Ruth Fielding on the St. Lawrence Part 30

"Well, lean years may be coming. We shall all have to draw in our horns.

Remember me, Miss Fielding, if you decide to produce with some other firm. I like to work with you, and I have a more or less elastic contract with the Alectrion Corporation."

Ruth actually did have an idea for the future. It was in embryo as yet.

But, as will be seen in the next volume of this series, ent.i.tled, "Ruth Fielding Treasure Hunting; Or, A Moving Picture that Became Real," it led the girl of the Red Mill into new fields and drew her and her friends into new adventures.

The last scene being completed, Ruth and Helen packed their trunks. But Helen was to s.h.i.+p hers to the Copley's island up the river, where she would stay for a week or so before returning to Cheslow. Ruth was going back to the Red Mill, and after that she was not sure of her movements.

Tom would accompany her home. She was glad of this, for she knew that, once at home, he must of necessity take up his work again with his father. Tom Cameron, however, confessed that he "hated" the dry goods business.

Chess Copley showed his appreciation of Ruth's kindness and friends.h.i.+p in a very pretty way indeed. He came to her secretly with a jeweler's box in his hand.

"You know, Ruth, you have been just like a sister to me since you have been up here. I think as much of you as I do of Sara and Jean--I declare I do! And I know Helen--or--or anybody, won't mind if you wear this little trinket. When you wear it remember you've got a good friend whose initials are engraved on the inside."

Ruth accepted the present frankly, for she liked Chess. But she did not know how beautiful the bracelet was until after Copley had disappeared in his _Lauriette_. It was more costly than Ruth thought a present from that source should be.

So, rather doubtful, she said nothing to Tom Cameron about the bracelet, although she wore it. She knew that she would have refused such a present from Tom himself. But, then--there was a difference!

She did not intend to be rushed into any agreement with Tom Cameron that would at all interfere with her freedom. She still had her career in mind.

They got back to Cheslow early in July. And how glad Aunt Alvirah was to see her pretty. As for Uncle Jabez, his interest was in the commercial end of the picture Ruth had made.

Was it going to make money when it was distributed? How much money had Ruth already drawn in advance royalties? And a mult.i.tude of other questions of that character came from the old miller's lips.

"And when do you begin on another of them pictures, Niece Ruth?" he added. "You ain't going to stop now, when there is so much to be made in 'em?"

"I do not know exactly what I shall do next," she told him, shaking her head. "But I think I shall try to make my next picture under different circ.u.mstances. But as I don't really know, how can I tell you?"

"Never mind, my pretty," put in Aunt Alvirah, "you are here with us now, and that means a lot. You certainly deserve a rest," and the old woman placed an affectionate hand on Ruth's shoulder.

At this the girl of the Red Mill smiled.

"Maybe I do," she replied, "after all those strenuous happenings on the St. Lawrence."

THE END

BOOKS FOR GIRLS

by ALICE B. EMERSON

RUTH FIELDING SERIES 12mo. Cloth. Ill.u.s.trated.

RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE

BETTY GORDON SERIES

BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE FARM BETTY GORDON IN WAs.h.i.+NGTON BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP

Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York

Copyright, 1922, by Cupples & Leon Company

Ruth Fielding on the St. Lawrence Printed in U. S. A.

THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES By ALICE B. EMERSON

RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL or Jasper Parole's Secret

RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOODHALL or Solving the Campus Mystery

RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP or Lost in the Backwoods

RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT or Nita, the Girl Castaway

RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys

RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND or The Old Hunter's Treasure Box

RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM or What Became of the Raby Orphans

RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES or The Missing Pearl Necklace

RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES or Helping the Dormitory Fund

RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE or Great Days in the Land of Cotton

RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE or The Missing Examination Papers

RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE or College Girls in the Land of Gold

RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam

RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier

RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND or A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils

RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point

RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST or The Indian Girl Star of the Movies

RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands

RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING or A Moving Picture that Became Real