Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-06-03

8
s7xS6 insisted that Ruth Gallon ut.
tend bull which was to be
given Wy 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
|. .he time honured excuse of nothing
I to Wear" was firmly refused.
Though she Said nothing to any one
else about her feelings. she really could
not refrain from accusing herself OF
disl0yalty to John porr.
He WIS out In the hills risking his
life to regain her fortune. Could she
dance and take pleasure with u cheer
fui heart when she did not know
whether he was living or dead?
However. she went and received the
formal congratulations of a great many
natty officers and the informal COM
plants OF certain young Americans.
who vowed that she was unpatriotic in
choosing an English husband, and
danced with Sir Donald and his friends
aud smiled and blished at the compli-
ments and frowned laughingly on the
! fitrts and generally conducted herself
III a happy bride to be should.
Favershnm was delighted and told
her SO In many ways And long after
midnight, when Mrs. Reynolds was pre-
pairing to go home. he took Ruth out
under the shadows of the garden trees
aud would have kissed her
DON'T" she said simply.
What is the matter. darlingY he
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 his betrothed. But his
voice was very gentle as he answered:
THAT is out of the question. Ach-
met is very faithful. and II anything
had happened l should know of it."
Ruth shook tier head and insisted
that she was sure. The baronet laugh
Ell at her. but she was not to be put
of.
II know John is In trouble" she said
determinedly. III you won't help me
I'll go myselfv'
Sir Donald argued as strongly as he
could and in vain.
''l'm perfectly sure that John Dorr
} 10 in trouble" she repeated. Hes all
alone up there among those awful ma
lives and"-
"Achmet Is with him." interposed
Faversham.
land some one must go right away
and help him. Ruth went on.
"You poor girl!' murmured Mrs.
Reynolds. II know how you feel, but
you must get some rest. Wen talk 1t
over later in the morning"
She drew Ruth away toward her
room. with backward glance OF
whimsical comfort for the baronet.
Favershum watched them go. stood
doubtful for moment, shook his head
and departed.
The consul's wife found Ruth too
]. stubborn to handle by herself. for she
insisted that, as no one else would go,
4 she would set out herself. and to en-
phasize her assertion began to change
from her ball gown into q riding habit.
The consul came out In dressing
gown and slippers when Ruth. fully
clad. emerged from her room. still re-
sisting the importantly of his wife.
He added many common sense argu-
ments but Ruth would not listen.
II know that he is in trouble" she
repeated.
But IL he were. which is most un-
likely. you couldn't help him." Mr.
Reynolds said bluntly. I'm fact, you
merely make matters worse"
When they found her Obdurate they
took silent counsel of one another, told
her to wait a 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.
All day she Travelled. strangely alone
in populous country. Many natives
she met, but they merely looked Gu