The Girls of Good Fortune

Celia dwells on the news that Stephen intends to marry another woman. She still wears the string on her finger, which Stephen gave her in lieu of a traditional wedding ring. Lettie brings a newspaper reporting that Frank Vaughan has confessed to the Snake River murders and that the other gang members have been indicted. The trial will take place in Enterprise, and Celia feels that she must attend.

Celia goes to Marie’s room and detects the signs that Marie has been taking opium. Marie is not inclined to let Celia leave her work for the sake of the trial. When Celia explains that she was the one who advised Frank to confess, Marie grows sarcastic, saying, “I so grateful to a white woman for helping my people” (199). Celia reveals that her father was Chinese and was among the men killed at Rock Springs. She wants to see the trial so that she might finally witness some sort of justice. Marie concedes, saying that Celia may attend the trial for the others. Celia thinks, “Others felt like another word for us” (201).