Chapter 15

 

 

July 30, 1878

T he day following the eclipse started out even more hectic than the day of the grand event. The majority of the Draper Expedition, having had its fill of spending the past ten days in the wind and dust of Wyoming, prepared to board the train to begin their journey back to their homes in the East. Mr. Hayes called in Andy to help carry luggage to the rail station. Soon, the building quieted as the guests departed.

One exception was Thomas Edison. He and another guest, Professor George Barker, stayed one more night before they left for the West Coast. After everyone else left the hotel, the pair assured the Hayes they would return to the hotel in Rawlins on their journey home.

Blythe had not deliberately eavesdropped. However, in the process of sweeping the stairs after the dust from the departing guests had settled, she heard that much of the conversation. She watched as Mr. Edison started up the stairs to return to his room. She was about four steps from the lobby, so she pushed the dust pile to the side of the stair. Then, as she had been trained in the Stapleton home, she turned her back to the stairs.

Edison’s steps slowed as he passed Blythe. “If I failed to do so yesterday, Mrs. Greenly, I wish to thank you for helping me remove all evidence of the fiasco in the chicken coop.”

Feeling a sense of mirth and camaraderie, Blythe twisted her neck to face him and smiled. “You did thank me, Mr. Edison. Once again, I was happy I could be of service.”

Her feelings of goodwill toward the famous inventor, however, came nowhere close to the attachment she felt for the science instructor from Iowa, Eli Morgan. She had just finished helping Nancy wash and dry the dishes from breakfast—the last big morning meal they expected to serve for some time—and was sweeping the dining room when she heard footsteps skipping down the stairs. Next, she listened to a voice speaking at the front desk.

“Good morning, Mr. Hayes. It promises to be a fine day, doesn’t it?”

Upon realizing it was Eli’s voice, Blythe felt a frisson of excitement course through her. Along with a desire to see him every opportunity she could manage, and to listen to every word he spoke, she momentarily froze in place and turned her ear to the doorway. I’m eavesdropping. I don’t care. She slowly resumed her sweeping, intent on doing so as quietly as possible.

“That it does, Mr. Morgan. Hot, but not too breezy. I see that your room is only paid until this morning. Are you and your associates planning to stay longer or check out?”

“We are actually preparing for a jaunt into the wilderness. We’ve made arrangements with the livery to continue renting the horses we’ve been using. However, we need a place to store our belongings we wish to leave behind until we’re ready to return to Iowa. That will include three chests, two telescopes, and miscellaneous items we’ve accumulated since we arrived. Do you know where I might find a space for that purpose?”

In her mind, Blythe could picture Allen Hayes folding his arms on the registration table to support the weight of his upper body and leaning forward.

“Well, sir, it depends on what you want. The livery might have space to rent. Of course, it’s dusty and you’ll probably get hay chaff over everything, but it will wipe off.”

“No, that won’t do. No dust. We need as clean an environment as possible, especially for those telescopes. One is my personal telescope and the other Professor Sewell borrowed for the summer from the university science department.”

Blythe guessed he must have leaned closer to her boss and lowered his voice, for she barely made out his next words.

“I’m not sure his borrowing university property was on the up-and-up, but since he’s the head of the department, he can get away with it.” Eli raised his voice. “However, that means we cannot risk the telescopes and our other equipment being ruined by dust or moisture.”

By this point, Blythe had moved her pile of dirt into the hallway. She stooped and swept it into a dustpan.

“Well, I doubt moisture will be a problem unless you drop it in a washtub or Sugar Creek, because I don’t expect rain any time soon. Tell you what. I suspect we won’t see a crowd of guests here in the near future. If you’re willing to pay half the room fee, I’ll rent our smallest guest room to you to store your belongings. The door will be locked, and we’ll keep the window closed tight so no dust gets in that way.”

“That sounds agreeable.”

“And how long do you expect to need the room?” Allen cleared his throat.

Realizing her boss caught sight of her, Blythe dropped her gaze and turned her back on the lobby as she resumed her sweeping in the direction of the kitchen. However, she did not cover ground very fast.

“My associates and I plan to return here in three weeks. We intend to take advantage of our adventure in the West, so we’ll spend a week or more doing some hunting and fishing along Muddy Creek. Do you know where that is?”

“I haven’t been there, but I’ve heard about it. It’s about seventy miles south of here, maybe a little to the west. I’ve heard, if you follow it down to Baggs, there’s some good deer hunting down there. Rugged country, but beautiful in its own way. Be careful of the hills west of Baggs, though. There’s been more than one rumor that those who are up to no good like to hide out in the canyons and gulches that way.”

Blythe paused her sweeping. There were bandits that close to Rawlins?

“And here I thought the most dangerous animals we might encounter are rattlesnakes and wolves.” Eli sighed and shook his head. “Dr. Poechet, who is actually a paleontologist, not an astronomer, hopes to trip over some mammoth bones while we’re out exploring.”

“Heard there’s some of those, too. South of here, if I recall.”

Mammoth bones? Blythe shook her head and continued sweeping. She had been studying about mammoths and saber-tooth tigers and where their remains had been found the week before the fire destroyed the academy she once attended. She did not recall learning some had been found in Wyoming Territory. The broom bristles slowly scraped the floor as she continued to listen to Mr. Hayes.

“If you haven’t already done so, stop by the mercantile before you leave. I understand they have a booklet on the mammoth findings, as well as the dinosaur bones.”

Blythe felt her arms grow heavy and her mood darken. She would love to buy some books about mammoths and dinosaurs at the mercantile. However, she dared not spend her money on something that impractical.

“We will. Thank you.”

“It’s hard to believe the claims that, at one time, this whole place was a tropical paradise.”

“According to Dr. Poechet, before that, it was under water. A great sea covered most of the North American continent.”

Something else Blythe had not known—or remembered. In the weeks following the fire, she had forgotten so much of what she once learned. Perhaps she could ask Eli about it—if she saw him again.

“Hard to believe. You gentlemen have a good trip, and I look forward to hearing about it when you return.”

“I’m sure we will. In fact, I’m determined to enjoy our time away from civilization.”

Blythe raised her eyebrows. Determined to enjoy being away from civilization? What did Eli mean by that?

“Let’s show you the room. In fact, you can use the room you’ve been renting.”

“That would be fine. I’ll tell the others.”

Footsteps sounded, and Blythe realized they stopped immediately behind her.

“If I don’t see you again, Mrs. Greenly, I wish you the best. I hope all turns out for you as you planned.”

“Oh!” Startled that Eli even noticed her or would address her, Blythe spun around. She lifted her chin so her gaze met his. She felt her neck and face flush with heat. “Thank you, Mr. Morgan. If we don’t see one another again, I hope you have an enjoyable holiday exploring, followed by a safe journey home.” She blinked back tears, willing them not to fall.

After watching him disappear up the stairs, Blythe returned to her sweeping. His wish that her plans turned out well repeated in her mind. If I could change my plans to anything I want, they would include you.