tling the stove grate. He was a very early riser. She peered into the kitchen and saw the grove of d

to dress by candle-light. She heard Aunt Alvirah stumbling about her room and groaning her old, old tune, "Oh, my

so long. And your Uncle's that proud of you, too! He often reads the reports the school teacher sends him-I see him doing that

Aunt Alvirah, that I feel guilty to b

k's all packed and ready, and your young friend, Helen, would be dreadful disappointed if you didn't go. Now, let's go down and git breakfast. Jabez has been up for

d not look at him, but busied herself with the details of getting breakfast. She did not spe

his morning than was their guest. The boy ate his breakfast wi

. Potter. I think I'm all right again n

ke use of a boy like you at all," said Mr. Potter, hasti

s an understanding bet

is boy. But Fred sai

ay you, I'd rather go on. I was m

ped Uncle Jabez, and the runaway shrank i

appeared, and Ruth's mind-at least, a part of it!-delighted in the thought of the journey to be taken into the great woods to the north and east of

he had left the kitchen. She cri

n him, Auntie

?" returned

y. He's

Alvirah. "I dunno. Didn't your uncle

Cheslow. She could see that, straight before the mill, for a mile. She ran down to the gate and looked along the river road, up stream. No figure appeared there. Nor

back door-towards the

d burst out upon the back porch, which was partly enclosed. There was the

ung Hatfield intended; but she was well aware that he could

n her shoes, and within five minut

ce over his shoulder, saw her, and then began to run. It was a feeble attempt to

n so hard that finally he slipped and fell, panting, t

he attempted to rise. "You mustn't run away. Mr. Cameron expects to find you at the mil

" stammered the boy. "I-I don

ou, and I could not let

cried Hatfield, almost in tears. "I'd got a

led at that-she

bout it," she said. "You ar

e gasped, turning to look at h

going to help you," Ruth Field

n-that Cameron man

k wh

o Sca

n't k

't go," the boy c

id Ruth, slowly. "Mr. Cameron, and Helen and Tom

atfield, actually shaking with

o way. Mr. Cameron is going to take us

sobbing. He beat his ungloved hands upon the ice, and although Ruth could not help feelin

trouble that so weighed Fred Hatfield down, and