Out of the Crucible

by Marian Wells

  Amy crossed the room and wrapped her arms around the woman as the words burst out of Crystal, “Lucas wouldn’t have succeeded in his mission without a lie. I was trapped in a compromising situation set up by Lucas. It appeared I had been caught in adultery. That was the final blow to our marriage.”

  Pushing away Amy’s arms, Crystal got up to walk around the room before saying, “Matthew has always been an arrogant, proud man with a terrible temper. He left angry, and Tristram was right there to escort him through every decision he made.

  “At the time, I knew he would join the Confederate cause, and I never expected to see him again. It was the end of our life together. I had to accept it and go on with living. That’s all.” Crystal’s face dropped in her hands as she added, “But how could I convince my heart to accept it?”

  Amy went to sit on the edge of the bed. The despair wrapping Crystal was spilling over on Amy. As she trembled and blinked tears out of her eyes, she recalled her conversation with Matthew. The regret Matthew had expressed, and the darkness in his eyes as he talked about his wife, seemed like genuine remorse.

  Amy looked at Crystal and shook her head, saying, “With those kinds of circumstances, I can’t imagine you wanting to know anything about Matthew now. To me he sounds like a perfect scoundrel.”

  Her head came up. “But he wasn’t! Matthew was confused and torn. It isn’t easy to deny everything in your past. I heard Lucas talk. He goaded Matthew with everything that could possibly give him a guilty conscience. That included the strong belief supported by the southern churches. I was there; I heard it taught from the pulpit that God sanctioned slavery.” Crystal jumped to her feet and paced the room.

  Her anger was evident when she stopped and whirled around. “If all that Lucas said to Matthew was born out of his own deep personal convictions, I believe I could accept the man. But, Amy, he is a sneak and a liar. Lucas Tristram embraced this war wholeheartedly for one reason. That was the opportunity it offered him to become rich by sinking his boot heel in the faces of the men whose lives were being torn apart.

  “Amy, I have no idea how much damage the smooth tongue of Lucas Tristram has caused, but I can guess. I live now to make certain Lucas is exposed and prosecuted.

  “Pardon me for sounding patriotic, but I see it this way. A good and honest cause is hard enough to die for. A cause warped by a smooth tongue and personal greed makes every death a national outrage.”

  As Crystal spoke, a jumble of sounds caught Amy’s attention. Shouting rose from the street and grew louder. She cocked her head to listen to the clatter and bang of metal. When they heard the snorting and neighing of horses, Crystal jumped to her feet and they both ran to the window.

  Pulling back the heavy draperies, Crystal cried, “Look! It’s a fire! Something big—see the way the flames are shooting up? There, I saw fire bursting out windows!”

  “Crystal,” Amy whispered, “that’s in the section down Cherry Creek, by the saloon where I was.”

  Crystal turned her horrified face to Amy. “Oh, Amy, let’s go!”

  Outside, they found the street filled with women and children running toward the fire. Men on horseback plunged past. “They are going to fight the fires!” came the cry from the woman running beside Crystal and Amy.

  Behind Amy came the panting reply, “If they don’t get it stopped, the whole town’ll go up in flames.” Amy quickened her steps, not daring to breathe out the thought. Where were Daniel, Matthew and Lucas?

  They were within a block of the fire when the wall of men surged against them. “Go back!” they shouted. “The fire is spreading and we need room for fighters and a bucket brigade. Go home.”

  Pressed against the store windows, the women watched and retreated a step at a time. Amy met the questions in Crystal’s eyes and replied, “They must be fighting the fire.”

  “They?” Amy shook her head; it was impossible to say the names.

  “Is it—” Crystal turned troubled eyes toward Amy. She didn’t finish the sentence, but the names were in their thoughts. Joining the women standing on the street, they waited in silence. Before their eyes the fire consumed the saloon and the buildings on each side.

  As the fingers of fire reached out the top-story windows and threaded up the roofline, Amy’s aching heart recalled, Just an hour ago Daniel and Matthew were in that building with Lucas.

  With their arms linked, Amy and Crystal stood surrounded by chattering women and children. It was dark when the rafters broke and the roof collapsed in a shower of sparks. The murmur of awe rising from the crowd made shivers run up Amy’s back.

  Crystal’s face was very sober. With a sigh she turned, “Amy, let’s go back to the hotel; there’s nothing we can do here. In your condition you need to rest.”

  As she watched the sparks fly from another shower of timbers, Amy murmured, “My mother and father were there. I didn’t tell them where I was going when I left them.”

  Crystal turned to snatch at a passing sleeve. “What about the livery stable?”

  The man answered, “The horses and wagons were taken out hours ago. If you’re looking for your animals—” He shrugged as Crystal turned away. “Lady,” he called after her, “if you need a place to stay, the Methodist Episcopal Church is open.”

  Crystal shook her head and he went on down the street. “Amy, I think we’d better go back to the hotel, just in case there’s a message for us.”

  ****

  “Watch out!” At the shout, Lucas and Matthew ran past Daniel. For a moment, Daniel was caught off guard. Then he tore after Matthew, leaping up the stairs. Ahead of him Daniel could see Matthew lurching and crashing against the wall in the narrow stairway as he tried to keep up with Lucas. When Daniel caught up with Matt, the two of them jumped down the backstairs together, trying to catch the sprinting figure in white.

  Out in the open street Daniel took the lead. He could hear Matthew panting behind him as he tore around the corner of the dry goods store. The two of them nearly collided with a woman carrying a parasol. “Stop, thief!” she cried, pointing to the stairs leading to the top floor of the store.

  Daniel saw a white trouser leg disappearing up the stairs at the end of the building. With a lunge he reached the stairs and sprinted after the retreating figure. Halfway to the second floor, a heavy object flew past Daniel’s head and crashed against the railing. He ducked and pressed against the wall just as a chair tumbled toward him.

  “Matt, get back! Find help!” Daniel yelled as he started up the stairs again. He reached the landing at the top just as the door in front of him slammed shut. He threw his shoulder against it and pushed, but it was wedged closed.

  Just as he braced himself to charge again, there was a crash, followed by the tinkle of glass. Backing against the railing, he looked toward the window. From below came a cry, “Fire! There’s fire—get down!”

  As Daniel hesitated, the shouts became desperate: “Get down, fire!”

  He was halfway down the stairs when he heard the explosion. The concussion threw him to his knees. Grabbing the railing, he scrambled to his feet and finished the stairs in a leap.

  On the ground he backed into the circle of faces. “Is there another stairway? I saw a man go up there.” There were nods and a finger pointed toward the store front.

  Daniel ran, but just as he reached the door, it was flung open and a man wearing a white apron flew past him. “Fire! There’s fire in the storeroom. Gunpowder.” He disappeared around the corner.

  Matthew came limping toward Daniel, his face ashen. “Daniel, let’s get out of here. The fellow says there’s gunpowder up in that storeroom.”

  “Lucas?” There was another explosion. Matthew shoved at Daniel. With the hot air burning their lungs, they ran. By the time they stopped under the trees by the creek, the street was full of rearing horses and the clatter of wagons loaded with buckets.

  “You fellas, give us a hand.” Daniel stopped and a bucket of water was thrust into his hands.
>
  It was dark when the last bucket had been emptied trying to save the nearby building. Daniel looked at Matthew and said, “For a wounded Reb, you did enough work to get your face well smoked. How’s the arm?”

  “I think I’ll feel it in the morning. Right now, it’s just numb.”

  At that moment the shout came. “The roof is going!” Running across the street, they watched the crash of timbers and the shower of sparks flaring against the darkening sky.

  While they stared at each other, Matthew asked the question, “Do you suppose he was still up there?”

  “I don’t know. I felt bad about not getting in, but I have an idea he shoved something against the door and took out of there through the front door.”

  “How did the fire start?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I heard glass breaking. That’s all I can tell you.”

  They started down the street together. Amelia and Eli came out of the shadows. “Amy is not with you?” Daniel asked.

  Amelia stepped close to them and looked from one to the other. “She ran out practically on your heels. It sounded as if she said something about going to Crystal’s hotel room. I have no idea where that is.”

  “Crystal!” At the exclamation Daniel turned to Matthew. He watched the disbelief change to a wary hope on Matthew’s grimy face as he asked, “Crystal is here? I can’t believe it.”

  But hope fled as quickly as it came. Daniel watched a twisting bitterness on Matthew’s face change to an expression of defeat.

  As Daniel studied him, he saw an echo of the emotions he was feeling inside. I know how you feel, my friend. Now Amy and I must face this Lucas problem. Oh, God, will it ever go away?

  His voice was heavy as he said, “It’s late. Want to find her tonight, Matt, or shall we wait until morning? I’m guessing they’re in a hotel down the street,” Daniel added.

  Matthew turned away. “First thing I want to do is get this smoke cleaned off my hide.”

  “We’ve pulled the wagon down Cherry Creek a ways,” Amelia said. “You could come down there and take a dip if there’s any water left in the creek.”

  Matthew was already nodding. They followed Amelia and Eli down the street, away from the smoke and the crowd. When they reached the wagon pulled back in the trees, Amelia handed out towels and studied their faces by the light of the candle she held. “Might just be a good idea if you fellows let me fix some food. Need to get some nourishment in you before you tackle any more lions tonight.” She looked at Matthew, who tried to grin.

  “Fine, Mother,” Daniel agreed. “Have some soap?”

  When they were submerged nearly to their ears in the creek, Matthew said, “I’m still reeling. Can’t believe Crystal is here.” He brooded, “Not once did Amelia let on to me that she was in the area.”

  “I doubt Amelia knew it,” Daniel told him. Then he admitted, “But I did. Just before we left for New Mexico Territory, I saw her on a stage going from Oro City to Denver. So I knew she was around somewhere, but I didn’t rightly know what to say at the time you told me your wife’s name. I figured it was the woman I knew. I was still pondering telling you, but before I could say anything, you took off.”

  Matthew muttered, “I can’t just go charging in on her. We split under some mighty hard circumstances. Daniel, I’d never have left her if things hadn’t just fallen apart. I loved her more than family, more’n—”

  “If you still feel that way, why don’t you just forget everything else and tell her so? From what you said in New Mexico, I take it you’ve no claim to press with her. That it’s all up to her.”

  Matthew was silent for a moment. “There’s another reason to keep away. I have a strong feeling the Lord’s going to have me back in the Army. Only it’ll be the right one this time.”

  “Matt, I’m proud of you.” Daniel paused and added, “But no matter what, I think you need to see her. You need to tell her the things you’ve told me.” He took a deep breath. “Matt, the thing about love, about marriage, is that sometime we have to forget everything in the past and just get on with living. Even the worst parts.”

  Daniel sighed and settled back in the water. The words were ringing through his ears, but he didn’t want to believe they applied to him as well.

  As they dressed and returned to the wagon, Daniel found himself faced with the very words he had spoken to Matt. I judged her without giving her a chance, didn’t I? Also, I hear you, Lord. No matter what she’s done, I forgive her. I’m saying it now, Father. I guess it’s a seal on my intentions. The burden lifted one moment before he looked up and saw Eli and Amelia waiting beside the fire.

  He stopped in the middle of the path to look at them. He grinned, pleased at what he saw. Their faces reflected a new peace and oneness. He found himself marveling at the changes as he looked from Eli to Amelia. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Matt, I’m thinking it won’t be too late when we finish eating. I don’t think either one of our women will be upset with a little touch of smoke on our clothes.”

  Amelia’s eyes brightened. She nodded and began ladling up the beans. “It’s a good thing I fixed enough beans for an army last night. Just warmed them up with a little bacon.”

  Chapter 33

  When the knock came, Amy couldn’t move. Across the room, she watched Crystal face the door as she pressed her hand against her throat and waited. At the second knock, she glanced at Amy and moved to the door. Softly she asked, “Who is it?”

  “Daniel Gerrett. Is Amy there?” Amy rushed to her side as Crystal unlocked the door and stepped back.

  “Oh, Daniel!” Amy flew at him, kissing, stroking his beard, and pressing close. “Ugh, you’re all smoky!” She leaned back to look at him, to study his serious eyes. “It’s been so long. Oh, your beard, I love it!”

  Then she sighed as she collapsed in his arms. “Until we met Father Dyer, I had given up,” she whispered. “I didn’t think you were still alive.”

  He blinked and tried to grin as he looked down at her. Stroking her hair back from her face, he asked softly, “How about our taking off for a week, just the two of us. Then I’ll tell you all about it.”

  “Daniel, it’s conference time—”

  “Wife.” While she blotted her tears on his shirt, he looked up, exclaiming, “I forgot! Crystal, Matthew is downstairs and he wants to see you.”

  Amy caught her breath. Taking Daniel’s hand, she turned and together they waited for Crystal’s reply. The expressions on her face were changing. There was a brief flicker of joy followed by fear. As Crystal walked restlessly around the room, a touch of elation replaced the fear. But when she turned back, Amy sensed a strange flattening of her spirit. Amy’s heart was filled with pity as she watched the last flash of hope disappear.

  Finally she nodded, saying slowly, “Yes, I suppose that would be wise.”

  “You don’t look very happy about it,” Amy remarked. With a shrug Crystal moved restlessly around the room.

  Daniel suggested, “We’ll wait downstairs. Then if you wish to talk—”

  Panic swept across Crystal’s face. “Please, Amy, don’t leave me!”

  “Do you want Daniel to stay too?” Amy asked. Crystal nodded. She wrung her hands as Daniel left the room. They heard his boots clatter down the stairs.

  Troubled by the change she was seeing in Crystal, Amy helplessly watched her agitated pacing around the room. She was still trying to think of something to say when they heard quick steps in the hall.

  The men came into the room, first Daniel and then Matthew. Amy looked with consternation as she saw Matthew’s drooping shoulders and his expression as hopeless as Crystal’s.

  Slowly Crystal turned, her face filled with astonishment as she studied the cast-off clothing, still tattered and smeared with smoke stains. Matthew threw them a quick glance before he addressed Crystal. His voice was dismal as he spoke. “I take it you want me to get down on my knees in front of both of them.”

  “You needn’t get down on your
knees at all,” Crystal retorted crisply. She pointed to the one chair.

  But Daniel was saying, “Might not be a bad idea at all. Amy and I can leave.”

  Simultaneously both cried, “No, don’t!” Crystal blushed and dropped her eyes. Matthew looked at her while he shifted uneasily from one foot to the other.

  Amy began to study them with interest. Noticing a flicker of hope on Matthew’s face, she prayed, Father, they said they love each other. Please do something before they make another mistake.

  Crystal’s back was rigid as she carefully sat down on the bed. Amy hesitated and then went to sit beside her. Daniel leaned against the wall. “Well?”

  The couple chorused, “I—”

  Crystal stopped. Finally she threw a quick glance at Matthew. “Amy told me you were hurt.” He nodded, moved restlessly, and looked at Daniel.

  “I’m ready to leave any time Crystal says so,” Daniel suggested. Crystal picked at a thread on her skirt.

  Matthew said, “I remember that dress.”

  Caught off guard, she studied him a moment before turning to Daniel. “The fire—what happened?”

  While the men stared at each other, Amy said, “It has something to do with Lucas, doesn’t it?” She saw the discomfort on their faces before both of them dropped their heads. “Do you suppose he started it?” They glanced at each other and shrugged.

  In a moment Amy asked, “But why did he run?”

  Matthew shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. She looked at his embarrassed grin. “Well, I guess he got the idea I was pretty hot under the collar.”

  “The way you lunged at him—” Amy interrupted.

  Matthew added, “I don’t think he was glad to see me.” Crystal looked at Matthew as if she were really seeing him. For a fleeting second, Amy thought she was going to smile.

  Crystal turned toward Daniel, saying, “That must have been the proverbial straw. Things have been going badly for him in the territory.” She was speaking rapidly, “He had a lot of men angry at him. Good, solid Union men who’d been watching his less than ethical ways with the miners.”