Royce did not wait to pull on a coat. He hurried down the stairs, across the classroom and let himself out the front door. The schoolyard was in deep shadows. The moon was hidden behind clouds. A few stars lighted the way as he made his way towards the Elementary School. At the corner of the building Royce stopped to listen. Except for the wind blowing through the trees all was silent.
Stepping cautiously Royce stayed in the shadow cast by the school building. He was in new territory grumbling softly under his breath acknowledged he had been remiss in not checking out the grounds surrounding the school before tonight. It was now too late.
He inched his way along the side of the school cautiously feeling the ground before placing his foot. It seemed like hours but only a few short minutes later Royce was at the back of the building. Miss Ferguson’s window still glowed yellow.
Keeping in the shadows Royce headed north following a line of trees. Stopping when he could no longer see Miss Ferguson’s bedroom window Royce quickly ran to the nearest fence post. He stood with his back to the post barely breathing. His ears alert to any sounds.
He was playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Stopping, Royce wondered for a brief moment if he was the cat or the mouse. Only time would tell.
Slipping through the fence rails Royce crept silently across the corral until reaching an occupant inside the enclosure. He ran experienced hands over the brown horse. The animal’s hide was still damp from a long ride. “Steady boy,” Royce whispered as the horse stepped away. The animal’s muscles were quivering. He was snorting air through his nose. Royce moved deeper into the shadows until he bumped up against the back fence. It was as dark as the pit of Hades under the trees. Scratching his head in bewilderment Royce leaned back against the fence rail. There was only one horse inside the corral. The brown horse Milton Ferguson rode. He was not sure what to make of this revelation. Earlier in the evening he had seen Milton walking across the schoolyard heading towards home. Had the man deliberately showed himself to alleviate Royce’s suspicion. When had Milton slipped away.
Royce was now certain Miss Ferguson’s night visitor was her younger brother Milton. What mischief had the man been up to and when was Royce likely to find out.
Royce made his way silently back to the Secondary Schoolhouse and let himself in through the front door. He moved to his desk and lit the lamp. Royce finished his letter home adding two more names of interest. Those of Roger Cobb the gunsmith, Marshal Dean’s rifle had been in his possession. Mr. Cook was on the Mail Stage when it was robbed. Royce folded his letter and slipped it inside an envelope. The following day he would post his letter.
* * * * *
Faith slept badly and woke with a headache. She shared a room with Lydia and Elizabeth. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she watched as Lydia stood in front of the mirror brushing her long pale yellow hair. The young woman’s hair reached past her knees. “Braid it for me,” Lydia asked. Through the mirror she looked at Faith.
“Will you ever grow up,” Faith grumbled. She stood letting her long nightgown fall around her ankles. “Give me the brush,” she ordered grumpily.
“You really don’t mind. Do you,” Lydia asked noticing Faith’s dark scowl. “Don’t you think Mr. Hargadon is handsome,” she continued without giving Faith time to reply to her first question.
“Mr. Hargadon is nice looking,” Faith admitted grumpily. In her mind she could picture his green eyes, the shape of his head and rough texture of his suntanned skin. He was more than handsome. He was prefect! What was she thinking!
“Mr. Hargadon’s first name is Royce,” Lydia continued leaving Faith to wonder how her younger sister knew such intimate details about the man. “Royce Hargadon. He wrote it on the blackboard the first day of school,” Lydia explained. “I was terrified. He looked . . . I don’t know. Frightening I think. He walked over to me and placed one hand on my shoulder. He whispered that I was not to be afraid. That everything was alright.”
Good for him, Faith thought as she separated Lydia’s hair and began to braid the long strands together. “I am glad you like him,” she told her younger sister.
“I adore him,” Lydia replied blushing. “Don’t you think it would be nice if he was part of our family,” she asked shyly. Sighing, she waited for Faith to tell her no.
“I think it would be nice if Mr. Hargadon was part of our family,” Faith said wondering why she was confessing as much to Lydia. She had not consciously thought over the matter.
“I was hoping you felt that way. After all I am too young to marry,” Lydia turned and hugged her sister.
“You mustn’t say anything,” Faith cautioned. “Father wants me to marry Mr. Cook.”
“You won’t! You can’t,” Lydia wailed. “Mr. Cook is conceited and selfish and oh I don’t know. Just wrong for you!” She scrunched up her face and looked earnestly at Faith.
“Father does not think so,” Faith replied. “It might take time to change his mind.”
“Oh,” Lydia said thoughtfully. “Maybe you could elope,” she said dreamily.
“Mr. Hargadon has not suggested such a thing. He might not even like me,” Faith warned.
“He must! He has too!” Lydia stated in earnest.
“We will wait and see,” Faith replied patiently. While her heart told her she felt the same as Lydia. “There’s plenty of time between now and the end of the school year.” Would Mr. Hargadon still be
