CHAPTER XXV--AT THE OLD RED MILL AGAIN

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK

End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson