The mist hovered over the river as though loth to uncover the dimpling
current; yet the rising sun was insistent--its warm, soft September rays
melting the jealous mist and uncovering, rod by rod, the sleeping
stream. Ruth, fresh from her bed and looking out of the little window of
her old room at the Red Mill farmhouse, thought that, after all, the
scene was quite as soothing and beautiful as any of the fine landscapes
she had observed during her far-western trip.
For the Briarwood Hall girls were back from their sojourn at Silver
Ranch. They had arrived the night before. Montana, and the herds of
cattle, and the vast canons and far-stretching plains, would be but a
memory to them hereafter. Their vacation on the range was ended, and in
another week Briarwood Hall would open again and lessons must be
attended to.
Jane Ann Hicks would follow them East in time to join the school the
opening week. Ruth looked back upon that first day at school a year ago
when she and Helen Cameron had become "Infants" at Briarwood. They would
make it easier for Jane Ann, remembering so keenly how strange they had
felt before they attained the higher classes.
The last of the mist rolled away and the warm sun revealed all the river
and the woods and pastures beyond. Ruth kissed her hand to it and then,
hearing a door close softly below-stairs, she hurried her dressing and
ran down to the farmhouse kitchen. The little, stooping figure of an old
woman was bent above the stove, muttering in a sort of sing-song
refrain:
"Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!"
"Then let somebody else save your back and bones, Aunt Alviry!" cried
Ruth, putting her arms around the old housekeeper's neck. "There! how
good it is to see you again. Sit right down there. You are to play lady.
_I_ am going to get the breakfast."
"But your Uncle Jabez wants hot muffins, my pretty," objected Aunt
Alvirah.
"And don't you suppose anybody can make muffins but you?" queried Ruth,
blithely. "I made 'em out to Silver Ranch. Maria, the Mexican cook,
taught me. Even Uncle Jabez will like them made by my recipe--now you see
if he doesn't."
And the miller certainly praised the muffins--by eating a full half dozen
of them. Of course, he did not say audibly that they were good.
And yet, Uncle Jabez had a much more companionable air about him than he
had ever betrayed before--at least, within the knowledge of Ruth
Fielding. He smiled--and that not grimly--as the girl related some of her
experiences during her wonderful summer vacation.
"It was a great trip--and wonderful," she sighed, finally. "Of course,
the last of it was rather spoiled by Mary Cox's brother being so ill.
And the doctors found, when they got the better of the fever, that his
head had been hurt some months before, and that is why he had wandered
about there, without writing East--either to his folks or to you, Uncle
Jabez. But he's all right now, and Mary expects to bring him home from
Denver, where he stopped over, in a few days. She'll be home in time for
the opening of school, at least," and here Ruth's voice halted and her
face changed color, while she looked beseechingly at Uncle Jabez.
The miller cleared his throat and looked at her. Aunt Alvirah stopped
eating, too, and she and Ruth gazed anxiously at the flint-like face of
the old man.
"I got a letter from that lawyer at Bullhide, Montana, two days ago,
Niece Ruth," said Uncle Jabez, in his harsh voice. "He has been going
over the Tintacker affairs, and he has proved up on that young Cox's
report. The young chap is as straight as a string. The money he got from
me is all accounted for. And according to the assayers the new vein Cox
discovered will mill as high as two hundred dollars to the ton of ore.
If we work it as a stock company it will make us money; but young Cox
being in such bad shape physically, and his finances being as they are,
we'll probably decide to sell out to a syndicate of Denver people. Cox
will close the contract with them before he comes East, it may be, and
on such terms," added Uncle Jabez with a satisfaction that he could not
hide, "that it will be the very best investment I ever made."
"Oh, Uncle!" cried Ruth Fielding.
"Yes," said Uncle Jabez, with complacency. "The mine is going to pay us
well. Fortunately you was insistent on finding and speaking to young
Cox. If you had not found him--and if he had not recovered his health--it
might have been many months before I could have recovered even the money
I had put into the young man's scheme. And--so he says--_you_ saved his
life, Ruthie."
"That's just talk, Uncle," cried the girl. "Don't you believe it.
Anybody would have done the same."
"However that may be, and whether it is due to you in any particular
that I can quickly realize on my investment," said the miller, rising
suddenly from the table, "circumstances are such now that there is no
reason why you shouldn't have another term or two at school--if you want
to go."
"_Want to go to Briarwood!_ Oh, Uncle!" gasped Ruth.
"Then I take it you _do_ want to go?"
"More than anything else in the world!" declared his niece, reverently.
"Wall, Niece Ruth," he concluded, with his usual manner. "If your Aunt
Alviry can spare ye----"
"Don't think about me, Jabez, don't think about me," cried the little
old woman. "Just what my pretty wants--that will please her Aunt Alviry."
Ruth ran and seized the hard hand of the miller before he could get out
of the kitchen. "Oh, Uncle!" she cried, kissing his hand. "You _are_
good to me!"
"Nonsense, child!" he returned, roughly, and went out.
Ruth turned to the little old woman, down whose face the tears were
coursing unreproved.
"And you, too, Auntie! You are too good to me! Everybody is too good to
me! Look at the Camerons! and Jennie Stone! and all the rest. And Mary
Cox just hugged me tight when we came away and said she loved me--that I
had saved her brother's life. And Mr. Bill Hicks--and Jimsey and the
other boys. And Bashful Ike and Sally made me promise that if ever I
could get out West again I should spend a long time at their home----
"Oh, dear, me Aunt Alvirah," finished the girl of the Red Mill, with a
tearful but happy sigh, "this world is a very beautiful place after all,
and the people in it are just lovely!"
There were many more adventures in store for Ruth, and what some of them
were will be related in the next volume of this series, to be entitled:
"Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure Box," in
which will be related the particulars of a most surprising mystery.
"Only one Ruthie!" mused old Jabez. "Only one, but she's quite a
gal--yes, quite a gal!"
And we agree with him; don't we, reader?
THE END
THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES
By ALICE B. EMERSON
_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL _or Jasper Parole's Secret_
RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL _or Solving the Campus Mystery_
RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP _or Lost in the Backwoods_
RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT _or Nita, the Girl Castaway_
RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH _or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys_
RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND _or The Old Hunter's Treasure Box_
RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM _or What Became of the Raby Orphans_
RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES _or The Missing Pearl Necklace_
RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES _or Helping the Dormitory Fund_
RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE _or Great Days in the Land of Cotton_
RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE _or The Missing Examination Papers_
RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE _or College Girls in the Land of Gold_
RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS _or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam_
RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT _or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier_
RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND _or A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils_
RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST _or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point_
RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST _or The Indian Girl Star of the
Movies_
RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE _or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand
Islands_
RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING _or A Moving Picture that Became Real_
RUTH FIELDING IN THE FAR NORTH _or The Lost Motion Picture Company_
RUTH FIELDING AT GOLDEN PASS _or The Perils of an Artificial Avalanche_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
BILLIE BRADLEY SERIES
By JANET D. WHEELER
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
1. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER INHERITANCE _or The Queer Homestead at Cherry
Corners_
Billie Bradley fell heir to an old homestead that was unoccupied and
located far away in a lonely section of the country. How Billie went
there, accompanied by some of her chums, and what queer things happened,
go to make up a story no girl will want to miss.
2. BILLIE BRADLEY AT THREE-TOWERS HALL _or Leading a Needed Rebellion_
Three-Towers Hall was a boarding school for girls. For a short time
after Billie arrived there all went well. But then the head of the
school had to go on a long journey and she left the girls in charge of
two teachers, sisters, who believed in severe discipline and in very,
very plain food and little of it--and then there was a row! The girls
wired for the head to come back--and all ended happily.
3. BILLIE BRADLEY ON LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND _or The Mystery of the Wreck_
One of Billie's friends owned a summer bungalow on Lighthouse Island,
near the coast. The school girls made up a party and visited the Island.
There was a storm and a wreck, and three little children were washed
ashore. They could tell nothing of themselves, and Billie and her chums
set to work to solve the mystery of their identity.
4. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER CLASSMATES _or The Secret of the Locked Tower_
Billie and her chums come to the rescue of several little children who
have broken through the ice. There is the mystery of a lost invention,
and also the dreaded mystery of the locked school tower.
5. BILLIE BRADLEY AT TWIN LAKES _or Jolly Schoolgirls Afloat and Ashore_
A tale of outdoor adventure in which Billie and her chums have a great
variety of adventures. They visit an artists' colony and there fall in
with a strange girl living with an old boatman who abuses her
constantly. Billie befriended Hulda and the mystery surrounding the girl
was finally cleared up.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
THE BETTY GORDON SERIES
By ALICE B. EMERSON
_Author of the Famous "Ruth Fielding" Series_
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
_A series of stories by Alice B. Emerson which are bound to make this
writer more popular than ever with her host of girl readers._
1. BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE FARM _or The Mystery of a Nobody_
At the age of twelve Betty is left an orphan.
2. BETTY GORDON IN WASHINGTON _or Strange Adventures in a Great City_
In this volume Betty goes to the National Capitol to find her uncle and
has several unusual adventures.
3. BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL _or The Farm That Was Worth a
Fortune_
From Washington the scene is shifted to the great oil fields of our
country. A splendid picture of the oil field operations of to-day.
4. BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL _or The Treasure of Indian Chasm_
Seeking the treasure of Indian Chasm makes an exceedingly interesting
incident.
5. BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP _or The Mystery of Ida Bellethorne_
At Mountain Camp Betty found herself in the midst of a mystery involving
a girl whom she had previously met in Washington.
6. BETTY GORDON AT OCEAN PARK _or School Chums on the Boardwalk_
A glorious outing that Betty and her chums never forgot.
7. BETTY GORDON AND HER SCHOOL CHUMS _or Bringing the Rebels to Terms_
Rebellious students, disliked teachers and mysterious robberies make a
fascinating story.
8. BETTY GORDON AT RAINBOW RANCH _or Cowboy Joe's Secret_
Betty and her chums have a grand time in the saddle.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
THE LINGER-NOT SERIES
By AGNES MILLER
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
_This new series of girls' books is in a new style of story writing. The
interest is in knowing the girls and seeing them solve the problems that
develop their character. Incidentally, a great deal of historical
information is imparted._
1. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE MYSTERY HOUSE _or The Story of Nine
Adventurous Girls_
How the Linger-Not girls met and formed their club seems commonplace,
but this writer makes it fascinating, and how they made their club serve
a great purpose continues the interest to the end, and introduces a new
type of girlhood.
2. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE VALLEY FEUD _or The Great West Point Chain_
The Linger-Not girls had no thought of becoming mixed up with feuds or
mysteries, but their habit of being useful soon entangled them in some
surprising adventures that turned out happily for all, and made the
valley better because of their visit.
3. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THEIR GOLDEN QUEST _or The Log of the Ocean
Monarch_
For a club of girls to become involved in a mystery leading back into
the times of the California gold-rush, seems unnatural until the reader
sees how it happened, and how the girls helped one of their friends to
come into her rightful name and inheritance, forms a fine story.
4. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE WHISPERING CHARMS _or The Secret from Old
Alaska_
Whether engrossed in thrilling adventures in the Far North or occupied
with quiet home duties, the Linger-Not girls could work unitedly to
solve a colorful mystery in a way that interpreted American freedom to a
sad young stranger, and brought happiness to her and to themselves.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES
By LILIAN GARIS
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
_The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated by the foremost
organizations of America form the background for these stories and while
unobtrusive there is a message in every volume._
1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS _or Winning the First B. C._
A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania town. Two runaway
girls, who want to see the city, are reclaimed through troop influence.
The story is correct in scout detail.
2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE _or Maid Mary's Awakening_
The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in other
girls' activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. How she
was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her own as "Maid
Mary" makes a fascinating story.
3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST _or The Wig Wag Rescue_
Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious
seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping
all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come.
4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG _or Peg of Tamarack Hills_
The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of Lake
Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and the clearing
up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot.
5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE _or Nora's Real Vacation_
Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her dislike
for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to
appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, becomes
a problem for the girls to solve.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
THE RADIO GIRLS SERIES
By MARGARET PENROSE
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
_A new and up-to-date series, taking in the activities of several bright
girls who become interested in radio. The stories tell of thrilling
exploits, outdoor life and the great part the Radio plays in the
adventures of the girls and in solving their mysteries. Fascinating
books that girls of all ages will want to read._
1. THE RADIO GIRLS OF ROSELAWN _or A Strange Message from the Air_
Showing how Jessie Norwood and her chums became interested in
radiophoning, how they gave a concert for a worthy local charity, and
how they received a sudden and unexpected call for help out of the air.
A girl wanted as witness in a celebrated law case disappears, and the
radio girls go to the rescue.
2. THE RADIO GIRLS ON THE PROGRAM _or Singing and Reciting at the
Sending Station_
When listening in on a thrilling recitation or a superb concert number
who of us has not longed to "look behind the scenes" to see how it was
done? The girls had made the acquaintance of a sending station manager
and in this volume are permitted to get on the program, much to their
delight. A tale full of action and fun.
3. THE RADIO GIRLS ON STATION ISLAND _or The Wireless from the Steam
Yacht_
In this volume the girls travel to the seashore and put in a vacation on
an island where is located a big radio sending station. The big brother
of one of the girls owns a steam yacht and while out with a pleasure
party those on the island receive word by radio that the yacht is on
fire. A tale thrilling to the last page.
4. THE RADIO GIRLS AT FOREST LODGE _or The Strange Hut in the Swamp_
The Radio Girls spend several weeks on the shores of a beautiful lake
and with their radio get news of a great forest fire. It also aids them
in rounding up some undesirable folks who occupy the strange hut in the
swamp.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
THE CURLYTOPS SERIES
By HOWARD R. GARIS
_Author of the famous "Bedtime Animal Stories"_
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
1. THE CURLYTOPS AT CHERRY FARM _or Vacation Days in the Country_
A tale of happy vacation days on a farm.
2. THE CURLYTOPS ON STAR ISLAND _or Camping out with Grandpa_
The Curlytops were delighted when grandpa took them to camp on Star
Island.
3. THE CURLYTOPS SNOWED IN _or Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds_
The Curlytops, with their skates and sleds, on lakes and hills.
4. THE CURLYTOPS AT UNCLE FRANK'S RANCH _or Little Folks on Ponyback_
Out West on their uncle's ranch they have a wonderful time.
5. THE CURLYTOPS AT SILVER LAKE _or On the Water with Uncle Ben_
The Curlytops camp out on the shores of a beautiful lake.
6. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PETS _or Uncle Toby's Strange Collection_
An old uncle leaves them to care for his collection of pets.
7. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PLAYMATES _or Jolly Times Through the
Holidays_
They have great times with their uncle's collection of animals.
8. THE CURLYTOPS IN THE WOODS _or Fun at the Lumber Camp_
Exciting times in the forest for Curlytops.
9. THE CURLYTOPS AT SUNSET BEACH _or What Was Found in the Sand_
The Curlytops have a fine time at the seashore, bathing, digging in the
sand and pony-back riding.
10. THE CURLYTOPS TOURING AROUND _or Delightful Days in Pleasant Places_
The Curlytops fall in with a moving picture company and get in some of
the pictures.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS SERIES
By MABEL C. HAWLEY
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
1. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT BROOKSIDE FARM
Mother called them her Four Little Blossoms, but Daddy Blossom called
them Bobby, Meg, and the twins. The twins, Twaddles and Dot, were a
comical pair and always getting into mischief. The children had heaps of
fun around the big farm.
2. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT OAK HILL SCHOOL
In the Fall, Bobby and Meg had to go to school. It was good fun, for
Miss Mason was a kind teacher. Then the twins insisted on going to
school, too, and their appearance quite upset the class. In school
something very odd happened.
3. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AND THEIR WINTER FUN
Winter came and with it lots of ice and snow, and oh! what fun the
Blossoms had skating and sledding. And once Bobby and Meg went on an
errand and got lost in a sudden snowstorm.
4. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS ON APPLE TREE ISLAND
The Four Little Blossoms went to a beautiful island in the middle of a
big lake and there had a grand time on the water and in the woods. And
in a deserted cabin they found some letters which helped an old man to
find his missing wife.
5. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
The story starts at Thanksgiving. They went skating and coasting, and
they built a wonderful snowman, and one day Bobby and his chums visited
a carpenter shop on the sly, and that night the shop burnt down, and
there was trouble for the boys.
_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson