Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/175

 held out her hand, as if she asked for his support.

John took her hand and said, "Yes, Ruth, Robert is the better spokesman, and let him give my wishes their words. I trust thee will follow his advice in every particular. What is his counsel is mine, and when the day shall come that I can speak freely, there will be no words too strong to express how much we owe him. I once was instrumental in snatching thee from danger, and Robert may prove equally timely in drawing thee from another and a greater one." And John suddenly ceased speaking, feeling that further speech might too strongly betray his emotions.

"Thy earnest words, that sound so unlike thee, do not relieve my fears, John. What is the whole truth, John,—Robert? Do some one tell me! What has happened that I should be sent away from home, and be in danger too from the time I start? Why is there so much mystery about it all?" And Ruth was rapidly working herself up to a dangerous pitch of excitement.