Episode 74
Episode 74: Mid-December, 1876
Scenes 1 and 4 written by Heather
Scene 1: The Taylor Estate, mid-afternoon. Madison sits in a chair by her window, still not completely recovered.
There is a commotion outside and Robert bursts into the room, Emily following close behind.
Emily: Mr. Marshall, I told you Madison was not to be disturbed.
Madison: It's all right, Emily.
Robert: Forcefully. I want to speak with you. He turns to Emily. Alone.
Madison nods apologetically to her friend and Emily leaves the room.
Robert: Back to your old schedule, I see. Only just getting out of bed?
Madison: If you only came to insult me, you cad, you can leave right now.
Robert: I'll be leaving shortly. I only came to stress something to you. I'm finished with you. Stop chasing after me, stop talking to me when we meet as if we're the best of friends. Don't write me, don't check up on me. Is that understood?
Madison: Yes, but I'm disappointed your child won't have a father.
Robert: Taken aback. My child?
Madison: I'm pregnant. I... over-extended myself, that's why I've been in bed. I've been ill.
Robert: How am I to know I'm the father of that child?
Madison: You bastard.
Robert: You're no better than a common whore.
Madison: Get out! I don't care whether you want it or not, you'll never see this child. You don't deserve it. Go on, leave!
Robert: Gladly.
He turns, flings the door open, and disappears into the hall before the door crashes against the wall and knocks a picture to the floor. He reaches the front door to leave in no time at all, surprising Emily.
Emily: I told you she wouldn't want to see you.
Robert: I knew that, but I think I got my message across.
There is a moan from upstairs, following by a thud and breaking glass. Emily and Robert race up the stairs again, only to find Madison lying near unconscious on the floor.
Scene 2: Boise, near noon, a short time later. Nick sits with Lazarus Carrol in the court room awaiting the return of the judge. Rilla sits at the front across the aisle, her mother on the bench behind her.
Nick: What do you think, Mr. Carrol?
Lazarus: If it were anyone but Hansen she'd be dead. He's got a soft spot for women.
Nick: But he was the one that let that Rutherford go after he attacked Miss Taylor.
Lazarus: Different situation entirely. I think he's been affected by this little witch's histrionics. He may just believe her story.
Nick: Here he comes.
The courtroom rises and sits when the judge does, but Rilla and her lawyer remain standing.
Hansen: I've considered this case for a good hour, and listened to testimony yesterday and this morning. Mrs. Schmidt has been accused of murdering her son, beating her daughter, and attempting to kill a woman and her newborn child. It is my opinion that she is a very desperate woman who has been dropped into a situation her frail female sensibilities can't handle. She has shown no malice here. Her husband's flight suggests his guilt, and without his testimony we cannot be certain of hers in the matter of the murdered child. I believe the loss of her son and husband in such a short period of time has thrown her into an uncontrollable mental state. Children can be frustrating at times, especially little girls. In Mrs. Schmidt's condition she cannot be blamed for hitting her daughter a few times. As for the matter of the attempted murder of Mrs. Marshall, I believe Mrs. Schmidt meant well but was not in the right frame of mind to think logically. Therefore, it is my decision that Mrs. Schmidt not be tried for any of the crimes for which she is accused. Rather, she is to be sent to a sanitorium to recover from her illness so he can hopefully one day return to care for her children as a mother should. Good day to you all.
The judge rises and leaves the courtroom. Rilla breaks into tears and hugs her mother. Nick turns to Lazarus.
Nick: What the hell just happened?
Lazarus: She got off, completely got off. She'll go to an asylum for a few years, trick the doctors, and get out. Her act worked.
Nick loudly groans, puts his head in his hands and rests his elbows on his knees. He runs his hands through his hair and clenches his fists.
Nick: Mumbles. What on earth am I to tell Tess?
Scene 3: San Francisco, a short time later. Georgie has just emerged from a bath and stands at her dressing table in a silk wrapper. There is a knock.
Georgie: Come in.
A maid enters and hands the mail to Georgie, then leaves. Georgie flips through them and stops at one without a return address. She sits in the chair and opens it.
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My Dear Mrs. Hewitt, We have only met on one occasion, but I'm Roberta Carlson. Perhaps you'd know me better as the wife of that blackguard Peter Carlson. Peter has been ill. He instructed me to deal with his mail, so it was I who read your letter first. I write to tell you that you may cease your worrying. My husband will not be bothering you or your family again. I gave him an ultimatum he was forced to accept. And don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. I quite admire you, actually, for making such a change and leading the successful life you do. Wishing you and yours continued good health,
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Georgie signs contentedly and clutches the letter to her breast. Smiling, she rises and leaves the room. She checks the upstairs sitting room, then the nursery, then rushes downstairs to find Gabe in his office. Tears well in her eyes and she leans against the door jam unnoticed as Gabe kneels by a table, Randall in his arm, pointing out various things in a medical text book. Gabe eventually looks up and sees her.
Gabe: Georgie, what's wrong?
Georgie: Nothing. Everything is just perfect.
Scene 4: Taylor Estate, late afternoon. Emily, Thomas, and Robert crowd together in the hall in front of Madison's room. The door is closed, and Dr. Ashton is inside with Madison.
The three hear someone hurriedly coming up the steps and turn to see Cole rushing toward them.
Cole: How is she?
Thomas: She was fine... He shoots a cold glance at Robert. until earlier today.
Emily: We can only hope that the baby is alright.
The door opens, and a faint sobbing can be heard within the room. Dr. Ashton emerges, a grim expression on his face.
Emily: Oh, dear God...
Emily, too, starts sobbing, and her husband comforts her. Robert tries to enter Madison's room, but the doctor stops him.
Dr. Ashton: She doesn't want to see any of you right now. He turns to Cole. But she's been asking for you.
The doctor leads Cole into the room and closes the door to leave him alone with his sister. The room is dark, the drapes drawn, and the atmosphere is gloomy. Cole walks over to the bed and sits down next to Madison, putting his arm around her. She continues sobbing.
Cole: Shhh... It's alright... Everything is going to be just fine.
Madison: No, it's not. I have killed my own child, Cole.
Cole: Don't say that. You didn't know you were pregnant. There is nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening.
Madison: I should have died that night...
Cole: Madison... He forces her to look him in the eye. Stop being so hard on yourself. He sighs deeply before continuing. If you had died that night, think of everyone who would have felt miserable without you... Emily, Thomas... and especially me.
Madison: Robert wouldn't have cared.
Cole: I'm sure he would.
Madison: He hates me.
Cole: No, he's just upset right now. He will get over it, you'll see.
Madison: But what if he doesn't?
Scene 5: The woods near the hot springs. Jack and Carey trudge uphill in the snow, both wearing snow shoes, laughing and stumbling along the way. Carey's hair is damp and half falling out of its braid, long since fallen out of the bun.
Jack: Don't worry, we're almost there.
Carey: I'm not worried.
They crest the hill and slide down the other side before racing haphazardly to the door of the cabin, flinging it open and bursting inside.
Jack: I'll light a fire.
Carey: Good idea. I'm soaking wet from falling in the snow. She collapses into a simple chair and looks around the cabin as Jack prepares a fire. You know, the last time this cabin was used, I think, was when my cousin delivered his baby.
Jack: Young Master Andrew, yes. Your cousin did a good job considering the circumstances.
Carey: Nick hides it, but he's quite proud of himself.
Jack: There, the fire's lit. It will take a while to heat up. May I help you out of some of those wet clothes?
Carey: How improper, but you may. They're rather heavy.
Jack removes several of Carey's wraps and hands them by the fire, then returns.
Carey: I think that was as much as propriety will allow. She shivers and wraps her arms around herself. I'm still cold though.
Jack: Oh, here. He removes his coat. My coat isn't wet. I didn't fall nearly as often as you.
He puts his arms around Carey to wrap the coat on her shoulders. She looks at her hands to remove her gloves.
Carey: Thank you.
She looks up and their eyes meet. Jack leaves his hands on her shoulders. They lean closer, their eyes locked, and remain that way for several moments. Finally Carey wraps her arms around Jack and he places his mouth on hers, kissing deeply.
Cut to: Belleterre, a very short time later. Grace, dressed in dirty trousers and a man's shirt and overcoat, rides a frisky horse. She fails to notice the two stately men who approach on horseback. It makes no difference, as she is soon thrown from the horse into a deep bank of snow. She lays back and rests for a moment, finally seeing the two men. After they dismount and begin to approach, she recognizes Scotty and Johnny but fights off a smile, instead reaching for her fallen hat and placing it low on her head.
Scotty: You there, boy. We were told we could find Miss Grace Marshall at the stables.
Grace: You could.
Scotty: Waits for further response, then gets impatient. Well?
Grace: Well, I think it's a little rude not to say hello to the girl you're looking for.
Scotty: Well, then, Grace Marshall, you should be ashamed of yourself. Wearing trousers is bad enough, but training wild horses.
Grace: You still haven't said hello.
Johnny: I'll say hello, Grace. He climbs the fence and jumps down beside her, reaching out a hand and helping her to her feet, then giving her a hug. It's good to see you. Would this be that horse you were talking about?
Grace: My Dixie Queen, yes. Dixie has gone too long without any training. She's being rather difficult. She whispers. Has he come for Carey?
Johnny: Yes.
Grace: Well it's about bloody time! Whispers. She's been moping about ever since the ship left port.
Scotty: Enough blatherin'. We were told you could tell us where Carey was.
Grace: She went snowshoeing with Dr. Jackson.
Scotty: With a man?
Grace: It's nothing. Get a new horse and follow the tracks. One of the men inside will show you. It hasn't snowed since they left and it won't today. You'll catch up. She yells. Larry!
A man appears from a nearby door.
Man: Yes, Miss Marshall?
Grace: Take these horses in the stable and give them fresh stalls, Dixie too, please. And get Mr. McLeod a fresh horse and show him the my cousin's and Mr. Jackson's snowshoe tracks.
Man: Of course. Mr. McLeod? Scotty follows him without delay.
Grace: Calls out. Thank you, Larry! Speaks to Johnny. I'm dead tired. Let's go inside and I'll tell you everything.
A short time later, Grace and Johnny laugh together as he carries her on his back into the house. They pause for a moment as Scotty, on horseback, runs across a field toward Carey and Jack and the cabin by the hot spings.
Scotty finds Carey... and Jack Robert has a change of heart A surprise visitor yields a surprising response
from reserved Julia
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