The Cogan Legend (14 page)

Entering, Phillip pointed out the guard's space between the cells that contained a stove, desk, gun rack, and several chairs.  

Rachel was inquisitive, “Do you use the stockade very often?”  

“We rarely use it during the week,” Phillip replied.  “But Friday night and Saturday we keep a few drunks in it, at least the rowdy ones.”   

“From the dance at the Market House?”  Lewey surmised.

“Yes. It's not too often we have serious crimes in the area.  The stockade is also used by the town as their jail.”  He closed the stockade door.  “Well that's about all there is to see.”

It was mid afternoon when the tour concluded and Ann, tired from her previous night's activities, suggested, “Can we go back to the hotel?”

Lewey was still interested in going to the Market House even though he knew that the stranger might be there.  “I forgot to mention, Phillip, we saw the stranger from the Cogan and the Herndon Inn entering the Market House.  He almost ran us down on the street this morning.”

Phillip frowned in concentration and then asked, “Rachel, is that the man you pointed out to me last week?”

“Yes, the taller man. We didn't see the other one.”

“It sounds like he could be dangerous.  Do you think he is, Lewey?”

“I think he could be.  He hasn't done anything but scare us, especially Ann and Rachel.”  

“Did Ann tell you I'll be escorting you back to Mr. Fairchild's lodge?”

“Yes, and I'm glad.  We'll be passing by the area where I suspect both of those men live.”  

Ann was tired and didn't want to hear about those men anymore. “Phillip, will you accompany me back to the hotel?” She glanced at her escort.  “You wouldn't mind would you, Lewey?”  

Lewey thought for a second then said, “No.”

“Ann, I'd love to, but I'm on duty until 4:00, and I can't leave the fort.”

Rachel intervened, “Lewey, I'll walk with her, if that's all right?  Then you can go to the Market House.”

Lewey shook his head, “Not a good idea.  What would you do if that man comes charging at you?  I'll walk both of you to the hotel and return to the Market House.”    

“Before you go, I want to invite all of you out to dinner tonight,” Phillip said, still holding Ann's hand.

“Lieutenant, you've been too generous. Tonight's dinner will be on Charles Fairchild.”

“But…” Phillip started to protest.

“That's final,” Lewey stated firmly, “or we're not going.”

Before departing, Phillip gave Ann a kiss and said, “I'll be at the hotel by six.”  

Ann was exhausted and couldn't wait to get back to the hotel.  Once there, she removed her coat, tossed it on the chair and without undressing, flopped onto the bed.

“What should I do, watch you sleep?” Rachel asked as she sat down on a chair.

“I'm sorry, but I can't go anymore.  I need some sleep.  Write a letter or something.”  

While Ann was resting, Rachel decided she would investigate the shops on Main Street.  

When Phillip's duty ended, he cleaned up and decided to surprise the girls.  He entered the hotel lobby a few minutes after Rachel left and the desk clerk gave him Ann's room number.  He knocked on the door and a drowsy Ann asked, “Who's there?”

“Phillip.”

She lay there for a minute not knowing if she was dreaming or she'd really heard him.  She dragged herself out of bed, went to the door and to her surprise, he was standing in the hallway.  Reaching out, she took him by the hand, pulled him inside and closed the door.  

“You shouldn't be here.  Is it six o'clock already?  I'm not ready for dinner, and you shouldn't be in my room,” Ann said, still groggy.

“I know, but I wanted to surprise you.”  He put his arms around her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her. “I'm totally in love with you, Miss Fairchild,” Phillip said, as they fell together onto the bed.

“I hope Lewey isn't around,” she cautioned.

”Right.  But what about Rachel?  Where is she?”

“She may come through the door anytime, so don't get any ideas.”

“Oh, no, never,” he grinned, rolling over on top of her.  “I'm hoping we can go for that walk again tonight.”

They heard a noise at the door and looked up startled.  Rachel stepped in and stopped dead in her tracks. “What's going on?”  

“He's just leaving,” Ann said quickly.  She pushed Phillip away. “Get out of here. Go find Lewey and have a drink or something, so we can get ready for dinner.”

After Phillip left, Rachel turned to Ann.  “I was surprised to see him in bed with you.”

“Well, so was I.  He never told me he was getting off duty early.  He wanted to surprise me, and he did.  I told him you might come through that door any moment, but I assure you nothing happened beyond kissing.”

“I'm not sure that's how Lewey would see it.  He and I came up the hall together.  When I opened the door, he saw you and Phillip.”

Ann's hand flew to her mouth. “Really?”

Rachel laughed.

“Rachel, don't tease me like that; I'm still exhausted.  I wish Phillip wouldn't have come.”

“I'm not teasing.  Lewey knew you were in Phillip's quarters when you said, ‘
it's over there'.
  He knew.”

“Oh stop!  He didn't know.  I think I've had just enough sleep to get me through the rest of the day and maybe some of the night.  Phillip wants to go for another walk tonight.  As much as I enjoyed it last night, I'm not sure it would be the same.”

Phillip was the first to see the girls come down the stairs.  He motioned toward the steps.  “There they are.”

“Let's eat somewhere else tonight,” Lewey suggested.  

“Follow me,” Phillip said as he gave his arm to Ann. “I think you'll like this restaurant.  It's a different menu.”  

During dinner, Phillip asked Lewey, “What time do you intend to leave for the lodge tomorrow?”

“At daybreak.”

Phillip nodded, hesitated and then said, “Well tonight is the dance at the Market House, and I was wondering if I could interest anyone in going?” He looked at Ann.

“I'd love to,” Ann replied.  She looked at Lewey. “It's our last night here.”  

Phillip grinned.  “Perhaps we can find you a country woman, Lewey.”

“Oh, I don't know about that,” Lewey said, not rising to the bait.  “I've been a bachelor too long.”

“Lewey, may I accompany you and these beautiful ladies to the dance?  It'll be fun, and Rachel will have someone to dance with if you go along.”

“Yes.  Lewey, you and I'll dance the night away,” Rachel added cheerfully.

Lewey hesitated but agreed to the dance as they finished the last of their meal.

Heading toward the Market House was a stream of wagons bringing couples and hopeful singles for a night of music, dance, and fun.  Lewey was surprised at the attendance as they walked into the building.  “I think there are more people here tonight than last week.”

Phillip glanced at the crowd.  “I see a few of my men.  I'll go commandeer a table.”

Phillip made his way through the crowd and in a few minutes returned.  He led them to a table where four soldiers stood to greet them.  Some were familiar faces from the previous week, and one in particular turned to Rachel asking, “Are you going to dance with me tonight?”

“I sure am!”

Before they knew it, there were drinks in front of all of them.  After a few more songs, Rachel asked, “Come on, Lewey, do you want to dance?”

“No, you ask one of the young men.  I can't dance.”

Rachel was having a good time dancing with all the soldiers at their table.  The evening passed quickly.  At 10 o'clock, Lewey stood and put his coat on.

He announced, “Okay, ladies, it's time to leave.”

Phillip was disappointed. “Lewey, I can escort the ladies back to the hotel.”

“I appreciate the gesture, Lieutenant, but I couldn't stand another morning like today.  I want to leave early tomorrow that means everyone must be up by seven o'clock.  I'm sorry, but there will be other dances and walks.”

“Do you care if I escort Ann back to the hotel?”

“Of course not. I'm not that mean,” Lewey countered.

On the walk back, Phillip and Ann lagged behind, talking softly so as not to be overheard.

Phillip seemed pensive as they walked.  Finally, he whispered softly, “Ann, I've given serious thought to resigning from the Army.  These past two weekends have been wonderful, more wonderful than any I've ever known.  I have no doubt about how much I love you and how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you.  The Army can't provide the kind of life I've planned for us.  It would be senseless for me to stay.”  

“What would you do?” Ann asked.

“I don't know exactly what I'd do, but I'm resourceful.  I can do lots of things, but I need you to believe in me.”

“I believe in you, Phillip, and I love you.  The time we spent together has shown me what kind of person you really are, and I have no doubt about my feelings either.  But, you should understand, my father has different plans for me.  Since my mother passed away and I haven't had any formal schooling, he plans to send me to boarding school when we return to Philadelphia.  He'll probably be suspicious that I want to marry you just to get out of that.”

“Well?” Phillip asked with a smile.

“Well, what?”

“Are you trying to get out of boarding school?”

“No!”  Ann stopped. “That's not the case!”

Phillip let his grin become a chuckle.  “Just checking,” he added and began walking again. “Tell me about your father.”

Ann hesitated.  “He's a businessman and owns a shipping company in Philadelphia. There're over 50 people employed on the docks, and they receive goods from England, France, and parts of Africa.  Occasionally, ships also come in from the Far East.  As a matter of fact, Rachel's fiancé, Tom, is a foreman for my father.”  

“I guess I really have to make a great impression.”

“You will,” Ann said, squeezing Phillip's arm. “I have no doubt of it.”

They walked arm in arm back to the hotel, stopping to steal an occasional kiss.  Before entering, Phillip put his arms around her and searched her eyes, “I don't want to spend my life without you, Ann. I love you that much.”

“I love you, too.”  She gently laid her head against his chest.  “Let's take things one day at a time.”

“Okay!”  Phillip agreed.  They had one last kiss as their hands gently parted.

“I'll see you in the morning.” Then he turned and headed toward the fort.  

 

Phillip arrived at eight o'clock the next morning dressed in his wool, winter uniform. Lewey stepped out of the dining room just as Phillip entered the lobby.  Phillip waved and Lewey altered course.  “Looks like you're ready to go,” Phillip said.

“I am.  I've already eaten.”  He looked toward the steps. “I've called the girls, but I haven't seen them yet.  Will you do me a favor?” He didn't wait for Phillip to agree.  “Don't let them linger too long over breakfast.  I'm going to hitch the horses to the coach.  I'll meet you out front.”

“No, no problem,” Phillip assured him.  “I'll see what I can do.”

Lewey pulled his hat on.  A knowing frown wrinkled his face.  “I'll step back inside when I've got the team ready.”

Phillip laughed.  “I'll go up and get them.”

“You won't have to,” Rachel said.  She and Ann were half-way down the steps.  “We're here.”

“Well, good” Lewey said and headed for the door.

“Girls,” Phillip said approaching them as they stepped off the staircase, “let's get some breakfast.  Lewey's not going to be very patient today.”

“Oh, he'll be alright.” Ann tucked her arm under Phillip's. “Don't you look handsome, Lieutenant Matter!  Is that a new uniform?”

“It is standard issue Army wool,” Phillip replied.  “It's warm.”

“Aren't you riding inside with us?” Ann asked.  “That uniform might be too warm in the coach.”

“I'll be on my horse, but thanks for the invite,” Phillip replied.  He kissed Ann's cheek. “We don't want to keep Lewey waiting.”

Ann's disappointment showed on her face.

Rachel tucked her arm under Ann's free arm and tugged them toward the dining room. “Let's face it,” she said gaily, “I wouldn't have any fun at all if your handsome Lieutenant occupied all of your time.”

“I'm sure we'd run out of intelligent things to talk about after the first hour,” Phillip said, winking at Rachel.

“Who said anything about talking?” Ann replied coyly.

The girls and Phillip were finishing breakfast when Lewey entered the dining room and walked over to them.  “I've got the coach ready.  I don't want to leave the horses outside too long.”

“We're ready, believe it or not,” Phillip grinned.  “Sure you don't want a cup of coffee before we go?”

“No, thanks.” Lewey turned.  “See you outside in a couple of minutes.  I'll stop and pay the bill at the front desk.”

Phillip noticed Rachel's apprehensive glance as they left the hotel.  “What's the matter?”

“I'm just looking to see if those two men are around.  I don't really want them following us.”

“I'll keep an eye out for them,” Phillip assured her.  “I think they're long gone by now.”

“Good.”  Ann tucked her arm tighter into Phillip's.  “Sure you won't tie your horse to the coach and ride inside for a while?”

“I'm sure,” Phillip grinned.