Deny Thyself

e a word with you." Rosa ran

tired and just wanted to eat his dinner and hit the sack. Peter shifted feet and scrutinized Rosa as she spoke. Her words almost ran together as one. Rosa was taller than Evlyn, Peter realized. She was taller by at least three inches. While Evlyn had honey

stening, Pe

g away from his musings wit

n, the least you could do is listen!" Rosa complained.

er said with a reassuring smile. "Now what were you saying." Best k

Let's sit." She suggested, s

on. Why couldn't the girl just get on with it and

at him. That's when Peter noticed with

ocused on her forehead.

st in my friend Evlyn. And as her best friend

er past. My family lived very close to hers w

to stop him. "I wasn't referring to childhood

Wife? As in: a

nly used for that word. Now

be pretty, he was sure of it. It felt like someone had

her father. He was abusive, you know. Every day she would come to work with new markin

hole body seemed to be the color of a plum. Callie was the first to find her lying unconscious on the kitchen floor. Broken dishes and chairs were scattered testifying to her ter

the doctor's son by her bedside praying. He never strayed far from her bedside. Later he begged her to marry him. He told her that he couldn't stand to see her

and she seemed very happy. He seemed so much in love. He was ecstatic whe

dren?" Peter in

Two more besid

band? She never mentioned an

she was tired of a dull life and she was going to California. Her husband agreed to move to California, settle down out there. Evlyn forbid it. Then she broke the horrible news." Rosa put a hand over her heart. "Goodness me, I still can't believe it at times. She told him that she w

he grass. But he could not. He wouldn't be able to speak past the lump in his throat. Clenching his han

drew closer to the wagon. "If you have

hing past his boss. "

words. "Peter. What's the matter?" He asked, h

needs to be shared with you. I said to leave me

as this man? It wasn't one Tyrone had seen before. Gurtslinger backed off,

pain bring such delight to me? It thrills me, thrills me to see someone in such

Rosa asked as she dished up a plate of hotcakes. She

urriedly sat down the plate and rushed towards the b

d clutched her ankle. "Evlyn! What happened?" Ro

sa!" Evlyn gritted. She was trying to keep from crying but her foot hurt so

oice raising as she observed blood starting

led beside her. "It's going to be alright, girl. I've got to get t

urt?" Evly

approached. Peter McCain was behind them. "Mrs. Gurtslinger, I'm going to

e." Mrs. Gurtslinger sa

has a fire going." Benjamin turned to Rosa as Mrs. Gurtslinger

d. Jumping to her feet, s

out until everything is ready but the longer they're in the more risk she has for a deadly infec

he wagon." Peter said

lyn. "We're going to take care of you. You try to relax. G

rone said moving

e water. "It's clean.

asked as Peter set two buckets bri

kets. First ti

he crowd that had assembled. "Anyone here go

linger spoke up. " Brand new bottle. Pet

nd was off and

oner had he spoke the words, Benjamin pulled the boar

ail wounds. Evlyn passed out just seconds after Benjamin pulled the nails free. That was probably for the best, considering the pain she would b

of whiskey. "Here it is. Do yo

t her to drink it. Just a little at a time. See if you can get

t me a spoon please?" Rosa hurried to comply while Peter opened the whiskey bottl

tland. It was made from a three hundred year old recipe. It's distilled four times and has ninety-two prese

he water. He caught Peter's

l give her less si

nger said as Rosa re

ed the whiskey, Benjamin returne

ard got where it was

too odd to be by accid

We'll get to the bottom of this. I won't have people dying

u go check on your wife

nger said easing into

t. "I have the pickling salt and baking soda, Benjam

d to pour the water over the injury. "Let the water

g the salt and soda to Mr. Gurtsli

re?" Callie asked as

need your measuring sp

unt of blood coming from the three holes in Evlyn

ll of boiled water just as Callie em

have there?" Benjamin a

quart canning

into the water and mix it really well." Benjamin continued pou

Gurtslinger

the water back and forth un

ther bowl and Mrs. Gurtsling

ing?" Benjami

rted, as he smoothed her hair back from her forehead. "

follow him around, help him with his

ame a doctor?"

ng Pa save people but

." Mrs. Gurtslinger said co

r the injuries. "We're going to need to repeat this process at least three times a day. We need to make sure dust and all foreign particles

The poor dear!" Mrs.

ll need to be changed every time you apply the saline solution. All of the used bandages must be cleaned with the same salt and soda solution and be dried in direct sunl

n your wagon." P

. We've spent enough time here." He turned to Peter, Rosa, Callie, and the Gurtslinger's. "Thanks

to clean up the breakfast. Peter followed Benjamin and Evlyn to their

nto the wagon before ans

r several minutes. These symptoms indicate an infection for which there is no cure. The infection usually results in death but in a few instances, the

ike he was a ghost. "Evly

eight days we need to be especially careful." Benjamin slapped Peter on the back. "Thanks again fo

ter walked back to where he'd left hi

st and overnight things. She stood beside the wag

he only accident.

uttered, as he stepped around t

Only lost one person." Mrs. Gurtslinger smiled adoringly at her husb

Gurtsling

s on her hips. "Tyrone, you're n

ife. "I'm an excellent trail guide and we only lo

distracted." Mrs. Gurtslinger asked with a

is well. But we are late, so move along, dear.

NG OUT MY STORY! IF YO

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