The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-07-02
THE MASTER KEY.
CHAPTER xxx.
Ruth to the Rescue.

HMA Sir Donald FaverSham gently
sS<N%SH insisted that Ruth Gallon at
S9sgSSJ tend 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
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
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
full heart when she did not know
whether he was living or dead2
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
and smiled and blushed at the compH
ments and frowned laughingly on the
firts 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't!' she said simply.
What is the matter, darlingT" be
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 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. Acb.
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 go myselfr'
Sir Donald argued as strongly as he
could and in vain
"l'm perfectly sure that John Dorr
is in trouble" she repeated. He's 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 Daronet.
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-
phasize her assertion began to change
from her ball gown into 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.
81 know that he is In trouble" she
repeated.
But If he were. which is most un.
likely, you couldn't help him." AR.
Reynolds said buntly. in 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 we're 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 popuIous country. Many natives
she met but they merely looked Gu