The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-12-01

of you. Here, Ruth help me. What
ever is the matter with baby's dress p
Manifestly Miss Longstreth hat
some difficulty in subduing her emo
! ton.
why, it's on hind side before" de
clared Ruth. II guess Mr.. Ranger
hasn't dressed many babies"
HE did the best he could" sale
| Mrs. Laramie. Lord only knows
what would have become of us r
4 "Then he isis something more
than ranger?" queried Miss Long
streth, with a little break in her
voice.
| Hes more than I 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 dress
| first two nights after Jim's death,
when 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 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 just can't believe
he's bloody gunman, as they say.
He's good, but he isn't happy. He
90
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 r"
Duane did not want to hear more,
SO he walked into the room.
at was thoughtful of you" Duane
said. "Womankind are needed here.
1 could do SO little. Mrs. Laramie,
you look better already. I'm glad.
And here's baby all clean and white.
Baby, what a time l had trying to
puzzle out the way your clothes went
on! Well, Mrs. Laramie, didn't 1 tell
you-friends would come? So will
the brighter SIDE"
Eyes I've more faith than / had,"
replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger
Longstreth's daughter has come to me-.
There for a while after Jim's death
/ thought I'd sink. We have nothing.
How Gould Lever take care Of my
little ones? But I'm gaining courage
to"
Mrs. Laramie, do not distress your
self any MORE" said Miss Longstreth.
II shall see you are well cared for.
I promise you"
Miss Longstreth, that's finer' ex-
claimed Duane. sits what rve-ex-
pected of YOU"
1t must have been sweet praise to
her. for the whiteness Of her face
burned out in beautiful blush.
and it's good of you, too, Miss
Herbert, to come" added Duane.
"Let me thank you both. I'm glad
1 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."
''Mr. Ranger, waitr' called Miss
Longstreth as he went out, She was
white. and wonderful. She stepped
out of the door close to him.
II have wronged you'll" she said, im-
oulsively.
say that?' he returned.
II believed what my father and
Floyd Lawson said about you. Now
see-I wronged you"
you make me very glad. But.
Hiss Longstreth, please don't speak
,unman, I am a ranger-and much
aid of me is true. My duty is hard
n others sometimes on those who
re innocent, alas But God knows
hat duty is hard, too, on me-"
IT did wrong you. If you entered
onor. L"
'Please-pleaSe don't, Miss Long
treth," interrupted Duan,.
But. sir, my conscience 1lays me-"
he went on. There was no other {
3und like her voice. "NVill you take
" hand? Will you forgive me?" {
She gave it royalty. while the other l
as there pressing at her breast.
uane took the proffered hand. He '
d not know what else to do.
Then it seemed to dawn upon him Il
at there was more behind this white, h
reet. noble intensity of ber Tim a
st the making amends for fkncied a
real wrong Duane thought the g
nm did not live on earth who could n
We resisted her then. n
II honor you for your goodness to u
is unfortunate woman" she said, Il
d now her speech came swiftly. L
When she was all alone and help
IS you were her friend. 1t was the So
ed OF a man. But Mrs. Laramie pl
It the only unfortunate woman in m
} world. l, too. am unfortunate
i, how / may soon need friend!
II VIM ha nv frfond7 Pm IN alone | m