The Ozark spectator., 1916-11-22

of you. Here, Ruth help me. What ever is the matter with baby's dressT
 Manfestly Miss Longstreth had some difficulty in subduing her emo- ton.
 "Why, it's on hind side before" de- clared Ruth. q 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 rangerT queried Miss Long streth, with a little break in her voice.
 He's 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 aud 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 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 | plays with the children just-just like any good man might. When he has the baby up 1 just can't believe he's n 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 1 is sad. Nobody need tell me-he sees l the good in things. Once he said some body had to be ranger. Well, l say, Thank God for ranger like him !"
 Duane did not want to hear more, so he walked into the room.
 'It was thoughtful of you" Duane said. "Womankind gre needed here. could do so littla. Mrs. Laramie, you look better a!feady. I'm glad. And here's baby ali clean and white | Baby, what a tine l had trying to 1 puzzle out the way your clothes went on! Well, Mrs. Laramie. didn't l tell you-fricnds would come? So will the brighter side"
 'Yes, I've more faith than I had, :" replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger LongStrcth's daughter has come to me There for while after Jim's death I thought I'd sink. We have nothing. | How could I ever take care of my little ones? But I'm gaining courage to-"
 l I a q Iirtr self any more," said Miss LongStreth. 'I shall see you are well cared for. I promise you"
 Miss Longstreth, that's fine!" ex- claimed Duane. It's what Tve-ex- 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 1 Herbert. to come" added Duane. Let me thank you both. I'm glad l have you girls as allies in part of my lonely task here. More than glad 1 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." "Air. 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, im- pulSively.
 Miss Longstreth, How can you 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, Miss Longstreth, please don't speak of wronging me. 1 have been a-a gunman, l 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-"
 "I did wrong you. If you entered my home again I would think 1t an honor. T."
 "Please-please don't, Miss Long streth." interrupted Duan1.
 "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 me?"
 She gave it royalty. while the other was there pressing at her breast Duane took the proffered hand. He did not know what else to do.
 Then 1t 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.
 q honor you for your goodness to this unfortunate woman" she said. nnd now her speech came swiftly. "When she was all alone and help less you were her friend. It was the deed of Il man. But Mrs. Laramie isn't the only unfortunate woman In