out his lean brown hand.

"When I heard about you, Miss Fielding, I knew you were a spunky one,"
he said. "And anybody that Reno takes to, the way she did to you, is
all right. Besides, Nell is just spoons on you already, and Nell, like
Reno, doesn't take to every girl."

"The doctor said an outing in the car wouldn't hurt Tom," went on
Helen, "and we're going to run up the valley road a way. Now Ruth
Fielding, you get your hat and coat and come with us."

"I don't know that I may," Ruth said, timidly.

"I'll believe that he is an ogre then, and that you are kept a
prisoner in this awful castle," cried Helen.

"I'd love to go," murmured Ruth.

"Then run and ask," urged her friend, while Tom added, good-naturedly:

"Yes, why not come along? Don't be afraid of Nell's driving. She
handles the car all right."

Ruth knew that Uncle Jabez had gone to town. She had a feeling that he
did not like the Camerons and might oppose her friendliness with them.
But he was not at hand now to interfere with her innocent pleasures.
She went in and asked Aunt Alvirah if she could take the ride.

"Why not, child? You've been the very best helpmate ever an old woman
had-- Oh, my back and oh, my bones! Run along and have your fun,