The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-10-19

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 ranger like him I z"
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 / had trying to
puzzle out the way your clothes went
on! Well, Mrs. Laramie, didn't I tell
you-friends would come? So will
the brighter side."
eyes, I've more faith than I had"
replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger
Longstreth's daughter has come to me.
There for a while after Jim's death
l thought I'd sink We have nothing.
How could / ever take care Of my
little ones? But I'm gaining courage
to"
Mrs. Laramie, do not distress your
self any MORE" said Miss Longstreth.
81 shall see you are well cared for.
I promise YOU"
Miss Longstreth, that's fine!" ex-
claimed Duane. cts what Tve-ex-
pected 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
Herbert, to come" added Duane.
''Let me thank you both. Pm 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 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, wait !" called Miss
Longstreth as he went out. She was
white and wonderful. She stepped
out of the door close to him.
81 have wronged you'll" she said, i'm
pulsively.
miss Lengstreth! How can you
say that?" he returned.
II believed what my father and
Floyd Lawson said about you. Now
l see-I wronged you"
'You make me very glad. But,
Miss Longstreth, please don't speak
of wronging me. I have been "a
gunman, I 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-"
II did wrong you. If you entered
my home again would think it an
honor. I"
"Please- please don't, Miss Long
streth," interrupted Duane.
"But, sir, my conscience flags 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 it seemed to dawn upon him
that there was more behind this white,
sweet, noble intensity Of her than
just the making amends for fancied
or real wrong. Duane thought the
man did not live on earth who could
have resisted her then.
81 honor you for your goodness to
this unfortunate woman" she said,
and now her speech came swiftly.
"When she was all alone and help
less you were her friend. 1t was the
deed of a man. But Mrs. Laramie
isn't the only unfortunate woman in
the world. I, too, am unfortunate.
All, how / may soon need friend !
Will you be my friend? I'm so alone.
I'm terribly worried. I fear-I fear
Oh, surely I'll need friend soon
soon. Oh, I'm afraid of what you'll
find out sooner or later. want to help
you. Let us save life if not honor.
Must I stand alone-all alone? Will
you-will you be" Her voice failed.
1t seemed to Duane that she must
have discovered what he had begun
to suspect-that her father and Law
son were not the honest ranchers
they pretended to be. Perhaps she
knew more! Her appeal to Duane
shook him deeply. He wanted to help
her more than he had ever wanted
anything. And with the meaning OF
the tumultuous sweetness she stirred
in him there came the realization OF
a dangerous situation.
81 must be true to my duty" he
said, hoarsely.
"If you knew me you'd know
could never ask you to be false to 1t"
"Well, then-rl do anything for
you"
"Oh, thank you! I'm ashamed that
1 believed my cousin Floyd! He lied
he lied. I'm all in the dark,
strangely distressed. My father wants
me to go back home. Floyd is trying
to keep me here. They've Quarreled.
Oh, know something dreadful will
happen. 1 know I'll need you Tiff
VIII you help meT
"Yes," replied Duane, and has look
brought the blood to her face.
CHAPTER Xxx.