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 Ruth from the ground and started towards her home. The men slowly followed. She made no movement as she was borne along in this strange manner, and without a word spoken the little procession reached Matthew Watson's house.

Ruth's mother chanced to see them coming, and met them at the door. The two boys, who until now had been too frightened to speak, rushed up to her and shouted, "Sister's drowned!"

"Not drowned, but might have been," John remarked, hastily. "Speak, Ruth." But Mrs. Watson did not hear him. Her boys' words were ringing in her ears, and with clasped hands she sank upon the seat of the little porch and gazed vacantly at her daughter, still firmly held in John's strong arms. For a moment she could not speak, and then recovering, she asked, "Is she really gone?"

Assured to the contrary by both Ruth and John, who spoke at the same moment, she arose and led the way into the house.