CONTENTS
| chapter | page | |
| [I.] | The Wind Storm | 1 |
| [II.] | The Mystery of It | 7 |
| [III.] | The Derelict | 14 |
| [IV.] | The Crying Need | 22 |
| [V.] | Off at Last | 29 |
| [VI.] | “The Nevergetovers” | 35 |
| [VII.] | Movie Stunts | 43 |
| [VIII.] | The Auction Block | 52 |
| [IX.] | A Dismaying Discovery | 67 |
| [X.] | A Wild Afternoon | 77 |
| [XI.] | Mr. Peterby Paul—and “Whosis” | 86 |
| [XII.] | Alongshore | 95 |
| [XIII.] | The Hermit | 104 |
| [XIV.] | A Quotation | 113 |
| [XV.] | An Amazing Situation | 122 |
| [XVI.] | Ruth Solves One Problem | 129 |
| [XVII.] | John, the Hermit’s, Contribution | 136 |
| [XVIII.] | Uncertainties | 144 |
| [XIX.] | Counterclaims | 152 |
| [XX.] | The Grill | 159 |
| [XXI.] | A Hermit for Revenue Only | 171 |
| [XXII.] | An Arrival | 180 |
| [XXIII.] | Trouble—Plenty | 186 |
| [XXIV.] | About “Plain Mary” | 193 |
| [XXV.] | Lifting the Curtain | 199 |
RUTH FIELDING
DOWN EAST
CHAPTER I
THE WIND STORM
Across the now placidly flowing Lumano where it widened into almost the proportions of a lake just below the picturesque Red Mill, a bank of tempestuous clouds was shouldering into view above the sky line of the rugged and wooded hills. These slate-colored clouds, edged with pallid light, foredoomed the continuance of the peaceful summer afternoon.
Not a breath of air stirred on the near side of the river. The huge old elms shading the Red Mill and the farmhouse connected with it belonging to Mr. Jabez Potter, the miller, were like painted trees, so still were they. The brooding heat of midday, however, had presaged the coming storm, and it had been prepared for at mill and farmhouse. The tempest was due soon.
The backyard of the farmhouse—a beautiful lawn of short grass—sloped down to the river. On the bank and over the stream itself was set a summer-house of fair proportions, covered with vines—a cool and shady retreat on the very hottest day of midsummer.