Ruth Fielding on the St. Lawrence; Or, The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands

is the first of all our old bunch that went to Briarwood—and surely of those who went to Ardmore College—to fetter herself to a man for life.” “Well, I shall never be fettered, even if I am married,” observed Ann. “I’d like to see myself!” “If the right man comes riding by, Ann, even you will change your mind,” Ruth said softly. “Then I suppose the right man has never ridden up to the Red Mill and asked for you?” demanded Helen, with a glance at her chum that was rather piercing. “Perhaps he has,” said Ruth composedly, “but I wasn’t at home. Aunt Alvirah thinks I am almost never at home. And, girls, as I told you yesterday, I am going soon on another journey.” “Oh, Ruth, I’ve been thinking of that!” Helen rejoined, with a sudden access of interest and excitement. “To the Thousand Islands! And at the loveliest time of all the year up there.” “And that is only the truth,” said one of the other bridesmaids. “We spent last summer there.” “The Copleys always go,” Helen remarked quietly. “No! Do you mean it?” cried Ruth, showing some surprise. “Well, indeed.” “So you will see a lot more of ’Lasses Copley,” remarked Ann. “I shall be glad if Chess Copley is there when and where we make this picture, for I think he is very nice,” was Ruth’s composed reply. “Oh, he’s nice enough,” agreed Helen, rather grumblingly however. “I’ve got nothing to say against Chess—as a general thing.” “And you don’t seem to say much for him,” put in the Western girl curiously. But Helen said nothing further on that topic. Ruth broke in, answering one of the other girls who spoke of the forthcoming picture Ruth was going to make for the Alectrion Corporation. “Of course our famous Wonota is going to be in the picture. For she is famous already. ‘Brighteyes’ appeared for two successive weeks in one of the big Broadway picture houses and we are making a lot of money out of its distribution. “But we know Wonota is a find for another very unmistakable reason,” she added. “What is that?” asked Helen. “Other producers have begun to make Wonota and her father offers. For Chief Totantora has become interested in the movie business too. Mr. Hammond used Totantora in a picture he made