Destiny of Eagles Read Free Page A

his guests, and of the audience, than he was by the play itself. He was no drama critic, but it seemed to him like all the lines were delivered too loudly, and with something of a forced emotion. The last lines were the most overemoted of all.
    â€œI shall find comfort in the knowledge that honor brings both the power . . .” Rosanna said.
    â€œAnd the pride!” Andrew finished.
    As they finished their lines, both faced the audience, and Rosanna curtsied as Andrew gave a sweeping bow. The curtain fell to a thunderous applause.
    â€œOh,” Anna Heckemeyer said, clasping her hands over her heart. “Oh, that was the most wonderful thing I ever saw.” She turned to Falcon. “Thank you, sir, for you generous hospitality.”
    â€œYou are welcome,” Falcon replied.
    Falcon enjoyed being able to share his box with the young women, and afterward he enjoyed introducing them to his famous brother and sister.
    Both Andrew and Rosanna were used to the accolades of adoring fans, and they were warm and cordial to the three young women, entertaining them with humorous stories. Falcon, who was inexperienced with the fawning expressions of fans, sat quietly in the corner of the reception room until the theater managers told the girls they must leave.
    â€œWait just a few minutes until we are out of makeup and costume, Falcon,” Andrew said to Falcon. “Then we will take you out to dine at Delmonico’s. I assure you, there is nothing back home that can compare with this.”
    Delmonico’s was a fine restaurant and Falcon ate well. But it didn’t take long for him to realize that New York just didn’t agree with him, and though Andrew and Rosanna begged him to stay longer, he left after another week, promising to return someday soon. Even as he was giving the promise, though, he doubted that he would ever keep it, and he knew that his brother and sister didn’t expect him to keep it either.
    Returning to Colorado, Falcon tried to settle down, but the restless discontent that had driven him for many years did not go away.
    Then one day, out of the blue, Falcon got a letter from a man he hadn’t seen or heard from in a long time.

    Dear Falcon MacCallister,
    My name is Billy Puckett. I don’t know if you remember me. Back in ’52, I was attacked by some Indians who didn’t take too kindly to my trapping in their hunting ground. They killed my horse and left me with a couple of arrows sticking out of my gut. Your pa found me up in the mountains, more dead than alive. He brought me back down to MacCallister Valley, where your ma nursed me back to health.
    You were the youngest of all the MacCallister children as I recall, probably no older than eleven or twelve at the time. Even then I knew that someday you would make a name for yourself.
    I’ve heard a lot about your exploits over the years, such as how you tamed Asa Parker, Billy Challis, and that lot of outlaws. But the only thing I’ve been hearing recently is lot of rumors, some of which are just too wild to believe. Those rumors have caused me to start worrying some about you, though.
    One reason I worry is because I am a sheriff now, and from time to time over the years I remember seeing dodgers come across my desk with your name on them. In every case the wanted posters were pulled back, but there is always the possibility that someone might not get the word. And when there is a reward of five thousand dollars, dead or alive, it wouldn’t take much for someone to ambush you.
    I know your pa used to get his mail at general delivery in MacCallister, so I am hoping that you do as well. If you are still alive, and if you do get this letter, I would like to invite you to come up to Belfield, Dakota Territory, for a visit. I’m going on to seventy years old now, and I think it’s about time I got something off my chest.
    Billy Puckett

    Falcon decided to throw the letter away without even