CHAPTER XXV
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
It was not likely that Ruth found it any easier, after this, to attendstrictly to her school duties, but after her conversation with Mrs.Tellingham she _had_ put forth a greater effort to recover her standingin her class.
Whether Mrs. Parsons' necklace was found, or not; whether Ruth obtaineda portion of the reward in pay for the information she had lodged, thegirl realized that she had no right to neglect her studies.
She had come to one conclusion at least: whether or no, she would notbreak into that fifty dollars Uncle Jabez had given her so unwillingly.And she would use no more of his money for vacation jaunts, or forluxuries.
"I must accept his help in gaining my education," she told herself. "Butbeyond that, I need not go. I have gone about, and had good times, andbought many things just as though I really had a right to expect UncleJabez to supply every need.
"No more of that, Ruth Fielding! You prate of wishing to beindependent: be so in any event!"
She was young to come to such a determination; yet Ruth's experiencessince her parents had died were such as would naturally make herself-assertive. She knew what she wanted, _and she went after it_!
As for the matter of the new gymnasium suit--why! that Ruth gave upentirely. She decided that she had no business to use Uncle Jabez'smoney for it, and of course she could not go into debt for a newcostume.
No matter what the other girls thought, or what they did, _she_ wouldhave to be content with her old uniform when it came to the exhibitiongames.
She did not have the courage yet to tell even Helen of this decision;nevertheless she was determined to stick to it. At once she had begun topick up in recitation marks, and Miss Gould no longer scowled overRuth's reports.
The strain of mind had been considerable, however; Ruth had much to makeup in her studies; she wasted no time and began to forge ahead again.
She would not even think of Roberto and Mr. Cameron's search for QueenZelaya. Helen was full of the topic, and often tried to discuss it withRuth, but the latter put it aside.
She had done all she could (or so she thought) to help restore themissing pearl necklace to Nettie's aunt. Worrying about it any more wasnot going to help a bit.
It seemed too ridiculous to think of _her_ ever obtaining five thousanddollars--or any part of that generous reward!
So the busy days passed. Helen heard from her father several times, butalthough she knew he was in New York, ostensibly buying goods, and thathe had Roberto with him, the gentleman said very little about the otherGypsies and the missing necklace.
Then one day Mrs. Tellingham sent for Ruth. To be sent for by theprincipal never frightened the girl of the Red Mill--much. She stoodwell on the principal's books, she knew.
But the lady had called her to discuss nothing about the school work.She had a letter and a railroad ticket in her hand.
"Tony has telephoned for Dolliver to come for you, Ruth," said Mrs.Tellingham. "You must go away----"
"Nothing has happened at home? Uncle Jabez--Aunt Alvirah----?"
"Nothing is wrong with them at all, my dear," declared the lady, kindly."It is Mr. Cameron. He wants you to come to New York at once. Here istransportation for you. He will meet your train at the Grand CentralStation."
"Mrs. Parsons' necklace!" gasped Ruth.
"He says something about that--yes," said Mrs. Tellingham. "It isimportant for you to come and identify somebody, I believe. You musttell him that, at this time in the term, you can be spared only a shorttime."
All was bustle and confusion for Ruth during the next two hours. Thenshe found herself on the train bound for New York. She had a section ofthe sleeper to herself, and arrived in the city the next morning at anearly hour.
She was making her toilette, as the electric engine whisked the longtrain through the upper reaches of the city, and she marveled at theawakening Bronx and Harlem streets.
When she came out through the gateway of the trainshed, she saw a youthstanding by, watching the on-coming passengers sharply. But she wasalmost upon him, and he had stepped forward, lifting his hat and puttingout a hand to take her bag, before she recognized Roberto, the Gypsyboy.
But how changed in appearance! Of course, he was still dark of skin, andhis black eyes flashed. But he had removed the gold rings from his ears,his hair had been trimmed to a proper length, he was dressed smartly ina gray suit, and wore a nice hat and shoes.
Altogether Roberto was a very handsome youth indeed--more so now thanwhen he had been a wild boy!
"You do not know me, Miss Fielding?" he said, his eyes twinkling and awarm blush rising in his cheeks.
"You--you are so changed!" gasped Ruth.
"Yes. Mr. Cameron is a fine man," said the boy, nodding. "I like him. Hedo all this for me," and he made a gesture that included his new outfit,and flashed her another brilliant smile.
"Oh! how it does improve you, Roberto!" she cried.
"_Robert_, if you please," he said, laughing. "_I_ am going to beAmerican boy--yes. I have left the Gypsy boy forever behind--eh?"
Ruth fairly clapped her hands. "Do you mean all that, Robert?" shecried.
"Sure!" he said proudly. "I like America. Yes! I have been here now tenyears, and it suit me. And Mr. Cameron say I can go to school and learnto be American business man. That is better than trading horses--eh?"
"Oh, isn't that fine!" cried the girl of the Red Mill. "Now, where areyou going to take me?"
"To the hotel. Mr. Cameron will wait breakfast for us," declared thelad, and in ten minutes Ruth was greeting her chum's father across therestaurant table.
"And I suppose you are just about eaten up with curiosity as to why Isent for you?" Mr. Cameron asked her, smiling, when Robert had gone outon an errand.
"Just about, sir," admitted the girl.
"Why, I want to tell you, my dear, that you are likely to be a verylucky girl indeed. The five thousand dollars reward----"
"You haven't found the necklace?"
"Yes, indeed. That has been found and identified. What I want you for isso you can identify that old Gypsy, Queen Zelaya. I did not want toforce her grandson to appear against her before the authorities. But youcan do so with a clear conscience.
"Queen Zelaya will be sent back to Bohemia. She has a bad record, andentered the country secretly some years ago. Your evidence will enablethe Federal authorities to clinch their case, and return the old womanto the country of her birth.
"It is not believed that she actually stole the pearl necklace, but itis plain she shared in the proceeds of all the Gypsies' plundering, andin this case she took the giant's portion.
"We could not prove robbery upon her, but she can be transported, andshe shall be," concluded Mr. Cameron, firmly.
This was what finally happened to Queen Zelaya. Her clan was broken up,and not one of them was ever seen in the neighborhood of the RedMill--or elsewhere in that county--again.
Robert Mazell, as is the Gypsy boy's Americanized name, promises to beall that he told Ruth he hoped to be--in time. He must begin at thebottom of the educational ladder, but he is so quick to learn that hispatron, Mr. Cameron, tells Tom, laughingly, that _he_, Tom, will have tolook to his laurels, or the boy from Bohemia will outstrip him.
Having carried out the trailing of the Gypsy Queen at his own expense,and recovered the necklace privately, Mr. Cameron did not have to dividethe reward offered by Mrs. Rachel Parsons with anybody.
The entire five thousand dollars was deposited in Ruth's name in theCheslow Savings Bank. And this happened in time so that Ruth could drawenough of her fortune to get a new gymnasium costume for the mid-winterexhibition!
She did not have to use the money Uncle Jabez grudgingly gave her. Hertuition fees were paid in advance for this year at Briarwood Hall, butshe determined thereafter to pay all her own expenses, at school andelsewhere.
At last she felt herself to be independent. By going to Mr. Cameron, shecould get money when she wished,
without annoying the miller, and forthis situation she was very very thankful.
Her life stretched before her over a much pleasanter path than everbefore. There were kind friends whom she could help in the future, asthey needed help--and that delighted Ruth Fielding.
Her own future seemed secure. She could prepare herself for college andcould gain the education she craved. It seemed that nothing could balkher ambition in that direction. And so--this seems to be a very goodplace indeed in which to bid good-bye for a time to Ruth Fielding of theRed Mill.
THE END
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