Ruth Fielding Down East Or, The Hermit of Beach Plum Point   By: Alice B. Emerson

Or

The Hermit of Beach Plum Point

by

ALICE B. EMERSON

Author of "Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill," "Ruth Fielding at Sunrise Farm," "Ruth Fielding Homeward Bound," Etc.

Illustrated

[Illustration: TOM CAST ASIDE HIS SWEATER AND PLUNGED INTO THE TIDE. Ruth Fielding Down East Page 113 ]

New York Cupples & Leon Company Publishers

Books for Girls BY ALICE B. EMERSON RUTH FIELDING SERIES 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.

RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST

CUPPLES & LEON CO., PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.

Copyright, 1920, by Cupples & Leon Company

Ruth Fielding Down East

Printed in U. S. A.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE I. THE WIND STORM 1 II. THE MYSTERY OF IT 7 III. THE DERELICT 14 IV. THE CRYING NEED 22 V. OFF AT LAST 29 VI. "THE NEVERGETOVERS" 35 VII. MOVIE STUNTS 43 VIII. THE AUCTION BLOCK 52 IX. A DISMAYING DISCOVERY 67 X. A WILD AFTERNOON 77 XI. MR. PETERBY PAUL AND "WHOSIS" 86 XII. ALONGSHORE 95 XIII. THE HERMIT 104 XIV. A QUOTATION 113 XV. AN AMAZING SITUATION 122 XVI. RUTH SOLVES ONE PROBLEM 129 XVII. JOHN, THE HERMIT'S, CONTRIBUTION 136 XVIII. UNCERTAINTIES 144 XIX. COUNTERCLAIMS 152 XX. THE GRILL 159 XXI. A HERMIT FOR REVENUE ONLY 171 XXII. AN ARRIVAL 180 XXIII. TROUBLE PLENTY 186 XXIV. ABOUT "PLAIN MARY" 193 XXV. LIFTING THE CURTAIN 199

RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST

CHAPTER I

THE WIND STORM

Across the now placidly flowing Lumano where it widened into almost the proportions of a lake just below the picturesque Red Mill, a bank of tempestuous clouds was shouldering into view above the sky line of the rugged and wooded hills. These slate colored clouds, edged with pallid light, foredoomed the continuance of the peaceful summer afternoon.

Not a breath of air stirred on the near side of the river. The huge old elms shading the Red Mill and the farmhouse connected with it belonging to Mr. Jabez Potter, the miller, were like painted trees, so still were they. The brooding heat of midday, however, had presaged the coming storm, and it had been prepared for at mill and farmhouse. The tempest was due soon.

The backyard of the farmhouse a beautiful lawn of short grass sloped down to the river. On the bank and over the stream itself was set a summer house of fair proportions, covered with vines a cool and shady retreat on the very hottest day of midsummer.

A big robin redbreast had been calling his raucous weather warning from the top of one of the trees near the house; but, with her back to the river and the coming storm, the girl in the pavilion gave little heed to this good intentioned weather prophet.