The night of the ball came, and she was suppressng her excitement. This was the most social event of the year, and every important person in the county would be there.

She hadnt stopped being asked by Graeme, but she never let him know who she was going with. After all, John was a bounty hunter, an out-of-towner. He was eyed suspiciously by all, and many regarded him dangerous. He was only supposed to be passing through, but Mary had persuaded him stay longer, the night they returned to her cottage.

Now she was standing in front of her full length mirror, admiring her reflection. She had, for the first time, let her hair down, and it cascaded down in her back in a tumble of waves. She had done her make-up, soft smudging of rouge on the cheeks, and dark liner under her eyes, making her look doe eyed. Then, to finish, she had applied a little pale pink lipstick to her full lips, altogether making her look sweet and innocent.

She had slipped into her gown, and slipperets, feeling the way the material moved against her skin.

Perfect, she thought.

"You look beutiful !" John whispered huskily in her ear, as they made their way to the town hall.

She flushed with pleasure. It was the first time she had actually believed him when he said it.

They got to the door and handed over the tickets. Where John had got them from was a merchant in the next town, who had been passing through. He and his wife had had to sell the tickets off quickly, as something came up,and John had managed a reasonable price.

They enetered the room, after hanging up their coats.

The place was decorated with twinkling candles, and garlands of flowers.

Soft music was playing, and couples were slow dancing in the middle of the room.

The saloon was closed tonight as everyone was out celebrating and dancing.

John took her hand and led her over, everywhere she looked she was getting envious and admiring glances. Envious, because of how good looking John was, and admiring because of her beautiful dress.

They danced a few times, then wandered out to the garden.

The moon was out and the stars were shining. It was a clear sky, no cloud dared to marr the silky canvas of darkness above them.

" Listen, Mary, theres something I wanted to say," he said quietly, taking her hands.

She looked into his eyes, waiting in anticapation.

" Since the moment I met you in the saloon, I loved you. I loved the way you smiled, I love the way you laugh, the way you saw something in me no one else took the time to, the way your hair falls down you back, the way your lips curve when you smile, I love everything about you. So what I'm rather clumsily saying, is, Mary, I love you, will you marry me ?"

He got onto one knee, and produced a sparkling diamond ring, that no doubt made his money bag a lot lighter.

She gasped in wonder.

" I dont no what to say" she said breathless.

" Say yes, of course !" he said laughing.

"Yes !" she shouted, and laughed, as he put the ring on her finger, it fitted perfectly.

" Well, well, isnt this cosy ?" a voice sneered behind them, and they spun round.

Standing in the door, with a cigar, was the Mayor and his son.

" Whats the matter, didnt you want us to see that little scene ?" said Mike distastefully.

" What do you want ?" asked John, tensing, he and Mary had already spotted the guns in their holsters.

" What we have both wanted for a long time, Mary" said Graeme simply.

" Well, she's mine, we're getting married, and you cant have her." said John quietly, silently daring them with his eyes.

" Whats so special about you ?" snarled Mike.

" I love him !" Mary said, attempting to break up the staring match.

They all spun round to her, and she had tears running down her cheeks.

" And..." she said tentatively, " I'm carrying his baby."

There was a stunned silence.

" What, when ?" asked John, shocked

" The first night you came to my cottage" she said looking down, avoiding eye contact.

" What ??!" roared Graeme.

" Youve been screwing him for weeks ? Since he first came to town !! I change my mind, I dont want a slut for a wife" Mike growled

" You've been sleeping with the enemy, and your pregnant, which, im afraid, means the certain death " said Greame a mad glint in his eye, so different from the boyish one in the saloon weeks before.

" Enemy ? He isnt the enemy !" said Mary, furious, she wasnt going to let these bullies take away the love of her life and her child by killing her for nothing.

" Yes, but who will they believe ? You, a mere slut behind a bar, or me, a mayor, and my son ?" said Mike smirking.

" NO !!" shouted John as Mike and Graeme pulled out their guns and pointed them at Mary. " At least let me say goodbye to her first !" he begged.

" Make it quick !" ordered Graeme

John walked over to Mary, who was shaking with fear. He wrapped his arms round her and held her tight.

" Meet me in the saloon at eight," he whispered, appearing to hug her.

John spun around and Mary ran as fast as she could, she could hear the three men shooting behind her, but concentrated on getting to the saloon. She would only have to wait for 5 minutes.

She got to the saloon, praying, and hoping against hope that he didnt get injured, or worse...

No, she told herself, dont think that, Johns the best shooter you know ! But still the doubts came creeping in. She waited and waited, and it was nine when she heard footsteps outside. This is him, she thought, he has come, and we'll run off togther, make a life somwhere else, have children. We dont need this town.

She went to the doors, and opened them, expecting to see John grinning, and shaking his head, taking her hand and leading her away from this horrible place.

But, in reality, it was something different, as soon as she opened the doors, two men grabbed her arms and led her away to the stocks.

Mary looked up at the crowd around her. She knew each one. They all knew her. Now they were all betraying her.

Mary saw the firing squad getting the guns ready. She was waiting for it. For John to come and save her. Mike must have seen this, because he said,

" Oh, lover boy's not coming, no, he got a little, shot up",

Mary looked to the side, and felt her heart constrict. Three men were carrying Johns body to the the cliff above the river. He was almost certainly dead, covered in blood and limp.

The men got in position with their guns, and she looked into the eyes of her fellow neighbours, friends, people she'd known her whole life.

" Mary, you can still have one last chance. Do you want to be with me ? Consider carefully Mary, this is life or death remember," Mike said not even hiding his maliscious grin.
But she would not have her child brought up by a monster.
She screamed three final words before closing her eyes and awaiting the bullets,
"Go to hell !"

A/N : I left this in a bit of a cliffhanger (no pun intended ! :P) to leave it open for another ending. Who knows, maybe John will come to her rescue ? Then again, maybe not ? What do you all think ?