Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper Parloe's Secret

hone in. There was the forward brakeman to "jump" her down from the high doorway

d his collar. Indeed, Ruth herself was very anxious and very much excited regarding this mystery; but she was anxious, too, about herself. Was Uncle Jabez her

ain crew with his hand, and lanterns waved the length of the train. Panting, with its huge springs squeaking, the locomotive started the string of cars.

ined, and the stain of tobacco at either corner of his mouth, was standing on the platform. He was not a nice looking old man at all, he was dressed i

ed to the conclusion that this was Uncle Jabez. The thought shocked her. She instinctively feared and disliked this queer looking o

t, have passed the old man by without sp

oking at her still more sharply out of his

r," admi

gain, and Ruth had enough Yankee blood

Mr. Jabez

d be owing myself money, that's what I'd be do

rankly. "He is my uncle, sir," she said

hook his head, eyeing her all the time so slily that Ruth was

tter?" she asked, u

f him, I assure ye! I worked for him onct, I did. And I tell ye he owes me

ut of Ruth's path. But just then somebody spoke to her and she tur

t it?" the railroad man asked. "The conductor of th

d, turning to the mastiff that ha

at lantern is off his motorcycle, I bet anything! He went through town ab

ame was Curtis, the bit of handkerchief

ood, don't you? Can't somebody take Reno an

Mr. Curtis said, gravely. "Come, Parloe, you know that patch of woods well enough, over beyond the swamp and

road-yep," said the

the dog and see if y

oe. "I ain't got no love for them Camerons. This he

hurt," said Ruth, looking

out ter live with Jabe Potter ain't nothin' t

is, and turned his back upon the fellow. "I can't leave the s

lder most kindly. "What is all this?" he asked. "And there is

Mr. Curtis had to say, and looked

erns and we'll go right along to the Wilkins Corners road and sea

iling on behind, and with lanterns and a stretcher, Reno would not budge. T

at girl will have to go with us, Doctor D

ut although the dog looked at her intelligently enough, and barked his

bjected Doctor Davison. "Besides,

he afternoon. And perhaps every minute is precious. We don't know how badl

r words perfectly, and utter

," said Doctor D

ountry road. Cheslow did not spread itself very far in this direction. Doctor Davison explained to Ruth that the settlement ha

the houses they passed; but at one spot-although it was on the other side of the road-there were two green lanterns, one on either s

or Davison said, softly, and still re

that made her think for a moment about Uncle Jabez and Aunt Alvirah. Would she fi