Heartbreak and Heaven

The Mountains of Eternal Snow (Revised). Book 2: Heartbreak and Heaven, 85,300 words.

Edith leaves home to teach in Wyoming. She meets UPRR supervisor John Casement, and travels with him to Carter Station. He is enamored.  The Carter family and her teaching is fine; the location is desolate. However, after she sees a handsome wagon driver who reminds her vaguely of  other person, she dreams of him and his calico cat.

A riot destroys Bear River City where Martin is employed and the town dies. Martin decides to get a job with the sutler at Ft Bridger. His thoughts include a woman in a yellow bonnet which he suddenly realizes must be Edith. He becomes manager for Carter's warehouse at Carter Station and is reunited with Edith. He loves her but needs to be established before he can ask her to marry him.

On a stagecoach to South Pass City, Edith obtains a promise from the governor to sign Women's Suffrage if legislation is passed. The coach is attacked by Sioux and saved by Washakie's Shoshone. In South Pass City, Edith rallies women for Women's suffrage at election time. It passes and Wyoming is the first territory to permit women to vote.

Edith has three admirers: a lieutenant she met during the Indian attack, John Casement, and Martin. The Lieutenant is killed and Casement won't marry her because of his unpredictable lifestyle. Martin leaves for the Wind River Valley to become the new trader and Sutler for Fort Washakie. He returns, and he and Edith marry.

At Ft. Washakie, Edith holds a dinner for post principals: Captain Torrey, the Indian Agent, the post doctor Maghee, and the agricultural agent. Between them she becomes acquainted with the post and reservation in which it is located. She learns Shoshone and that she is pregnant.

In 1874, General Sheridan, who doesn't like Captain Torrey, arrives. Then the post prepares for battle when Indian hostiles who have been killing local citizens, are located. Doctor Maghee passes out in Martin's saloon and Martin is forced to drive the doctor's wagon (and Maghee) to the forthcoming Battle of Bates. The battle is a draw.

The government fails to provide the Shoshone what they need. They start to rebel. Martin and Edith hide the chiefs until the governor arrives to resolve problems.  An Indian Bureau investigator examines then dismisses charges against Martin, but the Indian Bureau revokes duel trading licenses so Martin loses his Indian Trader license.

Disease plagues the valley with Diphtheria, measles, and Scarlet Fever. Then a weary Edith loses her new baby and falls into depression the same winter a hundred-year storm hits. Many people and thousands of cattle are frozen to death.

In 1875, President Chester Arthur visits the valley. After Martin reveals his problems, the president promises to take care of him ,but nothing happens. Two years later, a conscientious senator enables Martin to get his license back. When he walks to his house, Edith is smiling because she is pregnant again. She wonders whether he will kiss her before or after he tells her his news.