Still she didn’t take off the bracelet and sometimes she dreamed that he made love to her again, kissed her palm and closed her fingers over it. A treasure to keep ...
The war brought an even bigger boom to the Rockies with the Union needing Colorado’s gold and silver to pay for guns and uniforms. Silver’s Nugget Saloon did a profitable business. She still danced and sang for her adoring customers and checked her features every night to make sure her face was as flawless as ever.
She intended to throw the silver shoes away because they reminded her too much of the man she had given her heart to, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so, any more than she could take off the gold nugget bracelet. She left the lamp burning at night by her bedside because of the nightmares that plagued her again now that he was gone.
No man was invited up to her room and no one, not even Al, knew about the one night Cherokee Evans had spent there. She knew that men whispered that her heart was as hard as her eyes and the metal she was named for, but she didn’t care. No one knew that after she sang and danced and laughed with the customers, she went upstairs, locked her door, and alternately cried for Cherokee and cursed his name.
It was a hot summer day when a trio of Mexicans herded the small flock of sheep down the main street to provide meat for the hungry prospectors.
Silver had just come from the Haw Tabor’s store and she paused now in front of the Nugget to smile at the trio trying vainly to keep the nervous woolies moving while the animals ran every which way, baaing and bleating.
One of the men paused for a long moment, looked her way uncertainly, then collapsed in the street.
Instantly, Silver ran and knelt by his side. Others came running, too. She managed to get his head in her lap and looked around for help. Al? Al? Drat it all! Where are you? I need you!”
The bartender looked a little ill himself, she thought as he stuck his head out the saloon doors, then pushed his way through the crowd. Silver, you’ll get dirty.”
I can’t help that. This man is sick. Get some men to help and carry him into the Nugget.”
Around her, she heard a murmur that the herder was just a Mexican and not worth bothering about.
With a rush of anger, she glared at the people and put her hand on the man’s forehead. He was burning with fever. Al, help me!”
Al grumbled, but he got Hank and Zeke and some of the others to help carry the herder in and lay him on one of the Nugget’s tables. Then she sent someone running for Doc, but he was out at a distant ranch delivering a baby and wouldn’t be back for a day or so.
In the meantine, Silver decided to do the best she could for the pitiful wretch. She moved him into a spare bed and everyone who worked for her took turns helping with him. Even the customers came in to have a curious look at the feverish and unconscious Mexican whose friends had evidently deserted him now that they had sold their sheep.
Word spread about the Mexican and his mysterious ailment. Silver herself sat by his bedside, only leaving to rest when Al himself offered to take over for her. It seemed to her that half the town came by the room to visit and gossip before Doc finally got back and came to the Nugget to diagnose the case.
But by the time Doc got there, Silver already knew. She looked from Al’s horrified face to Doc’s, then back down to the Mexican’s. His face was broken out in big blisters and pustules. Even if he lived, he would be horribly scarred for life.
She had never been so terrified as she was at that moment because, like everyone else, she’d heard how deadly and contagious the disease was.
She took a deep, trembling breath, looking at the man’s disfigured face, then back to Doc. Is it—is it what I think it is?”
Doc nodded. My God, Silver, as contagious as this is, you should have left him to die in the street!”
I couldn’t do that, Doc.” She took the man’s hand. Even if I had known, I couldn’t have ignored his need—not even if I had known he had smallpox!”
Chapter Eleven
It was smallpox all right. Within days, the deadly killer spread like wildfire through Buckskin Joe. Half the town was sick or dying, the other half, including Nellie and many of the saloon girls, fled in panic, spreading the disease still farther.
Silver, Al, and a handful of others toiled without rest to ease the misery of the dying while Doc pleaded vainly for outside help. His messages to Denver fell mostly on deaf ears; doctors and nurses themselves were too afraid to come.
An English doctor named Jenner had come up with a vaccination to protect from smallpox, but there was none in the town, and anyway, it was too late for those already stricken.
No hotel or other saloon would accept the sick, so Silver turned the Nugget into one giant hospital room. That closed down her business, so there was no money coming in. When Doc began to run out of supplies, she sold her jewelry, all but the gold nugget bracelet Cherokee had given her. That she never took off; she even slept in it. Then to buy food and medicine, she spent the rest of her own money while Al complained.
Silver, think of yourself! Remember, you won’t always be pretty. When you’re old, you’ll need the security your gold will bring.”
She merely shrugged and kept working at Zeke’s bedside. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do everything I could for these poor devils, Al.”
He took a swig of bitters. You know what your biggest problem is, Silver? You got a heart soft as butter; maybe that’s what I love the most about you.”
It was the first time he had ever said anything like that to her. Love” made her think of Cherokee and it hurt to think she had been used. At least she wasn’t expecting his baby. She had mixed feelings about that. Al, you don’t look so good yourself. How do you feel?”
All right,” he said, but his face told her otherwise. Look, Silver, get some rest.”
There’s too many sick people for that.” She straightened up and put her hand on her aching back.
During the night, Zeke died and then Old Hank. She hadn’t time to even stop and weep for these special friends. There were too many who needed a cold cloth on a burning forehead, or a spoonful of broth.
By the next day, Al’s face was broken out in the horrible splotches. He was too weak to get up off his bed. Silver ached with weariness as she laid her face against his arm and wept.
Silver,” he whispered, get out of this town before it’s too late!”
I couldn’t leave you; not after all you’ve done for me. If everyone runs, who’ll care for the sick?”
Get out, I tell you!” He was almost savage with her. If you get this, most likely you’ll die. The few who survive with be horribly scarred.”
Her flawless face. Her money was gone and her jewelry. All she had left for security was the Nugget and her beauty. She winced at the image of herself covered with scars. No, I can’t leave, Al; I owe you.”
He reached out and put his hand on her head. It’s so ironic, you know that? I’m dying anyway; have been ever since we left Chicago. You were the one good thing that ever happened to me, Silver, I had to save you from Brett.”
She cried then, her tears dripping on his homely face. Oh, Al, I—I didn’t know!”
I didn’t want you to,” he whispered. Something else—I was wrong about that big half-breed. Crazy jealous of him. He’s the right man for you; I knew it the first time I seen him ... big, gentle. He’d take care of you . . .”
I’m afraid you’re wrong there,” she said and brushed the hair back from his fevered brow. She didn’t tell him she had been waiting for a letter all these weeks and Cherokee hadn’t written.
Doc came over, and stood looking down at them, his weathered face grim with fatigue.
Doc,” Al said, try to talk some sense into her. I don’t mind dying, the pain was getting too much to bear. But she’s so beautiful ... and so alone now . . .”
Oh, Al, there’s hope still.” She looked desperately to Doc, but he gave her just the slightest shake of his head. At that point, she co
uldn’t hold back the grief she had battled through all these sad, weary days, and she sobbed. Oh, Al, how can I ever make it without you?”
He smiled wanly. Because you’re strong, kid, you’re a survivor. You haven’t come all this way to die of smallpox in some spot that will soon be a ghost town ... promise me one thing, kid.”
Oh, anything, Al!” She held on to his feverish hand, willing him to live.
Al looked up at her, trying to tell her how much he cared for her, but he couldn’t put it into words. She had been the only light in his worthless, pointless existence. When I’m gone, will you come once in a while to the graveyard and put wildflowers on my grave? You know, the ones that remind me of your perfume? Bury me in a high spot so I can hear the breeze singing through the trees and maybe I’ll think it’s your voice.”
She nodded and swallowed hard. Wildflowers. Of course, if that’s what you want.”
There were so many things he wanted to say to her and had never had the nerve; he was just an ugly nobody and she was so very beautiful. Last week, when he had realized that his time had about run out, that if the cancer didn’t get him, the smallpox might, he had sent a letter up to Julesburg so the eastbound Pony Express would get it to St. Joe, then to Chicago. In it, he had told the authorities he took full blame for Brett’s murder and the robbery. He didn’t want Silver to be afraid for the rest of her life.
His strength was fading fast. He had to tell her about that letter. Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. Don’t be afraid. I did it because I love you, Silver, I wanted to help you ... I wouldn’t trade this past year for a chance to live to be a hundred . . .” He had to tell her what he had done to protect her, but he didn’t seem to have the energy to get the words out. He was so very, very tired and the room was growing so dark. Letter . . . I love you, Silver, I ...”
Silver held on to his hand as if, by doing so, she could stop him from going. Yes, Al?” He was trying hard to tell her something. Yes, Al?”
Doc sighed and leaned over and put his hand on her shoulder. Silver, he’s gone.”
Gone?” For a long moment, the words didn’t register although Al lay very still, an ugly man with wide shoulders who had killed a man to help her. Oh, no!” She put her face against him and cried until there were no tears left.
That afternoon, she followed the wagon carrying the crude, hastily built coffin out to the little graveyard and watched as some of the prospectors dug a grave next to Hank and Zeke and all the others. She was too weary and felt too bad to even cry anymore.
Doc looked at her, worry etching his face. Silver, are you all right? You don’t look too good.”
I’m fine. I can’t get sick, too many people need me.” Almost woodenly, she gathered an armful of wild flowers and spread them over the graves. Oh, Doc, when this town’s boom days are over, and everyone’s gone away, who will look after the graves?”
Emma and I will as long as we live,” Doc said softly. We expect to live out our lives here. And maybe people who haven’t even been born yet will care enough to come by now and then, say a prayer, and leave flowers.”
She didn’t hear anything else. Her legs suddenly gave way under her and she lay with her cheek on the raw earth of the grave.
From very far away, she heard Doc’s voice. Oh, my God, I knew she’d been driving herself too hard! Someone help me and run tell Emma we’re bringing Silver to our house, the Nugget’s full of sick people already!”
She tried to tell him that she wasn’t sick, just very, very tired, and that in a moment she would be all right. In a minute, she would get back up and help with the sick. She only wanted to lie here awhile.
When she closed her eyes, she saw Cherokee’s rugged face and he was smiling. I love you, sweet Silver, you with the quicksilver laughter, you of the dancing feet ...
Silver shoes,” she gasped. Yes, I must dance.... Please, the shoes....”
She felt herself being lifted up into the wagon that had carried the coffin, and she struggled to sit up, but someone held her down. Silver shoes,” she begged.
Doc’s voice echoed around her. Someone go back to the Nugget and get those damned shoes! I don’t think she’ll rest easy until she has them.”
The wagon jolted and she knew it was moving, but it didn’t matter to her. Letter. Al had asked about a letter. No, she hadn’t gotten one from Cherokee, but maybe he couldn’t get a letter through to her.
In her mind, she danced on the mountainside in the silver shoes and Cherokee swung her up in his arms and carried her away to a cabin to be his wife. I love you, sweet darlin’, I’ll always love you so . . .
She remembered next that she lay on the bed in Doc’s house with his plump wife, Emma, hovering above her. Silver liked this room. It had a big mirror, and when she came to visit, she always reassured herself that she was still beautiful by studying her reflection. Someone put the shoes in her hands and she smiled and slept, holding them tightly to her breast.
Cherokee, oh, Cherokee. Why did you go away when I loved you so much? The shoes and the bracelet were all she had left of his memory and she clung to them like a drowning man grabs on to a life preserver..
She was so very hot. Funny, she didn’t remember late summer here in the Rockies being so very, very hot. She would only lie here a few minutes more and then she would get up and go help Doc with all those sick people. She knew she needed to get to her feet and go help, but she was so hot and so very tired.
When she awakened, she couldn’t remember anything but a blur of words or even if she had imagined them. Her arms were crossed over her breasts. When she looked down, she saw she clasped the silver shoes tightly and the dainty gold bracelet was still on her arm.
How long had she lain here since she’d collapsed in the cemetery? It seemed like longer than a couple of hours. It was dark outside, and yet a strange glow lit the room and flickered on the wall by her bed.
With effort, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and almost toppled to the floor. What was she doing in a nightgown? She’d been in a dress only moments ago when she had fainted in the graveyard. She was barefooted, too. Well, she had the silver slippers, she’d put those on.
She stood up and grabbed the bedpost to keep from falling. She had been more tired than she had thought.
Emma? Doc?” No answer. She must be alone in the house. If she wanted to go to the Nugget and help, she needed a dress. It took all her energy to search the room for her clothes, but she couldn’t find them. Funny, the big mirror was gone, too.
Maybe she could wear something of Emma’s. The doctor’s wife was about her height, but heavier so that the plain calico dress hung on Silver, hiding her figure modestly.
The glow on the wall seemed to flicker as bright as day. Curiously, Silver went to the window and looked out.
The Nugget was on fire! A group of people stood watching as it blazed into the dark night sky. Her saloon, her security, was going up in flames while people stood and watched and no one ran with buckets to fight it. What kind of friends were these?
Doc stood with the others, watching the Nugget burn. He looked over at his plump, elderly wife. It’s sad, Emma. We’re seeing the end of an era here. I don’t think the town will ever recover from all this.”
She put a comforting hand on his arm. You couldn’t help it, John. You said the place was a pesthole, since it had been used as a hospital. This had to be done.”
Doc sighed, watching the flames. Most of her employees and half the town have either died or fled to other parts in these weeks she’s been at death’s door. Silver’s had so much bad luck without losing her income, too.”
Emma pursed her lips. Even now, she’s prettier than the average woman; it’s just that she’s not perfect anymore. ”
I’m afraid that was the most important thing in her life—her beauty. It went deeper than vanity; it was something from her past. I had hoped that big half-breed would care enough about her to change all that, give her some security . . .”
The Nugget collapsed in on itself with a resounding roar and sparks flew up into the dark night.
One of the grizzled miners standing next to him cleared his throat. Doc, I know you said we had to burn the place, but how’ll Miss Silver live now?”
Doc took a deep breath of the scent of burning wood. More than lumber and paint were going up in smoke. A woman’s dreams were being destroyed, too. There’s talk of making up a kitty to help Silver rebuild. She’s such a heroine with everything she’s done during this epidemic. Senator Walcott himself sent a thousand dollars.”
The miner whistled low in awe. Hear that, fellas?”
The men around him turned.
I’ll donate!”
And me, too!”
And me!”
A cry went up through the crowd. Yes, I’ll put in some money!”
Doc smiled. It’s the least we can do. I wish we could do more—you know, some kind of tribute that will last forever.”
Emma looked at him, then back at the fire. You mean a monument, like a statue in the park?”
Better than that,” Doc said. A statue in a park would soon be forgotten. I’d like to do something so that a hundred years from now; maybe even a thousand years from now, people would see it and remember that once upon a time in the old West, there was a woman who cared enough about other people to sacrifice everything to help them.”
The miners around him murmured approval. What should it be, Doc? What could we do that would last? What’s better than a statue or a monument to our Silver Heels?”
The moon came out from behind the clouds. Away in the distance, it lit up the silhouette of a beautiful, snow-capped mountain. A thought came to him, and for a moment, he was so overwhelmed by the idea, that he could not speak.
Boys,” he said finally, staring at the majestic peak. What’s more enduring than a mountain? A hundred, five hundred, a thousand years from now, it will still be there. A woman’s beauty is like a wild flower; it blossoms briefly and then fades. But love, the kind of love that Miss Silver demonstrated, lasts forever. Nothing endures eternally like true love and the mountains!”
Quicksilver Passion Page 17
