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seminary school for young women.”
    “And in your father’s absence with whom did you reside?”
    “My Aunt and uncle, my mother’s family.”
    “Miss Gentry.”  Mamie Hartley paused.  Her eyes grew big, almost cow-eyed.  “Could you please explain to the council why you have remained a spinster?”
    Arabella felt her lips thin. 
    She found the question entirely too personal, and unacceptable.  Lifting her chin, she eyed Mamie Hartley with distaste. 
    “What does my marital status have to do with teaching?” 
    Mamie Hartley returned a likewise stare. 
    Miffed by the younger woman’s boldness, she cleared her throat.  “Your marital statu s is of the utmost importance in reaching the council’s decision.”
    Arabella looked at her father. 
    Sympathetic to her plight, he nodded his head, encouraging her to continue.  Shrugging her shoulders, she gave a lengthy sigh. 
    “Very well.”  She murmured.  “M y fiancé died during the war, and I never had the heart to find another.”
    The silent strain, which permeated the room and the humiliation of it, was unbearable.  Arab ella swallowed back a lump, which caught in her throat.  She watched a s a very uncomfortable Mamie Hartley look ed over at Eurilye Martin who then nodded her head.
    “I’m sorry for your loss .”  The older woman offered with a lame sense of sympathy.  “However, there’s another matter of importance, one that raises questions about propriety.”
    “Propriety ?”   Arabella piped.  S he stood to her feet and placed her hands on h er hips, directing her in tensity toward Mamie Hartley.  “What would any of you know about my propriety?”
    “During the holdup at Owl Creek,” Mamie interrupted.  Not one for usually ba cking down .  “I heard while the outlaws were pummeling for loot, you stood by in defiance, putting the rest of the passengers at risk.”
    It was true s he had been defiant. 
    Nevertheless, what woman would not do so when her livelihood was at risk?  The locket meant the world to her.  It signified a lifetime long since gone , and she would not let go of it , even if it meant her life.  Arabella turned so she faced the council, ignoring Mamie Hartley’s indignant stance.
    “Would you have me cower like a braying mule?”  She began her voice cool and surprisingly collected.  “Why would anyone in their right mind stand by and allow some lowlife criminal take away their dignity?  God as my witness, I met no harm to the other passengers on the stage.  Dare I naught say the truth for fear of losing a teaching position?”
    “Even so, you went with him.”  Mamie blurted.
    “I’d no choice.”  Arabella returned.  Turning around, she eyed the scheming woman with an assertive smile.  “Better me, than your son, Edward, isn’t that right, Mrs. Hartley?”
    Mamie Hartley balked.  At that same moment, Eur ilye Martin stood to her feet and faced her fellow board members.  
    “Well, I for one agree with Miss Gentry.”  The banker’s wife encouraged.  “We’re all tired of those brigands.  They have been stirring up c haos for almost a year .  It’s time to stand up to their antics.”
    “We’re working on it , Mrs. Martin.”  Sheriff Gentry spoke for the first time.  His smile turned cold, almost calculating.  “Believe me ladies. I know a lot more than you think.”
    Arabella sta red at the Sheriff of Sundown. 
    Suddenly again, her fat her took on his other persona. 
    No longer an endearing parent , she stared wordlessly as his eyes met her with guarded interest.  Whatever he knew, she sensed it had something to do with her.  Disregarding her father’s scrutiny, she gave an eager little cough, forcing a brittl e smile toward Mamie Hartley.  For the moment defeated , the mercantilist wife cleared her voice and seethed . 
    “All those in favor of Arabella Gentry as schoolmistress of Sundown, please say aye. ”

CHAPTER THREE

     
     
    Curse his rotten luck. 
    If