Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/86

 away. He was much concerned and insistent upon doing what he could to aid her.

"Do you know when you'll be sailing?" he asked.

"I hope next week," she said.

"Could you possibly go on the Ribot?"

"Why on the Ribot?"

"Gerry Hull's just got word that he's to join again on the other side," Hubert said, "so he'll be going back next week on the Ribot, he thinks."

Ruth checked just in time a "Yes, I know."

"I'm going to try to get across with him," Hubert added. Ruth felt liking again for this young man who always put his friend before himself.

"That's good. I hope surely I can get on the Ribot."

"Aunt Emilie knows people in New York who'll help arrange it for you, if I ask 'em. You'll let me?"

"Please!" Ruth accepted eagerly. She wanted exceedingly to know one other thing; but she delayed asking and then made the query as casual as she could.

"Lady Agnes stays in Chicago a while?"

Hubert colored as this question ended for him his pretense with himself that she wanted to be on the Ribot because of him.

"No; she's going when Gerry goes. She plans to be on the Ribot too. They always intended to return at the same time."

"Of course," Ruth said. What wild fancies she followed!

Hubert went off; but returned to take her to the train. He brought with him letters from his aunt—credentials of Ruth as Cynthia Gail to powerful people who did not