Part 3 (1/2)
”I'll let you go. But I do want to help you. I want to know more about you-_all_ about you. But if Tony comes--”
”That's his lantern. I see it. He's a-comin',” gasped the other, trying to wriggle free.
”Where will you stay to-night?” asked Ruth, anxiously.
”I gotter place. It's warm and dry. I stayed there las' night. Come! you lemme go.”
”But I want to help you--”
”'Twon't help me none to git me cotched.”
”Oh, I know it! Wait! Meet me somewhere near here to-morrow morning-will you? I'll bring some money with me. I'll help you.”
”Say! ain't you foolin'?” demanded the other, seemingly startled by the fact that Ruth wished to help her.
”No. I speak the truth. I will help you.”
”Then I'll meet you-but you won't tell n.o.body?”
”Not a soul?”
”Cross yer heart?”
”I don't do such foolish things,” said Ruth. ”If I say I'll do a thing, I will do it.”
”All right. What time'll I see you?”
”Ten o'clock.”
”Aw-right,” agreed the strange girl. ”I'll be across the road from that path that's bordered by them cedar trees--”
”The Cedar Walk?”
”Guess so.”
”I shall be there. And will you?”
”Huh! I kin keep my word as well as you kin,” said the girl, sharply.
Then she suddenly broke away from Ruth and ran. Tony Foyle came blundering around the corner of the house and Ruth, much excited, slipped away from the brush clump and ran as fast as she could to meet Madge Steele.
”Oh! is that you, Ruth?” exclaimed the senior, when Ruth ran into her arms. ”Tony's out. We had better go back to bed, or he'll report us to Mrs. Tellingham in the morning. I don't know where the strange girl could have gone.”
Ruth did not say a word. Madge did not ask her, and the girl of the Red Mill allowed her friend to think that her own search had been quite as unsuccessful. But, as Ruth looked at it, it was not _her_ secret.
CHAPTER III-SADIE RABY'S STORY
Ruth did not sleep at all well that night. Luckily, Helen had nothing on _her_ mind or conscience, or she must have been disturbed by Ruth's tossing and wakefulness. The other two girls in the big quartette room-Mercy Curtis and Ann Hicks-were likewise unaware of Ruth's restlessness.
The girl of the Red Mill felt that she could take n.o.body into her confidence regarding the strange girl who said her name was Raby.