BROKEN DREAM

Readers may recall that planet Mearth – a replica of earth exists. On it there is a region named Fornia. An important town in Fornia is Felt. Felt has grown very prosperous  following news of gold being found in the region.

Lazy Horse saloon in Felt was a combination inn, bar and gambling joint. It was owned by Silver who was past 50.Besides this property Silver owned other businesses and houses and so he virtually ruled Felt.

Silver’s daughter was Doll an eighteen year old beauty. Silver owned the Cactus Flower theatre where Doll would dance to the accompaniment of a live orchestra. Her number Witches Brew was the highlight of the sḥow. In it Doll dances sinously as if she is under a spell. Many important men who watched the show had proposed marriage to Doll but she was unwilling.

The young man Short was from a family of cattle dealers which was very prosperous.  He was only 22 and was tall and handsome. Hearing of high life in Felt he moved there. He visited Cactus Flower and watching Doll dance fell head over heels in love with her. He approached Silver and statin g his prosperity proposed to Doll but she turned him down.

Short wasn’t a man to take rejection in his stride. He knew Doll occupied the upper storey of her house. One night he stood up on his horse Gritz and called out to her through an open window in the dark. It was Dorion who answered. Dorion was Doll’s aide and confidante and an equally good looker. Short spoke of his love for her and pleaded with her to marry him. Dorion in the dark listened impassively to Short’s love talk.  When he came again the next day, she encouraged him to persevere. He said he would come often to speak to her. He was content that Doll was encouraging him.

Thereafter Shot started investing in high value properties in Felt. It was as if he was challenging Silver’s hold over Felt. He made an offer to buy Lazy Horse saloon and Cactus Flower theatre but Silver flatly refused despite being offered premium rates.

After a few days, Short decided to abduct Doll as she went from her residence to the theatre. Short arranged for a small army consisting of Whites and Redskins to do the job. He kept it confidential lest Silver arranged to resist but a renegade Redskin tipped off Dorion. She informed Silver who at once provided for men in defense who would be posted on the route. That day as Dorion was on her way to the theatre one of Short’s men seized her. But the man was shot dead by Silver’s bodyguards. More men of Short now tried and there was a battle. Doll was also armed and she shot a man trying to hold her. In the end Short’s Redskins fled while Whites were killed. Short was nowhere to be seen. The program at the theatre continued as usual.

 That night as Short stood on his horse talking to the woman he assumed to be Doll, he said “It was a shameful attempt made to kidnap you. If I had known I would’ve come to assault those bad elements.”

Dorion said “I’ve no doubt you would’ve defended me. “

“You don’t know how much I long and dream for you.”

 She laughed and asked “What are your dreams about?”

“You come frequently. The other might I dreamt I was holding you in my arms. You were bare. And then a shameful thing happened.”

“There is no shame in love encounters. Speak frankly.”

“I hope you won’t be offended.”

“Certainly not. I love being open in expressing sentiments.”

He was silent a moment and then said “In my dream my longing for you reached such a length that I took liberties with your body. Since you weren’t physically available what should flow into a woman's body suddenly left me soiling my clothes. That is the extent of my longing for you.”

Dorion laughed and said “I know. I should have been there to field the flow. I also long to be taken by you. Even as you spoke my body tingled wanting to be held and caressed by you. I hope the day comes soon.”

Short broke off as Gritz moved away,

Later Dorion as usual reported what had passed between her and Short.

 Dorion said “I feel sorry for that man. I like him as he is so open declaring love.”

Doll said “Wait a little more. Ahan the Redskin to whom I’m engaged is becoming tribal chief. The moment that happens he will come here wed me and escort me to his land. You could marry Short if he will have you.”

“I’ve no doubt he will marry me.”

Dorion saw the time had come to tell the truth to Short. Dorion spoke to him revealing the facts. He realized he had actually been talking to Dorion while he had assumed he had been romancing Doll. She said “Doll is engaged to Ahan who will be chief of the Redskins. You can still marry her if you can beat Ahan in a gun duel.”

“I can do it. I’m good on the draw. Let a duel be arranged.”

Dorion was a bit upset at his persistence but accepted it as penalty for her perfidy in posing as Doll. She got specialists to draw the lines on the ground where the duelists would stand. They wouldn’t stand face to face but back to back and at a signal, draw guns from the holsters and shoot to kill the opponent. The survivor would be the winner of the duel.

Dorion informed Ahan and he agreed to the duel. The date and time were set. Short and Ahan now met and took their positions for the duel. They stood back to back a certain distance apart in the marked spots. Many had gathered to witness the duel. Dorion handed over their guns to the duelists who put them in holsters in their belts. She announced “My gun shot will be the signal. You should then raise the gun from the holster and without turning shoot at the other. Survivor wins Doll.”

Dorion stood apart, counted up to three and discharged her signal shot. The duelists pulled out their guns and blindly pulled the trigger pointing the barrels in the direction of the opponents.. The guns were silent! Dorion had not loaded their guns.

She announced “The duel had been arranged to test the duelists. They have proved themselves in their resolve. Ahan will marry Doll. If Short accepts me I’ll be his bride.”

Ahan married Doll after which Short wedded Dorion. Silver announced “I transfer Lazy Horse saloon and Cactus theatre to Short. He will be my successor.”

Short was happy. He had practically inherited Felt.

END

Hethought it over and sad “I agree

Talking to Dorion as Doll he said “I donlt to wait further. I shall arrange to kidnap youas you move from your huse to the theatre.