Destiny Of The Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone Page A

in Austin. Austin had theaters and operas and fine restaurants, to say nothing of the excitement of its just being the state capital, where one could attend sessions of the senate or the assembly and watch the state government in action.
    But even more than the cultural aspects of the city, she always enjoyed the opportunity of visiting with a girlfriend her own age. Although she lived in luxury on the ranch, she was somewhat isolated, so she very much enjoyed the opportunity of being around another young woman of her own age and approximate social station.
    What she particularly liked was being able to discuss very personal things with Loretta, and during this trip she had told her all about Bob Kleberg. They laughed as they made plans for her wedding.
    On the last day of her visit, Loretta’s mother gave an afternoon tea to honor Alice. To Alice’s surprise, she was somewhat of a celebrity, due to the fact that her father’s ranch was so large and so well known.
    â€œIs it true that it would take one entire day just to ride from one side of the ranch to the other?” one of the girls asked.
    â€œOh, I think it would take longer than that,” Alice said. “It is about the same distance across the ranch as it is from New York to Philadelphia.”
    â€œIt is larger than the entire state of Rhode Island,” Loretta pointed out.
    Alice was uncomfortable with such conversation because it seemed to her that it could be construed as bragging. But the young women who had come to the party were so fascinated by it all that they continued to ply her with questions, so she answered as well as she could.
    â€œHow did such a ranch come to be?” one of the young women asked.
    â€œWell, it was started in 1853,” Alice explained, “after Papa traveled north from Brownsville to attend the Lone Star Fair in Corpus Christi. His route took him through the Wild Horse Desert, where he ran across the Santa Gertrudis Creek, the first live water he had seen in one hundred twenty-four miles. According to Papa, the creek was an oasis shaded by large mesquite trees, and it offered protection from the sun, as well as cool, sweet water to refresh the traveler. He said he fell in love with the place at that very moment and vowed to find out who owned the land so he could buy it.”
    â€œYou mean someone else owned that whole big ranch?”
    Alice laughed. “No. He just bought the land around the creek, then began adding to it until it became what it is today.”
    â€œWhich is the largest and finest ranch in Texas,” a man’s voice said, and all the women looked around to see Senator Dixon, Loretta’s father. “I hate to spoil your party, ladies, but Alice has to catch a train tonight. Alice, my carriage is waiting.”
    â€œThank you,” Alice said.
    â€œI’ll ride down to the depot with you,” Loretta offered.
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    The sun was just going down as Alice and Loretta were driven toward the depot. A matched team pulled the Victorian carriage smartly through the lengthening shadows, their way lighted by lanterns at the front and rear. The driver halted at the edge of the depot, then napped on his seat while the two young women in the back continued their conversation.
    â€œYou will be sure to invite me to the wedding, won’t you?” Loretta asked.
    â€œOf course I will. Why, I intend for you to be my maid of honor,” Alice said.
    â€œPink,” Loretta said. “All the bridesmaids must wear pink. I look good in pink.”
    â€œThen pink it is.” Suddenly Alice laughed.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œPoor Bob,” she said. “Here, we have the wedding all planned out, even to the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses, and he doesn’t even know yet that we are getting married.”
    â€œWell, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” Loretta said, and both girls laughed uproariously.
    A distant whistle got