“Well, you look a little like Longstreth,” finally said Mrs. Laramie, “but you're not at ALL like him. You must take after your mother. Miss Longstreth, I don't know if I can—if I ought accept anything from you. Your father ruined my husband.”
“Yes, I know,” replied the girl, sadly. “That's all the more reason you should let me help you. Pray don't refuse. It will—mean so much to me.”
If this poor, stricken woman had any resentment it speedily melted in the warmth and sweetness of Miss Longstreth's manner. Duane's idea was that the impression of Ray Longstreth's beauty was always swiftly succeeded by that of her generosity and nobility. At any rate, she had started well with Mrs. Laramie, and no sooner had she begun to talk to the children than both they and the mother were won. The opening of that big basket was an event. Poor, starved little beggars! Duane's feelings seemed too easily roused. Hard indeed would it have gone with Jim Laramie's slayer if he could have laid eyes on him then. However, 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, help, action—and these the girls furnished with a spirit that did Duane good.
“Mrs. Laramie, who dressed this baby?” presently asked Miss Longstreth. Duane peeped in to see a dilapidated youngster on her knee. That sight, if any other was needed, completed his full and splendid estimate of Ray Longstreth and wrought strangely upon his heart.
“The ranger,” replied Mrs. Laramie.
“The ranger!” exclaimed Miss Longstreth.
“Yes, he's taken care of us all since—since—” Mrs. Laramie choked.
“Oh! So you've had no help but his,” replied Miss Longstreth, hastily. “No women. Too bad! I'll send some one, Mrs. Laramie, and I'll come myself.”
“It'll be good of you,” went on the older woman. “You see, Jim had few friends—that is, right in town. And they've been afraid to help us—afraid they'd get what poor Jim—”