Standing in front of the full length mirror she slipped into her petticoat. Mabel hated being a woman, well dressing like one anyway. As her reflection stared back at her, she paused, remembering her father. He had always told her she was pretty, and that meant she would marry well, but marriage was the last thing Mabel wanted. As she pulled the laces through the eyelets of her boots she thought about how angry her father had been when she had cut her hair. It was her way of rebelling and he was furious. Samuel Nestor had blamed Gabriel for his daughter's unruliness, accusing them of all sorts, the decision to run away came easy. Gabriel had taken her to a Cree Village near Fort Edmonton, and she soon began teaching the children english. In return, they gave her a home and a family, she learned from the indian women as well, and was expected to do what they did and behave in the same manner. Gabriel would show his face from time to time and take Mabel hunting or fishing, it was Couteau who taught her to ride a pony bareback, indian style. So with the help of her new family Mabel learned how to stand on her own two feet.
Fully dressed now, she stood looking into the mirror, assessing her appearance. Today she looked like a woman, well, all but the hair. Pinching some color into her cheeks and taking a deep breath, she opened the door and prepared to be scrutinized.

"Good morning Mrs. Duffield."

Sally was just setting the table. "Good morning Miss Nestor, breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."

"Nothing for me thanks." She couldn't possibly eat anything this morning, her stomache was in knots. Mabel didn't notice the disgusted look on Sally's face as she made her way to the door.
Stepping out onto the porch, she scanned the street for a familiar face, no sign of Gabriel. Well, she would find Corporal Bennett and accept his offer to show her around. She was anxious to see the school house and of course her new home, the fact that the mountie was a very handsome man made it a pleasant thought.

The sun was beginning to warm the chill that hung in the air from the night before. Strolling along the boardwalk Mabel turned to watch some children who were laughing as a dog chased them down the street. "Oh, I'm sorry marshal" she said, almost walking straight into the lawman. Jack smiled at her and tipped his hat. She had been so preoccupied that she hadn't noticed him.

"Mornin' ma'am".

"Good morning," Mabel smiled. "You wouldn't know where I could find the corporal?"

"Uh, Bennett, yah, he'd be in the office cleanin' somethin' right about now."

Jack's eyes followed her as she passed by, he hadn't recognized her at first, she didn't look like a chicken after all, which made him curious as to why she had never married. She was interested in Clive of course, most women were. It meant Clive would be smitten fer a spell, leaving Jack to have Marie all to himself. Smiling at the thought, he headed towards the Livery stable. Wendell had taken off like a scalded cat last night when he had caught sight of the teacher. Jack decided to have some fun at the banker's expense.

"Mornin' Wendell," Jack said as he squinted his eyes trying to adjust them to the darkness of the stable.

Wendell MacWherter was out back firing up the blacksmith's forge, it was obvious to Jack that Archie was late again. MacWherter didn't know the first thing about being a 'smithie'. "Was that really the new teacher in the saloon last night"? he asked the marshal.

"Yup... still think she'd make a pretty bride"? Jack chuckled, noting the fear in MacWherter's eyes,"Come on Wendell, she ain't THAT bad."

"She hardly looks civilized marshal, how can she be an educated woman when she dresses like a savage?"

"Ya know Wendell, sometimes looks can be deceivin', seems to me she's real smart."

Knowing the marshal's lack of education, MacWherter took his words with a grain of salt. "Well I don't think this town is going to approve of her." Dropping his voice to a whisper, he continued,"I hear she is friendly with that half breed Couteau, people just won't tolerate it marshal. Why... look at her horse," he said pointing to one of the stalls, "It's an indian war pony."

"Huh? ...I think it's called a Paint", the marshal replied, stroking the nose of the young horse. "Fine lookin' animal."

Unable to find corporal Bennett, Mabel made her way to the stable to check on Abby. "Hello again marshal Craddock." Turning to Wendell she asked, "Are you the stable boy?"

Jack chuckled again, he enjoyed tormenting the little man,"This here is Wendell MacWherter, the banker and the owner of this here livery."

Wendell froze, saying nothing, but grinning an apprehensive smile.

"It's very nice to meet you Mr. MacWherter. I'll be stabling Abby here for a while, if you have room. I'd like to pay you in advance for her board."

MacWherter hesitated then blurted out, "I'm... not sure I have room."

Jack shook his head, "What are ya talkin' about MacWherter?" motioning with his arm, "Ya got four empty stalls." Realizing that Wendell didn't want this ' war pony' in his livery, he made certain the banker was given no choice.

"Oh... of course", Wendell admitted, " It costs 25 cents per day, more if you want her groomed." Mabel paid him for a full month, then went on her way, still looking for Bennett.

With a grin Jack turned to the banker, "Ya know Wendell, I believe that woman is sweet on you." Then he walked out the door, leaving Wendell MacWherter with his mouth hanging open in horror.

Mabel was eventually able to find corporal Bennett at the general store, where she was surprised to discover that Dr. Dumont was also the town grocier. After looking over the schoolhouse and sneaking a look inside her yet unfinished room, Mabel thanked the corporal and made her excuses.

Back at the boarding house she felt the need for some open space and fresh air. Changing her clothes she hurried down the stairs hoping she wouldn't run into anyone else. Her hopes were dashed however when she met Joanna Radway on the front porch of the boarding house. Mrs. Radway was a well known member of the Temperance Movement and considered herself beyond reproach. Of course Mabel wasn't aware of any of that, nor would she have cared.

Joanna stopped the young woman dead in her tracks. "So ! It's true, you are a savage !"

Mabel stared in disbelief as Mrs. Radway looked her up and down. She was wearing her deerskins... and was suddenly aware that she had made her first enemy in Bordertown.

"We won't have it ! An indian for a school teacher, imagine!"

"And who might you be?" Mabel asked sarcastically.

"I MIGHT be the only person in Bordertown with courage enough to tell you what I think."

"Wonderful to meet you." Mabel commented as she walked towards the livery. Pulling her colt .45 from it's holster she opened the barrel and gave it a spin, checking each of the chambers. Yup, fully loaded.

"Do you honestly think the people in this town would let someone like YOU teach their children?"

"Not if they're all as ignorent and narrow minded as you are ma'am." she kept walking, hoping the woman would go away.

Inside the livery Archie had finally arrived at his work, and was leading a horse in need of a new shoe, from it's stall. He heard the conversation as the women entered, but turned a deaf ear. Mabel took Abby from her stall and walked her to the doorway.

Seeing the horse Joanna yelled, "Look! she's got a war pony!" Mabel jumped on Abby's bare back and trotted off without saying another word.

"Did you see that?!" Joanna asked Archie.

"Did I see what Mrs. Radway?" he replied, pretending to not understand the question.

Joanna hurried down the street towards the corporal's office arriving out of breath.
"Corporal ! Corporal !"

"Mrs. Radway... good morning." Clive greeted her with a smile. He was standing beside his desk sorting the mail for delivery.

"Corporal I demand that you notify the proper authorities and insist they do something about that....squaw !"

"Who ?" Bennett asked.

"I am referring to that so-called school teacher !"

"I can assure you Mrs. Radway, that Miss Nestor is a fully qualified teacher. As a matter of fact she comes from a very prominent family in Saskachewan."

" She is a savage !"

"Mrs. Radway.. she's just arrived. Don't you think you should give her a chance to prove herself before you make any unfair judgements ?"

Marshal Craddock entered the room, threw a pair of dirty socks on his desk, and acknowledged the woman, "Mornin' Ma'am." Lifting the coffee pot from the top of the pot bellied stove he poured himself a cup, put it to his lips, then decided to offer it to Mrs. Radway.

With a look of disgust she started toward the doorway, without looking back she stated, "This conversation isn't over corporal. I will be calling a town meeting!"

Jack watched her leave, then turned his eyes toward Bennett as he sipped his coffee, " She upset about all the drinkin' in the saloon again ?"

"No."

"Her reform committee still wantin' us ta fix this place up ?"

Tossing his saddlebag over his shoulder Clive shook his head, "No Jack, she doesn't like Miss Nestor."

"Oh..... so it's Canadian business then." Jack smirked

"Yes Jack, it's a Canadian matter, I'll handle it."

As Bennett made his way along the boardwalk, Jack called after him "That's good compadre! 'cause it ain't my jurisdiction....but..ah...if ya can't handle it on yer own Clive, ya know where ta find me !"

'Obnoxious' Clive said aloud to himself, ' if I can't handle Mrs. Radway without the help of a U.S. marshal then I have no business being a North West Mounted !' He saddled his horse and rode off in the direction of Turtle Creek. He had mail to deliver, Mrs. Radway would have to wait.