Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-24

"Mr. Ranger, Wait!"
the good in things. Once he said some
body had to be ranger. Well, l say,
Thank God for ranger like him 7 +"
Duane did not want to hear more,
so he walked into the room.
ut was thoughtful Of you," Duane
said. "Womankind are needed here.
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 tell
you friends would conner SO will
the brighter side"
Eyes, I've more faith than l had"
replied Mrs. Laramie. Granger
Longstreth's daughter has come to me.
There for a while after Jim's death
ISthought I'd sink. We have nothing.
How could ever take care of my
little ones? But Tn gaining courage
to-"
"Mrs. Laramie. do not distress your
self any more" said Miss Longstreth
II shall see you are well cared for
/ promise you"
Miss Longstreth. that's fine" ex
claimed Duane. TITS what Tve-ex
pected of you"
1t must have been sweet praise t
her. for the whiteness of her fac
burned out in a beautiful blush
'tAnd it's good of you, too, Mis-
Herbert, to come" added Duane
''Let me thank you both. I'm gla,
have you girls as allies. in. part 0
my lonely task here. More than gla'
for the sake Of this good woman ant
the little 'ones.l But both of you b
careful about coming here alone
There's risk. And now I'll be going
Good-by, Mrs. Laramie. I'll drop II
again tonight. Good-by."
"Mr. Ranger, waltz called Mis-
Longstreth as he went out. She wa
white and wonderful. She steppe'
out of the door close to him.
II have wronged you r. she said, i'm
pulsively.
Miss Longstreth! How can yo'
say that?" he returned.
Il believed what my father an
Floyd Lawson said about you. Nov
see-I wronged YOU"
'You make me very glad. But
Miss Longstreth. please don't spea
Of wronging me. i have been a.
gunman, am ranger-.-and muc
said of me is true. Ny duty is har'
on others on those VIII
are innocent, alas! But God know
that duty is hard, too, on me-"
II did wrong you. II you entere
my home again would think 1t a
honor. Il"
"Please please don't, Miss Lone
streth," interrupted Duane.
| "But, sir, my conscience fiays me,
she went on. There was no othe
| sound like her voice. evil you TAX
my hand? Will you forgive mel?
She gave 1t royalty, while the othe
was there pressing at her breast
Duane took the proffered hand. ~
did not know what else to do.
Then 1t seemed to dawn upon hin
| that there was more behind this white
sweet, noble intensity Of her thai
just the making amends for a fancie'
or real wrong. Duane thought tn
man did not live on earth who coul'
have resisted her then.
81 honor you for your goodness t
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 tn
deed Of man.. But Mrs. Laramie
isn't the only unfortunate woman Il
the world. l, too, am unfortunate
All, how may soon need friend
Will you be my friend? I'm SO alone
I'm terribly worried. l fear-I fear
Oh. surely IN need friend SOON
soon. Oh, I'm afraid of what you'll
find out sooner or later. want to hell
you. Let US save life If not honor
Must stand aone-all alone? vii
you-will you be-" Her voice failed
1t seemed to Duane that she mus
have discovered what he had begun
to suspect that her father and Law
son were not the honest rancher'
they pretended to be. Perhaps sh'
knew more! Her appeal to Duane
shook him deeply. He wanted to hell
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
q dangerous situation.
II must be true to my duty" hi
said, hoarsely.
eff you knew me you'd know
could never ask you to be false to 1t.
well, then-Tll do anything fol-
you"
u N .a Is. r