 The fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hyosilver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. We turn with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again! Come on, Silver! Let's go big hello! I am Silver! Dan Reed, 14-year-old nephew of the Lone Ranger, was returning from a trip to Pecos to the town of Silverton. As he rode along in the stagecoach, he observed the two other passengers and the coach, a woman about 30 and a little girl about 10 years of age. Finally, the little girl spoke. What's your name? Diana, you mustn't be so outspoken. Oh, that's all right, ma'am. I'm Dan Reed. I'm going to Silverton. Oh, are we mom? Yes, dear. Do you live in Silverton, Dan? Oh, I'm staying near there with friends. Oh, I see. Maybe you've heard of the Circle X range. Yes, I have. I think Mr. Hiram Weeks owns that ranch. Yes, he does. He's my father-in-law, Diana's grandfather. We're going to live with Grandpa. He sent for us to come and stay with him. My daddy died, and my grandpa wrote that we should come to the Circle X to live. That's right. My husband was a deputy sheriff in Pecos. He was shot down by outlaws a few months ago. Diana's quite excited about living on a big ranch like the Circle X. I understand it's one of the biggest in the territory. Yes, it is. I guess Mr. Weeks will be glad to have you staying there. I hope so. Frankly, he didn't approve of our marriage at the time, and my husband had to leave home and make his own way. I was surprised to hear that Mr. Weeks wanted us to come. Well, maybe he's changed a lot since then. I guess it must be that. He's never seen Diana. I wonder what Grandpa's like. Do you know, Dan? No, Diana. I don't. I've never met him. But I'm sure he'll like you. Oh, golly. I'm glad you think so. I just know I like Grandpa. Of course you will, dear. It's very kind of him to offer to give us a home. How soon will we arrive in Silverton? Do you know, Dan? We're almost there now, ma'am. Oh, really? I feel a little nervous about meeting Mr. Weeks after all these years. I suppose he'll have someone meet him. Oh, I'm sure he will. The ranch is some distance from town. After we get settled, Dan, perhaps you'll come to see him. If you really want me to, I will. Please do. We won't know anyone there, will we, ma'am? That's right, dear. We won't. But I'm sure we'll soon make friends. We had so many friends in Pegas, we just hated to leave. You'll like the people around Silverton, I'm sure of that. Oh, we're crossing the wooden bridge outside of town. We'll be at the stage stop in a few minutes. Well, don't forget, you'll come to see us at the Circle X Ranch and make it soon, Dan. Now we'd better get our things together so as to be ready to get off and meet Diana's grandfather. After the stage arrived and Dan had bid goodbye to his newfound friends, he went to the livery stable where he had left his horse, Victor. A short time later, he arrived at the camp in the hills which he shared with the lone ranger and Tonneau. Oh, hello, Victor! Oh, boy! Oh, easy boy, steady seller! Hi, Dan. It's good to see you. Hi, Tonneau. Well, Dan, have a nice trip. Oh, yes, sir. But I'm glad to be back just the same. And we missed you. Ah, that right. Golly, I missed you and Tonneau, too. And I always miss having Victor to ride. I guess riding the stage is rather tiresome. Oh, uh, did you travel alone? We're going to Pegos. I was the only passenger, but coming back, there were two others. Mrs. Weeks and her 10-year-old daughter, Diana. They're awfully nice, and they're going to live with Mr. Weeks at the Circle X range. She's Diana's grandfather. I see. Yes, Hiram Weeks did have a son. He settled near Pegos. Yes, sir. Diana's father died not long ago, and Hiram Weeks sent for them to come here and stay with him. Glad to hear it, Dan. Means Hiram Weeks has finally come to his senses. He turned against his son when he married Ruth Connors, a school teacher. Mrs. Weeks told me about that. I guess she's relieved to have a place to go. I guess he didn't have anything left after Diana's father was killed. Oh, how him you get killed, Dan? He was a deputy sheriff at Pegos. He was shot down by outlaws a few months ago. That's right. I heard about that. I guess his son's death made Hiram Weeks realize how stubborn he'd been. Golly, I hope so, but... Oh, uh, what are we going to say, Dan? Well, I was there when Hiram Weeks met them at the stage stop. He looked so stern and... Well, the way he acted toward Mrs. Weeks made me wonder. Oh, tell us about it. Well, at first, when we got out of the stage, there wasn't anyone to meet Diana and her mother. Then I saw a heavy-set, stern-looking man get out of the buckboard and walk toward us. He went straight up to Diana as well. Well, well, I guess he must be my son's little girl, Diana, eh? Yes, I am. I mean, I am your grandpa. Grandpa Weeks. Yep, that's who I am. I'm mighty glad to have you come to the Circle X, girl. I'm mighty glad. Diana's been quite excited about coming, Mr. Weeks. Eh? Oh, yes. It's you, Ruth Connors. Hey, Rick and I sort of overlooked that you were coming along. My name isn't Ruth Connors. I'm Jim's widow, you know. My name is Mrs. Jim Weeks now. Not to me, it ain't. Who's your boy? My name's Dan Reed. We met on the stage. Yes, Dan's been very nice to us. I invited him to come out to the ranch to see us sometimes. Hey, don't Rick and I like having you invite strangers? You meet along the trail to come to the ranch? But I want Dan to come see us, Grandpa. Well, you do, eh? Well, now if you want him to come out, I reckon it'll be all right, Diane, eh? Miss Connors, you and Diana get in the buckboard. I'll get you the luggage. Just a minute, Mr. Weeks. I thought when you invited us to come to stay with you that you'd forgotten, or at least decided to forget the feeling you had. Hey, shit, get in the buckboard. I don't mean to argue with you, ma'am. I'll get the luggage now. Oh, Diana, I wish we hadn't come. Why, Mama? Don't you like Grandpa? Don't you? Never, you mind, Diana. You just forget what Mama said. Dan, I don't know how you feel about it, but I do hope you will come out to see us sometime. All right, Mrs. Weeks, I'll come out sometime. Thank you, Dan. Come, Diana, we'll go to the buckboard now. Goodbye, Dan, and don't forget your promise to come to see us. Though Mrs. Weeks isn't going to have a very pleasant time. Ah, that right. Do you think I really should go out sometime and see how they're getting along, sir? Well, since you promised you would, Dan, and since Hiram Weeks doesn't object, are you going to see Diana? Sure, we'll be all right. Thank God, I'll be curious to know if Weeks has changed any in his attitude toward his daughter-in-law since meeting her. It was the following morning that the purpose behind Hiram Weeks' invitation for Ruth and their daughter to live at the Circle X began to take form. Ruth went to Diana's room to awaken her, finding that Diana was already up. She went to the kitchen and spoke to the ranch cook, Maggie. Maggie? I noticed Diana's already up. I'll go find her while you put on her breakfast on the table. Sure, and the little girl has had her breakfast. Mr. Weeks woke her to have breakfast with him and then took her to town on the buckboard. Oh, I see. I wonder why it took her into town so early. Well, now in the master's own words, he says, Maggie, I'm buying me a little granddaughter. The finest clothes are confined in Silverton. And from now on, he says, Miss Un's daughter will have everything she wants to make her happy. Dear, I hope it doesn't spoil, Diana. Sure, just no one can tell Mr. Weeks one way or the other what he used to do, Miss Connors. He's a determined man, that he is. Please, Maggie, my name is Mrs. Weeks. Sorry, man, but there's the orders of the master that you be called Miss Connors. And it's all in me job's worth to go against him. I see. I'll have your vittles on the table in a jiffy man. No, no, never mind, Maggie. I'm not hungry right now. I'll go outside and walk a bit until Diana falls. During the following week, Diana, childlike, took full advantage of her newfound freedom and of the power she seemed to have over her grandfather. Anything she could think of was hers for the asking, including a pony. And Hiram Weeks contrived to keep her busy, having her with him almost continually as he wrote about the ranch and took crypts to town. Meantime, Ruth was treated like a stranger by Hiram and the ranch hands, and her worry increased as she saw less and less of her daughter. One day, she sat disconsolately on the ranch house porch, wondering how to cope with the situation, when Dan Reed reigned to a halt before her. Dan Reed! Oh, how glad I am to see you. Hello, Mrs. Weeks. How's Diana? Oh, Diana's fine. She's out riding with her grandfather. You see she? Oh, Dan, I know this is no way to talk to a mere boy, but I must talk to someone. Someone who's friendly to me. What's the matter, ma'am? Everything, Dan. Just everything. I'm dreadfully unhappy, and I just don't know which way to turn. Dolly, is there anything I can do? Perhaps if I talk to you about it, it'll help. You see, Dan, I'm treated like a stranger here. Mr. Weeks has ordered everyone on the ranch to call me by my maiden name. He won't receive me here as his son's widow. Gosh. Since we've been here, I've seen very little of Diana. She shards her with gifts and attention, keeping her with him all the time. What's more, he's made arrangements to send her to St. Louis in two weeks to attend a private girls' school. Does Diana want to go? Well, her grandfather's made it all seem wonderful to her, so that now she's excited over going there. I don't know what I'll do after she leaves. I just can't stay here. I feel so helpless and friendless. I'd like to be your friend, Mrs. Weeks. Maybe if I tell a couple of my friends about it, they could help in some way. Oh, Dan, if they only could. I see now why Jim's father brought us here, so he could take Diana away from me and make it seem as though she wants it to be that way. If there was only something I could do to stop it, but there doesn't seem to be any way. I'll tell my friends and see what they think about everything. Don't worry, Mrs. Weeks. Maybe things will turn out all right. I'll go now, but I'll come back and see you again. Goodbye, ma'am. Goodbye, Dan, and thank you for coming out. Easy boy, steady fella. Come on, Victor. Dan Reed left the Circle X ranch and returned to the camp where the lone ranger and tonto had been staying for some time while they put new shoes on the horses and mended worn riding gear. Dan told them what he had learned from Ruth Weeks. Gallia, I sure feel sorry for Mrs. Weeks. She doesn't know what to do. Ironman is taking an underhanded way to get back at Ruth for marrying his son. He knows that without money and friends, she can't do anything to stop him in his efforts to take Diana away from her. He's not good for a little girl. Well, I don't know what isn't. I wish there was some way to help. So do I, Dan. We used to know Jim Weeks very well in Pecos. This pies his father if he knew what the old man is doing. Perhaps if I could get to see Hiram, I could talk some sense into him. Golly, do you think you could? Well, I can try, Dan. After supper when it's dark enough, I'll head on out right over to the Circle X. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments to our story. That evening after eating all the ranch hands of the Circle X left to start a roundup on the range. Carrying a lighted lantern, Hiram took Diana and went to the big barn behind the house. Hey, what a fine new stallion today, Diana. I want to make sure the boys made him comfortable. Someday, I'll unlock the fine horses. Do I, Grandpa? Yeah, yeah, sure will, honey. All these will be yours someday. As Hiram left Diana's side and moved behind the big stallion, the new horse suddenly kicked back, catching Hiram on the leg and sending him crawling. At the same time, the lighted lantern flew from his grasp across the barn and landed in a pile of hay. Grandpa! He did it. Hayes on fat. He'd have strength. Running panic-stricken to the ranch house, Diana entered the kitchen where Maggie and her mother were talking. Happen, child. Well, surely he'll be burned tonight, but he will. We've got to get to him, Maggie. We can't let him be killed out there. You stay here, Diana. Come on, Maggie. We've got to get to Mr. Wheat. All Saints help us. There's a big blaze in there already. That team, he's calling for help. Oh, he'd be here. There's nothing we can do for him now. Help me serve myself here at the water and toss Maggie quick. Yeah. What are you going to do, ma'am? Where you can't go into that blazing barn with all them crazy horses and all? I'm going to do what I can to get Mr. Wheat out. Meantime, you can ring the farm bell. The hands might hear. In spite of what he's done to you, you're going in after him. Forget that, Maggie. Thanks for that, son of... Maybe these wet clothes will protect me a little. Now I'm going into that barn. Meantime, the lone ranger and tottle riding in the dusk were approaching the Circle X ranch. Do you think Hiram Wheats will be willing to talk to you, Kimusabe? I don't know, Tottle. I hope when he learns of my friendship with his son, it will mean something to him. Anyway, it's worth a try. We soon be at ranch. It's not far now. That bell, it means trouble, Tottle. It come from over that way. That's where Circle X ranch house is. Yes, look. There's a reddish glow over there. That means fire. All right, let's hurry, Tottle. One, two, three. One, two, three. Toward the barn, Maggie frantically pulled the cord that rang the big bell near the back door of the ranch house. Lord, that will bring you out. But even then, you'll be too late, I'm afraid. Oh, no, no. Be quiet, my little one. Sorry, be the horses are breaking loose. Oh, she isn't burned to death. She'll be trampled like us not. Mama went in here. She went in the burning... Your father's lying in there too. I don't care. Come to try to help your grandfather Diana. I don't want them to get burned. But especially not Mama. Well, if prayers can bring her out, then she'll get out safe, child. Purn it as a brave woman that mother of yours is. Maggie, Maggie, I'm scared. Yes, hush now, child. All we can do is to hope and pray. Hush now, child. Stop. Meantime, Ruth had made her way into the barn. Her knees felt weak beneath her as she saw the flames leaping before her and as frenzied horses brushed past her. I have to find him. Thank him. And I found you. The flames will reach you in a moment. And they saved me. Yes, of course. Good after what had. It's on my shoulder. Let it save yourself. If you're worse, you close it. There. If you can lean on me, maybe. Maybe we can... Outside, Maggie and Diana stood fearfully watching the fire get worse as they strained their eyes for Ruth and Mr. Weeks to appear in the doorway of the barn. Sharon is getting worse by the minute. Oh, thank you, young man. It is a sorry day for one as young as you to see. Hold her. Hold her. Oh, thank you. Say a mask, man. I got the mask. The horse is all out. The horse is, is it? Sharon, Mr. Weeks himself is in there. What? Along with his daughter, Nora went into saving. Oh, may heaven bless her poor heart. Mom, and perhaps it's going to be kill. Maybe we can get to them. Come on, Tutto. There's no time to lose. As the lone ranger and Tuttle ran into the burning barn, a group of cowboys who had heard the warning bell arrived and departed. Maggie told them about Ruth and Mr. Weeks and about the masked man and Indian that had gone to their rescue. Forming a bucket line, the men did what they could to keep the flames away from the barn door. The faces of all of them were strained as they hopefully glanced toward the doorway through which billowing smoke was pouring. They were about to give up what little hope they had when they heard a voice calling to them. Get back. Freshman's coming out. The Indians right behind it. Look, they got the boss and the girl. Let him get through. Get them to the house. They're unconscious. Girl, girl, need attention. Oh, I'm sure they'll be all right. Will they now, son? We can't tell you. We'll do all we can for them. Help us get them to the ranch house. Now, hurry. We'll help you, Missy. The rest of you, get those horses out and keep fighting till there's no more danger. All right. Come on, Missy. Both of you can do it with a little attention yourself. While the cowboy has got the remaining horses from the barn, Hiram and Ruth were taken into the ranch house and placed on cots. Baloon Ranger and Tuttle recovered from the smoke quickly. Then they directed the others in giving first aid to the rancher and his daughter-in-law. Pull these splints in place, Tuttle, while I put on the bandage. Someone soak another cloth in the tea and put it on Mrs. Weeks for it. Yes, sir. I got it here right now. Now, who'd have ever thought I'd use in strong tea to relieve burns? It's the tannic acid in the tea that does a trick. There. The bandage is in place. I'll go out in the kitchen with Diana, poor child. She's out there worrying your little heart out. Both of them are breathing evenly now since we gave them artificial respiration, Tuttle. It should be coming to any minute. That's right. Look like old fellow, open her eyes now, Kimusabi. Yes, she is. Have that glass of water handy with you. Ah, let me have one glass. Easy, easy, Mr. Weeks. You're safe now. My leg is broken. I have put splints on your leg. They'll serve until the doctor gets here. How's the girl coming along, Tuttle? She'll be all right soon. The girl, Ruth, she tried to save me. The horse has knocked us down. Did you get her out? Ruth is here on the other cot. I think she'll be all right. The girl open eyes now. I tried. I couldn't. You did a very brave thing, Mrs. Weeks. Jim's father is safe. Here, I loathe side of you. But where's Diana? I'll tell Maggie to bring her in now. Your little girl had quite a shock, but she's all right. Who are you? That mask, I just noticed. The mask doesn't matter. I knew your son, Jim. Better forget the mask, boss. His umbra and his Indian friend brought you and Miss Connors out of the place. She hear you. That girl's name is Mrs. Weeks. She's my daughter-in-law, you said. But you said we had a call. I don't care what I said. From now on, she's Ruth, to me, Mrs. Weeks, to the rest of you. Diana, my little girl. Oh, sure, and she called for you all the time, man, that she did. Too sad to watch the way the poor little lamb carried on wanting her mother. Diana, your grandfather's right there. I'm glad grandpa isn't killed, but I just want to be with you, Mama. Glory be in that the way it should be, says I. It is mighty thankful Mr. Weeks should be to have such a daughter-in-law in the family. Oh, she took a break in my heart. To see the way she was treated, the poor Colleen. And to his right proud, I am to know young Mrs. Weeks, says I. Now that I've had Mrs. Day, I'll be packing off in the morning. Well, don't make it. If we need you here, my daughter Ruth and I, little Diana, she'll be going to school in town. You'll have to get her more each morning. Mr. Weeks, I don't know what to say. You wouldn't want you to call me Dad, Ruthie. Well, you didn't let me burn after the order that we had to do. Please, Dad, don't think about that. Dan will be glad to hear of this, Mrs. Weeks. Dan? Oh, you must be the friend that told me about. We have so much to thank you for. Maggie told me she and Diana prayed together. I'm sure we're not the one deserving of your thanks, Mrs. Weeks. Well, we leave now so you and your father can rest. Adios. Adios. Yeah. Hey, I wonder what he meant by what he said. Who are we supposed to thank? Sure, and to take a man like you a little time to figure that one out first. Yeah. But I'm sure Mrs. Weeks understood him. Yes. Yes, Maggie, honest. I wonder who that mess man was. Sure, and I can tell you that. The Indian told me he's known as the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created and produced by George W. Trendle, directed by Charles D. Livingston, and edited by Fram Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beemer.