Chester's Rendezvous

Originally Aired: May 21, 1961 Gunsmoke #476, "Chester's Rendezvous," Chester Proudfoot's encounter with a mysterious young woman sparks an unexpected romance. When Chester retrieves a windblown bonnet on the dusty streets of Dodge and returns it to Em Feeney sitting in a wagon, he's immediately taken with her. Despite her father's gruff interruption, Chester can't get the girl out of his mind. After seeking advice from Miss Kitty about the propriety of calling on someone he's only just met, Chester gets his hair cut and rides out to the isolated place north of town where Em and her father are staying. Em welcomes Chester's visit, and her father reluctantly allows the call as long as Chester leaves before nightfall. The urgency in their situation becomes apparent as Em's father mentions someone named Luke who's expected any night, and it's clear they're planning to move on to California soon. Chester, smitten and oblivious to any potential danger, misses Marshal Dillon's weekly gun inspection to spend time with his new lady friend, much to Doc's amusement and Matt's mild concern about Chester "kiting around all over the countryside."