"Where?" queried her chum, lazily, scarcely raising her eyes to look. Helen was not interested in astronomy.
Nobody else was attracted by the red spark Ruth saw. Against the dusky sky it grew swiftly A new star——
"It is fire!" gasped Ruth, softly, rising on trembling limbs. "And it is in the West Dormitory!"
CHAPTER IX
THE DEVOURING ELEMENT
Not even Helen heard Ruth's whispered words. She went on calmly with her supper when her chum arose from her seat.
Ruth quickly controlled herself. The word "fire" would start a panic on the instant, although both dormitories were across the campus from the main hall.
The girl of the Red Mill erased from her countenance all expression of the fear which gripped her; but about her heart she felt a pressure like that of a tight band. Her knees actually knocked together; she was thankful they were invisible just then.
When she started up the room toward Mrs. Tellingham's table Ruth walked steadily enough. Some of the girls looked after her in surprise; but it was not an uncommon thing for a girl to leave her seat and approach the preceptress.