Mrs. Rachel Parsons marveled at what the girls had done in raising money
for Curly Smith. He would have money enough to keep him at the hospital
until his leg was healed, and to spare.
Curly was not to be arrested. Deputy Sheriff Ricketts went with the
party on the launch back to Georgetown, picking up his own lost launch
by the way, uninjured, and saw the boy housed in a private room of the
hospital. Then he, as well as Ruth, received news about Curly.
The letter from Mrs. Sadoc Smith at last arrived. In it the unhappy
woman opened her heart to Ruth again and begged her to send or bring
Curly home. It had been discovered that the boy had nothing to do with
the robbery of the railroad station at Lumberton.
"And who didn't know that?" sniffed Helen. "Of course he didn't."
Mr. Ricketts, too, received information that called him off the case.
"That there li'le Yankee boy ain't t' be arrested after all," he
confessed to Ruth. "Guess he jest got in wrong up No'th. But yo'd better
take him back with you when you go, Miss Ruth, He needs somebody to take
care of him--sho' do!"
The river subsided and the girls went back to Merredith. They spent the
next fortnight delightfully and then the chums from Cheslow got ready to
start home. They could not take Curly with them; but he would be sent to
New York by steamer just as soon as the doctors could get him upon
crutches; and eventually the boy from Lumberton returned to his
grandmother, a much wiser lad than when he left her home and care.
The days at Merredith, all things considered, had been very delightful.
But the weather was growing very oppressive for Northerners. Ruth and
Helen bade Mrs. Parsons and Nettie and everybody about the Big House,
including Mr. Jimson, good-bye and caught the train for Norfolk. They
had a day to wait there, and so they went across in the ferry to Old
Point Comfort, found Unc' Simmy, and were driven out to the gatehouse to
see Miss Catalpa.
"And we sho' done struck luck, missy," Unc' Simmy confided to Ruth.
"Kunnel Wildah done foun' some mo' money b'longin' t' Miss Catalpa, an'
it's wot he calls a 'nuity. It comes reg'lar, like a man's wages," and
the old darkey's smile was beautiful to see.
"Now Miss Catalpa kin have mo' of the fixin's like she's use to. Glory!"
"He is the most unselfish person I have ever met," said Ruth to Helen.
"It makes me ashamed to see how he thinks only of that dear blind
woman."
Miss Catalpa welcomed the chums delightedly; and they took tea with her
on the vine-shaded porch of the old gatehouse, Unc' Simmy doing the
honors in his ancient butler's coat. It was a very delightful party,
indeed, and Helen as well as Ruth went away at last hoping that she
would some time see the sweet-natured Miss Catalpa again.
Three days later Mr. Cameron's automobile deposited Ruth at the Red
Mill--her arrival so soon being quite unexpected to the bent old woman
rocking and sewing in the cheerful window of the farmhouse kitchen.
When Ruth ran up the steps and in at the door, Aunt Alvirah was quite
startled. She dropped her sewing and rose up creakingly, with a
murmured, "Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!" but she reached her thin arms
out to clasp her hands at the back of Ruth Fielding's neck, and looked
long and earnestly into the girl's eyes.
"My pretty's growing up--she's growing up!" cried Aunt Alvirah. "She
ain't a child no more. I can't scurce believe it. What have you seen
down South there that's made you so old-like, honey?"
"I guess it is not age, Aunt Alvirah," declared Ruth. "Maybe I have seen
some things that have made me thoughtful. And have endured some things
that were hard. And had some pleasures that I never had before."
"Just the same, my pretty!" crooned the old woman. "Just as thoughtful
as ever. You surely have an old head on those pretty young shoulders.
Oh, yes you have."
"And maybe that isn't a good thing to have, after all--an old head on
young shoulders," thought Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill the night of her
return, as she sat at her little chamber window and looked out across
the rolling Lumano. "Helen is happier than I am; she doesn't worry about
herself or anybody else.
"Now I'm worrying about what's to happen to me. Briarwood is a thing of
the past. Dear, old Briarwood Hall! Shall I ever be as happy again as I
was there?
"I see college ahead of me in the fall. Of course, my expenses for
several years are assured. Mr. Hammond writes me that he will take
another moving picture scenario. I have found out that my voice--as well
as Helen's violin playing--can be coined. I am going to be
self-supporting and that, as Mrs. Parsons says, is a heap of
satisfaction.
"I need trouble Uncle Jabez no more for money. But I can't remain in
idleness--that's 'agin nater,' to quote Aunt Alvirah. I know what I'll
do! I'll--I'll go to bed!"
She arose from her seat with a laugh and began to disrobe. Ten minutes
later, her prayers said and her hair in two neat plaits on the pillow,
Ruth Fielding fell asleep.
THE END
THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES
By ALICE B. EMERSON
12mo. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors.
Price 50 cents per volume. Postage 10 cents additional.
Ruth Fielding was an orphan and came to live with her miserly uncle. Her
adventures and travels make stories that will hold the interest of every
reader.
Ruth Fielding is a character that will live in juvenile fiction.
1. RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL
2. RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL
3. RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP
4. RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT
5. RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
6. RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND
7. RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM
8. RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES
9. RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES
10. RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE
11. RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE
12. RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE
13. RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS
14. RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT
15. RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND
16. RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST
17. RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST
18. RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE
19. RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING
20. RUTH FIELDING IN THE FAR NORTH
21. RUTH FIELDING AT GOLDEN PASS
22. RUTH FIELDING IN ALASKA
23. RUTH FIELDING AND HER GREAT SCENARIO
24. RUTH FIELDING AT CAMERON HALL
25. RUTH FIELDING CLEARING HER NAME
26. RUTH FIELDING IN TALKING PICTURES
27. RUTH FIELDING AND BABY JUNE
28. RUTH FIELDING AND HER DOUBLE
29. RUTH FIELDING AND HER GREATEST TRIUMPH
30. RUTH FIELDING AND HER CROWNING VICTORY
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MYSTERY BOOKS FOR GIRLS
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Price 50 cents per volume. Postage 10 cents additional.
THE JADE NECKLACE, by Pemberton Ginther
Roslyn Blake possesses a necklace of ancient Chinese design and of
mysterious origin. It brings both hope and fear. Strange events result
in its loss, but her courage and the friendship of Dr. Briggs help her
to solve the mystery.
THE THIRTEENTH SPOON, by Pemberton Ginther
A mystery story for girls, that holds the interest from the first word
to the last. Twelve famous Apostle spoons, and the thirteenth, the
Master Spoon vanish. Who has stolen them? Carol's courage solves the
mystery in an original and exciting story.
THE SECRET STAIR, by Pemberton Ginther
The 'Van Dirk Treasure' is a manuscript jewelled and illuminated. The
treasure is hidden in the old family mansion where Sally Shaw goes to
live. Strange events occur. The house is thought to be haunted. The Book
vanishes. Its recovery makes a most unusual story.
THE DOOR IN THE MOUNTAIN, by Isola L. Forrester
The four McLeans, three boys and a plucky girl, lived just outside of
Frisbee, Arizona, on Los Flores Canyon, thirty miles from even the
railroad. But adventure lurks in unexpected places, and when Katherine
and Peter chanced on the Door in the Mountain, a legend that held
considerable mystery for the community, the adventure proved the courage
and ingenuity of all the McLeans.
SECRET OF THE DARK HOUSE, by Frances Y. Young
Jean had an inquiring mind, and any event that she could not understand
aroused her curiosity to the 'nth degree. A charming stranger in the
schoolroom, a taciturn chauffeur, a huge dark house, strange robberies
in the neighborhood, and a secretive old man who always wore a disguise,
combined to put Jean on a hunt that before it was over involved
brothers, sisters, police, famous detectives, Smuff, her dog, in one
grand mystery story that every girl will enjoy reading.
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Maxie is such an interesting, delightful, amusing character that
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every event in her life into the most absorbing and astounding
adventures, and when she is sent to visit her only other Uncle in the
British West Indies, it proves to be the beginning of not only an
entirely new mode of living, but a series of tremendously thrilling
adventures and stirring deeds that every girl will thoroughly enjoy.
1. MAXIE, AN ADORABLE GIRL or Her Adventures in the British West Indies
2. MAXIE IN VENEZUELA or The Clue to the Diamond Mine
3. MAXIE, SEARCHING FOR HER PARENTS or The Mystery in Australian Waters
4. MAXIE AT BRINKSOME HALL or Strange Adventures with Her Chums
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May Hollis Barton is a new writer for girls who is bound to win instant
popularity. Her style is somewhat of a reminder of that of Louisa M.
Alcott, but thoroughly up-to-date in plot and action. Clean tales that
all the girls will enjoy reading.
1. THE GIRL FROM THE COUNTRY
2. THREE GIRL CHUMS AT LAUREL HALL
3. NELL GRAYSON'S RANCHING DAYS
4. FOUR LITTLE WOMEN OF ROXBY
5. PLAIN JANE AND PRETTY BETTY
6. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
7. HAZEL HOOD'S STRANGE DISCOVERY
8. TWO GIRLS AND A MYSTERY
9. THE GIRLS OF LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND
10. KATE MARTIN'S PROBLEM
11. THE GIRL IN THE TOP FLAT
12. THE SEARCH FOR PEGGY ANN
13. SALLIE'S TEST OF SKILL
14. CHARLOTTE CROSS AND AUNT DEB
15. VIRGINIA'S VENTURE
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KAY TRACEY MYSTERY STORIES
By FRANCES K. JUDD
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Meet clever Kay Tracey, who, though only sixteen, solves mysteries in a
surprising manner. Working on clues which she assembles, this surprising
heroine supplies the solution to cases that have baffled professional
sleuths. The Kay Tracey Mystery Stories will grip a reader from start to
finish.
1. THE SECRET OF THE RED SCARF
A case of mistaken identity at a masquerade leads Kay into a delightful
but mysterious secret.
2. THE STRANGE ECHO
Lost Lake had two mysteries--an old one and a new one. Kay, visiting
there, solves both of them by deciphering a strange echo.
3. THE MYSTERY OF THE SWAYING CURTAINS
Heavy draperies swaying in a lonely mansion give the clue which is
needed to solve a mystery that has defied professional investigators but
proves to be fun for the attractive and clever Kay Tracey.
4. THE SHADOW ON THE DOOR
Was the shadow on the door made by a human being or an animal?
Apparently without explanation Kay Tracey, after some exciting work
solved the mystery and was able to help a small child out of an
unfortunate situation.
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By ALICE B. EMERSON
Author of the "Ruth Fielding Series"
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A new series of stories bound to make this writer more popular than ever
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and every one will be sure to love her.
1. BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE FARM
2. BETTY GORDON IN WASHINGTON
3. BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL
4. BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL
5. BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP
6. BETTY GORDON AT OCEAN PARK
7. BETTY GORDON AND HER SCHOOL CHUMS
8. BETTY GORDON AT RAINBOW RANCH
9. BETTY GORDON IN MEXICAN WILDS
10. BETTY GORDON AND THE LOST PEARLS
11. BETTY GORDON ON THE CAMPUS
12. BETTY GORDON AND THE HALE TWINS
13. BETTY GORDON AT MYSTERY FARM
14. BETTY GORDON ON NO-TRAIL ISLAND
15. BETTY GORDON AND THE MYSTERY GIRL
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End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding Down in Dixie, by Alice B. Emerson