The Huttig news., 1916-11-18

Thank God for a ranger like him ? 2"
 Duane did not want 10 hear more, so he walked into the room.
 "Tt WIS thoughtful of you." Duane said. "Womankind are needed here. I could dc so little. Mrs. Laramie. you look bettei, already. I'm glad. And here's baby all clean and white. Baby what q time 1 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.
 ..Yes, I've more faith than I had" replied Mrs. Laramie Granger Lengstreth's daughter has come to me. , There for while after Jim's death I thought I'd sink. We have nothing. l Flow could I ever talk" cure of my little ones? But Pm gaining courage 5 tO-"
 Mrs. Laramie. do not distress yo;;::T- self any more," said Miss Longstreth. 1 'I shall see you are well cared for. I promise you
 Miss Longstreth, that's fine.n ex- claimed Duane. Its what I'Ye-ex- pected of you
 It 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 l 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 ri<k. And now I'll be going. Good-by, Mrs. Laramie. I'll drop in again tonight. Good-by."
 "Mr. Ranger, wait!'' called Miss Iongstreth as he went out. She was white and wonderful. She stepped cut of the door close to him.
 "I have wronged youl" she said, im- pulsiVely.
 Miss Longstreth! How can yal say that?" he returned
 T believed what my father and Floyd Lawson said about you. Now l see-I wronged you"
 "You make me very glad But. Miss Iongstreth, please don't speak of wronging me. l have been a-a gunman, am a ranger-and much said of me is true. My duty is hard on others-sometfmes on those who are inneeeRt alas But God knows that duty is hard too, on me-
 q did wrong you. If you entered ] my home again l would think it an honor. l."
 "Please-please don't. Mss Long i streth.' interrupted Duane.
 'But, sir, my conscience fiays me" she went on. There was no other sound like her voice. Twill 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 a faaced or rel wrong. Duane thought the man did not live on earth who could have resisted her then.
 "I 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. It was the deed of a man. But Mrs. Laramie isn't the only fortunate woman in the world. l. tao. am unfortunate. An, how l 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 a friend soon soon. Oh, I'm afraid of what you1l find out sooner or later. I want to help you. Let us save life if not honor. Must I stand al6ne-all alone? Will you-will you be" Her voice failed.
 It seemed to Duane that she must have discovered what he had begun to suspect-that her father and Law son were not the honest ranehers 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 dangerous situation.
 q must be true to my duty" he said, hoarsely.
 If you knew me you'd know 1 could never ask you to be false to it."
 ''Well, then-I'H do anything for you"
 "Oh, thank you I'm ashamed that I 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 quarreed. Oh, I know something dreadful will happen. know I'll need you if-if- Will you help mel"
 ''Yes," replied Duane, and his look brought the blood to her face.
 CHAPTER XX.
 After supper Duane stole out for