MARIAN

by Mary Chris Cartwright Landon

Author’s note: Your opinion interests me a great deal. This is the first fanfic that I have done, and I am really very nervous. Thanks to all the friends that helped me to translate. The pais of Carlos Gardel, Maradona and Rodrigo --thousand kisses for all.

I am of the Republic of Argentina and I am fan of Michael since nine years of age. Currently I am 38, raised with the teachings of the Cartwrights and loving Michael therefore, my pseudonym is Mary Chris Cartwright Landon, because I am a sister of Joe but would marry Michael… Michael, we’ll never forget you.

The night was warm but not for the young people who were dancing animatedly on Saturday night in Virginia City.

Among them was Joe, dressed in black pants and a white shirt, who danced with Marian, a girl from New England who had arrived in Virginia City a little while ago. Marian wore a rose silk dress with a belt on her waist and a neckline that left her shoulders bare except for what was covered by her long blonde hair. The dress was much different than usually found in the small town and showed she had been educated in one of the better schools of the east.

“We will have to let everyone know…from today, you will be my official girlfriend,” said Joe, leaning toward her and trying to kiss her on the lips.

But Marian avoided the kiss. “Joe Cartwright!! Do not lie to me….”

Joe did not understand Marian’s attitude. “You think I would lie to you?”

“We have been in town only a short time, but several girls already warned me about you…said that you have many girlfriends,” replied Marian.

"I do not have a girlfriend, not a special one," said Joe innocently and tried kissing her again

But Marian continued avoiding the kiss. “And what about Violet?”

Joe avoided the answer with another question. "What about Violet?”

Marian continued to persist. "Seems that you forgotten her and Laura, or Meg, or Cindy or...?”

Joe interrupted with a laugh. "It seems that you have done a very good job of investigating me but I assure you that I do not have feelings for them. On the other hand, with you... you pleased me since the first day that I saw you."

Marian began to laugh. “I do not believe it was from the first moment since my mother made you fall.”  The two laughed

"I was absent minded and did not know what made me fall," said Joe. “In that moment, I was dazed and all I saw….I thought that when you gave me your hand to help me rise, you were an angel,” added Joe sweetly.

Marian smiled and Joe tried kissing her, but Marian turned her head. “Do not go so fast…give me time…and I will see if I believe you or not.”

Joe was sincere and put his hands on his chest, giving the sign of an oath. “You will see for yourself that I do not lie…that I want to make you happy…and that I am not what you said I am.”

“That I will decide. I prefer to meet your family. I have heard you speak a great deal of your father but I don’t know what they are like.”

Joe turned, putting his left arm on the wall. “You don’t know my father and brothers yet. Adam is the oldest, and Hoss is six years older than me. Just the four of us. My brothers have cousins and aunts and uncles, but I have only them.” The last phrase was said with sadness, with an inner pain.

Marian interrupted. “I do not understand. How could they have cousins and aunts and uncles and you do not?”

“I did not tell you that we have different mothers. My father became a widower three times. They occasionally go to visit their relatives…the two go together because Adam’s relatives want to see a great deal of Hoss. They are always asking that he accompany Adam,” clarified Joe, trying to sound as natural as possible.

“And you are not welcome?” said Marian.

“It is a very long story, but I can condense it by telling you that they did not like my mother and therefore do not accept me. When I was 8 or 9 years old, my father took me and they treated us very badly…so much happened that we finished the visit a great deal earlier than expected…and we never went there again.”

“But your brothers continue going. I do not believe that they are right to do so.”

“They did not want to return but I explained to them that not everyone is liked…that it did not hurt me that those people disapproved of me. If they did not want me around, that was fine. I finally convinced them when an aunt of Adam was very sick and asked to see them.”

“You have a very good heart. I do not believe I would have acted the same.”

“I do not know if I have a heart as big as you say, but I love my father and brothers. I know what is not to have anyone, and they helped me a great deal.”

“And you studied away from here?”

“No. My father intended to send me like Adam, but I was a little more rebellious. They wanted me to go but I was very badly injured and for almost a year I had to rehabilitate and heal. Everything was healed fine.

"What happened to you?"

“Adam and I were bringing money from the sale of some horses. Some men ambushed us. We tried to run but they caught us in a cross-fire and they wounded me in the leg. I had the bad luck that an immense bear appeared and attacked. Adam tried to shoot the animal but couldn’t free me until one of the bandits came over to our side. He shot it with a powerful shotgun.”

Marian was horrified. “Oh, how you must have suffered…”

“At the time, no, because I had bumped my head. When Adam carried me to the Ponderosa, I did react, though, and felt bad.”

Joe was thrown to memory, recalling what Adam had done. “Adam was upset by all the blood…they told me when we arrived at the house, he was distressed by the sight. If you knew him….he is refined, very serious, not violent and here I was covered in blood…I don’t remember much because things were so disjointed. But they told me as soon as we arrived at the ranch, Adam said I was injured, full of blood…and he was very upset.”

“I imagine, having studied in the east, he had not seen that type of accident, and I would guess he would see things in a very different way,” said Marian.

Joe was amazed things would appear that way to Marian, because the explanation was very different. “Before Adam left, we were closer, we were better friends…Was that fried chicken on the table? You did not eat. I’m sorry if you did not like it and found it a problem…

“I did like but it is difficult…food is something that is to be treated with a great deal of delicacy. In school, they teach you which dish is served, which cup to use…in short, teach you good manners.”

Joe asked how things were different. “And you also changed when you finished your studies?”

“Although you do not want to change, Joe, you do change. I become accustomed to dealing with people at the highest levels. All my friends are very important.”

“Then it seems I do not have any possibilities with you….I am a simple cattleman,” said Joe, downcast.

“You are different; your father is the owner of The Ponderosa,” answered Marian, trying to raise his spirits.

“But I do not have an eastern education, Marian.”

‘I imagine that with your father, you will have known a great deal of important people.”

“Yes, he would tell you that the previous president used to come to our ranch,” Joe commented quietly. He was never happy to boast of the wealth or important friendships of his family, and he was not going to begin to do it now.

Marian was surprised at what he said, and something inside her changed. “I can not believe…!!!  What is he like?”

“Someone normal and friendly…I do not particularly like to talk about those visits. I have already spoken enough of my father and said things which might cause you to treat me different. In school, that used to happen. I behaved very badly to try to be important and that used to cause trouble.”

“It is not what you said…The Ponderosa is well known throughout the country. Before I came here, I read articles in the main newspapers.”

“Yes, it is well known. But let’s talk of other things…you should think of you and me…”

*********

Later, Joe was with Marian near her house. They were behind the white fence near some small woods

 "I expect that we should get back to the house, Joe said while caressing her hair.

"I believe that I got to know the true Joe Cartwright today...I had another image of you and it is nothing like what I saw.  I also expect that we both should go,” she answered in a very flirty voice.

Joe was happy and showed it in his smile.  "Yes…we should go on a picnic tomorrow. I will tell Hop Sing to prepare something and come by to get you.”

"I accept with a condition."

"Which is?” asked Joe

“I will prepare the food...I love to cook," Marian answered, smiling at him.

The idea charmed Joe but he did not want the girl to go to a lot of trouble. “But it is very late…and you are going to be tired,” said Joe very sweetly.

“But I want to be the one that prepares the food for you. It will please me to prepare something for you even if I’m tired.”

Joe stammered a bit as shyness overcame him. “All right, if that’s what you want.” He added quickly, “I’ll come by at 11 o’clock,” then turned and quickly left.

Marian watched while Joe left, then entered the house where her mother was seated in a chair, waiting for her. The room was very feminine, with candlesticks and pictures on the wall. One of them was a portrait of Marian, dressed in a luxurious gown. Her mother was a very distinguished woman, about 50 years old, with very blond hair and a very pleasant manner.

Her mother noted the happiness in Marian’s face. She rose and walked toward her daughter. “Good. It seems the younger Cartwright has truly conquered you. I saw the look in your eyes as he left.

"My eyes? What have my eyes to do with it, mom?" asked Marian, puzzled.

"They have the shine of love, daughter," answered her mother, very touched to see her daughter so happy. The two joined together to laugh, and Marian turned with happiness, showing her mother how she danced with Joe.

“Oh mom, he is so sweet, so tender…I am sure that all the ones who made bad comments about him did it out of envy. He has such a sincere look and treated me with so much courtesy. I have to cook something for tomorrow. We are going on a picnic. Will you help me? I do not want to do it badly…Oh, mom! You can not imagine how happy I am.”

“I am going to help you. I have never seen you so nervous about a boy. With your other suitors, you were never like this.

“Joe Cartwright is different.”

“All my life I imagined you married to someone important. Since you began to see boys, you said if the boy was not a university student, you would not speak to him.

“I repeat, Joe is different.”

“Why? Because he is very handsome and sweet, or is the reason that he is the son of the owner of the Ponderosa? He is a cattleman, daughter…a cattleman with money, a great deal of money, but still a cattleman,” said her mother directly. But Marian did not let her mother’s comments bother her.

“Maybe he does not have the education that the other boys had, but he has a unique… personality. I never imagined that someone like him would excite me. I always wanted to live in the city, with a husband who was lawyer, engineer or architect, and yet you see I am enthusiastic about a cattleman.”

Her mother continued looking, doubting everything her daughter said.

*********

Joe entered his house whistling, and did not realize his father was seated in the red chair, reading a book. “You seem to be in a very good humor,” his father said.

“Pa, what are you doing up so late?”

“Problems with the San Francisco contract....” Ben began telling Joe as he got up, leaving the book on the chair. “A telegram arrived that are going to make some changes…it’s not sure yet, but the terms are not good from an economic point of view,” said Ben, very worried.

Joe saw the worry on his father’s face and listened attentively to what his father said. “But you said that that contract would open doors to others,” said Joe, sitting down on the large sofa.

“And I did not lie....it is very important for the future of our ranch.”

“And making a profit is the point of the contract, right?” asked Joe in a very sweet voice, very calming for his father.

"Yes..." said Ben, already more calm.

“You always told us that money is not important, and in this case, it isn’t, Pa. You have made a very important contact, one that will open doors to another continent. I know what it means to you, after you have worked so hard for it.

“It wasn’t just my work alone…” interrupted Ben.

“Another reason to for us to stand behind you and help anyway we can,” said Joe, looking into his father’s eyes.

“You always have an answer to please me…I can’t deny that you are your mother’s son. She had that facility to encourage me,” said Ben, giving Joe a pat on the back.

“Why don’t we get some coffee and talk about Adam’s birthday.”

“Let’s go to the kitchen where it is fresh, Joe.”

They went to the kitchen and while they went speaking, Joe went prepared the coffee. Ben, in the meantime, sat down, waiting.

“I’m glad you have forgotten Karen and feel happy,” said Ben.

“That woman only caused pain…I don’t understand how someone can be so bad with the feelings of others,” said Joe while seeking something to remove the coffee pot from the fire and not be burned. Joe took a cloth off the wall and removed the container with a bit of clumsiness, then began to serve the coffee.

“People like that exist, Joe…you cannot believe it because you have a very good heart.”

As he sat down, Joe interrupted his father. “Hey! That’s the second time tonight someone told me that. I am going to start believing it soon.”

“Who else said that to you?” Ben asked him.

“Were you ever nervous in front of a woman, Pa?”

“Yes…with your mother,” answered Ben in a very quick voice.

The two laughed together, and at that moment, Adam entered the kitchen.

“I heard voices and I woke…in reality, I can not sleep,” said Adam. “I want that birthday party to be talked about for a long time in Virginia City.”

“Don’t worry about that. Your younger brother will take charge of helping you,” said Joe. “First, I will invite the prettiest women from around here, and you will be able to select anyone you want, unless…”

“Unless she is the one that causes you to stammer, maybe?” asked Ben.

"Maybe…maybe,” said Joe and the three laughed happily.

At that moment, Hoss entered. “What’s so funny?”

"It seems that our brother found the woman of his dreams, Hoss,” said Adam

"Who is she? Do we know her, Joe?" asked Hoss very anxiously.

“You do not…she lives in town.”

“What’s her name?” asked Adam.

“Patience, brothers. When things are more definite, I will tell you. In the meantime, I will act like the gentleman my older brother taught me to be,” answered Joe as he went to the fruit dish to get an apple and throw it in the air to Hoss. Joe realized Adam looked a little irked at Joe’s attitude. “I think I’m going to university, brother, but for now, I will behave like a gentleman and I will let you teach me good manners,” added Joe, giving Adam an exaggerated bow.  “You have me in your hands, older brother,” finished Joe, laughing with a mouth full of apple.

“For a start, you can laugh with your mouth closed when you are eating,” said Adam ironically, and Joe quickly close his mouth.

“Seems that the girl in question is a university student, or am I mistaken?” said Hoss.

“I will not give any hints, Hoss,” said Joe as he continued eating his apple, watching the curiosity grow on the face of his brother.

***********

Two months passed, and Joe was in Marion’s house talking with her mother. They were having coffee with apple pie. Joe looked with attention at the picture Margaret was showing.

“My husband was a traveling salesman, and he used to bring me the best, without worrying about its cost. We never had a problem with money,” said Margaret

Marian interrupted. “Mom, why don’t you stop showing those things to Joe and let him drink his hot coffee.”

The three laughed.

“Margaret, this pie is delicious. My brother Hoss would have eaten it all,” commented Joe.

“Then I will invite him to visit and eat one,” Margaret replied.

“I am going to change my dress before we go to town, Joe,” said Marian.

Joe got out of his chair and ran to Marian’s side. “You are very beautiful,” said Joe very softly. Marian smiled, very pleased. She walked to the stairs that went up to her room, while Joe watched her attentively. Margaret smiled at how enchanted Joe was by her daughter.

“This pleases me,” said Margaret.

“I love your daughter, and I swear I will do whatever it takes to make her the happiest woman in the world.”

“What would please me is that you tell your family who your girlfriend is. It does not please me that you hide it.”

“I want it to be THE surprise when they know. I recognize that has been three months, but I have fallen in love. I want to present Marian as the future Mrs. Cartwright.”

"You are very close with your family, right?” asked Margaret.

"How could I not be, with all the good things they have always done for me.”

"You mother passed away when you were very small, right?”

“Yes, when I was 5 years old. And from that moment, they were father and mother to me, especially my brother Adam. He is the hard one to please, and I feel he wants more from me.”

“And you always speak highly of Adam.”

“He is my idol…when I was a boy, I always told him that I wanted to be like him, and my father pretended to get mad, to be jealous.”

"It makes me happy to know what Marian is going to enter a good family."

“And I assure they will approve…it was always my father’s dream to have a daughter.

At that moment, Marian descended from her room, wearing a heavenly dress with white daggers in the neckline, in the sleeves, and in the skirt. Her hair was loose, but she carried a hat that matched the dress.

“How do I look?” asked Marian, making a circle.

Joe was amazed and Margaret felt proud of her daughter.

“You are precious…I believe that instead of being engaged, we should get married immediately,” said Joe as he approached Marian. He turned to Margaret. “Close your eyes for a minute.”

Margaret closed her eyes as Joe asked. Joe gave Marian a very deep kiss on the lips, and she did the same.

“You can open them now,” said Marian with a laugh. Joe took her hand and they left the house.

Joe helped Marian into the carriage and got in on the other side. The carriage started forward when Marian suddenly said to stop. Joe stopped the horses and gave Marian a strange look.

“Joe…are you sure we will be doing the right thing?” asked Marian as a tear fell down her cheek.

“I don’t understand, my love…what?” said Joe as his hand dried the tear.

“I don’t want to spoil Adam’s birthday…you tell me this is always a serious thing, a formal thing, and this might not…please them.”

“Listen…you...you do not want to break our engagement, Marian, do you?” asked Joe.

“Don’t be silly, Joe. How can you believe that?” said Marian.

“The other night I thought you told me that it would please you to live at the Ponderosa, even when I told you that I do not run the ranch, that it is Adam who does so. You wanted to be by my side, to work with me, not because of my name but of who I am. I work for the family, whether my name is Cartwright or Smith,” clarified Joe, a little restrained as he waited for Marian to answer.

“You misunderstood me. I did not say that that I expected financial help from your father, but it would please me if you would understand that you are a Cartwright and you should participate in all the decision about the ranch. Understand how your brothers do things and not be an outsider.”

“Marian, when we first met, you told me that you always dreamed of marrying someone important. I am…not,” said Joe.

Marian interrupted. “You ARE a Cartwright…”

“Yes, but the important one is my brother Adam…not me,” said Joe, downcast.

 “But I love you, dear.”

Joe embraced her tightly against him and gave a sigh of relief. “Marian, I love you. With you at my side, I have everything. If it is necessary, I will work 24 hours a day, but you will have the best. I love you, Marian. If you left me, I would go crazy.”

And they kissed passionately.

“Are you sure those rings that I showed you in the catalogue don’t cost too much, because I don’t want to you to have such an expense,” said Marian in a very loving way.

“You should not worry about that.”

“It is that I began to think…those with diamonds are very costly, and there are more simple ones. One ring is no more important than another ring…you are important to me,” Marian stated.

“You are important to me and therefore I want to give you the best. I have the money and I am going to spend it.”

Once again, they kissed with a great deal of passion.

*********

Later, Joe arrived at the house and he was met by Ben, Adam and Hoss in the big room.

“Delay the birthday party?” said Joe while removing his jacket and gunbelt.

“Because of the problems in San Francisco,” reported Ben. “One of us should go. And the one who does go will have to remain in San Francisco a minimum of 4 months, supervising all the contract details.”

Joe thought that not to see Marian for four months would be a torture.

“But we are going to have to notify everyone that there will be no party,” said Joe.

“That is my same old luck, little brother,” replied Adam uncomfortably, and he went to his room.

Ben and his two sons remained, troubled by Adam’s feelings.

Hoss offered to go. “Pa, I can go. There’s no reason why I can not make the trip.”

“I know it, but you don’t understand the contract. The details are very complicated. I cannot go because I have to run things here,” Ben replied.

Hoss looked directly at Joe, who was quiet and hoping they did not think of him.

“Joe, why don’t you go?” said Hoss. “Adam was very excited about that party…it’s the first time in two years that I have seen him enthusiastic about something other than work. He’s been preparing all the details for two months, and I think it is unfair that he can not have his party.”

Joe, feeling incredibly guilty, did not know what to say. He knew it was being egotistical to think only of himself but it was impossible for him to act otherwise. Taking a breath, Joe started to answer Hoss but could not look him in the eye. “Hoss, it isn’t that I don’t understand what you are saying, but four months! I have an important relationship and four months is a very long time. Please understand me,” he finished with a bit of a sob. He didn’t want to act this way but he wanted to be understood.

“Son, I understand,” said Ben. “But I also understand that a great deal of our future depends on this contract. Your relationship is very important, but I believe it has been a bit hasty. You told me that you wanted to be engaged at Adam’s birthday party. It seems very romantic but also very hasty.”

“Is there a specific time to know whether a woman should become a wife? Don’t give that excuse, Pa. You always told me that you fell in love with my mother at first sight,” Joe said.

 Hoss looked at Joe with a frown, and decided to go to the kitchen before he said or did anything he would regret.

Ben approached Joe and put his arm around his son’s shoulder. “Why don’t you talk with her? If she truly loves you…Go see her right now and bring me an answer. If you decide you will not be able to be separated, I will not be so foolish as to force you. A wife is very important, and it would not please me if you lost her,” suggested Ben.

“All right…I will go right now.” Joe took his gunbelt and his jacket and left.

Hoss came from the kitchen and approached his father, whose face showed a mixture of worry and guilt for the duty he had asked of his youngest son.

“Pa, what if I try to find out who the girl is?” suggested Hoss.

“Your brother wants to keep it secret until Adam’s birthday…it is not our decision.”

“It’s that I am so curious to know,” said Hoss. “Since he met her, he has changed. He’s more responsible…finishes all his work before going to see her.”

To that Ben added, “I feel bad about asking him to go. Yes, they are going to miss each other. I wish they would not have to be separated for so much time.”

**********

Joe was at Marian’s house, talking with her and her mother.

“Joe, I believe that your father entrusts you with this because he has all the confidence in the world in you. My dear, the idea of not seeing you for so long does not please me, but I feel proud that you are the chosen one, that you have the confidence of your father,” said Marian.

Her mother realized it was useless to disagree, and she went to Joe and caressed his cheek. “Good son, I am going to miss you a great deal. And I promise you that I will guard your dear one for you. I do not want anyone as a husband for my daughter except you.”

Joe felt protected by the comment, and laughed a bit. He took Margaret’s hands and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I would be happy if you brought her to San Francisco.”

“They said that the fabrics from China are very pretty,” said Margaret. “You bring me silk to make the dress for her wedding with you.”

“Then I will choose the best,” answered Joe. “I don’t have a mother so you will have to act in her place.”

“And I accept gladly,” Margaret said. “You already are like a son to me.”

Marian began to sob. “Listen to you two. I am trying to be strong and not cry, but hearing you, I will not resist….

“I will leave so that you can say good-bye,” said Margaret. “Good luck, Joe.” She rose from the chair and walked out of the room.

Joe took Marian’s hand and they went outside to sit down on a chair hammock on Marian’s front porch. Joe held Marian tightly, and at once they began to kiss with a great deal of passion. “You will wait for me?” asked Joe while still kissing her.

“Forever, forever my love,” replied Marian while she kissed Joe also.

“I am going to write you every day,” said Joe fervently.

“I also…I love you, Joe,” Marian said and continue kissing him while moving her hands to caress Joe’s chest under his shirt. Joe stopped her before her passion went too far.

“I had better be going,” said Joe, his decision difficult.

“Stay a little longer. You are going to be my husband, aren’t you?” said Marian.

“Yes, but not now, my dear, you understand?” said Joe very softly.

But Marian did not put any importance on Joe’s reason. She wanted him, wanted to be his, and wanted to be sure Joe did not leave until she loved him with all her soul. She wanted her ardor to change him into an important man of business. “Joe, do not cause me shame. I want to show you how much I love you…how important you are to me,” she said, whispering softly.

“I know you love me. It does not have to happen now,” said Joe, trying to sound convincing, but she continued urging him.

“I need to know you love me. I want you to assure me that when you return, you will not call off our wedding.” Marian continued kissing and caressing him, knowing it would convince him.

Joe could not resist any longer and began kissing her with more passion. Marian said to Joe, “Behind the house is a guest room.” She stood and took Joe’s hand, and they went together to the small room. The empty room was furnished with a comfortable bed. Joe continued kissing Marian on her neck, burying his face in her hair. Marian continued to tell him in a passionate voice, “I want to be yours, Joe. Take me.” She freed herself and reclined on the bed, then called Joe with a look that he could not resist. He went to her.

**********

Later, after they left the guest room, Joe stopped and kissed Marian with a great deal of tenderness. “I love you, Marian…I love you so much.”

“I am going to miss you. I had many pictures in my head of that party, of meeting your family,” said Marian, supporting her head on Joe’s shoulder.

Joe had an idea at that moment, and he spoke while he gave her small kisses on her head. “Listen, I want you to go to the party anyway,” Joe said to Marian.

“And introduce myself without you? I do not want to, Joe.”

“No, I don’t ask you to introduce yourself. Just see them and know them, but don’t say that you are my girlfriend. It will be amusing.” 

The two laughed. “You have eccentric ideas, but it pleases me,” said Marian. She added, “But I will not dance with anybody. I will look around the house, see the living room and dining room. I will be able to see your father and listen to him talking of you. I will get to know Hoss and Adam.”

They embraced and they kissed with a great deal of passion, then continued walking to Joe’s horse.

"You are mine?" asked it Joe with teary eyes.

"I love you with all my soul, Joe,” she said softly.

“You swear that you will wait for me, that you are going to answer all my letters, that you are going to think of me all the time like I will be thinking of you,” said Joe while holding her tightly against his body.

“Do not break that promise, Joe, because you are my life,” said Marian with eyes full of tears.

“When I return, we will decide where we are going to build our house,” said Joe anxiously.

“That area you showed me so near the lake pleased me, with the fresh fragrance of pines…our children will grow happy there, my love.”

Seeing how much time had passed, Joe gave her a short kiss on the lips, and mounted his horse. As he rode away, he shouted to Marian, “For always mine?”

“Forever,” answered Marian among sobs.

And Joe went.

Marian entered the house and went upstairs to her mother’s bedroom. Margaret sat down on the bed while Marian fell into her arms crying, “I am going to miss him a lot. I want to marry him, mom. What if he forgets our love?” said Marian, crying.

“The love that boy has is not going to die…I see how much he loves you.” Her mother stood and led Marian down toward the kitchen, where she began to make coffee.

“I can’t believe I see you so in love,” commented Margaret. “I always imagined that you desired to marry a lawyer, an architect…and I imagined that he was going to be a great deal older than you. Then Joe appeared in your life. His is such a good boy, amusing…and so handsome. I already imagine the beautiful grandchildren I will have.”

“I will make Joe important. He is a Cartwright, although he does not value that name. With time, I will make him a man of business. You will see that he will forget about taming horses or going to the camps with the workers.”

“And you believe he will change? I think it is rare that that one from a ranch will change. I can not imagine Joe becoming a man of business,” emphasize her mother.

Marian said very causally, “I will change him. He already has the money. He only needs to learn.”

Margaret could not understand her daughter. She knew Marian loved Joe, but the mother saw in her daughter a great deal of ambition, an ambition almost desperate to be achieved…things she did not see in Joe. She asked herself how long the couple would be able to be happy with so different feelings about material things.

**********

Joe arrived at the ranch and led his horse, Cochise, to the stable, then walked to the porch of the house, where Adam was waiting. “Hey, why are you up so late?” asked Joe nicely.

“I wanted to speak with you, little brother. Let’s go to the kitchen and get some coffee,” said Adam. The both went to the kitchen by the side door. When they entered, Joe sat down near the table.

“I’ve already prepared coffee. I think this is the fifth one I’ve had waiting for you,” said Adam while serving the two.

“I can’t believe you drank so much…I thought I was the coffee one of the family,” Joe said casually.

“I am taking up your bad habits,” answered Adam pleasantly as he sat down and gave a cup to Joe.

“Joe, I was thinking…I acted liked an impulsive kid with you today,” said Adam guiltily.

“I don’t understand,” answered Joe, taking a drink of coffee.

“About the party…I am separating you from the woman you love for a simple birthday party.”

"It is not a simple party for you…you started planning it three months ago.”

“But, Joe, I am too old for those ideas,” Adam continued saying.

“You are not too old. Don’t feel guilty, Adam. My girlfriend and I have agreed…she is going to be waiting for me and when I return, we are going to be married.”

“You are sure you want to marry so promptly? You are very young and are going to be separated a long time. She might seem different when you return.” Adam realized what he said was very pessimistic, so he added, “I’m sorry, brother. Things went badly for me, so I think badly of the entire world.”

“I know you mean well…”

“Good…I am going to bed,” said Adam. He noted Joe was very pensive, very deep in thought. “Something bothering you, Joe?”

Joe had felt very good before Adam asked the question. “No, everything is all right, but I don’t feel well,” said Joe.

“I am here if you want to tell me,” said Adam, sitting down again.

“It isn’t something to be talked about…it’s something between her and me.”

“But you seem upset and I believe you need to talk about it now. If you don’t want me, I will call Pa.”

“No! Not to him,” said Joe hastily. He sighed. “I was thinking about what you said. I’m sure she will not change, but I don’t know what to do. I think I have acted badly. She is as young as I, and to have loved her so…” Joe fell silent, feeling ashamed, and then continued. “With any other girl, I don’t feel guilty, but with her, it is different.” He did not tell Adam exactly what happened but Adam did not need to have it explained to him.

“This is an act of two, Joe. She did it because she loves you. You should not feel guilty…you should feel quite beloved.” Then Adam laughed and added, “And be prepared to run from her family if you do not marry her.”

Then Joe smiled. “I won’t have to run.”

**********

The day of the party, Marian arrived with two friends at the Ponderosa. “Remember, don’t tell anyone that I am Joe’s girlfriend,” said Marian.

“The ranch is an incredible sight…you are engaged to the most coveted boy in town and a rich one,” said one of her friends.

Ben approached the young ladies and greeted one of the girls who arrived with Marian. “Susan…welcome…it is good to see you.”

“Thanks. Joe invited us…where is he?” the girl asked deliberately, and Marian’s face showed that she wanted to murder the girl.

“Unfortunately, he is not with us…he had to travel,” said Ben.

“Too bad. He always cheers up the party, and we all like to dance with him.”

“I believe that Joe’s time has already passed…seems he is in the position of boyfriend…” and at that moment, someone called to Ben and interrupted the conversation. “I will see you later,” said Ben and left.

The two friends laughed but Marian was furious. “I wanted to cut out your tongue, Susan…you are the worse thing….”

“Well, I already knew your father-in-law….”

Later on in the party, one of the invited ranchers wanted to make a speech about Adam. He approached Adam and put his arm around Adam’s shoulders, then said to all, “I want you all to know of the excellent professional that we are honored to have with us in Virginia City. This man designed the new house for my ranch and I dare say that it will be a home for a thousand years. I have had the pleasure of knowing him since he was a boy, have known him all his life. Today, in front of all of you, I am going to announce the project of my new mines. It is a very important project, and for that I need an architect like you, Adam.”

All the guests applauded while Ben felt very proud of his son.

Marian remained looking very attentive, recognizing Adam as an excellent professional, and while she continued to love Joe, ambition was beginning to enter her thoughts.

Adam, at that moment, looked at her and smiled gallantly. Marian answered the smile and lowered her head shyly.

Susan saw those looks and said to Marian, “Don’t forget that is your brother-in-law.”

“Don’t be a fool,” said Marian angrily, and then did not want her friends to think she was angry. “I will ask where I can freshen up so I can see Joe’s room,” she said. She moved to where Hop Sing was serving more punch and asked, and was directed to the stairs. But before she could move, she looked at Adam and he noticed her look.

Susan and her friend also saw. “She is flirting with Adam,” said Susan. “What kind of woman is she, Sandy?”

“Joe does not seem to know…perhaps he sees only an act…”

Marian went up the stairs and down the hallway, opening the doors of the rooms. When she arrived at Joe’s room, she remained outside, looking at it very attentively.

A voice startled her. “Are you lost?” asked Adam.

“I….am seeking…the bathroom…but there are so many rooms here…”

“It is the last one.”

“Thanks,” Marian answered, still nervous.

“You are new in town,” said Adam, and she noted a certain interest in her.

“Yes…I came with two friends…they said that Joe invited them.”

“He is my younger brother. I am Adam Cartwright.”

"Marian Matthews...and happy birthday," said Marian pleasantly.

“I expect to see you downstairs and insist you dance with me,” suggested Adam.

“With every pleasure…Adam.” Her voice sounded very coquettish.

**********

Later, Marian was with her friends at the side of the dining room while Adam was in a different area, next to Hoss. One of the friends said, sighing, “Marian, the most handsome Cartwright is the one in love with you. Neither Adam nor Hoss are ugly, but they don’t have the charisma of Joe.”

“Adam is interesting also,” said Marian.

“You would trade him for Joe?”

“If I wasn’t in love, I might consider it. Joe says that his brother is an excellent businessman and an architect. The little he told me was not a lie. See how well they all spoke of him,” said Marian.

“I believe to Joe that it would not matter if he were president,” said one of her friends, sighing and seeming to be very interested in Joe.

That bothered Marian, and she replied sourly, “Sandy, if you continue talking like that about Joe, I will lose my good manners and make you eat mud.”

As the three friends finished laughing, Adam noticed Marian and approached her. “What is so funny?”

“We were deciding who is the more handsome one…you or your brother Joe, since he is not here tonight,” said of Marian’s friends.

Adam smile at the revelation of the girl and then turned to Marian. “You promised to dance with me,” said Adam.

The friends looked at her with surprise, and Marian did not know how to answer. “I am not a very good dancer,” she said.

Adam sought support from her friends. “That would be a problem for Joe, right?” and the other two girls smiled nervously. “But I am not a great dancer either…and I am the guest of honor.” He took Marian’s hand and led her to the dancing area.

Hoss approached the friends with curiosity to ask if they knew who Joe’s girlfriend was. “Who is the girl with you?”

“What! She pleases you too?” asked Susan nervously.

Hoss laughed. “She doesn’t. It’s that Joe is the boyfriend of a new girl in town but does not plan to tell who she is until he returns, and I am very curious.”

“And you believed Marian was the girl? Hoss, she is…not.”

“That’s good, because Adam seems very taken with her. Since he found her in the hallway, he hasn’t stopped telling me what a beautiful thing she was, and he was hesitant to approach her.”

**********

Several hours had passed since the start of the party, and Adam was with Marian on the porch of the ranch, drinking punch. You know that I have never danced so much,” said Adam to Marian.

“You are not as bad a dancer as I am…you did not step on me,” Marian answered. And they laughed.

“So you came by chance,” said Adam.

“Yes…Susan told me that Joe had asked she invite some girls…and here I am.”

“You do not know my brother?”

“I have heard of him…the girls say that he is very handsome and very good.”

“They surely notice the handsome thing first…all of them asked me about him…except you.”

Marian was jealous about what Adam had said, about what all the women asked about, but did not want to show it. “I do not know him so…” she said nervously while drinking from her cup.

“He is a very good boy, but I am pleased you do not know him,” said Adam.

"Why?" asked Marian.

“Because it would not please me that he courted you before I knew you.”

“They told me that your brother was a flatterer, but it seems that all the Cartwright brothers are,” Marian said, smiling at him.

“I am not…I don’t know why I am telling you all these things…you must excuse me…I have been very bold,” said Adam very timidly.

“No, you did not seem bold. On the contrary, you are very gallant,” said Marian, and she took another drink from her cup, looking up at Adam very suggestively.

**********

Two weeks after the party, Ben, Adam and Hoss left church and found themselves walking behind Marian and her mother. Hoss smiled to see the happy look on Adam’s face as Adam approached the women and called his father.

“Pa, let me present you to Marian Matthews…she was at my birthday party.”

“I remember having seen you together. You favor each other a great deal,” said Ben.

“She is my mother, Margaret,” replied Marian. And greetings were exchanged among all.

“Are you aware of the picnic that is going on…we would love for you to come,” said Adam so gallantly that Hoss could not help but smile to himself.

Marian’s mother sensed her daughter’s interest in Adam and was about to say no, but Marian said, “Nothing would please us more, isn’t that right, mom?

Marion’s mother dissented. “We are not prepared…we do not have anything ready…”

Ben saw Adam’s interested and said, “Don’t worry yourself. Our cook always prepares more than enough.”

“Then we accept with pleasure, Mr. Cartwright,” said Marian quickly.

“Adam, take the carriage. I will use your horse. I want to ride in for the mail. I couldn’t do it yesterday and I’m sure there is news from Joe,” said Ben.

“You won’t forget to send my letter,” said Adam.

“I am going to send a telegram also,” added Ben, and Hoss added, “Tell him that we miss him a great deal.”

Ben smiled and went.

Margaret felt very disturbed by the situation, and even more so when they began to speak of Joe. Marian herself seemed unconcerned when they spoke of Joe, and her mother did not like the look of that.

“My brother went on a trip five weeks ago, and we do not know when he will return. The ranch is pretty boring since he…” Hoss started, but Adam cut in on the conversation.

"We should be going,” said Adam.

***********

Ben arrived at the field and dismounted from his horse. He walked to where Hoss and Margaret were at a table, under the shadow of a great tree, preparing to serve the food. Ben looked very happy as he approached them.

“You have news of the missing boy, right?” said Hoss, laughing.

“What other thing could bring me happiness in these last 35 days?” answered Ben in very good spirits. “And there also was a letter for you.” He gave it to his son, who was even happier than his father.

“It seems to please you to receive news from your younger brother,” said Ben ironically, and they all laughed a great deal, including Marian’s mother.

"Where is Adam?”asked Ben.

“He went with Marian to introduce her to some people. Is there a letter for him too?” Hoss said.

“Yes,” Ben told Hoss.

Marian’s mother was very nervous about the conversation about Joe and wanted to change the subject. “My daughter and I lived a great deal of time in the east, and your ranch was very well known. We knew of the Ponderosa when we decided to move here.”

“We are going to have to show you around then,” said Ben very courteously.

**********

Three weeks had passed when Marian arrived at her house, holding Adam’s hand. They entered the house and there was Margaret seated in the main room.  She was amazed to see them hand in hand and frowned at Marian.

“Mom, Adam wishes to speak with you,” said Marian, and give Adam a look that said all was going to be well.

“I will spend a moment alone with him,” agreed Margaret.

Marian left and Adam stood very uncomfortable before Margaret.

“What is it you want to say, Adam,” said Margaret in a very motherly tone as he sat down.

“Mrs. Matthews, I believe you know what I want to tell you,” said a very nervous Adam. “Your daughter and I were attracted to each other since the first moment…we have the same inclinations…the same ideals…we think almost exactly alike. In short, we enjoy a great deal of one another’s company. And we wanted to tell you about how we feel…”

“Did my daughter say that she loved you, Adam?” asked Margaret.

Adam blushed before answering her. “Yes…the same thing I told her. I know we have been seeing each other a very short time, but I feel like I have known her all my life.” Adam told himself to get on with it; he was beginning to sound like Joe. “Why do you ask?”

“I believe she told you that she was seeing another boy, correct?”

 “Yes, she did not hide it. I did not have to ask; she told me about him,” answered Adam.

“And what did she tell you of that boy?” Margaret asked. Adam realized something was bothering Margaret. “What did she tell you she felt about this boy?” added Margaret. “I am interested to know whether she is interested in you or the other boy.”

 “She told me that he was an excellent person but somewhat immature…very young, and that she always dreamed of being with a man, not a boy of his age, a man with the same inclinations, the same ideals to move forward,” said Adam, very politely.

“And you believe that you comply with those requirements?” suggested Margaret.

Adam was very proud of himself and answered without wavering. “Margaret…I am a Cartwright.”

“It seems that to be a Cartwright is more vanity than pride for you, Adam.”

“You should not be confused. I am not a vain person, but my father fought for his position in life, and it is the duty of his children to continue on with that bequest. The Ponderosa is not easy to run. The Ponderosa is an empire that one must defend,” refuted Adam.

“And with all that responsibility that you have, what place would my daughter occupy?”

“That of being Mrs. Cartwright…of being a member of the family…to help me with my decisions…of being part of a happy family….and being very happy and respected,” Adam promised.

“Yes, I believe that she would be happy in such a role. I believe that you are the type of man of whom she always dreamed. The other boy would also make her happy, but she would be a queen only of his love. With you, she would be a queen in the world. With my husband, we educated her for this. Yes, you are the person that she chose. The other boy…he will have to see that. I do not want to deny you.”

“I also asked her about that, and she agreed. But she does not want to inform me who he is. She told me that he lives here. And she is right, I would not be happy to know who it is.”

Marian descended the stairs, wearing a festive dress.

“You are going to leave?” Margaret asked.

“We would like to invite you to dinner at the ranch. Today is a month since we met and it is a good day for us to get together,” said Adam.

“I am not prepared. Why don’t we leave it for another day?” said Margaret. In reality, she did want to accept because she did not agree with Marian’s decision.

“Mom, Adam already had his Chinese cook prepare a special menu. We can not disappoint him,” begged Marian, and her mother then accepted.

**********

After dinner, all were in the large room, drinking from cups.

“Do you really have that book, Ben?” asked Margaret of patriarch. “You do not know what I suffered when I lost it in the move.”

“I am going to give it to you myself right now, so I don’t forget. Come with me to the library.”

They went to the library, and while Ben looked for the book, Margaret looked at some photographs on Ben’s desk. When she saw Joe’s photo, she raised it and looked at for a long time.

“That is my youngest son,” Ben told her.

“You miss him,” said Margaret, smiling at him.

Ben smiled also. "Exactly"

“Tell me, when Adam and Hoss go on a trip, is it like this?” asked Margaret curiously.

“To be honest, no,” admitted Ben. “Joe and I have a special…connection. How to explain him? He is the one that is uniquely mine. I was widowed three times, but with Adam and Hoss, I always had outside help – Hoss’ mother, the family of Adam and Hoss, Joe’s mother -- to help me raise them. But with Joe, it was different because I did not have that type of help. I did not marry again, so the only help I had was that of Adam and Hoss. Then, Adam went away to study, and Hoss spent a very long time with his family. I couldn’t leave because Joe was very sick and taking care of him demanded that I be with him a great deal of time.”

“What caused it?” asked Margaret.

“He was born as a weak child – my wife had some difficulties with his birth – and that caused some difficulties with his heart. Luckily, I could offer him good medical attention, and today he is a strong, healthy boy,” explained Ben.

“No more heart problems, then?”

“None. He had a very serious accident some six years ago and the doctor was afraid it would cause complications. But my boy withstood them and proved to be as strong as an oak tree.” Ben smiled and added, “And now he brings ME heart problems, whenever I see him taming a horse or fighting with outlaws.”

Hoss was listening and interrupted to tell them, “Or when Adam found him on the cliff ready to dive into the lake.” Ben and his sons laughed.

“Sometimes, one is naive,” said Marian, dismissing Joe. For her to dismiss him like that convinced her mother that she did not feel anything for him.

“My brother is tough. We have to give him the bravest horse to tame or the most dangerous work, such as putting TNT in the mines or transporting nitroglycerine,” bragged Hoss.

“Ben, then what is Joe doing in San Francisco?” asked Margaret.

“Probably being bored,” laughed Ben.

“But spending time with some girls at night…I was told he is very amorous,” said Marian.

“That I do not believe,” said Hoss. “The boy is very much in love.”

Margaret look at Marian to see if she was feeling guilty, but her daughter looked away.

“Speaking of that, when I went to get the mail, the postman said there were letters addressed to his girlfriend that were not collected. He wanted to give them to me but I wouldn’t take them,” said Ben.

“If you had taken them, we would know who she is,” said Hoss with a frankness that worried the two women.

“Hoss, it was your brother’s decision not to tell us her name, and I don’t want you to show up there to find out for yourself,” ordered Ben.

“But what if the girlfriend does not answer? We can’t just leave it alone because he is going to suffer a great deal and I…I am going to feel guilty,” said Adam.

“Why are you going to feel guilty?” asked Marian immediately.

“Because he did not want to leave his girl, and did it so I could have the party,” said Adam.

“But if he left the girl so that you could have your party, he must not want her very much,” said Marian deliberately.

“Marian, there are very few occasions on which I saw Joe cry. I don’t believe he has done it since the accident when a bear attacked him and tore him up. That time, he cried because of the pain of the lacerations,” said Adam. “When it came time to say good-bye to his girlfriend, he pretended everything was all right but that night I heard him sob for her. I do not want to imagine what would happen if that girl left him…”

“And how he feels about not receiving her letters,” added Hoss.

“Yes but if she does not answer after such a long time, that must mean she does not want to know him any longer,” said Marian.

“I hope you are wrong,” said Ben. “It would not make me happy to see my son suffer. In his 21 years, he has done it enough already. When you know the type of good boy he is, you are going to think the same as I.”

“Some friends of Marian have told me they are very interested in him. I don’t believe it would take him very long to get another girl. You told me all the admirers he has, Marian,” said Margaret, trying to remove her sense of guilt.

**********

Four months finally passed, and the day Joe was to return home arrived. Ben was waiting anxiously at the stage depot.

He saw the stage coming in and Ben’s smile of happiness was evident. Although he worshipped his three children equally, he had a connection with Joe that was closer than with his older sons.

When the stage arrived, Ben approached the door. After two people got off, Joe stepped down. Immediately, father and son were fused in a hug.

“Welcome home, Joe. I missed you a great deal,” said Ben, very emotionally.

“And I missed you,” said Joe, and they hugged again.

Ben looked at his son while the driver handed down the suitcases. “You are thin. Be prepared for Hop Sing to stuff you with food.”

.”And I am going to accept it. The hotel was very luxurious but the food was not very tasty,” Joe told his father.

“Then it has changed, because I was there once with Adam and the food was exquisite, first class,” replied Ben.

“That may be, but it was very sophisticated when what I really wanted was a piece of fried chicken,” said Joe, and both men laughed.

“We should head for home…you must be tired.”

“Yes I am but first I want to see my girlfriend. I brought her some presents, and besides I really want to see her.”

“I understand. You should invite her to have dinner tonight, so she can also meet Adam’s girlfriend.”

“Adam’s girlfriend?”

“Since his birthday…they are very serious.”

“Do I know her?” asked Joe.

“Adam told me to give you a taste of your own medicine…that I should keep it secret until tonight,” laughed Ben.

“He is very bad,” said Joe laughing, then added, “I will ask my girl to marry me and I will be engaged today…it’s a very special occasion.”

“Son, it pleases me that you are happy.”

“This night is going to be very important for all of us. Only Hoss does not have a girlfriend,” said Joe happily.

“Or I, this time,” answered Ben with an aura of mystery in his voice.

Joe heard it and immediately said, “Why is that, Mr. Cartwright?” in a very quick voice.

"In time there may be some person who is interested…I’ll said nothing more than that.”

“When I arrive home, I want an explanation. I have been gone for four months and things seem to have changed.”

*********

In Marion’s house, two women sat nervously in the room, waiting for Joe to arrive.

“How are you going to tell Joe that you do not want him any more? He will be arriving any moment. You should have sent him a letter, Marian, telling him you did not want to continue the engagement,” her mother reproached her.

“After what his father said that night about how he had suffered so much in his life, I did not have the courage, mom,” said Marian, ashamed.

“I can’t imagine what will happen when you tell him. I still think he is the ideal boy for you. Not that Adam is bad, but he is so calm. On the other hand, Joe was a whirlwind as soon as he entered the house.”

“But I chose Adam, mom.”

“You chose him but you do not love him,” her mother said pointedly.

“What terrible thing are you saying?”

“It is not a terrible thing. The eyes full of love which you had when you were with Joe I have not seen when you are with Adam. Even on the day he offered you marriage. You will be a lady with capital letters…bored but a lady.”

Before Marian could answer her, Joe knocked on the door.

“Please answer the door…I don’t want to see him first,” said Marian and went to her room.

Margaret went to open the door and there was Joe, with packages for them.

"I’m here!!” said Joe, very happy

Margaret’s welcome was restrained but Joe was so excited that he did not notice her coldness. “How are you?” asked Margaret.

“Tired and full of dust,” answered Joe, laughing, then added, “Can I come in?”

“Yes, yes, come in, Joe.”

Joe entered and placed the packages on the table, and immediately began to tell Margaret about them. “I brought several kinds of fabric, not knowing what color you wanted. I opted for buying so many because I do not understand anything about fabrics and I was afraid that they would not please her. She will have to decide which she is going to use for the wedding. I also have some perfume that the saleswoman told me recently arrived from France,” said Joe excitedly.

At that moment, Marian descended the stairs and approached Joe. “Hello, Joe,” she said in a very cold voice.

Joe embraced her and tried to kiss her, but Marian avoided him.

“Joe, my mother is here….

“But I’m sure she will understand that is has been over four months since I have seen you.”

“But still it is not right.”

Joe did not realize something was wrong with Marian and continued speaking. “I want to marry you. I told my father that you and I would become engaged tonight. You like the idea?”

Marion summoned her courage and answered him quickly. “No!!”

Joe looked at her without understanding. “Does it seem very hasty to do it today? Sometimes, I am too enthusiastic. You want a special party?”

“No, Joe,” said Marian.

Joe look at Margaret, not understanding what was going on.

“What is the matter with you? You are so different…do you want to do it another way?” Joe said, trying to embrace Marian, but she avoided him.

“We are not getting engaged, Joe, not today, not ever. Can you understand that?” said Marian, speaking in a very formal voice.

Joe was convinced she was kidding. “This is a joke, right?” He began to laugh because he was sure it was a joke. “She almost had me believing it,” he added, looking at Margaret.

“Unfortunately, it is not a joke, Joe,” said Margaret, beginning to cry.

Joe was in a daze, and did not believe it. “Before I left, we talked seriously. What happened since then? Did I do something wrong?”

“What I have to tell you is not a joke,” said Marian, very tired of the situation and wishing Joe already understood what she was going to say.

“I don’t understand you. In the last two letters, you told me what dressmaker was making the dress for your engagement.”

“I did not say it was for our engagement. I met another man, Joe, and I am engaged to him.”

Joe was stunned by her confession and did not know what to say.

“And I ask that you please not tell my boyfriend that you dated me,” said Marian very firmly.

“I didn’t just date you...I was your boyfriend,” said Joe very angrily.

“Promise me that you will tell him nothing,” repeated Marian.

Joe was furious and hurt. “I am going to break his bones, no, more than that…”

“It isn’t his fault alone…we both fell in love.”

“Margaret, please leave us alone?”

“Yes, of course.” Margaret went to the kitchen.

“What happened, Marian?” asked Joe. “Did you forget you were already mine?”

“I did not want to remember that. It was a great error. I did not want to have to give him explanations about my boyfriend when I will be his wife.”

"Who is he?"

At that moment, Adam knocked on the door.

“Now you are going to know. But please do not tell him that you and I were courting,” begged Marian.

“I am not going to congratulate him,” said Joe.

“Please, think about this. I loved you. What if you came to me with the same news? What if I was not the one you wanted…”

Margaret came out of the kitchen.

“Margaret, make her change her mind,” said Joe, seeking a certain alliance with the woman.

Margaret went to open the door.

“Open it, mom. Joe wants to tell my boyfriend that he dated me, and he will bear the consequences,” said Marian grimly.

Margaret opened the door and Adam entered, carrying a large bunch of flowers. Joe saw him and he was as stunned as Adam.

“Little brother!! What are you doing here?” asked Adam, very happy to see him and giving him a welcoming hug. “We all missed you a lot. It was very quiet on the Ponderosa.”

Joe was amazed at what was occurring. His rival was his older brother. He did not know what to do. He was confused.

“Pa broke his promise and told you who my girlfriend was, right?” said a very happy Adam.

“N…no! It’s just that…I looked for you and they said…they told me you were here…I came here…”

Adam noted how pale Joe was. “Are you all right, brother?” asked Adam.

“Yes…I have to go…I will see you at the house, Adam,” said Joe.

“Aren’t you going to tell me about your girlfriend?” asked Adam as he put his arm over Joe’s shoulder. “I have you to thank for organizing the party. Isn’t Marian beautiful?”

Joe’s eyes were full of tears, but he did not want to cry in front of Adam. “She is very beautiful. You take care of her…I wish I had paid attention and was a university student now,” said Joe.

Adam laughed and looked to Marian and Joe. “Are you saying that I have to thank that bear that attacked you that you did not go away to study?”

Joe made an effort to smile at his brother but could not do it. He left the house, followed by Margaret.

Outside, Joe collapsed against his horse, very upset, trying not to cry but he could not keep his sobs in his throat.

Margaret was very troubled and did not know what to do for him. She put her hand on Joe’s hair and stroked it. “Joe, do not do this to yourself…you are strong…no one deserves what you happened to you…my daughter did not have the right to do this to you.”

Joe turned with a face full of tears, very upset and hurt, and not understanding what had happened. “It is Adam, don’t you understand? It is my brother!” He threw himself into Margaret’s arms and began to cry. “What am I going to do? What am I going to do when I see how happy he is?”

“It will pass, Joe. Think of everything you have to live for, son,” said Margaret in a consoling voice while she cried also. “I know what she did was wrong. She should not have left you…she should not…”

Inside the house with Marian, Adam asked why Joe’s gifts were on the table.

“He did not take them…they would be for his girlfriend…he forgot. You can take them to the ranch,” said Marian.

“He seemed sad, empty,” said Adam. Then Adam noticed Joe’s engagement ring was on the table. Marian saw it and was about to take it when Adam notice. “And that?” he asked.

Marian hesitated and then finally invented an answer. “Adam…I am going to tell you the truth. Joe was here because I know his girlfriend. You saw him upset because they are finished.”

“They are finished? She decided not to…?”

“Yes.”

“Who is she? I have to know and speak to her. I have to tell how upset Joe was.”

“Do not ask me to tell you her name, because I promised her I would not.”

“Didn’t she know how he felt about her?”

“I believe that you do not know how things are…I will try to explain it to you.”

At that moment, Margaret entered, still very upset by how Joe was feeling. Adam noted Margaret’s tears and was worried. “What is going on? What happened to my brother?”

“You have to listen, Adam. Joe was very excited about the girl he dated,” said Marian.

“He said she was his best girlfriend,” interrupted Adam.

“No, no…for him, SHE was his girlfriend, but she never gave him any illusions. She had another man who was courting her.”

“Joe didn’t tell us that…you could be wrong,” said Adam.

But Marian continued with her lie. “I am her friend. Joe kept telling her he loved her. She went out with him because he insisted, and he bothered her at lot, Adam.”

“I do not believe he bothered her. I do not believer there are many people with a heart as good as that of my brother, Joe,” said Adam, very hurt by the situation for Joe’s sake. “What I do believe is that the girl was not good enough for him, and does not deserve a single one of his tears. That ring she did not accept was bought by days of my brother standing night guard over the stock when it was as cold, by him working extra hard. ”

“I cannot believe that with all the money your father has, your brother should have to work extra to be able to buy something,” said Marian.

“That’s want Joe wanted. Behind that façade of a happy young man, he is prouder and more responsible than all of us.”

“According to the girl, he told her that he did not do important work on the Ponderosa, and he was never going to be in charge of the ranch, like you,” Margaret replied.

“Joe is not important to the Ponderosa?” said Adam surprised. “I sure would like to know whether the girl was interested in him or his money. You can’t imagine what the contract was like that Joe had to take over. The contract he went to San Francisco to negotiate is the most important one we have had for the Ponderosa. We were going to lose it, and Joe negotiated it in such a way that my father could accept it. Joe is not vain, and he doesn’t brag about his name or use it to gain something.”

Margaret glanced at Marian, trying to tell her that she had made a mistake.

Marian began to talk to Adam. “You think my friend wanted to marry him only for his name or his money? Part of what she did was very wrong. I am sure that she went out with him because he was the most coveted man in town. All the girls are said to be in love with him, and my friend wanted to be envied. But she really despised him.”

Adam was bothered by that statement.

“What good is it to list the reasons for her what she did,” Marian added. “My friend leaving Joe is a blessing for Joe. She is over him already.”

“She has a new boyfriend and your brother does not interest her,” continued Marian. Adam looked very uncomfortable at Marian’s attempt to defend her “friend”.

“I do not know you, Marian. How could you think what she did…”

Her mother saw things were going badly and intervened. “I think we are all upset by the boy’s situation. Let’s get some coffee and try to calm down. And Adam, do not worry. I will make sure I tell the girl how hurt he was. I saw him only twice when he came here, but he seemed to be a good boy and does not deserve to be hurt. I am amazed at what happened, Adam.” She turned to her daughter. “Marian, you help me with the cups of coffee.” Margaret took the gifts that were for her and put them in front of Adam. “I had asked for some fabrics and he brought them to me.”

She went into the kitchen with her daughter, and they began to whisper.

“You must be crazy to speak with so much anger against Joe. Adam was getting annoyed and I had to save the situation,” said her mother firmly.

“I got carried away.”

“You had better see to it that you do not get angry, if you want to become a great lady.”

Marian knew her mother was right, but it was late in the day and it had been a long day. She wanted Joe’s love but she also wanted to hurt him.

“Why did you take the gifts? I do not want anything from a boy…” said Marian.

“I was not going to lose the chance to have such fabrics and the special perfumes he brought me.”

“What they cost would enable a family to eat with luxury for a month,” said Marian with a great deal of interest.