The Rough Rider by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online Page A

evening and sat through a service. Afterward, she had come and offered to work as an unpaid volunteer. Awful, always in need of such help, gladly accepted, and in a few weeks had found her to be the best help that had come forth. She had finally moved into the mission, occupying a very small room, and worked long and grueling hours doing whatever needed to be done. She was of average height and had an oval face, which was pretty, although not overly beautiful. Her crowning glory was her rich brown hair, which shone with auburn tints when the morning sun touched it. She had steady brown eyes and full lips that seemed to hint at something that Awful couldn’t seem to figure out. Though he wondered about her past, everything about Deborah was committed to unselfish devotion to those in need.
    “I think we’ll have a few more today, Reverend.” She always referred to Awful as Reverend, even though he insisted that she shouldn’t. It seemed to give her pleasure to honor the man. There was a quietness about this girl. She was lively enough when speaking to the men and women whom they took in off the streets, and was always cheerful with them and full of encouragement. Yet, for some reason, there was a mysterious wall around her. She never spoke about her past, and Awful was careful not to ask her about it. As they began to pull the meal together, Awful mentioned to her about Gail and what Dr. Burns had said.
    Deborah listened carefully, asked a few questions, then nodded. She agreed that it would be a wonderful opportunityfor Gail. Deborah had been sharing a room with Gail for a time and had gotten to know the young woman quite well. Deborah knew that Gail really didn’t have anything to go back to at home. From their little talks, and the bits of information Gail confided in her from Jeb, the situation at home had only worsened. Gail had at least brought in some extra money, but now with her gone, Harry Lawson’s anger seemed to fall on everyone of late, including his own children. He no longer had Gail’s money to spend on drink and, therefore, came down hard on the others to find work.
    “The doctor said there would be a room provided for her at the hospital, if she wanted it, so she could be close to her work. Sort of a dormitory for the young women in the program, I take it.” He shook his head and said, “I don’t see how it’ll happen, though, unless the good Lord sends the cash!”
    “It’s only a matter of money, then?” asked Deborah as she sliced a loaf of bread.
    “Only that, but you know how money is—the world runs on it.”
    Deborah Laurent moved to the blackened stove and began to spoon the greens out of the huge pot into a bowl. She was as careful and methodical at this as she was at all things, and nothing showed on her face. Finally, when the chore was finished, she turned to Awful and said, with a slight smile, “I think something might be done.”
    ****
    Dr. Burns had just finished his examination of one of his patients and was about to go to another ward when Agnes Smith interrupted his rounds. “There’s a young woman who wants to see you, Doctor. I don’t know what she’s after. She won’t say.”
    “Well, what’s her name?”
    “Deborah Laurent,” she said, “or some funny name like that. She’s waiting in your office. Be careful of her—these young women—they’re all out after a husband.”
    Burns laughed. He could not resist reaching over and giving the large woman a hug. He knew it confused her and yet delighted her all the same, though she never stopped fussing about it. “You think every woman in New York is out to marry me. I wish I were half the man you think I am, Agnes.”
    “That’s all very well, but you mind what I say. Now, stop mauling me,” she said, but did not pull away. When the young doctor left and walked down the corridor toward his office, her eyes followed him fondly.
    When Burns opened the door to his office, he found the young woman standing