where she can get all the education she can possibly soak
in. But you, Ruth----"

"I'm going to find a way, too," declared Ruth, independently, yet
secretly feeling much less confidence than she appeared to have.

Mercy was all ready for the seaside party when the girls called at the
Curtis cottage. The lame girl was in her summer house, sewing and singing
softly to herself. She no longer glared at the children as they ran
by, or shook her fist at them as she used to, because they could dance
and she could not.

On Monday they would start for the shore, meeting Heavy and the others
on the train, and spending a good part of the day riding to Lighthouse
Point. Mr. Cameron had exercised his influence with certain railroad
officials and obtained a private car for the young folk. The Cameron
twins and Ruth and Mercy would get aboard the car at Cheslow, and Jennie
Stone and her other guests would join them at Jennie's home town.

Between that day and the time of her departure Ruth tried to get closer
to Uncle Jabez; but the miller went about with lowering brow and scarcely
spoke to either Ruth or Aunt Alvirah.

"It's jest as well ye air goin' away again so quick, my pretty,"
said the old woman, sadly. "When Jabez gits one o' these moods on him
there ain't nobody understands him so well as me. I don't mind if he
don't speak. I talk right out loud what I have to say an' he can hear
an' reply, or hear an' keep dumb, jest whichever he likes. They say
'hard words don't break no bones' an' sure enough bein' as dumb as
an oyster ain't hurtin' none, either. You go 'long an' have your
fun with your mates, Ruthie. Mebbe Jabez will be over his grouch when
you come back."

But Ruth was afraid that the miller would change but little unless there
was first an emphatic betterment in the affairs of the Tintacker Mine.

CHAPTER VII

THE SIGNAL GUN

The train did not slow down for Sandtown until after mid-afternoon, and
when the party of young folk alighted from the private car there were
still five miles of heavy roads between them and Lighthouse Point. It had
been pleasant enough when Ruth Fielding and her companions left Cheslow,
far up in New York State; but now to the south and east the heavens were
masked by heavy, lead-colored clouds, and the wind came from the sea in
wild, rain-burdened gusts.

"My! how sharp it is!" cried Ruth. "And it's salt!"

"The salt's in the air--especially when there is a storm at sea,"
ex