glad to send
Frieda the money for a return ticket if she would only promise to come
back!

CHAPTER XVII

RUTH FINDS THE CANOE

Ruth Henry had always been a pretty girl, but in the past year she had
grown even more attractive. Though small of stature, there was nothing
insignificant about her; indeed, she was of the striking type which
attracts immediate attention, even of the casual observer. Always
planning some activity, or involved in some scheme to further her own
interests, she was a creature of perpetual animation. This very vivacity
was one of her chief charms among young and old.

It was no particular surprise to anyone, therefore, that Harold Mason
was smitten by her at first sight. Here, he felt, was his ideal type of
girl: pretty, petite, feminine, yet combining with all those
characteristics a love of sport and adventure, and a spirit of daring
that was almost boyish. What a comrade! he thought.

The boy himself was far from unattractive. Raised in Virginia, he
possessed that unconscious charm of the Southerner that is always
particularly pleasing to women. He drawled his words, dropping his
"r's"; and he had a little habit of smiling at the end of his remarks.
Like Ruth, however, Harold Mason was an only child; and, like her, he
was spoiled. Possessing a car of his own--even though it happened to be
only a Ford sedan--he came and went as he pleased, with the consequence
that his studies had often suffered. Now, when he should have been in
college, he was merely finishing the latter half of his senior year at
High School.

"I tell you what, Ruth," he said on the second day of their holiday
(they felt by now as if they had known each other all of their lives),
"let's have a regular good time this week. Let's go somewhere every
single day!"

Ruth smiled faintly; she could not help being flattered by her conquest.

"Suppose I have other engagements?"

"Chuck them--ah--just for once!"

"And maybe mother won't let me."

"Well, tease her!"

"And then," added Ruth, "you haven't met Marjorie Wilkinson. She's
considered (by some) the most attractive girl at our school!"

"Oh, forget her! I've seen her, even if I haven't met her. Her type
doesn't appeal to me!"

Ruth laughed good naturedly, and surrendered. But she made one
reservation.

"I promised Jack Wilkinson I'd go to the movies with him on Friday."

Harold closed his lips tightly, and shrugged his shoulders.

"As you please," he