"So there is, Miss," returned the maid. "And somebody had better
tell Mrs. Murchiston that you're safe. They're all as worried as they
can be about you, for the folks at that store by the railroad--where
the train stopped--when _they_ was called up as soon as the
train reached Scarboro, declared that you had got run away with by a
team of mules."

"Which was most certainly true," admitted Ruth. "I never had such a
dreadful time in all my life. Run away with by mules, and frightened
to death by a great big catamount----"

Mary squealed and covered her ears. "Don't tell me!" she gasped.
"Sure, Miss, there do bes bears, an' panthers, an' wild-cats, an'--
an' I dunno what-all in these woods. Sure, me and Janey will never go
out of this house whilst we stay. 'Tain't civilized hereabout."

Ruth laughed rather ruefully. "I guess you're right, Mary," she
said. "It doesn't seem to be very civilized here in the backwoods--
and such queer people live here, too. But now! let me telephone."

The maid showed her where it was and Ruth called up Scarboro and got
the hotel where the Cameron party was stopping. Almost immediately
she heard Mr. Cameron's voice.

"Hullo! Snow Camp? What's wanted?" he asked, in a nervous, jerky way.

"This is me, Mr. Cameron--Ruth, you know. I am all right at Snow
Camp."