The Cogan Legend (36 page)

“He was an accomplice.  That's enough to hang him anyway,” the captain said dismissively.

“No, sir.  He was, in fact, trying to pull his brother off of Ann.  He was trying to save her life – and he did.”

The captain looked astonished.  “You're not serious! And how do you know this?”

“Ann Fairchild, my fiancée, was in the coach with Rachel.  She remembered what happened last night and rode all day to try to get here to testify on Poll Soll's behalf.”

“My God! She remembered?  Just like that?”

“In a dream – or a nightmare, sir.” Phillip studied the floor.

“A nightmare.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So, she got this in a dream.”

“No, sir.  She remembered because of the dream.”

The captain shrugged.  “Let it go, Lieutenant. That's an order.  You can't crucify yourself, because there's no sense in it.  You'll just ruin your life and everyone you come into contact with.  Let it go.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don't forget, Lieutenant; it was established that he killed his brother, so he was guilty of murder.”

“I know that, sir, but it doesn't make me feel any better knowing that I hung a man who was innocent of the charges we found him guilty for.  This trial was about Rachel Miller's murder.”

“It's obvious you feel bad, Lieutenant, but there is no bringing him back.  You just have to accept what happened.”

“I don't know if I can do that, sir.”

“You don't have much of a choice, Lieutenant. You either move past it, or you let it ruin your life.”

Phillip nodded. He waited a heartbeat and then said, “Sir?”

The captain studied his face.  “You're still going to resign, aren't you?”

“Yes, sir.  With your permission.”

“I think you're making a mistake, Lieutenant.  The men like you and they follow you. That's a rare combination.”

Phillip waited.

“Alright.  I've spoken to Colonel Adams about you, and he has agreed to release you, but only because the Army is drawing down on this outpost.  He still wants you to stay.”

“I've made up my mind, sir.  Thank you for accepting my resignation.  I'll have it on your desk first thing in the morning.”

After his duty ended for the day, Phillip was anxious to see Ann.  As he entered the lobby, he saw Charles with two plates of food.  He hurried over.  Without the usual preamble, he blurted, “How is Ann?  I'd like to see her.”

Charles handed him one of the precariously balanced plates of food.  “Good. You can help me carry a plate.  I'm taking Ann and Mary something to eat.  You can deliver Ann's.”

Ann smiled when she saw Phillip.  She invited him in and waited until he put the food down before hugging him.  His presence helped change her mood.

“Ann, I've got some news,” Phillip said as he disentangled from her embrace.  “I've resigned, and the captain has agreed to release me in a few weeks.”

“Are you sure that's what you want?”

“Am I sure?” Phillip laughed.  “Absolutely!  I tried to resign a time or two already.”  He sobered.  “Look, Ann, I'm serious about marrying you and starting our life together.  I don't see the Army as being very good to married soldiers.  It's not the kind of life you're used to and besides, I'm ready to get out.”

Phillip grinned at Charles, who stood in the doorway.  “I hope that's okay with you, sir.”

Charles nodded.  “I expect you'll find a job soon enough.”

“Yes.  That's my plan.”

Charles nodded.  “When will you be coming to Philadelphia?”

“Just as soon as I'm able.”  Phillip released Ann. “I can't wait to start our life together.”

“I can't either,” Ann said as she turned to Mary.  

Mary smiled.  “I know how you feel.  Remember our discussion?”

“I'm anxious to put this whole tragedy behind me,” Ann said.

“Amen,” Charles agreed.  The others nodded.

“Phillip, I don't want you to stay too long.  The ladies are exhausted and we've got an early start tomorrow.”  They shook hands.  “I'll see you in the morning,” Charles said.

Mary looked suddenly uncomfortable.

“I'm just leaving too,” Phillip said when he noticed her discomfort.  “I'll see you in the morning before you leave,” he said to Ann.  He kissed her goodbye and left the room.

In the morning they were all anxious to leave and get the events behind them.  Phillip arrived at the hotel early to say his goodbyes and join them for breakfast.  Lewey had already eaten to give himself time to get the coach ready and waiting.  When they'd finished, Charles stood.  “Five minutes, Ann.”  He and Mary left the dining room so Phillip and Ann could share a few minutes together.  

“When will you come to Philadelphia?” Ann asked. “You weren't very definite last night.”

“I'm going to try to get everything done in a couple of weeks.  I told the captain I wanted to resign my commission immediately, but it will take some time to get everything done.  In the meantime, I've got plenty to keep me busy.  But I'll miss you.”

Ann's cheeks were wet as she hugged Phillip.  “I'll miss you terribly.”

“It won't be long, Ann, and then we'll be together always.  I love you.”

Charles helped Ann into the coach and followed her in after shaking hands with Phillip. He called up to Lewey.  “Take the long route through Millersburg this time.”

“Yes, sir, gladly,” Lewey said.  He also preferred never to see the Cogan again.

 

 

Phillip rode into Philadelphia three weeks later and was welcomed at the Fairchild home.  As the week passed, Ann became more involved with preparations for her father and Mary's upcoming wedding.

Phillip found himself left out more and more as the days went by.  In addition, he became frustrated with his inability to find a suitable job.   “Look, Ann, I know you're busy helping Mary, so I'll devote my time to finding a job and perhaps look for a house. You may not see me very much for the next week or so.” He studied her eyes as he spoke.

Ann nodded. “Alright, but I want the chance to look at the house before you commit.”

That wasn't the answer Phillip hoped for, but it was logical and he couldn't find a reason for his sudden irritation.  “Of course, I wouldn't think of making a decision without your input,” he said with more sarcasm than he intended.

Ann looked hurt.  Something was bugging Phillip, but she wasn't quite sure what it was.  All Ann could think to say at the moment was, “Okay, then.”

Phillip turned on his heel and walked toward the door.

“Phillip!” Ann called after him.  “Aren't you even going to say goodbye? Where are you going?  What kind of job are you looking for?”

Phillip turned.  He saw the look of pain in Ann's eyes and felt terrible.  He walked back and guided her to the bench where they sat to talk.  Phillip apologized.  “I'm sorry, Ann, please forgive me.”

“I know I've probably been ignoring you, but this is so important to Mary, and she needs me right now.”

“I understand,” was his only comment.

Still upset, Ann said nothing as she watched him walk out of the door.

Charles and Mary's wedding was turning into a bigger event than Mary had hoped, and she welcomed Ann's assistance.   “Ann, I'm getting nervous about the wedding.  It's becoming more of a social affair than I wanted.”

“I'm sure this is stressful for you, but Father has so many friends and acquaintances that he feels he must invite.”

“I know, but this is not who I am,” Mary twisted her hands together in anguish.  “I was perfectly content at the lodge.  This is all so overwhelming!”

Ann wrapped her arms around her future stepmother.  “I'm glad you need me.  I feel like I can repay some of the help you gave me.”

Mary smiled.  “Thank you, Ann.  You're really a wonderful girl.  Your mother would be very proud of you.”

Tears formed in Ann's eyes at the unexpected mention of her mother.  “I hope so,” she said.

Mary took Ann's hands in hers. “You know I'll never try to take your mother's place, Ann.  I couldn't.  You're a grown woman now.  I hope we can always be friends.”

“Of course!”  Ann's smile radiated, made all the more bright by the glitter of moisture in her eyes.

Mary looked around.  “I wanted something smaller and more private.  I'm afraid I'll fall flat on my face in front of all those high society women.”

Both women giggled.  At last Mary released Ann's hands and clasped her hands over her bosom.  “I love your father very much, so I will make the best of it.”  

A week later, at dinner, Charles studied Phillip. “I heard you're looking for a job. Did you find anything yet?”

“No, sir.”  Phillip looked uncomfortable.

Charles didn't hesitate.  “I don't know if you've heard, but Tom quit his job on the docks. I'm down one foreman Are you interested?”   

“I appreciate your offer,” Phillip replied, “but I'm going to keep looking.”

Charles frowned.  He looked at Ann, and Phillip thought some unspoken understanding passed between them.  When Charles looked back, he seemed resigned.  “Until I find someone for the position, it's yours if you want it.”

“Thank you.  I appreciate that.”  He glared briefly at Ann, sure that she'd put her father up to it because he had been unable to find a job.  He determined then and there not to share his frustrations with her.

Ann frowned.  She saw the look and wondered if it was his pride that made him refuse the job.  

Charles and Mary were married in June, and although the wedding turned into a social event, Mary did get through it.  Upon their return from a week in New York City, Mary was happy to turn her attention to Ann and Phillip's wedding.   

Ann held up a hand as Mary poured out her ideas after the breakfast dishes had been cleared away.  “Mary, you know I don't want a big affair.  I only want family at my wedding.  Since Rachel isn't here, I don't want anyone else present.”  

“I thought as the daughter of Charles Fairchild your marriage would be the biggest event of the year.”

“I don't want any more attention.  I'm very content to let your and Father's wedding be the big event this year.”  She smiled to show that she meant it from the heart. “Besides, your marriage to Father was more than enough to keep the news columnists busy for a while.”

Ann realized that she just wasn't interested in what high society had to offer anymore.  She just wanted Phillip to be happy and found that she loved him more than she could have imagined.  

Despite occasional “lover's spats,” Ann and Phillip became husband and wife in a private family ceremony held at the Fairchild home.  The young couple lived with Charles and Mary until Phillip announced one evening, “I've good news.  I accepted a job.”

“That is good news.  I hoped you'd accept my offer, though,” Charles said.  His look of disapproval disappeared quickly when he caught Ann's glance.  He smiled, “Now I can get serious about hiring a foreman.”  

“We've also found a house we'd like to rent.  Would you like to see it before we make a commitment?”  Ann asked her father and Mary.

The next day Lewey drove them all to see the young couple's house.  

Charles instantly frowned in disapproval.  Ann and Phillip didn't notice, but Mary did and put a hand on his arm.  A slight shake of her head brought a forced smile back to Charles' face.

Mary was the one who offered encouragement.  “Ann, this reminds me of the home that I shared with my first husband.  I think it's a wonderful house to start a marriage, and I'm so happy for you.  Don't worry about what anyone else thinks.  It will be a home as long as you and Phillip are happy.”  

It was nothing nearly as elegant as what Ann was accustomed to, but Ann nodded at Mary's words and reminded herself that she could be happy as long as they were together.  She also wanted to prove to her father and Mary that she was capable of being self-sufficient as a wife.  She wanted to prove that she didn't need servants or assistants in order to make a happy home.

After a few more weeks of living with her father, Ann and Phillip moved into their rented house. Ann immediately got busy and planted a garden in the small yard, looking forward to canning the things she grew. Taking care of her small home, tending the garden and being Phillip's wife was surprisingly rewarding, and she felt happy for the first time since the tragedy.  Keeping busy was one way to keep the memories at bay.  

Charles and Mary were content too, so he sold his hunting lodge after he decided he wanted nothing more to do with that area and its horrible memories.  

Mary slowly accepted city life, but she could not adjust to inactivity in her daily routine.  She had to be involved in the chores of the house and became a significant part of Ann's life.   They developed a closer bond and on one of her frequent visits, Ann confessed, “Mary, I shouldn't be this happy.  I still think about Rachel and what her plans were, and she isn't here to fulfill those plans.  I should feel more guilt than I do.”

“You'll never stop feeling guilt, but you must go on.  Everyone must find happiness.  I'll always blame myself for what I did, but I've accepted what happened, and I'm content now in my life.  You can't change the past, and you must move on.”

Phillip's life, however, continued to unravel.  When he was hired at a job, he was unable to focus on his job responsibilities.  His mind continued to drift back to the hanging and burial of Poll Soll, which presented a constant distraction to his work.  It continued to haunt him, and regardless of his job, his work suffered and each time he was dismissed.  Unable to concentrate he could not retain a position for more than a few weeks.  He had no resolution; he was extremely frustrated.  Being with Ann seemed to be his only salvation. For whatever reason he was able to dismiss the thoughts when they were together.  But even there the thoughts seemed to crowd in upon him and he found himself restless and fidgety.