The Huttig news., 1916-11-18

trouble. Duane felt strangely glad, but he went into an adjoining room rather than meet them.
 "ATrs. Laramie, I've come to see you" said Miss Longstrcth, cheer fully.
 The little reem WAS not very light. there heinz onif one window and the doors but nuue could see plainly enough. Mrs. Laramie lay. hollow checked and haggard, on q Led, Once she had evidently been a woman of some coneliGess. The ravages of trouble and grief were fhere tO read in her worn face; il had not, however, any If the hard and bitter lines that had characterized her husbands.
 Duane wondered, considering that IongStreth had ruined Laramie, how Mrs. Laramie was going To regard the daughter of an enemy.
 "So you're Granger Longstreth's girl?" queried the woman, with her bright. black eyes fixed on her visitor.
 Yes replied Miss Longstreth, simply "ThiS is my cousin, Ruth Herbert. We've come tt nurse you. fake care of the children, help you in any way you'H let us
 There WAS q long silence.
 "Well, you look little like Long streth," finally said Mrs Laramie. but you're not at all like him. You must take after your mother. Miss Longstreth. l don't know if l can-if l ought te accept anything from you. Your father ruined my husband"
 'Gcs. l know" replied the girl sad iF. "Fhat'S all the more reason Yod should let me help you. Pray don't refuse. II wll-mean much to me-"
 If this poor, stricken woman had any resentment it speedily melted in the warmth and sweetness of Miss EongstreihS manner, and no sooner had she begun Ia talk to the children than both they and tho mother were won. The opening of that big basket was an event. Poor. starved little heggars, The havoc was wrought in That household. The needs now were eheerfulness kindness, help. action and these the girls furnished With spirit that did Duane good.
 "Nrs. Laramie, who dressed this baby?" presently asked Miss Long sfreth. Duane peeped in 10 see dfiapidated youngster on her knee. That sight, if any other was needed completed the full and splendid es- innate of Ray Eongstreth and wrought strangely upon his heart
 ''The ranger replied Mrs Laramie.
 "The ran2er." exclaimed Miss Long streth.
 Yes, hes taken care of us all since --since-a Mrs Laramie chokcd
 "Ohl So you've had no help but his replied Miss Longstreth. hastily. "No women. Too bad. I'll send someone. Mrs. Laramie, and I'll come myself"
 Tt Il be geod, of you," went on the older woman. 'You see, Jim had i few friends--that is, right in town. And they've been afraid to help us- afraid they'd get what poor Jim"
 "That's awful - burst out Miss Lonsstreth. passionatcly. "A brave lot of friends Mrs. Laramie don't you worry any more. We'll take cure If Aon. Here Ruth help me. What ever is the matter with baby's dress?'
 Manifesily Miss Longstreth had some difficulty ill subduing her emo tion.
 Why it's on hind side before" de- clared Ruth. q guess Mr. Ranger hasn't dressed many babies"
 "IIe did the best he could" said Mrs. Laramie. Lord only knows what would have become of us"
 "Then he is-ts something more than ranger?" queried Miss Long streth, with little break in her voice.
 Hes more than I can tell" replied Mrs. Laramie He buried Jim. He He bought food for us. He cooked for us and fed us. He washed and dress ed the baby. He sat with me the first two nights after Jims death, when I thought I'd die myself. He's so kind. So gentle, so patient. He has kept me up just hy being near. Some times Ed wake from doze, an, sec ing him there. I'd know how false were all these tales Jim heard about him and believed at first. Why, he playss with the children just-just like any good man might. When he has the baby up I just can't believe he's a bloody gunman, as they say. He's good. but he isn't happy. He has such sad eyes He looks far off sometimes when the children climb round him. They love him. His life is sad. Nobody need tell me-he sees
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