Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-02-19
Ruth to the Rescue.

t1&Es4J 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 honored excuse of nothing
20 wear" was firmly refused.
Though she said nothing to any one
else about her feelings. she really could
not refruin from accusing herself of
disloyalty to John Dorr.
He was out In the hills risking his
life to regain her fortune Could she
dance and take pleasure with a cheer
tul heart when she did not know
whether he was living or dead?
However, she went and received the
formal congratulations of 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
and smiled and bIushed ut the compli-
ments and frowned nughingly 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 go home, he took Ruth out
under the shadows of the garden trees
and would have kissed her.
"Don'tr' she said simply.
What is the matter, darlingT' he
asked tenderly.
She stared out into the darkness
and he saw the pallor of her face.
Il am sure something has happened
to John"
Faversham frowued. 1t was too bad
that this man should always come be.
tween him aud his betrothed. But his
voice was very gentle as he answered:
That is out OF the question. Ach.
met is very faithful, and if anything
had happened | 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
I'll so myselfw
Sir Donald argued as strongly as be
could and in vain.
I'm perfectly sure that John Dorr
is in trouble" she repeated. Hes all
alone up there among those awful ma.
tives and
"Achmet is with him." interposed
I'aversham.
-"and some one must so right away
and help him." Ruth went ON.
You poor girlr murmured Mrs.
Reynolds. II know how you feel, but
you must get some rest Wen talk ii
over later in the morning"
She drew Ruth away toward heI
room. with backward glance OF
whimsical comfort for the baronet.
Faversham watched them so. stood
doubtful for moment, shook his head
and departed.
The cOnsurs wife found Ruth toe
stubborn to handle by herself. for she
insisted that. as no one else would go
she would set out herself. and to EN-.
phasize her assertion began to change
from her ball gown into riding habit
The consul came out i'll 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.
IL know that he is In trouble" she
repeated.
But if 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 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.
riOusly ut the white girl in western
riding clothes. and as she avoided vii.
lagos sue escaped the notice of any one
in authority.