The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-05-21

CHAPTER xxx. :.
Ruth to. tho Rescue.

AonU1n ,IQi.Gne n0$SOO. 81
MYlN. honor. OF their. engagement
MlI. Sir Donald t'ayersham gently
SS66l insisted that Ruth Gallon >atz
&f& tend a ball which was to be
given by the British officers Ruth
pleaded to be allowed not to go. but
Consul Reynolds and his wife added
their urgings to the baronet's, and even
the time hopored excyses sof nothing
to wear" was firmly refused.
Though she said nothing to, any one,
else about her feelings, she really, could
not refrain from accusing herself or
disloyalty to John Dorr. =.
He was out in the bills risking his
life to regain her fortune. Could she
dance and take pleasure. with a cheer
full heart when she did not know
whether be was living or dead? =
However. she went and received the
formal congratulations Of a great. many
naty officers and the informal com
plants Of certain young Americans.
who vowed that she was ,unpatriodc in
choosing an English husband, and
danced with Sir Donald and his friends
and smiled and biushsd at the compli
ments and frowned laughingly On the
f1irts and generally conducted herself
as happy bride to be should.
Faversham was delighted and told
her so in many ways. And long after
midnight, when Mrs. Reynolds was pre-
pairing to 60 home, he took Ruth out
under the shadows of the garden trees
and would have kissed her.
''Don'ty' she said simply.
What is the matter. darling7' be
asked tenderly.
She stared out into the darkness,
and be saw the pallor Of her face.
Il am sure something has happened
to John"
Faversham frowned. 1t was too bad
that this man should always come be
tween him and bis betrothed. But bis
voice was very gentle as he answered:
THAT is out of the question. Ach.
met Is very faithful, and IL anything
had happened l should know OF it."
Ruth shook her head and insisted
that she was sure. The baronet laugh.
ed at her, but she was not to be put
off.
II know John is in trouble" she said
determinedly. If you won't help me
III go myselfv'
Sir Donald argued as strongly az he
could and in vain.
Pm perfectly sure that John Dorr
Is in trouble" she repeated. Hes all
alone up there among those awful ma
t1ves and
"Achmet is with him." interposed
Faversham. 49, e..
-"and some one must go right away
and help him. Ruth went on.
you poor GIRL" murmured . Mrs.
Reynolds. Il know how you feel, but
you must get some rest Wen talk it
over later In the morning.
She drew Ruth away toward her
room. with backward glance OF
whimsical comfort for the baronet.
Faversham watched them go. stood
doubtful for moment, shook his head
and departed.
The consurs wife found Ruth too
stubborn to handle by herself, for she
insisted that as no one. else would go,
she would set out herself. and to en-
phastze her assertion began TO change
from her ball gown into a riding habit.
The consul came out in dressing
gown and slippers when Ruth. fully
clad, emerged from her room, still re-
s1st1ng the importantly of his wife.
He added many common sense argu-
ments, but Ruth would not listen.
Il know that he Is IN trouble" she
repeated.
But If he were, which Il most M
likely, you couldn't help him." Mr..
Reynolds said bluntly. I'm fact, you
merely make matters worse"
When they found her .Obdprate they
took silent counsel OF one another. told
her to wait moment and vanished.
The instant they were gone Ruth
slipped out of the house and boldly
turned her face toward the hills NOW
black against the unlit sky.
Ali day she travelled, strangely alone
in a populous country. Many NATIVES
she met, but they merely looked Gu