other direction--although the Camerons' car would appear from that
way, and if the runaway went in that direction he would surely run
right into the Camerons.

"He slipped out of the back door--towards the river," she whispered.

Back she ran into the house. She caught up her skates in the back
hall and burst out upon the back porch, which was partly enclosed.
There was the figure of Fred Hatfield on the ice--some distance,
already, from the shore.

Ruth ran eagerly down to the shore. She had no idea what young
Hatfield intended; but she was well aware that he could get across
the Lumano if he chose; the ice was thick enough.

She quickly clamped the skates upon her shoes, and within five
minutes was darting off across the ice.

Hatfield heard the ring of her skates within a very few moments; he
threw a glance over his shoulder, saw her, and then began to run. It
was a feeble attempt to escape, for unless some accident happened to
Ruth, she could easily overtake him.

And she did so, although he ran straight ahead, and ran so hard that
finally he slipped and fell, panting, to his knees. Ruth was beside
him before he could rise.

"Don't you be such a ridiculous boy!" she commanded, seizing the lad
by the shoulder, as he attempted to rise. "You mustn't run away. Mr.
Cameron expects to find you at the mill, and you must stay. And