ricken almost dumb by his grandmother's generosity and
good-nature. After supper he whispered to Ruth:

"Say! you're a wonder, you are, Ruth Fielding. Never anybody got around
Gran the way you do, before. You're a wonder!"

Helen and Ann met Ruth in great excitement. "Where under the sun have you
been--and in that ragged old gym suit?" gasped Helen.

"You look as though your face was burnt. I believe you've been playing
hooky, Ruth Fielding!" cried Ann.

"Right the first time," sighed Ruth, happily. "Oh, I feel _so_ much
better. And I know I shall sleep like a brick."

"You mean, a railroad tie, don't you?" demanded Ann. "_That's_ a sleeper!"

"Of course we found your note, and we told Miss Brokaw. But she's got it
in for you just the same," said Helen, slangily. "And only guess!"

"Yes! Guess! Ruth! Fielding!" and Ann seized her and danced her about the
room. "You missed it by being absent to-day."

"Oh, don't! Never mind all this! I'm tired enough. I've walked _miles_,"
groaned Ruth. "What have I missed?"

"Mr. Hammond is in Lumberton. He came to see you about the scenario,"
Helen eagerly said.

Ruth sat down and clasped her hands, while her cheeks paled. "It's a
failure!" she whispered.

CHAPTER XIX

GREAT TIMES

That was not so, however, and Helen and Ann soon blurted out the good
news:

"It's a great success!"

"He's going to bring up the company next week and make the pictures at the
Hall!"

"He's been with Mrs. Tellingham all the afternoon planning when the
pictures shall be taken, and how they shall be taken," Helen said. "I
guess it's _not_ a failure!"

"I should say not!" joined in Ann Hicks.

"Oh, girls!"

If it had not been for Ruth's long day in the open and the fact that her
nerves had become much quieter, she could never have forced back the tears
of relief that answered so quickly these reassuring words.

Then a great flood of thankfulness welled up in her heart. She had
accomplished something really worth while! Later, when she saw, on the
screen, the story she had written, she was to feel this gratitude and joy
again.

She went to bed that night and slept, as she had promised, until Mrs.
Sadoc Smith knocked on the door for them all to rise. She got up with all
the oppression lifted from her mind, and wanted to race the other girls to
the Hall before breakfast.

"It won't do for you, young lady, to go gallavanting into the woods with
Curly another day," said Helen,