Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-14

-A'o' was SuII1E 10 Teg3TC me
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
pert. We've come to nurse you, axe
care of the children, help you in any
way you'll let u.s."
There was a long silence.
Wen, you look a little hike Long
streth,' finally said Mrs. Laramie, but
you're not at all like him.. You must
take after your mother. Miss Long
streth, don't know if can--if / ought
accept anything from you. Your father
ruined my husband"
Yes, / know" replied the girl. SADLY.
,Ihats all the more reaso you should
let me help you. Pray don't refuse. 1t
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 any rate, she had started we'll with
MRS. Laramie, and no sooner had she
ECU to talk to the children than
goth they and the mothe- were won.
me opening of that big basket was an
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 AVE 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 were cheerfulness. kindness. helm
actlon-and these girls furnished with
a spirit that did Duane good.
Mrs. Laramie. who dressed this
baoy!' presently asked Miss Longstreth.
Duan peeped in to see a dilapidated
youngster on her knee. That sight.
II any other was needed, complete mis-
full and splendid estimate of Ray Long
streth nj wrought strangely upon his
heart.
TIL ranger! exclaimed Miss Long
streth.
Yes, he's taken care Of us all since
since" Mrs. Laramie choked.
on! SO you've had no help but his"
replled Miss Longstreth, hastily. mo
women. 100 bad! I'll send some one,
Mrs. Laramie, and I'll come myself"
It'll be good Of you" went on the
older m 'You see. Jim had few
frlends-that is, right in town. And
they've been afraid to help us-afraid
they'd get h poor jim"
liz oWIQl UuISt OuL MISS Long
streth, ~passionately. "A brave lot Of
friends! Mrs. Laramie. don't you wor-
~ any more. Well take care Of Q
Here, Ruth, help me. Whatever is the
matter with baby's dress?"
Manifestly Miss Longstreth had some
difficulty in subduing her emotion.
why; ITS on hind side before" de-
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 thar
a ranger" queried Miss Longstretn,
with a little break in her voice.
He's more than 1 can TELL" replied
Mrs. Laramie. He buried Jim. lie
paid our debts. He etched us here.
He bought food for US. He ooked for
US and fed us. He washed and dressed
the baby. He sat with me the first two
I'd die myself. He's SO kind, so gentle,
so patient. He has kept me up Just
by being near. Sometimes I'd wake
from from q 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
1ust--just lk 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 eye 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 a to be a ranger. Well, I say,
Thank God for a ranger like him!"
Duane did not want to ear more, so
he walked into the room.
1T was thoughtful of YOU" Duane
said. Womankind are needed here.
could do so little. Mrs. Laramie, you
look better already. Tn glad. And
here's baby, all clean and white. Baby,
what a time 1 had trying to puzzle out
the way your clothes went on! Well,
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 a while after Jim's death I
How could ever take care Of my little
ones? But I am gaining courage to-
Mrs. Laramie, do not distress your
self n more" said Miss Longstreth.
Il shall see you are we'll cared for. I
promise you"
Miss Longstreth, that's finer" ex-
claimed Duane. It's what I'd have
expected of YOU"
1t 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 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 COM
ing here alone. There's risk. And now
III be going. Goodbye, Mrs. Laramie.
TIL drop in again tonight. Goodbye
MI. Ranger, wait!" called Miss
Longstreth. as he went out. She was
White and wonderful. She sterps I out
of the door close to him.
Il have wronged you'll" she said, i'm
pulsively.
Miss Longstreth! How can you say
that?" he returned.
II believed what my father and Floyd
Lawson said o you. Now I sec
/ wronged YOU"
You make me very glad. But, Miss
Longstreth, please don't speak of
wronging me. I have been "a gun
man: am a ran~er-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-"
II did wrong you. II you entered
my home again 7 would think Il an