Part 5 (1/2)

He turned and climbed into the roadster. But he did not drive back toward Cheslow; instead he went up the river road, and Ruth Fielding remembered that Wonota's father was stopping at the country inn which was only three or four miles up that road.

”But nothing can happen because of that, of course,” the girl thought, as she entered the pa.s.sage that led to the farmhouse from the mill. ”Wonota is perfectly safe here, and surely Totantora can take care of himself with that little fat man, or with anybody else!”

She entered the kitchen expecting to find the Indian girl at work with Aunt Alvirah in the old woman's sunny corner of the great room. The old woman was alone, however.

”Where is Wonota?” Ruth asked.

Before Aunt Alvirah could reply an automobile siren echoed outside of the house. Aunt Alvirah was smiling and waving at somebody and Ruth hurried to the window to look out.

”Here's Helen come for you, my pretty, in that beautiful big car of hers,” said Aunt Alvirah. ”Isn't it fine to be rich?”

”Wait till I make a few more pictures, Aunty, and we'll have a car too.

If Uncle Jabez won't buy one, I've made up my mind to get a car if it's only to take you to drive once in a while.”

”It wouldn't hurt Jabez Potter to buy a car,” declared the old woman.

”She's coming in Ruthie. Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!” she murmured, as she got up to receive the visitor.

Helen swept into the house gaily. She always had a kiss for the little old woman who thought her, next to Ruth, the finest girl who ever lived.

”You're always a sight for anyone to look on with pleasure, Helen Cameron,” said Aunt Alvirah. ”And you're mighty smart in that long coat and cap.”

”And do you put on your coat and bonnet, Aunty,” cried Helen, patting her wrinkled cheek. ”I've come to take you for a spin. And Ruth, too.”

”There's Wonota,” suggested Ruth.

”Of course. The princess shall join us,” Helen cried merrily. ”Where is she? Tell her to leave her everlasting beadwork long enough to ride in the white man's motor-car.”

”I suppose,” said Ruth, starting for the stairway, ”Wonota must be up in her own room.”

”No, no!” Aunt Alvirah called from her bedroom, to which she had hobbled for her cloak and bonnet. ”I was just about to tell you, my pretty.

Wonota has gone out.”

”Where did she go?” and Ruth suddenly turned back, and with surprise if not exactly with a feeling of alarm.

”She said she would walk up the road to see her father. She is quite fond of her father, I believe,” added Aunt Alvirah, coming back with her wrap and bonnet. ”Of course, Indians have family feelings, if they do seem to hide 'em so well.”

”I am sorry she went out alone,” murmured Ruth.

”Pooh! she isn't a child. And she'll not lose her way, that's sure,”

laughed Helen. ”Anyway, we'll overtake her and give her a ride. Chief Totantora, too, if he will deign to step into the white man's car.”

Ruth said no more. But after the visit of Bilby to the mill she could not help but feel some little anxiety. She remembered that Dakota Joe, in whose show Wonota had once worked, had tried his best to make trouble for her and Mr. Hammond because of the Osage maiden; and this Bilby was plainly a much shrewder person than the Westerner had been.

She and Helen aided Aunt Alvirah out to the car. It was a heavy, seven pa.s.senger machine; but Helen could drive it as well as Tom himself.

”And Tommy-boy,” she explained as she tucked the robe about Aunt Alvirah before following Ruth into the front seat, ”went to town to-day with father.”

”I hope he will really get down to work now,” said Ruth softly, as Helen began to manipulate the levers.