The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 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 all like him. You must
take after your mother. Miss Long
streth, l don't know if 1 can-if l ought
accept anything from you. Your father
ruined my husband"
Yes, | know" replied the girl. sadly.
That's all the more reason you should
let me help you. Pray don't refuse. II
wlll-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 n rate, she had started we'll with
Mrs. Laramie, and no sooner had she
begun to talk to the children thar
The opening of that big basket was an
event. Poor, starved little beggars!
Duane's feelings seemed too easily
reused. Hard indeed would II have
gone with Jim Laramie's slayer if he
could have laid eyes on him then. How
ever, Miss Longstrethi and Ruth, after
the nature Of tender and practical
girls, did not appear to take the sad
situation to a The havoc was
wrought in that household. The needs
now were cheerfulness, kindness, help
action-and these girls furnished with
a 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
full and splendid estimate of Ray Long
streth and wrought strangely upon his
heart.
The ranger" replied Mrs. Laramie,
The ranger! exclaimed Miss Long
streth.
Yes, he's taken care Of US all since
since" Mrs. Laramie choked.
oh! 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"
It'll be good OF you," went on the
older woman. You see, Jim had few
f~riends-that is. right In town. And
they've been afraid to help us-afraid
they'd get wha poor Jim"
That's awful" burst out Miss Long
streth, passionately. "A brave lot of
friends! Mrs. Laramie. don't you wor-
~ IN more. Wen take care OF you,
Here, Ruth, help me. Whatever is the
matter with baby's dress?"
Manifestly Miss Longstreth had some
difficulty in subduing her emotion.
Why, it's on hind side before de-
clared Ruth. Il guess Mr.. Ranger
hasn't dressed many babies"
HI 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 a little break in her voice.
He's more than / 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 1 thought
I'd die myself. He's so kind, SO gentle,
so patient. He Ia kept me up just
by being near. Sometimes I'd wake
from from 4 doZe, an, seeing 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 a bloody gunman, as they
say. He's good, but he isn't happy.
He has such sad eyes. He1looks 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 a ranger. Well, I 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
--.l L~-~ 4
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 a trying to puzzle out
the way your clothes went on! Well,
Mrs. Laramie, didn't / tell you-friends
would come? So will the brighter
side"
Yes, I've more faith than I had,
replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger Long
streth's daughter has come to me.
There for q while after Jim's death j
thought I'd sink. We have nothing.
How could ! eve take care Of my little
ones? But / am gaining courage to"
self any more" said Miss Longstreth,
Il shall see you are we'll cared for. ]
promise YOU"
Miss Longstreth, that's rine!" ex-
claimed Duane. TITS what I'd have
expected of YOU"
II must nave Deen sweet praise 10
her, for the Wilderness OF her face
burned out in IA 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
ing here alone. There's risk. And now
I'll be going. Goodbye, Mrs. Laramie
I'll drop in again tonight. Goodbye"
mi. Ranger, wait!" called Miss
Longstreth, as he went out. She was
white and wonderful. She steppSl out
of the door close to him.
II havL wronged you!" b said, i'm
pulsively.
Miss Longstreth! How can you say
that?" he returned.
II believed what my father and Floyd
Lawson said about you. Now I see
| wronged YOU"
you make me very glad. But, Miss
Longstreth, please don't speak OF
wronging me. l have been "a gun
man: ! am a ranger-and much said Of
me is true. My duty Is hard on others
sometimes on those who are innocent