Melissa Powell, a woman of around forty years of age, was considered by the townspeople of Laredo to be one of their most unusual and cherished attractions the town's most unusual and cherished attractions. When Melissa drove from her large ranch house to town, her appearance their never failed to cause a bit of a sensation - for unlike the usual western woman, Melissa only rode in a shiny, black carriage, drawn by a pair of high-stepping, glossy black horses. But when she alighted, a sheen of satin gown, a plumed velvet hat, and a dainty parasol drew gasps from the women, and admiring glances from the men. She was the center of attention and the sole topic of conversation...