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Show Page 57 It therefore seemed in character for Ann to marry for reasons other than love, especially when land, cattle, and the protection of Brown's Park were involved. It is to Ann's credit that she didn't become a hypocrit and pretend to care deeply for Bernard. Bernard himself stated that "it was strictly cattle with Ann, and she didn't pretend otherside. . ." Despite the unusual circumstances of the marriage, for a time the arrangement seemed to be satisfactory. Together the couple built up a sizable cattle outfit, spending winters on the Bassett Ranch, summers on the Smelter Ranch southeast of the Bassett holdings. There is evidence Bernard greatly admired his young wife who, he said, "takes life on the bounce, and expects a man to do likewise." Unfortunately for Bernard, he was at an age when he didn't have as much bounce as the woman he married. It nearly cost him his life. It was mid-January, 1907. Word reached the Bassett Ranch that Mrs. Jack Chew had given birth to a baby which had died. The mother was ill and needed help. Since there was no doctor in Brown's Park, Ann and her husband agreed to do what they could. The Chews lived fourteen miles southeast of the Bassett Ranch. To reach their place, a rider had to cross Vermillion Creek. But January had brought a warm Chinook wind to the |