Following this first vacation trip Ruth and Helen, with their old chum Jennie Stone, entered Ardmore College, and in “Ruth Fielding at College; Or, The Missing Examination Papers,” the happenings of the chums’ freshman year at this institution for higher education are narrated.
The present story, the twelfth of the series, opens during the closing days of the college year. Ruth’s plans for the summer—or for the early weeks of it at least—are practically made.
The trip West, into the Hualapai Range of Arizona for the business of making a moving picture of “The Forty-Niners” had already stirred the imagination of Ruth and her two closest friends. But the idea of forming a larger party to ride through the wilds from Yucca to Freezeout Camp was a novel one.
“It will be great fun,” said Helen again. “Of course, old Tom will go along anyway——”
“To chaperon us,” giggled Jennie.
“No. To see we don’t fall out of our saddles,” Ruth laughed. “Now! let’s think about it, girls, and decide on whom we shall invite.”
“Trix and Sally,” Jennie said.
“And Ann Hicks!” cried Helen. “You write to her, Ruth.”
“I will to-night,” promised her chum. “And I’m going to speak to Rebecca Frayne at once.”
“I’ll see Beatrice,” stated Jennie, moving toward the door.