoples lives had been lost fighting for this land. The animals that were slaughtered for the coats and hats of people in the eastern United States and foreign countries. How many scars had been placed on this beautiful land by men who had little or no appreciation for the beauty and grander. They saw this land as something to be raped and pillaged. He was beginning to understand the reverence the Indian had for the land and all God’s creatures. O’Malley knew the coal and the railroad would add new scars to this land. He was aware that nothing in life remained the same, but the rate or change was what hurt the most. If a change took a man’s lifetime to be brought about; then, whatever was to change did not seem so drastic and gave people time to accept what had come to pass. O’Malley had seen what a gold boom-town was like and how over night hundreds and even thousands of men and a few women would cover a few square miles like locust. When  there was no more gold to be found, they moved on leaving behind scars on the land and the streams. Left behind would be wooden buildings, which over many years would rot and fall in and metal to rust over centuries. The land would be scarred with stream banks dug out and tailings piles left by the gold seekers. The stream and the land would never really recover from that misuse even after many many years to come.

A strong gust of bitterly cold wind brought O’Malley back to the present time. He pulled the brim of his hat down, reached into his saddle bag and pulled out the heavy coat that Kate had given him. He pulled the coat on and buttoned it up. He turned up the collar and he felt a bulge in the pocket. He reached in and found a pair of leather gloves. He put them on and urged Star in the direction of Red Lodge. It was going to be a cold night and he was grateful for the coat that Kate had given him. 

O’Malley’s thoughts turned to Kate as he rode on. What future if any could there be for him and Kate? He knew she was a very special woman and that he knew he cared for her. Could he call it love? No; not yet. It might be in time. O’Malley knew he would have to go back to his ranch in Smith Valley. He had put many years of hard work into building the ranch up and poured the last few years of his life into the land. He could ask Kate to go with him. He could not do that without asking her to marry him. She was not the type of woman to go without being married. O’Malley knew he was not in love with Kate and he was not sure he was ready for another marriage. Kate had made it clear in the talk on the plateau that things were not totally serious, yet. He knew in his own mind that it was also possible that he would leave Red Lodge without Kate. It caused a small pain in his mind and heart to realize that he would have to leave Kate behind. Besides, what made him think she would marry him or leave Red Lodge with him. He accepted the realization, his life would go on without Kate, and she would probably be happier without him. 

It was well after midnight when he reined up in front of the Sheriff’s office. O’Malley stepped down and tied up Star and the other horse with his grizzly cargo. He knocked loudly on the office door. He saw a lamp being lit inside and the dim glow as it moved across the room to the door. The sheriff opened the door and peered outside into the darkness. 

“What do you want at this time of night?” the sheriff asked with a distinctively irritated voice. Then he recognized O’Malley in the light of the lamp. “You’re back! Where’s Slade?” 
“Slade’s already in hell!”
“How did he die?”
“In a fair gunfight. Shot in the front. I gave him a chance to surrender, he chose to die.” 

The sheriff walked to Slade’s body and lifted his head and looked at his face for a long time. “Never did like him anyway. Had shifty eyes. I’ll get the undertaker. Come by the office later in the morning and I will complete a record I need.” The sheriff said matter of factually and walked back inside the office leaving O’Malley standing in the street.

O’Malley  mounted Star and before he turned to ride away he looked one last time at Slade’s body draped over his horse. O’Malley felt that he had the justice and vengeance which he had swore to his brother, but he felt little else. It did not change the fact that Tom was dead. Nothing would ever change that. Emptiness which comes from losing a living family member would forever more be a part of his life. He then turned away with new resolve and rode to Nine Mile Bill’s Cabin.

O’Malley was beginning to unsaddle Star in the corral, when Nine Mile came out of the cabin with Buck at his side. 

“Well?” Asked Nine Mile anxious for an answer.

“Slade is being tormented in Hell.” O’Malley answered.

“I told Kate you would not let that low down pole cat git away.” Nine Mile said, as proud as if he had shot Slade himself.

“How is Kate?” O’Malley asked.

“She is a mite sore but fit as a fiddle. She told me when you got back to let her know right away. I guess this is a little late to go a callin’.” Offered Nine Mile.
“First thing in the morning will do.” O’Malley said.
 
“Did you see the doctor for that bullet wound?” O’Malley asked.

“That consarned woman didn’t give me no choice.” grumbled Nine Mile.  “She told me, ‘I couldn’t come into her cafe no more if I didn’t let the doctor at least look at me.’”

O’Malley finished up by giving Star a ration of oats and they walked to the cabin together. Nine Mile was asking a hundred questions all the time. He wanted to know every detail of what had happened. 

Nine Mile started a fire in the wood stove and fixed a pot of coffee. “Want somethin” to eat? asked Nine Mile. 

“Nope, just some coffee. I’m going to turn in and get some sleep. It has been a rough few days.” O’Malley said honestly. 

“Well things ain’t the same here in town.” Nine Mile said. “There is a whole heap of new folks coming in on the stage and by horseback from all over the country. The word has got around that the railroad is coming to town. There is already an outfit cutting timber for cross ties and shoring for the coal mines that they expect to start this coming Summer.” There is a fella here from some mining company and he has paid big money for land to build houses on for the miners they expect to come to Red Lodge.” Nine Mile rambled on. “I guess the town has almost doubled in the number of people in just a few days. It reminds me of a gold strike.” 

Nine Mile went on with the news, “There’s a crew of lumbermen from Billings up in the hills with a string of mules going up the West Fork and started a logging camp they call Basin.”

“The coal company is puttin’ up new buildings and a string of freight wagons are coming into Red Lodge every day.  It’s the end of the little town I have lived in and learned to love.” Nine Mile lamented. “I will be packing up am moving on. Ain’t gonna stay and watch the changes about to happen. I sure as thunder ain’t staying around hundreds of people.”

“Where will you go and what will you do Nine Mile?” O’Malley asked his friend.

“Well, I might head up north near Hell’s Gate. I hear there is still gold in the Bitterroot range that ain’t been found and then maybe on north to the Canadian border.  Don’t know for sure, but Buck and I will be moving on.” Nine Mile said with certainty.

“I can understand how you feel about being crowded in by people. Never cared for big towns.” O’Malley said.

“What about you Tom? You and Kate got any plans? Nine Mile asked.

“Well for sure, I will be going back to my ranch in Smith valley. As for Kate, I really don’t know what will happen there. I will talk to her tomorrow morning.” O’Malley said 

The sun wasn’t up yet when in the cabin, Nine Mile and O’Malley were building a fire in the cook stove. They had decided to have coffee and eat breakfast at the Silver Grill. O’Malley took time to take Star an apple and another ration of oats. Star snorted his approval.

Nine Mile and O’Malley would walk to the cafe. Nine Mile turned as they walked way from the cabin and spoke to Buck the wolf-dog. “Stay Buck!” The wolf-dog looked disappointed, but followed his master’s command by laying down in front of the cabin door to await his return.

The air was cool and crisp with the hint of the Fall that would soon come to the high country. The elk would so be in the rut and the bugle of the bulls would be echoing through the Beartooth canyons and on the Plateaus.

Kate was sitting at a table drinking coffee. She had a girl named Emma working and waiting on the tables. Another girl named Sue was working in the kitchen doing the cooking the place was packed and there was standing room only. The table which Kate was setting had two extra chairs that were empty. When she saw O’Malley she smiled and stood up and motioned for them to come over and sit down. She had been saving the table and two chairs for them. 
“How is your leg?” O’Malley asked.

“My leg is doing well. It is noticeably sore but, I just have to stay off of it a few days. I am glad you kept your promise and came back John O’Malley”. Kate said warmly.

“I told you I would be back.” O’Malley said. 

“I know what you said, but in this wild country one never knows for sure; no matter how good your intentions are.” Kate went on. “I heard from the sheriff that you brought Slade in across a saddle late last night.” 

“Slade gave me no choice but to shoot him. I would have just as soon seen him stretch a rope.” O’Malley said solemnly.

“How did you catch up with him and not get dry-gulched?” Kate asked. 

O’Malley gave her the story and how he had got the drop on Slade. 

When O’Malley had finished telling Kate about his adventure Nine Mile asked. “John, will you be moving on anytime soon?”

“Well, I will be around for a few days more. I really don’t have to be back at my ranch at any set time. You have a reason for asking?” O’Malley questioned.

“I will be selling my cabin. Four miners from Wyoming Territory have offered me cash money, and that would give me a real good grub-stake for my trip to the Bitterroot Range. I will be pulling up stakes in the next day or two so I won’t be able to offer you a place to stay as I won’t own the place nomore.” Nine Mile said, almost apologetically.

“Nine Mile, you have been a friend and a great host. You are one of the few men I would be glad to “ride the river” with anytime. I certainly understand that selling your cabin will put you in the chips and give you money to grub-stake you for this coming winter of prospecting. Star and I will make out just fine.” O’Malley smiled, and said warmly.

“I knew you would understand. If you will excuse me I have to go find those miners who want to buy the cabin. I can tell them I will sell the cabin and they can move in day after tomorrow. That will give us both time to make other arrangements.” Nine Mile said as he stood up to leave. “Kate, I will see you before I leave town. Right now, I have a bunch to do and make arrangement for my trip North.”
But, Nine Mile you haven’t even had breakfast yet. Sit down and eat.” Kate scolded.
“Times a wastin’. I’ll eat later when I have a few things done.”  Nine Mile got up from his chair, turned and left the cafe. 

By now the breakfast customers had mostly left the cafe and only a few remained. Kate had her new waitress take O’Malley’s order for breakfast. 

“What does the future hold for you?” Kate solemnly asked O’Mallley.

“I really don’t know exactly. I can’t stay away from my ranch much longer. Winter is coming on and there is a lot of work that needs to be done before the snow flies. I remember our talk on the Plateau, and I know I have very strong feelings for you. I can’t say it is love. But I can say what I feel for you is the strongest feelings I have had for anyone since my wife died. I know you are not the type of woman to go away with me without being married and I am not sure I am ready for another marriage yet. I honestly don’t have the time to spend here in Red Lodge to build the type of relationship we would both need to decide to spend the rest of our lives together. It is not our time and we are going to be in the wrong places to build any future. I want you Kate, but I have the ranch. I have spent the last eight years of my life building a dream. That dream is about to come true. I can’t give that up. Not even for you. You are the finest lady I know. You deserve much better than me” O’Malley said with total honesty.

Kate reached across the table and held O”Malley’s hand. She looked deeply into his blue eyes. “John, you are the finest man I have ever known. You are honest, hard working, and strong of character. I can’t go with you without a marriage being a part of it. I also have very strong feelings for you. I don’t know if you would or could call it love; but the feeling is there. I understand about the ranch and your commitment there. I also have obligations. This restaurant for one. I have lived in Red Lodge for many years and made many good friends. I want to see this little place grow and become a town. Unlike Nine Mile I like people and don’t mind progress. Even if I knew for certain that I loved you I am not absolutely certain I could leave Red Lodge, as I love this place too. The time we have spent together and the things we have experienced together will always be very special to me. I will never forget them as I will never forget you. I will keep you in a special place in my heart always.” There was tears running down Kate’s cheeks as she spoke her heart and mind.

O’Malley felt a lump in his throat and he swallowed hard, trying in vain to make it go away. He didn’t say another word; he only looked deeply into Kate’s eyes. He gave her a warm heart felt smile of understanding and patted her soft hand that held his.

Kate returned the understanding smile warmly and then abruptly she stood up, turned, and left the cafe going to the back kitchen.

O’Malley felt very empty and alone at that very moment in his life. His heart was aching. He knew he had just seen the finest woman he had ever known walk away and that she had reserved a place in his heart and in his never to be forgotten past. 

O’Malley didn’t wait for his breakfast. He had suddenly lost all appetite. He wanted to be alone. He got up and walked out of the cafe, not looking back. He really didn’t think about where he was really going. He just had to move away from Kate for awhile. He walked down the main street of Red Lodge. He heard the sounds of hammers falling and striking new nails and newly cut lumber. There were buildings going up everywhere. Mule teams of freight were coming into town and a newly built warehouse was already unloading newly arrived freight. There were many people on the street and the town looked much like an active bee hive. The message all this gave O’Malley was that change is inevitable and that life goes on. As he walked, slowly and aimlessly down the dirt street, his thoughts returned to Kate. He was right and she was right. Their lives would never be as one. O’Malley accepted  that final analysis. No sense in waiting any longer in dealing with the inevitable. He changed his direction of travel and with new determination headed towards Nine Mile Bill’s Cabin.
Proceed to Chapter 11