A stranger has come to Busted Gulch hoping to exploit the town. Will he succeed or will his past stand in his way. Come read Busted Gulch vol 12 a Western story told by a collaboration of authors and poets from around the globe in poetry and prose...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE LIBRARIAN ALWAYS KNOCKS THRICE
Tap
Tap
Miss Harriet patiently waited
Outside the barber door
She heard Mr. Strop inside
Hurrying across the floor
So she ready a polite grin
Suddenly door flew open
The blade took her by surprise
As did the look of murder in Strops blue eyes
As the blade barely skimmed her
It cut her favorite ribbon velvet chocker
Before the ribbon had time to hit the floor
She drew fast pointing at Strops bald head
Her hidden derringer with two shots of lead
"Sir drop that blade!"Miss Harriet coldly said
"Sorry Miss Folio I didn't know it was you
I didn't mean too-"
Her gaze as cold as ice
Strop knew she wasn't asking twice
The blade dropped landing by her velvet chocker
"Inside"
She coldly order
Strop arms in the air
Stepped back towards his barber chair
Miss Harriet followed closed the door
Strop knew he was done for
"Mr. Strop it is with utmost regret that I must perform this unpleasant act. But it is a breach of etiquette to murder me just because I knocked more than thrice times which custom dictates. I mean if I banged on your window that I could understand. But an extra few knocks. Sir that's taking murderous intent to far."
She raised and cocked her pistol
"No please Miss Folio you, I did not mean to murder. I thought you were my brother."
"Why pray tell would you want to murder your own brother?"
Miss Folio patently listened to Strops strange narration
About his wife's visitation
This very evening
His amnesia cured his beloved wife had explain
What really happened on that train
About her coma and her sister murder
All caused by his outlaw brother
And tomorrow night he will meet his beloved Heather out by salt marsh well.
Miss Folio lowered her pistol
"I believe you Mr Strop you are sincere and I know you love your wife dear."
"Thank you, Miss Folio, you are a true friend."
Strop in relief, his arms descend
"Yes, friend I had hoped to be more. But that has changed now since your Heather entered that door."
Strop was taking aback.
"You love your wife that is plain to see. But I fear for your sanity. Tomorrow night this friend shall accompany you it is the right thing to do."
"There is no need for you-."
"Please for my own peace of mind I need to."
"Miss Folio I don't know how to thank you"
"Pish posh it's the least I can do."
As the two bid each other a good night
She made Strop promise not to kill his brother
Least until he knew for sure
Miss Harriet Folio looked lonesome as she strolled silently home
She thought about the convenience of meeting
Strops inconvenient wife out on salt marsh estuary.
