Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure Box

n the green old dooryard at the Red Mill, under the spreading shade trees, two

-haired girl begin

e Ann doesn'

the plumper and more mature-looking girl,

es

go with him," said Ruth Fielding, with a smile. "But I could not g

tly. "And Jane Ann won't feel offended by

Ruth. "Jane Ann Hicks is al

t her name," commented Helen

igh. "Jane Ann Hicks! Dear, dear! how could her Uncle Bill be so thoug

in names change-like everything

at Briarwood will say to

She's a regiment in herself," declared Helen. "We all had such a fine time at Silver Ra

go into fresh company," said Ruth, reflectively. "But there

o preserve order," laughed her chum. "

inted up the Cheslow road, which here branched f

demanded Ruth, also

They could see that the only person in it was a

out. Tearing off his goggles as he ran, he approached the two girls

gasped Helen, seizing h

ween them. Twins never looked more alike-only Tom's features

excited youth, "don't keep us on tenter-hook

ell us much about it at the

been a wreck?"

rain from the west that is in trouble with a

s happened to the poo

Ruth, quick to decide in an eme

Tom Cameron, mopping his brow. "I could

oad employes are forbidden to talk when there is an accident. Mr. Curtis m

virah that they were off-and their destination. While Tom sprang in and manipulated the

the river road. Uncle Jabez, in his dusty garments, appeared for a moment at the door of the mill as they flashed past in th

almost drowned out all speech. The girls asked no questions. They knew that, by following the river road along the placid Lumano fo

station to the scene of the wreck. It was understood that a wrecking gang, and doctors, and nu

be hurt!" murmured Helen

would be heartbr

uilt as the river highway, Tom did not reduce speed. Mile after mile rolled away behind the

the passage of an express. The express had run her nose into the caboose of the freight, and more

of the railroad fence had been torn away. Two passenger cars we

r they were looking for Jane Ann Hicks. "That's a menagerie car-and it's all smashed. Se

t such a thing,"

hat was here crossed by the narrow span of the railroad trestle, there was a thick jungle of saplings and

toward the passenger train where Jane Ann might possibly be lying injured. But Rut

their own age bending over it. Ruth screamed, "Jinny!" and at the sound of the pet name her

m not hurt-only scratche

Cameron, as she and Ruth a

oy, in fact. He was roughly dressed, and sturdily

d over," gasped Jane Ann. "Then he fell with me

suddenly. Ruth saw that they were kind, brown eyes, with a deal of patie

len's-straight as an Indian's-and with flashing eyes. She was expensively dressed, although her torn frock

up after a time," said th

ckly. "I suppose the doctors are bu

s of people were hurt in the cars

Miss," said the youth. "

im into the car? We'll run to Cheslow and l

ey managed to carry Jerry Sheming to the car. They had scarcely got him into the tonn

r! I told you she was out!" shouted

hill. One of the wide-branched trees rose from the bottom of the ravine

anther!" g