Ruth Fielding At College; or, The Missing Examination Papers

ck! and oh

e risen from her low rocking chair in the Red

s; but she possessed a countenance that was very much a

knew the "moods and tenses" of the miserly miller, it must have been Aunt Alvirah. She even professed

y her down the road, and thus be warned in time to set the tea to draw. Ruth and her friends, who had gone

e Lumano was attractive at all times-in storm or sunshine. Now it was a riot of color, from the deep crimson of the

rmured Aunt Alvirah.

elen and Tom Cameron, walked hand-in-hand behind her. This was their final outing together in the vicinity of the Red Mill for many months. Helen and Tom were always very c

n when you get to Harvard next year, you will not be allowed often at Ardmore. They say there i

e!" laug

epeat what I'

Tom said kindly. "Ruth will be with you. Y

you'll be awfull

ough," a

m from the porch upon which she

Aunt Alvirah has put o

nty, compelling brunette with flashing eyes-eyes she had already learned to

as the first friend she had made in that long-ago time when she arrived, a little

ounded, her eyes shone, her hair was just wavy enough to be pretty, and she was very, very much a

ything that she began. She had already done some thi

ped into Aunt Alvirah's

I sha'n't have the pleasure of your company for long

chool," grumbled Tom, looking really forlorn, even

rawback?" dem

think! We sha'n't see

sh twinkle in her eye, passed him her pocket-ha

with. Ruth and I are not gnashing our teeth

xpress the delight she put into the name

grunt

ary, if you was both goin' off to be Queen

tle old woman and her own voice

ou shall send us a box of goodies once in a while as you always do;

n. "Not so easy follered out. An' Jabe Pott

Jabez," mu

d Helen, sharply, for she had not the patience

open. Helen jumped. She feared that U

bashfully around the edge of the door. The young peopl

id. "I can't come in. Jest c

oss the river in th

here's a boat adr

asked Tom, jumping

aid Ben. "Looks like she come f

cried Helen, likewise

emained in one position or were int

eel was turning and the jar of the stones set every beam and plank in the structure to trembling. The air was a haze

his face that it was grey all over and one wondered if it could ever be washed clean again. He

aitin' for his flour. Where ye been

Mr. Martin waited with his wagon for the sacks of flour. The miller we

an't be anybody in it for

rs in the punt and beg

should get it," he said

one, Uncle Jabez,"

?" snarled th

pen. If Ben can't go

, even in the rapids, so he merely growled his acq

t isn't empty

h! I see something

ened up, holding the

unted. "If there'

t if it were manned. He could not claim the boat

ano that began just below the mill. In the present state of th

ed. "Whoever is in that boat

ward the middle of the

ez!" urged Ruth. "We

er sharply. "We ain't hired ter go out an' wake

said quickly. "Maybe he's hurt. Maybe he has fa

ve happened," said old Jabez Pot

niece. "We must go out in the punt and

o?" demande

go with you. Come, do! Th

go with her, but she had motioned him back before he could speak. She was asham

st off and Ruth pushed the boat's nose upstream, then settle

or us," grumbled Mr. Potter as th