Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper Parloe's Secret

de to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight. A little old woman was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpa

my bones! Oh, my ba

hioned Quakeresses. She was not much taller than Ruth herself, for when she stood upright-or as upright

rl, almost the gentlest, sweetest face she had ever seen, as it sl

h her hand upon the back she had been apostrophizing. "If here isn't

smile of the old lady broke down every bit of fortitude the girl had le

dy has been treating you badly, I know. And you've come right to your Aunt Alviry for comfor

on her knees before her, hid her face in the old lady's lap, and had her cry out. Meanwhile Aunt Alvirah seemed to have taken in several things abou

nts, "I guess that's all of that foolishn

tell that," said the

help you," said the girl. "I

ou pretty creeter,"

the floor. The lady said: "You ain't familiar to me, child.

d up at her in surprise. "Why, do

out what

I had come here t

ejaculated Aunt Alvira

" cried Ruth, much more su

our uncl

Potter-Unc

om her chair and her ejaculation was changed to a moan of pain

hy should he take anybody to help me? Is h

t because she was so amazed. She likewise

the poor farm, child?

pression which came into her face told

after me to the poor farm. I was sickly, too. There's them that said he went to Doctor Davison first to find out if I was goin' to git well before he come arter me; but Jabez ain't never t

ez, and the speech comforted her somewhat. Perhaps there was so

said, quietly. "But my papa and m

her bright brown eyes, a

ter, and she was Mr. Potter's

a word of it-never! I 'member Mary Potter, and a sweet, pretty child she was. But Jabe

save for Un

uietly on her knees Aunt Alviry gathered her head close to

ear Aunt Alvirah. And I hope I shall help y