Tombstone epitaph., 1916-11-19


 some difficulty in subduing her emo- tion.
 Why. it's on hind side before" de- clared Ruth. "I guess Mir. Ranger hasn't dressed many babies"
 He did the best he could" said Mrs. Laramie. Lord only knows what would have become of us"
 Then he isis something more than a ranger?" queried Miss Long streth, with a little break in her voice.
 Hes more than can tell" replied Mrs. Laramie. He buried Jim. He paid our debts. He fetched us here. us and fed us. He washed and dress ed the baby. He sat with me the first two nights after Jim's death, when I thought I'd die myself. He's so kind. so gentle. so patient. He has kept me up just by being near. Some times I'd wake from a doze, an, see ing him there, I'd know how false were all these tales Jim heard about him and believed at first. Why, he plays with the children just-just like any good man might. When he has the baby up I just can't believe he's 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 the good in things. Once he said some body had to be ranger. Well, say. Thank God for a ranger like him 2 |"
 Duane did not want to hear more. so he walked into the room.
 Tt was thoughtful of you" Duane said. "Womankind are needed here. l could do so little. Mrs. Laramie, you look better already. I'm glad. And here's baby all clean and white. Baby. what time I had trying to puzzle out the way your clothes went on, Well. Mrs. Laramie, didn't I tell you-friends would come? So will the brighter side"
 "Yes. I've more faith than I had" replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger Longstreth's daughter has come to me. There for a while after Jim's death l thought I'd sink. We have nothing. How could l ever take care of my little ones? But I'm gaining courage to"
 Mrs. Laramie. do not distress your self any more" said Miss Longstreth. 'I shall see you are well cared for. I promise you"
 Miss Longstreth. that's fne!" e1- claimed Duane. Its what Tye-eI- pected of you"
 It must have been sweet praise to her. for the whiteness of her face burned out in a beautiful blush.
 And it's good of you, too. Miss Herbert, to come" added Duane. Let me thank you both. I'm glad I have you girls as allies in part of my lonely task here. More than glad for the sake of this good woman and the little ones. But both of you be careful about coming here alone. There's risk. And now I'll be going. Good-by, Mrs. Laramie. I'll drop in again tonight. Good-by-"
 Mir. Ranger. wait" called Miss Longstreth as he went out. She was white and wonderful. She stepped out of the door close to him.
 "I have wronged you,' she said, i'm pulsively.
 Miss Longstreth! How can you say that?" he returned
 .I believed what my father and Floyd Lawson said about you. Now I see-I wrolged you"
 You make me very glad. But, Miss Longstreth, please don't speak of vronging me. I have been a-a gunman, I am ranger-and much said of me is true. My duty is hard on others-sOmetimes on those who are innocent, alas, But God knows that duty is hard, too, on me-"
 "! aia wrong you. # you entered. my home again I would think it an honor. T."
 "Please-please don't, Miss Long streth." interrupted Duan,.
 ''But, sir. my conscience Hays me" she went on. There was no other sound like her voice. "Will you take my hand? Will you forgive mel" She gave 1t royalty. while the other was there pressing at her breast. Duane took the proffered hand. He did not know what else to do. Then it seemed to dawn upon him that there was more behind this white. sweet. noble intensity of her than just the making amends for a fancied or real wrong. Duane thought the man did not live on earth who could have resisted her then.
 T honor you for your goodness to this unfortunate woman" she said, and now her speech came swiftly. "When she was all alone and help less you were her friend. It was the deed of q man. But Mrs. Laramie isn't the only unfortunate woman in the world. l, too. am unfortunate. An, how I may soon need a friend Will you be my friend? I'm so alone. I'm terribly worried. fear-I fear Oh. surely I'll need a friend soon soon. Oh. I'm afraid of what you'll find out sooner or later. I want to help you. Let us save life if not honor. Must I stand alone-all alone? Will