The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-09-14

daughter Of an enemy.
SO you're Granger Lonstreth's
girl?" queried the woman, with her
bright, black eyes fixed on her visitor.
Yes" replied Miss Longstreth,
simply. This is my cousin, Ruth Her
bert. We've come to nurse you, take
care of the children, help you in any
way you'll let u.s.
There was a long silence
Wen, you look a little like Long
streth," finally said Mrs. Laramie but
you're not at oil like him. You must
take after your mother. Miss Long
streth, don't know if l can,-if / ought
accept anything from you. Your father
ruined my husband
Yes, | know" replied the girl, sadly.
Ihats all the more reason you should
let me help YOU. Pray don't refuse 1t
will-mean so much to me-
If this poor, stricken woman had any
resentment it speedily melted in the
warmth and sweetness of Miss Long
Streth'S manner. Duane's idea was
that the impression of Ray Longstret's
beauty was always swiftly succeeded
by that OF her generosity and nobility.
AT any rate, she had started we'll with
Mrs. Laramie, and no sooner had she
begun to talk to the children than
both they and the mother were won.
event. Poor, starved little beggars.
Duane's feelings seemed too easily
reused. Hard indeed would it have
gone with jim Laramie's SLAYER if he
could have laid eyes on him then. How
ever, Miss Longstreth and Ruth, after
the nature OF tender and practical
girls did not appear to take the sad
situation to heart. The havoc was
wrought in that household The needs
now We're cheerfulness, kindness, help
action-and these girls furnished with
spirit that did Duane good.
Mrs Laramie, who dressed this
baby? presently asked Miss Longstreth.
Duane peeped in to see a dilapidated
youngster on her knee. That sight,
II any other was needed, completed his
ruiz and splendid estimate of Ray Long
streth and wrought strangely upon his
heart.
The ranger" replied Mrs. Laramie.
The ranger! exclaimed Miss Long
Yes. he's taken care of US all since
since" Mrs. Laramie choked.
on! SO you've had no help but his, =
replied Miss Longstreth, hastily. mo
| women. Too bad! I'll send some one,
Mrs. Laramie, and I'll come myself"
1t II be good of you,' went on the
older woman. You see. Jim had 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 Long
streth, passionately. "a brave lot of
| friends. Mrs. Laramie, don't YOU wor-
ry any more. Wen take care of you.
Here. Ruth, help me. Whatever is the
matter with baby's Gressn
Manitestly Miss Longstrsth had some
difficulty in subduing her emotion.
Why. it's on hind side before" de-
clared Ruth. Il 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 Longstreth.
with g little break in her voice.
| He's more than j can tell" replied
Mrs. Laramie. He buried Jim. He
| paid our debts. He fetched us here.
| He bought food for us. He cooked for
| us and fed US. He washed and dressed
the baby. He sat with me the first two
nights after Jim's death when thought
I'd die myself. He's 50 kind, so gentle,
! so patient. He has kept me up Just
by being near Sometimes I'd ws4.e
from from doze, an, seeing him there,
| I'd know how false We're 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 just can't
|
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 l say,
Thank God for a ranger like him!"
Duane did not want to hear more, so
| he walked into the room.
1T was thoughtful of you, Duane
said. Womankind are needed here |
could Go so little. Mrs. Laramie, you
| here's baby, all clean and white. Baby,
| what Il time had trying to puzzle out
the way your clothes Went on! Well,
] Mrs. Laramie, didn't / tell you-friends
would come? So will the brighter
i side"
/ Yves. I've more faith than had
replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger Long
streths daughter has come to me.
i There for a while after Jim's death |
| thought I'd sink. We have nothing.
How could ever take care OF my little
ones? But am gaining courage to-
Mrs. Laramie, do not distress Your
self any more" said Miss Longstreth
Il shall see you are we'll cared for. ]
4 promise you.'
Miss Longstreth. that's fine.' ex-
/ claimed Duane. Its what I'd have
IeXpected of YOU
4 IL 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 Her
bert, to come added Duane Let me
thank You both. I'm glad 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 com
4 ing here alone There's risk And now
4 I'll be going. Goodbye, Mrs Laramie
I'lltdrep in again tonight Goodbye"
Mr.. Ranger, waltz called Miss
Longstreth, as he went out. She was
4 white and wonderful. She stepped GU,
of the door close to him.
i Il have wrongee you'll" she said. i'm
4 pulsively. s.
Miss I.ongstreth! How can you say
that?' he returned.
Il believed what my father ard Floyd
lawson snid about you. Now i see
i j wronged YOU.
"You make me very glad. But. Miss
Lonsstreth, please don't speak Of
{, wronging ma. have been IA gun.
4 ruan: am rasiver-.-ana much said 81
me is true. My duty is hard on Others
Il -sometiirissson those who are innocent
4 alas! But God knows that duty i.
4 hard, too. on me-"