Page:Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch.djvu/193

Rh "One you can trust?"

"To be sure," she replied, smiling seriously at him.

"Then what is all this about Mary Cox? What has she got to do with the fellow you've got hived up in that shack?" shot in Master Tom, shrewdly.

"Oh, now, Tommy!" gasped Ruth.

"You can't fool me, Ruth"

"Sh! don't let the others hear you," she whispered. "And don't come any nearer, Tom!" she added, warningly, and in a louder tone.

"But The Fox has something to do with this man?" demanded Tom.

"I believe so. I fear so. Oh, don't ask me any more!" breathed the girl, anxiously, as Jane Ann and the cowboy rode up to say good-bye.

"I hope nothing bad will come of this, Ruth," said the ranch girl. "But Uncle Bill will be dreadfully mad."

"Not with me, I hope," rejoined Ruth, shaking her head.

"And all the girls will be crazy to come out here and help you nurse him."

"They certainly will be crazy if they want to," muttered Tom.

"They would better not come near here until the man gets better—if he ever does get better," added Ruth, in a low tone.