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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor, by 
+Margaret Vandercook
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor
+
+Author: Margaret Vandercook
+
+Release Date: February 25, 2010 [EBook #31393]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPFIRE GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS BY MARGARET VANDERCOOK
+
+THE RANCH GIRLS SERIES
+
+The Ranch Girls at Rainbow Lodge
+The Ranch Girls' Pot of Gold
+The Ranch Girls at Boarding School
+The Ranch Girls in Europe
+The Ranch Girls at Home Again
+The Ranch Girls and their Great Adventure
+
+THE RED CROSS GIRLS SERIES
+
+The Red Cross Girls in the British Trenches
+The Red Cross Girls on the French Firing Line
+The Red Cross Girls in Belgium
+The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army
+The Red Cross Girls with the Italian Army
+The Red Cross Girls Under the Stars and Stripes
+
+STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS
+
+The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill
+The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World
+The Camp Fire Girls Across the Sea
+The Camp Fire Girls' Careers
+The Camp Fire Girls in After Years
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Desert
+The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were Walking Side by Side
+Away from the Farm House.]
+
+
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+BY
+
+MARGARET VANDERCOOK
+
+Author of "The Ranch Girls" Series, "The Red Cross Girls" Series, etc.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+PHILADELPHIA
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.
+
+PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1918, by
+
+The John C. Winston Company
+
+STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS
+
+List of Titles in the Order of their Publication
+
+    The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill
+    The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows
+    The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World
+    The Camp Fire Girls Across the Sea
+    The Camp Fire Girls' Careers
+    The Camp Fire Girls in After Years
+    The Camp Fire Girls at the Edge of the Desert
+    The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail
+    The Camp Fire Girls Behind the Lines
+    The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+       I. An Old House                                           7
+      II. Explanations                                          24
+     III. "A Long Time Going Over There"                        39
+      IV. Chaperoning the Chaperon                              47
+       V. The Confession                                        66
+      VI. A French Farm House on the Field of Honor             78
+     VII. Becoming Adjusted                                     98
+    VIII. The Old Château                                      113
+      IX. A Mystery                                            126
+       X. Breakers Ahead                                       138
+      XI. The Return                                           154
+     XII. Other Days and Other Ways                            165
+    XIII. A Departure and an Arrival                           176
+     XIV. A Warning                                            193
+      XV. The Discovery                                        205
+     XVI. An Unexpected Shelter                                223
+    XVII. Two Officers                                         233
+   XVIII. The Expected Happens                                 254
+     XIX. The Field of Honor                                   263
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+  Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were Walking Side By
+  Side away from the Farm House                       Frontispiece
+  Have You Nothing Better to do than Steal?                     14
+  The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier                       122
+  She and Old Jean Took an Entirely Opposite
+  Direction                                                    208
+
+
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+AN OLD HOUSE
+
+
+There are certain old houses in New York City built of rose-colored
+brick and white stone which face Washington Square.
+
+On this morning in early winter a light snow covered the ground and
+clung to the bare branches of the shrubs and trees.
+
+In a drawing-room of one of the old houses a young girl was moving
+quietly about at work. She was alone and the room was almost entirely
+dismantled, the pictures having been taken down from the walls, the
+decorations stored away and the furniture protected by linen covers.
+
+The girl herself was wearing an odd costume, a long frock made like a
+peasant's smock with an insignia of two crossed logs and a flame
+embroidered upon one sleeve. With her dark eyes, her dark, rather coarse
+hair, which she wore parted in the middle over a low forehead, and her
+white, unusually colorless skin, she suggested a foreigner.
+Nevertheless, although her mother and father were born in Russia, Vera
+Lagerloff was not a foreigner. However, at this moment she was talking
+quietly to herself in a foreign tongue, yet the language she was making
+an attempt to practice was French and not Russian. Since the entry of
+the United States into the world war, New York City had been exchanging
+peoples as well as material supplies with her Allies to so large an
+extent that _one_ language was no longer sufficient even for the
+requirements of one's own country.
+
+Finally, still reciting her broken sentences almost as if she were
+rehearsing a part in a play, Vera walked over to a front window and
+stood gazing expectantly out into the Square as if she were looking for
+some one.
+
+It was about three o'clock in the afternoon and the neighborhood was
+almost deserted. In the paths beyond the Washington Arch a few children
+were playing. Now and then an occasional man or woman passed along the
+street, to vanish into a house or apartment building.
+
+A few taxis and private cars rolled by, but not one made even a pretence
+of stopping before the rose-colored brick house.
+
+After about five minutes of waiting, sighing and then, smiling at her
+own folly, the girl turned away and began slowly to climb up the old
+colonial stairs leading to the second floor.
+
+"When will human beings cease demanding the impossible?" she asked of
+herself, yet speaking aloud. "I know that Mrs. Burton and Bettina cannot
+arrive for another half hour, nevertheless I am wasting both time and
+energy watching for their appearance."
+
+During the past month Vera Lagerloff had been the guest of Mrs. Richard
+Burton in her New York home. Together they had been closing the house
+for an indefinite period and making their final arrangements for sailing
+for France. Within a few days the American Sunrise Camp Fire unit, with
+Mrs. Burton as their guardian, was to set sail to help with the work of
+reclamation in the devastated area of France and also to establish the
+first group of Camp Fire girls ever recognized upon French soil.
+
+Since their summer "Behind the Lines" in southern California, Vera had
+been studying with these two purposes in mind.
+
+In the front of the house on the second floor Mrs. Burton's private
+sitting-room was to be left undisturbed until the day of her departure,
+and it was toward this room Vera was making her way.
+
+Except for the two servants, man and wife, engaged only a short time
+before, who were presumably busy downstairs, she supposed herself alone.
+
+Now as she approached the sitting-room, through the open door she caught
+sight of the blue and silver of the walls, a pair of old blue curtains
+and a tea-table decorated with a tea-service and a blue bowl of yellow
+jonquils. Then an unlooked-for sensation made the girl pause within a
+few feet on the far side of the threshold, almost holding her breath,
+for she had the extraordinary impression that the room she had presumed
+empty was already occupied.
+
+The next instant Vera discovered that a man was standing in front of a
+small mahogany desk endeavoring to break into a locked drawer. He had
+not heard her approach, for he did not turn toward her, nevertheless she
+immediately recognized the man and the situation. The day before, in
+order to meet the expenses of the journey to France, Mrs. Burton had
+drawn a large sum of money from bank, placing it in her desk for safe
+keeping. To the members of her own household she had made no secret of
+this, and now one of them was taking advantage of his knowledge.
+
+Vera recognized that she must think and act quickly, or it might be
+possible that all their hopes and plans for service in France would
+vanish in one tragic instant.
+
+In the bedroom in the rear of the hall she knew there was a telephone.
+Yet the moments occupied in having the telephone answered and in calling
+the police seemed interminable. In far less time surely the thief must
+have accomplished his design!
+
+Yet naturally after her call had been answered Vera knew she must return
+to make sure and equally naturally she feared to face the man were he
+still upstairs.
+
+In the right hand corner of Mrs. Burton's dressing table was a silver
+mounted pistol. This had been Captain Burton's parting gift to his wife
+before his own departure for Europe a few weeks before. Vera distinctly
+remembered her own and Mrs. Burton's nervousness over the gift and
+Captain Burton's annoyance. They were about to make their home in a
+devastated country recently occupied by the enemy and yet were afraid of
+so simple a method of self-protection! Vera had shared in Captain
+Burton's lecture and in his instructions.
+
+Moreover, ordinarily she was not timid, but instead possessed a singular
+feminine courage. So an instant later, holding the small pistol partly
+concealed by her skirt, Vera slipped noiselessly back again into the
+hall, moving along in the shadow near the wall. Within a few feet of the
+sitting-room suddenly the thief appeared in the doorway. The next
+instant, startled by her appearance, he made a headlong rush down the
+stairs with his purpose too nearly accomplished to think of surrender.
+
+As Vera followed she wondered if, when the thief reached the front door,
+where he must pause in opening it, would she then have the courage to
+fire? Much as she desired to secure the stolen money, she felt the
+instinctive feminine dislike of wounding another human being.
+
+Yet now she discovered that, in spite of having failed to notice the
+fact on her way upstairs, the front door was not locked. It had been
+purposely left slightly ajar so that there need be no dangerous delay.
+
+But before the thief actually reached the front door majestically it was
+flung open. From the outside a voice called "Halt."
+
+[Illustration: "Have You Nothing Better to do than Steal?"]
+
+Immediately after, instead of a policeman as she anticipated, Vera
+beheld one of the most singular figures she had ever seen. For the
+moment, in her excitement and confusion, she could not tell whether the
+figure was a woman's or a man's. A long arm was thrust forward, then,
+such was the thief's surprise, that he allowed the stolen pocketbook to
+be removed from his grasp without opposition.
+
+As Vera regained sufficient equanimity to cover him with her pistol she
+heard a rich Irish voice unmistakably a woman's, saying:
+
+"Sure, man alive and have you nothing better to do than steal when the
+world is so hard put for honest soldiers and workmen to carry on her
+affairs. Now get you away and pray the saints to forgive you, for the
+next time you'll not be let off so easily."
+
+Glad to take the newcomer at her word, the man vanished. Then before
+Vera could either move or speak, the surprising visitor marched up to
+her.
+
+"Put that pistol away, child, and never handle it again, or you will
+injure yourself! Now take me upstairs to Polly Burton's sitting-room and
+make me some tea, for the plain truth is I am famished. I have just
+arrived in New York from Boston, and travel in war times certainly has
+its drawbacks. But if you will wait I'll first bring my suitcase inside
+the hall until we feel more like carrying it upstairs."
+
+Before Vera could offer her assistance a shabby suitcase was brought
+indoors.
+
+Immediately after she found herself, not leading the way, but following
+the unexpected intruder to the second floor. Evidently the elderly woman
+was familiar with the house, for she made her way directly to the
+sitting-room and, seating herself upon the divan, began untying her
+bonnet strings.
+
+In spite of her own confusion and excitement and the visitor's
+surprising appearance, Vera believed herself in the presence of an
+important personage. She understood this, notwithstanding the fact that
+the woman's costume was conspicuously shabby and she herself extremely
+plain.
+
+The bonnet which she removed without waiting to be asked followed a
+fashion of about a quarter of a century before. When her traveling coat
+had been laid aside the black dress underneath was almost equally
+old-fashioned in design.
+
+"Here, child, please take this money and hide it in the same place, or
+find a safer one," she announced. "Yet it may be just as well not to
+mention the robbery to Polly Burton. She is sure to need more strength
+than she possesses to be able to start on this perilous journey to
+France almost at the beginning of winter, with only you foolish children
+as her companions. Besides, I presume Polly left the money in the most
+conspicuous place in the house; she never has learned not to trust the
+entire world. I allowed the thief to escape so we need give no further
+time to him. But tell me the whole story--who are you, how did the man
+get into the house and why are you here alone?"
+
+At last, in the first opportunity which had been vouchsafed her, Vera
+endeavored to explain what had occurred. As she spoke she could feel
+herself being observed with the keenest, most searching scrutiny. Yet
+for some reason, although never having heard the name or seen her
+companion before, she had no thought of disputing her visitor's right to
+whatever information she desired. The dark eyes in the weather-beaten
+old face were wise and kind; the manner belonged to a woman accustomed
+to being obeyed.
+
+Later Vera and her guest made a careful tour of the lower part of the
+house. Of course the cook had vanished soon after her husband. But they
+were downstairs in time to meet the police when they finally made their
+appearance.
+
+Vera opened the door, yet she stood aside to hear her companion
+announce.
+
+"You can go away again. No, we have no need of you, the telephone call
+was a mistake."
+
+Finally when the police had disappeared without requiring a great deal
+of persuasion, for the second time Vera followed her unknown companion
+upstairs.
+
+"You understand, child, it would have been the greatest interruption to
+our present plans if I had not permitted the thief to escape. Some one
+would have had to appear in court and doubtless Polly Burton would have
+had newspaper reporters coming to the house at all hours. They would
+have liked a story in which a woman of her prominence played a part."
+
+Fifteen minutes later, having presented the unexpected guest with the
+tea she had requested, Vera was sitting beside the tea table waiting to
+satisfy her further needs, when she caught the sound of a key being
+turned in the lock of the front door downstairs and the next instant
+Mrs. Burton's voice, followed by Bettina Graham's, calling for her.
+
+With a hurried apology and really fearful that her autocratic companion
+might attempt to detain her, Vera ran out of the room.
+
+Over the banisters she could see Bettina Graham, who had just arrived
+from Washington, and Mrs. Burton, who had gone down to the Pennsylvania
+station to meet her.
+
+Standing near Bettina was a girl whom Vera had never seen before.
+
+As soon as she joined them Bettina introduced her explaining:
+
+"Vera, this is Mary Gilchrist, who is going abroad to drive a motor in
+France. She had no friends with whom she could cross, and as we were
+intending to sail on the same steamer, I suggested when we met in
+Washington the other day that she might like to join our Camp Fire unit.
+At the depot I introduced her to Tante, who of course insisted that she
+come home with us rather than stay in a hotel alone."
+
+During this conversation, Mrs. Richard Burton, the Sunrise Camp Fire
+guardian of former days, having passed by the group of girls, was making
+her way upstairs alone. She had moved so quickly that, in her effort to
+be polite to Bettina's new friend, Vera had no opportunity to mention
+the presence of another stranger in the house. When she did murmur
+something, Mrs. Burton did not hear.
+
+Reaching her own sitting-room she gazed uncertainly for half an instant
+at the tall figure on the divan, who, having poured herself another cup
+of tea, was now engaged in drinking it. The next she clasped her hands
+together and with a manner suggesting both nervousness and apology,
+began.
+
+"Aunt Patricia, please don't say you have come to argue with me about
+taking my group of Sunrise Camp Fire girls to work with me in the
+devastated area of France. It is really too late now to interfere. I was
+finally able to secure my husband's permission."
+
+Miss Patricia Lord carefully set down her tea-cup.
+
+"Come and kiss me, Polly Burton, and tell me you are glad to see me. I
+don't like your fashion of greeting an unexpected guest. But there--you
+look tired out from too much responsibility before it is time to set
+sail! As a matter of fact, I have not come to try to _prevent_ your
+going to France. Has anybody ever made you give up anything you had
+firmly set your heart upon? But, mavourneen, I have come to go with you.
+Do you suppose for a moment, after receiving yours and Richard's letters
+telling me of your plans, that I dreamed of allowing you to undertake
+such a project as you have in mind alone? Why, you won't be able to look
+after yourself properly, to say nothing of more than half a dozen young
+girls! I am told there are eight hundred and forty thousand homeless
+people in the devastated districts of France at the present time and I
+cannot understand why you wish to add to the number. But as you will go,
+well, I am determined to go with you."
+
+A moment later, seated close beside the older woman, Mrs. Burton had
+slipped an arm inside hers and was holding it close.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Patricia, I am so relieved," she murmured. "I have not
+confided this fact to any one before, but sometimes I have been so
+nervous over the prospect of looking after my group of Camp Fire girls
+in France that I have wanted to run away and hide where no one could
+ever discover me. Of course I am not afraid of disaster for myself,
+Richard is in France and then nothing ever happens to me! Besides, no
+one has a right to think of oneself at present. But to be responsible to
+so many mothers for the safety of their beloved daughters! I rise up
+each morning feeling that my hair must have turned white in the night
+from the very thought. But if you are with me, why, I will not worry!
+Still I don't see just how you can arrange to sail with us; perhaps you
+can manage to cross later, but our passage has been engaged for weeks
+and----"
+
+Miss Patricia Lord arose and walked over to the tea table, where she
+devoted her energy to pouring her hostess a cup of tea.
+
+"You need not trouble about _my_ arrangements, Polly. I secured my
+ticket on the steamer upon which you are to sail some time ago and also
+my passport. I sent my trunk directly to the boat. Of course I am taking
+but few clothes with me, as a matter of fact, I have all I shall require
+in my suitcase downstairs. But later there will be many things necessary
+for our housekeeping in France of which you may not have thought."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+EXPLANATIONS
+
+
+"Bettina, who on earth is Miss Patricia Lord? A more formidable lady I
+never imagined!"
+
+Sitting before a fire in their bedroom, which they had chosen to share
+so as to be able to talk for as long a time as they wished before
+retiring, were the two Sunrise Camp Fire girls, Bettina Graham and Vera
+Lagerloff. Both girls had changed conspicuously in manner and appearance
+since the summer before when they had been in camp together "Behind the
+Lines" in southern California. However, there comes a day in every
+girl's life when with entire suddenness she seems to understand and
+accept the revelation of her womanhood.
+
+To Bettina Graham had been given an added social experience. During the
+past few months, without being formally introduced into society,
+nevertheless she had been assisting her mother in receiving in their
+home in Washington. In spite of the fact that there had been but little
+entertaining on a large scale because of the war, Bettina had gone to
+occasional dinners and small dances, and on account of her father's
+prominence and her mother's popularity, had shared in the best
+opportunities. Moreover, Washington had never been so crowded with
+interesting men and women, and yet scarcely a day passed when Bettina
+did not whisper to herself that nothing could make her enjoy a
+conventional society existence. It was only because of the universal
+absorption in the war at the present time that society had become more
+endurable. But to continue the life indefinitely demanded an impossible
+sacrifice.
+
+One afternoon in late fall Bettina and her father, Senator Graham, in an
+hour of mutual confidence, imparted the information to each other that
+they regarded themselves as social failures.
+
+"You see, Bettina, my dear, I was not to the manner born in this social
+game and had no one to teach me until I married your mother," Senator
+Graham announced with a certain embarrassment. "Indeed, I never had
+entered a drawing-room until I was a grown man and then had not the
+faintest idea how the confounded thing should be done. You don't think
+you could have inherited a social awkwardness from me?"
+
+Then, fearing to have wounded his daughter's feelings Senator Graham
+added quickly: "I don't mean that you have not charming manners, little
+Betty, as charming as any in the world aside from your mother's. And
+personally I have not seen a prettier girl in Washington or elsewhere.
+But if you really are unhappy among strangers and would like to go to
+France with your old friends to help with the work over there, why, I
+will try to see how matters can be arranged. I don't think I would speak
+of your idea to your mother, not just at present, as there is no point
+in worrying her."
+
+In answer Bettina had laughed and promised. Always she was touched by
+her father's use of her old childhood name now that she had become
+nearly as tall as he himself was.
+
+"But, father, don't think I mind sharing a social disability with you. I
+am afraid my infirmity goes somewhat deeper," Bettina answered. "As a
+matter of fact, I heard one of mother's friends say the other day that
+there was no more brilliant or agreeable man in Washington society than
+Senator Graham, once he could be persuaded to throw aside his social
+hauteur and condescend to ordinary mortals," she continued, imitating
+the visitor's voice and manner, to the Senator's deep amusement.
+
+"But of course I won't annoy mother until I am sure our Camp Fire unit
+has a real chance of being accepted for the work in France. It is hard
+upon mother to have had Tony inherit all the family beauty and charm.
+However, he will make up to her some day for my failures!"
+
+Bettina was doing herself an injustice. In reality she was unusually
+handsome and as she grew older her tall stateliness increased her
+distinction. Tonight she looked especially attractive as she sat
+braiding her long yellow hair into two heavy plaits, with a blue
+corduroy dressing gown worn over her night-dress.
+
+"Aunt Patricia? It is odd, Vera, you have never heard her name
+mentioned! Yet I confess my personal acquaintance with Aunt Patricia
+also began this afternoon, although I have known of her for a long time
+and my mother is one of her great friends.
+
+"Years ago when Tante was first married Aunt Patricia arrived in this
+country from Ireland, and as she seemed to be frightfully poor she
+secured a position at the theatre as wardrobe woman. Right away she
+adopted Tante and Uncle Richard and they have been devoted to one
+another ever since. Later on Aunt Patricia's brother died, leaving her
+an enormous fortune. Then it developed that she had come to this country
+from Ireland because he had sent for her and afterwards had refused to
+live with him or accept a cent of his money because he would not do what
+she wished, or because for some reason or other she disapproved of him.
+
+"After Aunt Patricia inherited the money she has spent as little as
+possible for her own needs, but instead gives away large sums in
+eccentric fashions which appeal to her. Nevertheless I confess I am not
+happy over the prospect of her going to France to be with us, although
+Tante seems immensely relieved to have her companionship and our
+families will be glad to know she will not have to bear so much
+responsibility alone. It is a good deal of a task to look after seven or
+eight girls."
+
+Vera frowned somewhat ruefully.
+
+"But I thought we were going to France to care for other people not to
+be looked after ourselves. However, if Miss Lord's behavior this
+afternoon is a fair criterion I shall certainly become as a little
+child. For the entire time we were together I don't think I dared do
+anything except what she commanded. But isn't it wonderful that our
+entire Camp Fire unit is to go to France for the reclamation work? I
+thought when Mrs. Burton offered me the opportunity last summer that I
+should go alone."
+
+Within the past months Vera Lagerloff had also changed, but the
+transformation was unlike Bettina Graham's.
+
+After Billy Webster's death in California Vera had made astonishingly
+little open protest. But for that reason the effect upon her character
+had been the deeper.
+
+Since her earliest childhood there had been but little in her life for
+which she cared intensely, save her friendship with the odd dreaming
+boy, whose ambitions for his own future had absorbed so much of her time
+and thought. Until Billy died Vera really had never considered her own
+future apart from his.
+
+In many ways she was superior to the members of her own family, which in
+itself makes for a certain spiritual loneliness. Yet her parents were
+Russians, and Russia is at present offering more contradictions in human
+nature than any other race of people in the world. However, if her
+parents were peasants and had but little education, they had possessed
+sufficient courage to emigrate to the United States at a time when the
+Czar and autocracy ruled in their own land. Afterwards Vera's father had
+become a small farmer on Mr. Webster's large place, and here Vera and
+Billy had grown up together.
+
+But at least Vera's family made no effort to interfere with her. The
+other children appeared content to follow in the ways of their
+ancestors, living with and by the land. In a measure they were proud
+that Vera cared for books and people who could never be their friends.
+Yet perhaps Vera's character had been largely influenced by her one
+singular friendship.
+
+Now it remained to be seen what she could accomplish with her own life
+uninspired by a dominating affection.
+
+She was an unusual looking girl, and not handsome according to
+Anglo-Saxon standards. She was tall and ruggedly built, with broad
+shoulders and hips, indicating strength more than grace. Her heavy dark
+hair, growing low over her forehead, had a unique quality of vitality.
+Her nose and mouth were both a little heavy, although her mouth gave
+promise of future beauty, and she had the fine Slavic eyes with the
+slight slant.
+
+Vera and Bettina afforded a marked contrast. The one girl, whatever her
+brilliant father might say of his antecedents, showed only the evidences
+of high breeding, both its charm and limitations. Yet, thinking more
+deeply, was not after all Vera's the older ancestry since the first men
+and women must have been those who lived nearest to nature?
+
+At this moment, when the one girl finished speaking, leaning over
+Bettina rested her chin in her slender hand. She had not seen Vera for
+some time and was now trying to discover in her companion's face what
+she knew would never be confided to her, to what extent Vera had
+recovered from her sorrow over Billy Webster's death.
+
+But instead of speaking of this, Bettina continued:
+
+"Yes, it is extraordinary that our entire Camp Fire unit is so soon to
+cross over to France. I only wish the rest of us were as well prepared
+for the work as you are, Vera. You have been studying cooking and the
+care of children, besides the first aid and the farm work, which you
+must have known already? I was able to find time for only a short period
+of intensive study. Yet fortunately I know a good deal of French. Ever
+since I was a tiny child I have been speaking French and certainly I am
+familiar with our Camp Fire training and ideals. I only learned recently
+that, although there are organizations similar to our Camp Fire in
+England, China, Japan and Australia, there is none in France. Is it not
+a wonderful thing that we are to be the pioneers of the Camp Fire
+movement in France? Don't you feel that if we can arouse sufficient
+enthusiasm among the French girls to induce them to form a national
+organization it will bring American and French girls into closer touch
+with each other?
+
+"Do you know, Vera, so many times in the past year I have heard
+prominent men in Washington declare that the French, British, Italians
+and Americans, having fought together on common ground for a common
+ideal, can never in the future be anything but brothers in spirit. Yet
+never once have I heard any one speak of the same need for intimate
+association among the women of the different nations. Why is this not
+equally important? The women of the future must also acquire something
+of the new international spirit, must also learn to work and play
+together. I think our Camp Fire embodies all these inspiring principles
+and ideas for girls, and so I hope our work in France may be the
+beginning of an international Camp Fire organization all over the
+world."
+
+Vera Lagerloff, who had apparently been watching the flickering yellow
+and rose flames in their tiny fire while Bettina talked, now looked
+toward her and smiled.
+
+"Be careful, Bettina, you are a dreamer. Remember, the world has room
+for but a few dreamers. I suppose that is why Billy went away. After
+all, you know it is the small, hard sacrifices that are required of
+women and girls in time of war."
+
+Then getting up, Vera began walking up and down the room as if finding
+relief in action.
+
+"By the way, Bettina, have you heard the latest news from Gerry
+Williams?--oh, I should have said Gerry Morris, I forgot her married
+name." Vera went on, apparently desiring to change the subject: "She
+hopes to see us after we reach our headquarters in France, if she and
+her father-in-law are not too far away. I have sometimes wondered if Mr.
+Morris did not give the money he had recently inherited to help with the
+restoration work in France as a thank offering because Felipe was
+required to serve only a short sentence for having tried to escape the
+draft? Soon after he was permitted to enlist. Mr. Morris and Gerry are
+living in one of the tiny ruined villages, assisting the old men and
+women and children to rebuild their little homes."
+
+Bettina frowned, hardly aware that her expression had become slightly
+skeptical.
+
+"Yes, I was told that Gerry had sailed with her father-in-law, although
+so far as I know Felipe is still in an American training camp," Bettina
+replied. "But, Vera, I am not yet an enthusiast over Gerry. However, as
+we have never liked each other, perhaps I am not fair. I do not believe
+that people's natures ever entirely change, even if circumstances do
+affect one for a time. So I shall have to behold the miracle of a
+transformed Gerry before I am convinced of the change I am told has
+taken place in her."
+
+At this instant Bettina suddenly ceased speaking because a faint knock
+had just sounded on their bedroom door.
+
+When Vera opened the door another girl stood outside. She was small and
+dark and had an upward tilt to her nose and indeed to her entire face.
+
+"I know this is the hour for confidences and so I won't interrupt you
+long," she began. "Only I thought it might be just as well if I present
+you with a short outline of my history. Miss Graham was kind enough to
+allow me to travel to Washington with her after meeting me at the home
+of a mutual friend. She does not know much about me, so I think she is
+especially kind. But perhaps we girls are beginning to take one another
+more for granted! As a matter of fact, my name is Mary Gilchrist,
+although I am usually called 'Gill' by my friends, because my father
+insists I am so small I represent the smallest possible measure. I have
+no mother and have spent all my life with my father on our big Wheat
+ranch in Kansas. I suppose I should have been a boy, because I adore
+machinery and have been driving a car for years, even before the law
+would have permitted me to drive one. Of course I only motored over our
+ranch at first. Now I am hoping I can be useful in France. For the last
+few years I have been able to manage a tractor for the plowing and
+harvesting of our fields. My father has given me my own motor to take to
+France. He said he could do nothing less, since he had no son to devote
+to his country's service and, as he was too old to fight himself, felt
+he could do his best work in increasing our output of wheat. But I did
+not intend saying so much about myself, only to thank you and Mrs.
+Burton for agreeing to allow me to make the crossing with you. I shall
+try not to be a nuisance. Good-night."
+
+Then actually before Vera or Bettina could reply the other girl
+vanished. Yet she left behind her an affect of energy and warmth, her
+glowing, piquant face, the red lights in her brown hair, even the
+freckles on her clear, lightly tanned skin gave one the impression that
+courage and action were essential traits of her character.
+
+After she had gone Vera smiled.
+
+"Well Bettina, I believe your new friend is original, whatever else she
+may be."
+
+And Bettina nodded in agreement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+"A LONG TIME GOING OVER THERE"
+
+
+In a week Mrs. Burton and the Sunrise Camp Fire unit sailed from a port
+somewhere in the United States to a port somewhere in France. Not only
+were they accompanied by Miss Patricia Lord, but apparently they were
+led by her. Whenever any information had to be imparted it was always
+Miss Patricia who gave it and she also appeared to settle all questions
+and all disputes. Under ordinary circumstances the Camp Fire girls would
+have been annoyed, but at present they were too absorbed in a hundred
+interests and as many emotions to be more than vaguely aware of Miss
+Patricia's existence.
+
+Mrs. Burton, in spite of finding her own position frequently usurped and
+her opinions regarded as of small value, nevertheless from the moment of
+leaving New York felt a sensation of gratitude each time she glanced at
+Aunt Patricia's homely and uncompromising countenance. In time past they
+had weathered many storms together; if there were storms ahead Miss
+Patricia could be counted upon to remain firm as the Rock of Gibraltar.
+Difficult and domineering, yet behind her brusqueness there was great
+good sense. Moreover, Mrs. Burton knew that Miss Patricia possessed the
+gift of kindness which is the rarest of human qualities. The Irish humor
+was there also, although now and then it might be hidden out of sight
+and only used by Miss Patricia as she used her Irish brogue in moments
+of special stress.
+
+Conscious that her group of Camp Fire girls was not pleased by the
+addition of a new member to their party, Mrs. Burton hoped in time they
+might come to appreciate Miss Patricia's real value, although she made
+no effort to propitiate them at the start.
+
+The leave-taking these days is perhaps the hardest portion of the
+journey to France. One must say farewell with apparent cheerfulness to
+one's family and friends, assuming that whatever dangers may lie in wait
+for other people, for you there can be only plain sailing, since this is
+the gallant spirit these tragic times demand. But for the Camp Fire
+girls there was also a certain fear that they might find themselves
+unfit for the service they wished to offer. However, there was no
+faltering and no regret, but only tremendous inspiration in the
+knowledge that they were to be the first American Camp Fire girls to
+enter France upon a special mission and with a special message to French
+girls.
+
+Of the date or the port from which passenger vessels sail these days
+there is no published record. It is enough to state that the Camp Fire
+party sailed one morning in the early winter a little before noon from a
+small harbor south of New York City. The morning had been cold and rainy
+and the fog lay thick upon the water many miles from the land.
+
+In spite of the fact that their vessel was to form one of a convoy of a
+dozen ships, each boat left port at a different hour, to meet further
+out at sea.
+
+Soon after their own sailing, Mrs. Burton retired to her state-room.
+Aunt Patricia and the Camp Fire girls insisted upon remaining on deck
+for an indefinite length of time.
+
+At what point the United States considers her ships have entered the
+danger zone on this side of the Atlantic only persons who have lately
+crossed to the other side can know.
+
+When this hour arrived the Camp Fire girls were standing close together,
+although separated into small groups. Peggy Webster, Vera Lagerloff and
+Bettina Graham were talking to one another; Sally Ashton and Alice
+Ashton stood a short distance off with their arms about each other,
+drawn together only in moments of excitement. Within a few feet Marta
+Clark was beside Mary Gilchrist, with Aunt Patricia not far away, but
+apparently paying no attention to any of them.
+
+In truth, it was Aunt Patricia who gave the first signal. The ships
+which until now had been at some distance apart were deliberately
+forming into the position necessary for their convoy. It was almost as
+if they were making ready for a naval attack; the boats slowed down,
+mysterious whistles were blown, signals were run up.
+
+An hour or so later and the entire convoy, guarded by United States
+torpedo destroyers, were steaming rapidly ahead.
+
+Bettina Graham was leaning over the ship's railing looking toward the
+western line of the horizon through a pair of long-distance glasses. In
+another moment she offered the glasses to Vera.
+
+"I wonder if you can see the destroyers more distinctly than I can
+manage, Vera? The fog is so heavy and the boats are so nearly the same
+color. No wonder they are known as the 'gray watch-dogs of the sea!' I
+suppose one should feel safer because we are so surrounded, and yet in a
+way I am more nervous. Certainly the destroyers do not allow one to
+forget the reason for their presence, and I really had not thought a
+great deal of our danger from submarines until they appeared."
+
+For a few seconds as she stared through the glasses Vera made no reply.
+
+As she turned to present the glasses to Peggy, Vera shook her head.
+
+"Then I am a better American than you are, Bettina, because I most
+assuredly do not feel as you do. Our guard of destroyers gives me an
+almost perfect sense of security. It may be absurd of course and a kind
+of jingoism, but I do not consider that we can possibly come to grief,
+protected by our own navy."
+
+As they stood thus close together the Camp Fire girls were wearing the
+uniforms which had been especially designed for their trip abroad.
+
+Their ordinary Camp Fire outfit was of course not suitable; nevertheless
+the new costumes had been made to follow as closely as possible the idea
+and the model of the old. For military reasons they had chosen a darker
+shade of brown than the ordinary khaki color. At present over their
+serviceable brown serge traveling dresses they wore long coats of a
+golden brown cloth made with adjustable capes to conform with the
+changes of climate. The only suggestion of the Camp Fire was the
+insignia of the crossed logs with the ascending flames embroidered upon
+one sleeve. Their hats were of soft brown felt.
+
+In spite of the variety of striking and interesting uniforms on board
+ship, already the Camp Fire girls had excited a good deal of quiet
+attention. However, this may not have been due to their uniforms alone.
+As a matter of fact, they were younger than the other passengers and
+many persons were curious with regard to the work they were planning to
+undertake in France.
+
+Sailing upon the same vessel there chanced to be a Red Cross unit of
+twenty other girls who were to do canteen work among the French and
+American soldiers. But except for one conspicuous exception, this unit
+of girls was noticeably older.
+
+This made the one girl appear rather an outsider; moreover, the Camp
+Fire girls learned that she was not an American girl, but a French girl
+returning to her own country.
+
+There were no passengers on the ship who were not sailing to France for
+urgent reasons and for reasons which the United States government
+considered of sufficient importance to permit of their crossing.
+
+There were a number of business men whose affairs were not only of
+importance to themselves, but to the Allied interests as well. There was
+a medical unit with a staff of doctors, nurses and assistants, three or
+four newspaper and magazine men, one well-known woman writer. But the
+most distinguished among the travelers were several returning Frenchmen
+who had been in the United States upon a special mission.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+CHAPERONING THE CHAPERON
+
+
+One afternoon about midway in the voyage across the Atlantic, Mrs.
+Burton was seated upon the upper deck in her steamer chair enveloped in
+a fur rug and a fur coat. A small sealskin turban completely covered her
+hair, so only her face was revealed, her brilliant blue eyes, long
+slender nose and chin, and her cheeks upon which two spots of color were
+glowing.
+
+She was talking in French with a great deal of animation to a man who
+sat beside her. From his manner and appearance and also from his
+pronunciation it was self-evident that he was a Frenchman. Moreover, he
+revealed a certain intellectual distinction typically French. Monsieur
+Georges Duval was of middle age with clear-cut, aristocratic features,
+keen dark eyes and iron-gray hair. In comparison with him Mrs. Burton
+looked like a girl.
+
+It was just before tea time and the deck was crowded with the ship's
+passengers. Since no lights were permitted after dark, it was necessary
+to enjoy all the daylight possible out of doors. This afternoon was
+clear and lovely, with a serene blue sky and sea.
+
+A number of the Camp Fire girls were strolling about talking to new
+acquaintances. But if Mrs. Burton had any knowledge of their presence
+she gave no sign, being too deeply interested in her conversation with
+her present companion.
+
+"You are extremely kind, Monsieur, and I am most happy to receive any
+advice you can give me. Later on I shall probably ask for your aid as
+well. Now and then I have wondered if in coming to France to offer our
+services to your country many American women may not prove more of a
+burden than a help. I hope this may not be true of me or of my
+companions. We intend to settle down somewhere in one of the devastated
+districts and do whatever we can to be useful. But chiefly the group of
+girls I have with me want to offer their services to French girls. I
+have so often thought, Monsieur, that perhaps the greatest problem of
+the future rests with the young girls of the present day. When the war
+is over it will be their task to care for the wounded men and for many
+others whom these long years of warfare will have made unfit for work.
+More than this, there will be so many of these girls who can never have
+husbands or children. Our Camp Fire organization in the United States
+has a special message for the women of the future. But I must not bore
+you with this when you have so many matters of more importance to hold
+your attention."
+
+Monsieur Duval shook his head.
+
+"You are not boring me, Madame. You could not do that, but in any case
+remember you are talking to a Frenchman about the women of his own
+country. Sometimes I think we Frenchmen confuse our women and our
+country; to us they are so much one and the same thing. When we fight
+for France, we are fighting for our women, when we fight to protect our
+women we are fighting to save France. I do not believe the world half
+realizes what great burdens the French women bore after the
+Franco-Prussian war, only forty years ago, not only in working shoulder
+to shoulder with their men, but by inspiring them after a bitter and
+cruel defeat. The courage, the steadfastness which France has revealed
+in the four long years of this present war is one way in which we have
+tried to pay our immense debt to them."
+
+Unable to reply because of the tears which she made no effort to
+conceal, Mrs. Burton remained silent for a few moments. When she finally
+spoke it was with a kind of diffidence:
+
+"Monsieur Duval, has it ever occurred to you how strange it is that,
+aside from our American Revolution, most of the great modern wars for
+democracy have been fought upon French soil? I have thought of this many
+times and sorrowed over what seems the injustice to your race. Forgive
+me if I appear too fanciful! Recently I have recognized why France
+always is represented by the symbolic figure of a woman. She has endured
+the birth of the world's freedom inside her body and her soul."
+
+In Mrs. Burton's speech there was perhaps nothing original, but always
+there was the old thrilling beautiful quality to her voice which stirred
+her audience, whether large or small.
+
+Monsieur Duval did not attempt to hide both his admiration and interest
+in his companion. The second day out at sea they had been introduced to
+each other by Mrs. Bishop, the woman novelist, with whom Mrs. Burton had
+a slight acquaintance in New York City. Indeed, they had met only upon
+one occasion, but on shipboard one is apt to renew acquaintances which
+one would have considered of no special interest at other times.
+
+Since their original meeting Mrs. Burton and the French commissioner,
+whom she had discovered to be a member of the French senate as well, had
+spent several hours each day in talking together. There were many
+subjects in which they were both interested, although of course the war
+absorbed the greater part of their thought.
+
+"I only hope France may prove worthy of the sympathy and aid your
+country pours out upon her so generously. But I think when you reach
+France you will have no reason to complain of her lack of gratitude,"
+the Frenchman answered.
+
+"Of course our cause at present is a common one and our soldiers are
+fighting as brothers. But long before your men fought with ours, you
+American women were rendering us every possible service. Please be sure
+if I can be of the least assistance to you in making your plans for work
+in France I shall be more than happy. In spite of all our conversations
+you never have told me definitely what it is you intend doing."
+
+Mrs. Burton smiled. A cool breeze was blowing in from the sea so that
+she hid herself closer inside her rug.
+
+"Just a moment then, Monsieur Duval, I will talk of our plans and then
+we must discuss something frivolous. Every morning as I waken I make up
+my mind not to speak of the war for at least a few hours, but somehow I
+never manage to keep my promise to myself. We intend undertaking a
+certain amount of reclamation work in one of the ruined French villages.
+Our present scheme is first to find an old farm house and establish
+ourselves there in order to make a home where our neighbors can come to
+us as they will. My Camp Fire girls thus hope to form friendships with
+the French girls and later to induce them to become interested in our
+Camp Fire ideas.
+
+"You may be amused, Monsieur Duval, but another thing we intend is to
+teach the French women and girls to make corn bread, so as to help in
+the wheat conservation. I was told by a woman in Washington, who had
+just come back from the devastated regions, that this would be a real
+service to France, if once we could persuade the French people to our
+use of corn. The Indians taught us. As our Camp Fire is more or less
+modeled upon their institutions, we hope to carry on the Indian message
+of the corn. But enough of this; you have been kind to listen to me so
+long."
+
+Monsieur Duval shook his head courteously.
+
+"What you say is interesting and worth while, Madame, but I have an idea
+that you need not personally give all of your own time to these efforts.
+These matters your companions and other women may be able to accomplish
+with equal success. But you, you probably will find more important work
+to do in France. Perhaps you will allow me to see you later. I do not
+wish our acquaintance to end with our voyage, and it may be I can
+persuade you to additional tasks. But in any case I hope you will talk
+personally with many of my country people, men and women; there is no
+one so well adapted to make our nations understand each other as a
+gifted and charming American woman. I have many friends in Paris and
+before you leave I trust I may be allowed the privilege of presenting at
+least a few of them to you."
+
+Feeling agreeably flattered, as any woman is flattered by the homage of
+a clever man, Mrs. Burton was about to reply, when suddenly the tall
+figure of Miss Patricia Lord appeared, rising before her like a pillar
+of darkness.
+
+She gave Monsieur Duval a curt nod; except for this she made no
+explanation of her presence, continuing standing until the courteous
+Frenchman felt constrained to offer her his chair.
+
+However, not until he had walked away did she condescend to accept his
+place and then she managed to sit perfectly upright, which is a
+_difficult_ feat in a reclining chair.
+
+"What is the matter, Aunt Patricia?" Mrs. Burton at once demanded,
+feeling suddenly disturbed by Miss Patricia's severe expression. "Surely
+nothing has happened to any one of the Camp Fire girls! I think I have
+noticed nearly all of them strolling about on deck in the past half
+hour."
+
+Gloomily Miss Patricia frowned. "I am not here to discuss with you the
+girls whom you are suppose to be chaperoning. I wish to speak of your
+conduct, Polly Burton. I have been considering the subject for the past
+twenty-four hours. Under the circumstances you might as well know
+_first as last_ that I do not approve of your present intimacy with
+this unknown Frenchman, this _Mr._ Duval." Miss Patricia scorned
+the use of the French title. "I have no idea of attempting to pronounce
+the foolish word the French employ for plain 'Mister.' However, you
+realize perfectly well that from the day following our sailing you have
+spent the greater part of your time in his society. Sorry as I am to
+speak of this, my respect for your husband compels me to warn you----"
+
+Here Aunt Patricia was interrupted by an explosion of laughter as fresh
+and ingenuous as a girl's.
+
+"My dear Aunt Patricia, really I beg your pardon, but I supposed you
+were coming with me to France to help me chaperon my Camp Fire girls! I
+never dreamed of your also feeling obliged to chaperon me. Remember, I
+am pretty old and never was particularly fascinating, even as a girl. I
+am afraid you will have a hard time to persuade my husband to jealousy.
+Richard is the fascinating member of our family! As a matter of fact, I
+have simply been boring Monsieur Duval for the past hour by discussing
+our plan of campaign after we reach France. You don't consider the
+subject a dangerous one?"
+
+But neither Miss Patricia's face nor figure relaxed.
+
+"I may not be original, Polly Burton; as a matter of fact, I have no
+idea that you _said_ anything of the least importance to your
+Frenchman. With you it is the old story; it is not _what_ you say,
+but the _way_ you say it. I have been watching you and you may
+pretend to have noticed the Camp Fire girls. However, if you tell the
+truth, you have not been aware of anything or anybody except Mr. Duval
+during the entire afternoon."
+
+At this moment Miss Patricia appeared so annoyed and suspicious that it
+was difficult for Mrs. Burton to decide whether she were the more amused
+or irritated. However, it made no difference; either attitude would be
+entirely lost upon Miss Patricia Lord.
+
+"I am sorry you don't approve of me," Mrs. Burton returned with a
+pretence of meekness, yet dropping her eyelids to conceal the expression
+of her eyes.
+
+"It is not that I do not approve of you, Polly, for I so seldom do
+that," Aunt Patricia replied. "It is that I also feel it _my duty_
+to recall you to _your_ duty. You speak of having lately observed
+the Camp Fire girls wandering about near you. I feel it an effort to
+believe this because only a short time ago, while undoubtedly you were
+enjoying yourself with a foreigner concerning whom you know absolutely
+nothing, I discovered Sally Ashton seated upon a coil of rope in an
+obscure portion of this vessel, flirting outrageously with a young
+American physician. Your niece, Peggy Webster, is walking up and down
+the lower deck with a French officer; lower deck not the upper, mind
+you, where she might have been seen by you, although I doubt it. The
+other girls are----"
+
+By this time Mrs. Burton had become seriously annoyed. She was obliged
+to remember, of course, that Miss Patricia was a much older woman, yet,
+nevertheless her eyes darkened and her color deepened a little
+ominously.
+
+"Please Aunt Patricia, you are making a mistake," she began warmly. "I
+am not in the habit of spying upon my Camp Fire girls and I am sure you
+will never find such a proceeding necessary."
+
+Then, ashamed of the word she had employed, she continued more gently.
+
+"So you have been making a tour of investigation because you considered
+that I was neglecting my duty? All I can say, Aunt Patricia, is that you
+will always discover Sally Ashton flirting if there is an agreeable man
+in sight. I cannot make up my mind whether or not Sally is unconscious,
+yet flirting with her is either an instinct, an art, or both. However,
+every man who sees her immediately succumbs. But as for Peggy, Peggy is
+an absolutely trustworthy person! Did I not tell you that Peggy
+considers herself engaged to Ralph Marshall, who is in the aviation
+service in France at the present time? None of Peggy's family will
+acknowledge her engagement; we feel she is too young, yet Ralph's
+parents are old friends of my sister and brother-in-law. After a time I
+am sure you will understand the Camp Fire Girls better."
+
+There was undeniably a tone of condescension in Mrs. Burton's voice, and
+Aunt Patricia sniffed.
+
+"I understand the girls as well as I consider necessary, Polly Burton,
+and probably better than you do. I have always insisted that you have
+little knowledge of human nature. As for thinking that a girl of Peggy's
+age, with almost no experience of life, can have any idea of the
+character of man she could or should marry----"
+
+But here, realizing that Miss Patricia was mounted upon one of her
+favorite hobbies and that nothing she could say or do would stop her,
+Mrs. Burton, pretending to offer a polite attention, in reality allowed
+her mind to wander.
+
+Miss Patricia was usually antagonistic to all male persons safely past
+their babyhood. Among her friends it was an open question whether Aunt
+Patricia had been jilted at an early age, or whether she had never
+condescended to an admirer.
+
+"All men are idiots," is what she had been known to remark when hard
+pressed.
+
+Gradually Mrs. Burton allowed herself to slip back in her chair, resting
+her head more comfortably against a brown velvet cushion.
+
+It was strange that she had felt so little fear of the submarine menace
+during the present voyage, when she had expected to be fearful the
+entire way across. There were odd moments at night when one could not
+sleep, thinking of the possible, even the probable danger that might
+manifest itself at any moment. But aside from obeying the ship's rules
+with regard to life belts and lights, the keeping of one's state-room
+door unlatched, what was there to do save trust in a higher power?
+
+Actually at this moment Mrs. Burton, while presumably listening, was
+deciding that she was enjoying the very crossing to France she had so
+much dreaded.
+
+It would never do to shock Aunt Patricia, yet in a number of years she
+had not met so agreeable a man as the French senator. Moreover, she was
+entertained by the opportunity to form a new and stimulating intimacy
+with a clever woman. Mrs. Bishop, known to her public as Georgianna
+Bishop, having written several successful novels, was at present
+traveling to Europe to write of the American soldiers life in the
+trenches.
+
+In spite of the fact that Miss Patricia seemed also to regard Mrs.
+Bishop with disfavor, Mrs. Burton had invited her to spend a part of her
+time in France with them, if it could possibly be arranged.
+
+At this moment, if Miss Patricia would only stop talking, Mrs. Burton
+believed that she would like to have Mrs. Bishop sit beside her during
+the hour of afternoon tea.
+
+Tea would be served in a few moments. Perhaps, if Miss Patricia would
+decide to move, one of the Camp Fire girls would appear to act as
+messenger and find Mrs. Bishop.
+
+With this thought in mind, glancing carelessly up and down the deck,
+Mrs. Burton discovered Vera Lagerloff and Bettina Graham coming
+hurriedly toward her. What was more surprising, they were accompanied by
+the new friend with whom she had been talking a few moments before.
+
+Both girls looked so white and frightened that Mrs. Burton, making a
+hasty movement in attempting to jump up from her chair, found herself
+entangled in her steamer rug.
+
+As Monsieur Duval endeavored to extricate her, he said quietly:
+
+"I hope we have not alarmed you, but a most unfortunate accident has
+just occurred on board ship, which I hope may not develop into a
+tragedy. A young French girl, traveling with the American Red Cross
+unit, is supposed to have attempted to take her own life. I am by no
+means sure of this, she may be ill and have fainted from some cause. I
+was sent for, I presume because of my nationality, then some one
+suggested you."
+
+But before Monsieur Duval had more than finished speaking, Mrs. Burton
+was hurrying away, accompanied by Bettina and Vera.
+
+"I really do not know how to explain what has happened," Bettina
+continued. "You remember the French girl we have noticed because she
+appeared so much younger than the other members of her Red Cross unit?
+It seems that at the beginning of the war all her people were killed and
+her home in France destroyed, so that she is now entirely alone. She was
+living with friends in the United States, but suddenly decided that she
+wished to return to France. Unexpectedly she must have lost her courage.
+However, all Vera and I really know it what one of the other Red Cross
+girls told us, asking us to tell no one else."
+
+By the end of Bettina's speech, Mrs. Burton and the two girls had left
+the deck, and Vera was leading the way down one of the narrow corridors
+bordered on either side by small state-rooms.
+
+At the door of one of the rooms a woman in the uniform of a Red Cross
+nurse, after making a little motion to command silence, stepped quietly
+out.
+
+"There is nothing serious the matter, Mrs. Burton. It was hardly worth
+while to disturb you. At present the young French girl who was crossing
+with us to her former home is suffering from an attack of hysteria. As I
+have not been able to quiet her and as you are here, perhaps you will
+come and see what you can do."
+
+Then she turned to Vera and Bettina.
+
+"If there is any other story of what has occurred being told on board
+ship, will you please do your best to contradict it? A ship is a
+hopeless place for gossip. However, I am afraid Yvonne will scarcely be
+fit for the work our Red Cross unit expects to undertake. I must find
+some one to befriend the child after we reach Paris."
+
+Bettina and Vera moved away, followed by the older woman.
+
+At the same instant Mrs. Burton, entering the half open door of the
+state-room, discovered a young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with
+large brown eyes and fair hair, lying huddled on the bed. She was not
+crying, yet instantly put up her hands before her face as if to escape
+observation.
+
+Mrs. Burton sat down on the edge of the berth beside her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE CONFESSION
+
+
+"Don't talk if you prefer not; perhaps you may be able to sleep after a
+little if I sit here beside you," Mrs. Burton said gently.
+
+"But I would prefer to be alone," the young French girl answered,
+speaking English with a pretty foreign accent.
+
+Instantly Mrs. Burton rose, intending to leave the tiny state-room;
+however, having gone but a few steps she heard the he same voice plead:
+
+"No, please don't leave me. I have been watching you and your friends
+ever since our ship sailed, and as I must talk to some one, I wish it to
+be you. If you only knew how sorry I am to have created a scene and to
+have given so much trouble, when everybody has been so kind."
+
+Then the girl began to cry again, but softly as if her desire for tears
+was nearly spent.
+
+Without replying Mrs. Burton took her former position.
+
+Occasionally she had a moment of thinking that perhaps after her years
+of experience as a Camp Fire guardian she was beginning to understand
+something of the utterly unlike temperaments of varying types of girls.
+Moreover, in spite of Aunt Patricia's judgment, her work had afforded
+her unusual opportunities for the study of human nature.
+
+Now, as she sat silently watching the young French girl in her effort to
+regain her self-control, Mrs. Burton realized that hers would be no
+ordinary story. Her friend had chosen to protect her by stating that she
+was suffering from an attack of nerves, yet this instant the girl was
+making an intense effort to gain a fresh hold upon herself both mentally
+and physically.
+
+"I am sorry," she repeated a moment later, "for I realize now I should
+never have made the attempt to return home to France, although I thought
+after nearly three years in the United States surely I had the courage!
+Still, for the past few days I have been becoming more and more
+convinced that I was going to fail, that I had not the strength for the
+work ahead of me. What you were told just now, that I had merely
+fainted, was not true. I had made up my mind that since I was not going
+to be able to be of service to my country I would not add to her burden.
+I could not do that; there had to be some way out, and I _had_ to
+find the way."
+
+Sitting up, Yvonne now leaned forward, resting her small head with its
+heavy weight of fair hair upon her hands, clasped under her chin. She
+was not looking at her companion. Her eyes held an expression which
+betrays an inner vision.
+
+"I did make an effort to do what you suspect. I wonder if I was wrong?
+Certainly I was unsuccessful, since I do not even feel ill in
+consequence. I suppose I ought to explain that I had written a note to
+apologize for the mistake I had made in urging the Red Cross unit to
+bring me with them to France and to say I regretted the distress and
+trouble I must give. Then as I was carrying the letter to the room of
+the friend whom you found here with me I think I must have fainted. She
+was shocked and angry when she learned what I had attempted to do and I
+have given my word I will not try again." Yvonne was silent for a moment
+and then added with another catch in her voice: "Do you think it wicked
+of me, because I am still a little sorry I failed in what I attempted?
+But I don't think you will when I have told you my history."
+
+Under ordinary circumstances Yvonne's broken and incoherent story would
+have annoyed Mrs. Burton. She had scant sympathy and could make but
+slight excuse for the neurotic persons who have no fortitude with which
+to meet life's inevitable disasters but expend all their energy in
+compassion for themselves. Especially did she resent this characteristic
+in a young girl, having grown accustomed to the sanity and the outdoor
+spirit engendered by the Camp Fire life. Moreover, one has at present no
+time or pity save for real tragedies.
+
+Yet Yvonne's attitude had not so affected her. Instead she realized that
+the girl's suffering had been due to a vital cause and that the secret
+of her action still remained hidden.
+
+"Had you not better rest and talk to me later?" Mrs. Burton inquired. "I
+think you are very tired, more so than you realize. After a time perhaps
+you will see things more clearly. You are young, Yvonne, to believe
+there is nothing more for you in life that is worth while."
+
+"I know that would be true if these were not war times, Madame," the
+girl answered. "Will you please listen to my story now? There may be no
+opportunity at another time."
+
+Slipping out of her berth, Yvonne proffered the one small chair the
+state-room afforded to her visitor.
+
+"Won't you sit here? You may be more comfortable," she suggested.
+
+Then she found a seat for herself on the lounge which ran along one side
+of the room.
+
+By this time the little French girl was looking so completely exhausted
+that Mrs. Burton would have liked again to urge her to wait. Yet after
+all perhaps it might be a relief to have her confession over!
+
+"I was living in a château with my mother and two brothers when the war
+began," Yvonne said, going directly to the heart of her story. "After
+the news came that war was declared and the Germans had invaded our
+country, my older brother, Andre, left at once to join his regiment near
+Paris. At that time we did not dream there could be danger near our
+home, which seemed so far from the front. I do not know whether you have
+noticed my name on our passenger list, Yvonne Fleury, and our home was
+called the Château Yvonne. It is not in existence any longer. But I am
+afraid I am not telling my story clearly. Sometimes I grow confused
+trying to remember when things actually happened, as they all came
+quickly and unexpectedly. After my brother and our men servants had gone
+my mother and I tried to carry on the work at the château as well as we
+could with only the women to help. We were not rich people; my father
+had died some years before, soon after my younger brother was born. But
+we had a good deal of land and a beautiful orchard. It seems strange to
+think that even the orchard has been destroyed!"
+
+As Yvonne talked she had a little habit of frowning, almost as if she
+were doubting the truth of her own story. Nevertheless, however unique
+and impossible her story might sound to her own ears, stories like hers
+had grown only too familiar since the outbreak of the war in Europe.
+
+A moment later and she seemed confused, as if scarcely knowing how to
+take up the threads of her own history. Afterwards she tried to speak
+more slowly, her voice sounding as if she were worn out both from her
+recent suffering and from the effort to recount her own and her
+country's tragedy.
+
+"For weeks after the war started we had almost no news of any kind to
+tell us what was taking place. My brother could not send us a letter, as
+all our trains were devoted to carrying our troops. Now and then, when
+an occasional motor car passed through our village, a soldier or an
+officer would drop on the roadside an _edition speciale de la
+Presse_. Perhaps one of the old peasants, picking up the paper, would
+bring it to our château. Afterwards a number of them would gather around
+while either my mother or I read aloud the news. In those first days the
+news was nearly always sad news."
+
+Then for a little while Yvonne made no effort to continue her story and
+Mrs. Burton understood her silence.
+
+"As soon as we could, my mother and I organized a little branch of La
+Croix Rouge in our village and did what we could. We had many people to
+help and so spent most of our time making bandages from old linen. We
+were told then that the wounded might be sent back across the Marne to
+be cared for by us and that our houses must be made ready to use as
+hospitals. But the wounded were not cared for by us, not in those early
+weeks of the war. You know what took place, Madame. Our soldiers were
+defeated; it is now an old story. One night when the battle line was
+drawing closer and closer to our home we were warned to flee. But my
+mother could not, would not believe the word when it came and so we
+waited too long. We had only a farm wagon and an old horse with which to
+make our escape, our other horses and car having been requisitioned for
+the army."
+
+This time, when Yvonne hesitated, Mrs. Burton had a cowardly wish that
+she would not go on with her story, so easy it was to anticipate what
+might follow.
+
+In this moment Yvonne lived over again the night in her life she could
+never forget. Instead of the soft lapping of the waves against the sides
+of the ship, the young French girl was hearing the booming of guns, the
+shrieking of shells and the final patter of bullets like a falling rain.
+
+"I would prefer not to tell you anything more in detail, Mrs. Burton,"
+Yvonne afterwards added more calmly than one could have thought
+possible.
+
+"The night of our attempted escape we were overtaken by the enemy and my
+little brother was killed; a few days later my mother died of the shock
+and exposure. I don't know just how things happened. I remember I was
+alone one night in a woods with a battle going on all around me. Next
+morning I believe the Germans began a retreat. A French soldier found me
+and took me with him to the home of some French people. I think I must
+have been with them several weeks before I was myself again. Then I
+learned that our château had been burned and my brother reported killed.
+
+"One day an American friend, who had learned of our family tragedy, came
+to see me and decided that it would be wiser to take me home to his own
+family in the United States. I was so dazed and miserable he believed I
+would be happier there and would sooner learn to forget. Of course after
+a time I was happier, but of course one can never forget. So at last I
+persuaded my friends I must be allowed to return to my own country, that
+I must help my people who were still going through all that I had
+endured. My friends were opposed to the idea, but because I insisted, at
+last they gave their consent. Then after our boat sailed I felt I could
+not go back to France. I was afraid. I remembered the long night in the
+woods--the German soldiers----"
+
+Mrs. Burton's arms were about the girl.
+
+"Please don't talk any more of the past, Yvonne. Try to remember, my
+dear, that the enemy is no longer in the neighborhood of your old home.
+He has been driven further and further back until some day, please God,
+the last German soldier shall have disappeared forever from the sacred
+soil of France.
+
+"Sleep now, I shall sit here beside you. Later I will talk to you about
+joining my group of girls in France. You are not strong enough for the
+Red Cross work at present, but a great deal of our work will be among
+young French girls and you could be of the greatest aid to us if you
+care to help. Yet there will be time enough later to speak of our Camp
+Fire plans."
+
+However, when Yvonne had crawled back into her berth, more exhausted
+than she had realized, Mrs. Burton continued sitting beside her. Then,
+hoping the sound of her voice might be soothing and in order to help
+Yvonne to sleep and also because of the power of suggestion, she
+repeated a Camp Fire verse:
+
+    "As fagots are brought from the forest,
+      Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
+    I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters
+      Wherever, whenever I find them.
+
+    "I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree,
+      To be pure in my deepest desire;
+    To be true to the truth that is in me
+      And follow the Law of the Fire."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A FRENCH FARM HOUSE ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+
+"Is the French country more tragic or less so than you anticipated,
+Vera?" Peggy Webster inquired.
+
+She and Vera Lagerloff were walking along what must once have served as
+a road, each girl carrying a large, nearly empty basket on her arm.
+
+"Do you mean the actual country?" Vera questioned. "Then, yes,
+conditions are worse than I expected to find them, certainly in a
+neighborhood like this, where the work of restoration is only just
+beginning." She frowned, shaking her head sadly. "I could never have
+imagined God's earth could be transformed to look like a place of
+torment, and yet this countryside suggests one of the hells in Dante's
+'Inferno.' But if you mean are the French people more tragic than I
+thought to find them, then a thousand times, no! Was there ever anything
+so inspiring or so amazing as their happiness and courage in returning
+to their old homes? The fact that their homes are no longer in existence
+seems not to discourage them, now their beloved land has been restored.
+When we have been working here a longer time I hope I shall recover from
+my desire to weep each time I see an old man or woman happily engaged in
+rebuilding one of their ruined huts. It is a wonderful experience,
+Peggy, this opportunity to appreciate the spiritual bravery of the
+French people. I hope I may learn a lesson from them. I have needed just
+such a lesson since Billy's death."
+
+For a moment Peggy Webster made no reply.
+
+The entire countryside through which they were passing lay between the
+line of the German advance into France at the beginning of the war and
+the famous Hindenburg line to which the Boches were forced back. The
+Germans had so devastated the French villages and country, it was as if
+the plague of the world had swept across them. The valley had also
+suffered the bombardment of the enemy and the returning fire from their
+own guns.
+
+Yet on this winter day the sun was shining brilliantly on the uptorn
+earth, which once had been so fair, while in a bit of broken shell not
+far from the road an indomitable sparrow had builded her nest.
+
+There were no shrubs and the trees were gaunt scarred trunks, without
+branches or leaves, reminding one of an ancient gloomy picture in the
+old-time family Bible, known as "Dry Bones in the Valley."
+
+"Well, even the French country does not make me sorrowful, not just at
+present," Peggy replied. "If only the enemy can be forced further back
+next spring when the expected drive takes place, what a wonderful
+opportunity for us to be allowed to continue to help with the
+restoration of the French country. I do not believe many years will be
+required before the land will be lovely and fruitful again. But then you
+know I am a tiresome practical person. You don't suppose by any chance
+this portion of France will ever be destroyed by the enemy a second
+time? Yes, I know even such a suggestion sounds like disloyalty and I do
+not of course believe such a tragedy could occur. Just think, Vera, what
+only a handful of American women have accomplished here in the Aisne
+valley! Ten American women have had charge of the rehabilitation of
+twenty-seven villages and with the aid of the soldiers during their
+leaves of absence from the trenches have placed five thousand acres of
+land under cultivation. I hope we make a success of our work, Vera, yet
+whatever the future holds, we must stick to our posts."
+
+The two Camp Fire girls were walking ankle deep in the winter mud. Where
+the roads had been cut into furrows by the passing of heavy artillery,
+miniature streams of melted snow ran winding in and out like the
+branches of a river. Now and then a gulley across the road would be so
+deep and wide that one had to make a flying leap to cross safely.
+
+About a quarter of a mile away the Aisne watered the countryside and the
+towns. Not far off was the classic old town of Rheims with her ancient
+Cathedral already partly destroyed. Encircling the landscape was the
+crown of low hills where not for days but years the tides of battle have
+surged up and down from victory to defeat, from defeat to victory, until
+during the winter of 1917 and 1918 there was a lull in the world
+conflict.
+
+Finally the two girls came in sight of a field. Already a devoted effort
+was being made to prepare the ground for an early spring plowing. Stray
+bits of shell, the half of a battered helmet, the butt of a broken gun
+had been laid in a neat pile, the larger stones had been placed beside
+them.
+
+Standing in front of a tiny hut which evidently had been partly burned
+down, were an old man and woman busily at work trying to rebuild their
+house. A small quantity of new lumber lay on the ground beside them.
+
+"Dear me, I wish I were a carpenter, a mason, a doctor, I don't know
+what else, and a million times a millionaire, then one might really be
+useful!" Peggy exclaimed, as she and Vera stopped to gaze
+sympathetically at the old couple.
+
+The next instant their attention was also attracted by a child who was
+sitting near the pile of broken stones and shells nursing something in
+her arms. At first she did not observe the two American girls, although
+they were facing her and not many yards away.
+
+Her shock of dark hair looked as if it had been cut from her head in the
+darkness, she had large unhappy black eyes and a thin, haggard face.
+
+Finally discovering the two older girls, with an unexpected cry of
+terror, she made a flying leap toward the house, still clasping her
+broken doll, and hid herself inside.
+
+At the child's cry the man and woman also turned as if they too were
+frightened and yet unable to flee. For an instant Vera and Peggy saw in
+their faces a suggestion of what they all too recently had endured. The
+next moment the old peasants were bowing and smiling with unfailing
+politeness.
+
+"Do you think we might speak to them, Vera?" Peggy inquired. "Of course
+we do not wish to be obtrusive, but I have a few groceries which I did
+not give away in the village still remaining in my basket. It is
+possible they might find them useful. How glad I am Yvonne Fleury is
+living with us! Already she has taught me more than I could ever learn
+in any other way about the French people, their gentleness, their
+infinite industry and patience and above all their beautiful manners. I
+hope no one of them will ever feel any American tries to help in a
+spirit of patronage; as for myself, each day I pray for a fresh gift of
+tact."
+
+Vera started forward.
+
+"Come with me, Peggy, I think I can persuade the two old people to
+realize we only wish to be helpful. You see, my own people were Russian
+peasants and there ought to be a bond of sympathy between us. It is true
+the French earned their liberty over a century ago, while our liberty
+yet hangs in the balance, now that German autocracy is trying to replace
+the Russian. I believe I am a better carpenter than these old people; if
+they are friendly I intend to ask them to allow me to return to assist
+them with their work tomorrow."
+
+Afterwards for ten or fifteen minutes the two girls remained talking
+happily with their new acquaintances.
+
+Like many other Americans, both Vera and Peggy had firm faith in their
+knowledge of the French language until their arrival in France.
+Assuredly they could understand each other perfectly as well as other
+Americans and English friends who spoke French slowly and deliberately.
+But unfortunately the French folk apparently speak with greater rapidity
+than any other nation on the face of the earth and with a wealth of
+idioms and unexpected intonations, leaving the foreigner who has never
+lived in France floundering hopelessly in pursuit of their meaning.
+
+In contrast with their other new French acquaintances the two American
+girls now found the old peasant and his wife a real satisfaction. Their
+vocabularies were not large and they spoke in a halting, simple fashion
+not difficult to translate.
+
+Their story was not unlike the story of thousands of other families in
+the stricken regions of France. During the period of victory the Germans
+had been quartered in the nearby village, but as the village was not
+large and the soldiers were numerous, a few of them had been sent to
+live with the small peasant farmers not far from the town. They were
+ordered not only to live upon them, but also to secure whatever
+livestock they owned, or whatever food of value.
+
+Père and Mère Michét had possessed a daughter and a son-in-law. The son
+they thought still alive and fighting for France. Their daughter,
+Marguerite Michét, had disappeared.
+
+"La petite Marguerite, she has never been herself since her mother was
+taken," Mère Michét explained. "I tell her always _la bonne mère_
+will return, but she is afraid of strangers; you will pardon her?"
+
+When at last the girls had been permitted to leave their small offerings
+and had started toward their new home, Vera had agreed to return next
+day to render what assistance she could toward the restoration of the
+little house. Peggy was to come back in order to persuade the little
+French girl to make friends and perhaps pay them a visit at the farm.
+
+After walking on for a short added distance, both girls finally reached
+their own French farm house.
+
+It was now late afternoon and the old battered building appeared homely
+and forbidding. Once upon a time, with the French love of color, the
+farm house had been painted a bright pink, but now the color had been
+washed off, as if tears had rolled down the face of some poor old
+painted lady, smearing her faded cheeks. A fire had evidently been
+started when the Germans began their retreat, which for some freakish
+reason had died down after destroying only the rear portion of the
+building.
+
+After the arrival of the Camp Fire unit in France the entire party had
+gone straight to Paris as they planned, where their credentials had been
+presented to the proper authorities, as well as a brief outline of the
+work which they hoped to be allowed to undertake. Their idea was at once
+so simple and so practical that no objection was raised.
+
+The Camp Fire unit looked forward to establishing a community farm in
+one of the ruined districts of France. So after a short stay in Paris,
+following the advice of the American Committee, Mrs. Burton and Aunt
+Patricia set out to find a home for their unit. Later the Camp Fire
+girls joined them at the old farm house on the Aisne.
+
+Only a little time had passed, nevertheless the farm already suggested
+home.
+
+As Peggy and Vera entered the open space where a gate had once stood,
+they discovered the entire Camp Fire community outside in the yard.
+
+As usual, Aunt Patricia was giving orders to everybody in sight, while
+Mrs. Burton in her effort to be of assistance as she urged the others
+not to attempt too much, was fluttering about, as often as not in the
+way.
+
+As a matter of fact, the Camp Fire girls were paying but little
+attention either to her or to Aunt Patricia. Mary Gilchrist, a few
+moments before, having driven her motor into the farm yard, the girls
+were at present helping her to unload.
+
+After crossing to France with the Sunrise Camp Fire Unit, Mary had
+become so much one of them that she had concluded to remain with them
+for a time, certainly until she could find more useful work. Therefore
+her motor and her services were temporarily at their disposal.
+
+It is amazing what women and girls are accomplishing these days without
+masculine aid, and whether or not this is a fortunate state of affairs,
+the war has left no choice.
+
+Since they were both strong and energetic, Vera and Peggy were glad to
+have reached home at so critical a moment. However, the other girls were
+getting on quite comfortably without their aid. Bettina and Alice
+Ashton, having placed a plank at the end of the car, managed so that the
+large boxes and packing cases could slide onto the ground without being
+lifted. Nearly every box of any size bore the name of "Miss Patricia
+Lord."
+
+Finally, "Gill," for the Camp Fire girls were by this time calling Mary
+Gilchrist by her diminutive title, as she seemed to prefer it, standing
+up on the seat of her motor, began signaling for attention.
+
+"Be quiet for a moment everybody, please, and listen as diligently as
+you can. I am not a magician, nor yet a ventriloquist, yet if you will
+be perfectly silent you will think I am one or both."
+
+The next instant and Mary's audience became aware of an extraordinary
+combination of familiar noises proceeding from the depths of her motor.
+One felt like a guest at a "mad tea-party," although of a different
+nature from Alice's. The noises were a mingled collection of squawks and
+cackles and crowing, and pitched in a considerably lower key, a rich but
+unmistakable grunt.
+
+Alone Aunt Patricia appeared gratified, almost exultant.
+
+Stepping over toward the car with her long, militant stride, she gave
+her commands briefly.
+
+"Here, Vera, you have more brains than the other girls, help me to move
+these crates. Polly Burton considered it possible to run a community
+farm without a farm animal within twenty miles. But then she was not
+brought up on a small place in Ireland where we kept the pig in the
+parlor!" And here Miss Patricia's rich Irish brogue betrayed her
+cheerfulness for she only gave sway to her Irish pronunciation in
+moments of excitement.
+
+The next moment, not only with Vera's but also with Peggy's and Alice
+Ashton's aid, the four women dragged forward a large wooden box with
+open slats containing a noble collection of fowls, then another of geese
+and ducks. Finally with extreme caution they engineered the landing of a
+crate which had been the temporary home of a comfortable American hog
+and her eugenic family.
+
+"Good gracious, Aunt Patricia, how did you ever manage to acquire such
+valuable possessions?" Mrs. Burton demanded.
+
+"By ordering them shipped from my own farm in Massachusetts a month or
+more before we sailed for France and then by forwarding my address to
+the proper persons after we landed here," Miss Patricia answered calmly.
+Ignoring any further assistance, she began opening a box which was
+filled with grain.
+
+"I presume other things have arrived for me as well, Mary Gilchrist?"
+Miss Patricia questioned.
+
+Mary nodded and laughed. She looked very fetching in her motor driver's
+costume of khaki with the short skirt and trousers and the Norfolk
+jacket belted in military fashion. On her hair, which had ruddy red
+brown lights in it, she wore a small military hat deeply dented in the
+center.
+
+"Goodness gracious, Aunt Patricia, dozens of things!" she replied. "You
+must have chartered an entire steamer to bring over your gifts to the
+French nation. Best of all, there are two beautiful cows waiting for you
+in Soissons at this moment. I could not bring them in the motor, nor did
+I dare invite them to amble along behind my car. But I have arranged
+with an old man in the town to escort the cows out to our place
+tomorrow, or as soon as possible."
+
+No one did anything but stare at Miss Patricia for the next few seconds.
+
+Whether or not this condition of affairs made her unusually
+self-conscious, or whatever the reason, finally she rested from her
+labor of opening boxes to gaze first at Mrs. Burton and then slowly from
+one girl's face to the other's.
+
+"I don't mean to add to your burdens by asking any one of you to assist
+me in running my farm," she began in a tone which might have been
+considered apologetic had it emanated from any one than Aunt Patricia.
+"I intend to find an old man to help and to do the rest myself."
+
+Then a peculiar expression crossed the rugged old face.
+
+"You see, I was raised on a tiny farm in Ireland and used sometimes to
+know what it meant to be hungry until my brother came over to the United
+States and made a fortune in ways I am more or less ashamed to remember.
+I have been telling Polly Burton that I crossed over to France because I
+wished to look after her and also to help her care for you girls. But
+that was not the whole truth. I think I came largely because I could not
+sleep in my bed of nights knowing how many old people and babies there
+were in this devil-ridden portion of France who were hungry. Oh, there
+are many people as well as the governments interested in keeping the
+soldiers well fed! Maybe it's a crime these days for the old and for
+babies to require food! Yet they do need it. So if you don't mind,
+Polly, I want the people in our neighborhood to feel that they can come
+to our farm for milk and eggs, or whatever we have to give them. I left
+word with the manager of my farm near Boston to ship livestock to me in
+France whenever the chance offers. I am hoping after a little, when
+these old people get back on their farms that we may be able to give
+each family sufficient stock to keep them going until their young men
+and women return home. But remember, I don't wish to interfere with what
+you children are doing, nursing the sick and opening schools and
+starting play centers. Heaven only knows what you are not undertaking!
+As I said before, I'll just look after my farm."
+
+Here Miss Patricia attempted to return to her usual belligerent manner,
+but found it difficult because Mrs. Burton had placed her arm about her.
+Try as Aunt Patricia might to conceal her adoration of Mrs. Burton, it
+was nearly always an impossible feat.
+
+Besides Mrs. Burton was exclaiming with a little catch in her voice:
+
+"You dear, splendid, old Irish gentlewoman! Is there anybody in the
+world in the least like you? Of course you were right when you announced
+that I never would think of the really practical things we should
+require for our work over here. But, although I spent as much money as I
+could possibly afford, I have realized every day since our arrival, that
+if I had expended every cent I ever hope to possess, it would have
+amounted to nothing. Yet I never once thought of the shipping of stock
+for the little farms in our neighborhood, Aunt Patricia. I am sure you
+will make life more worth while for every man and woman in this part of
+the French country before many months."
+
+Instead of appearing gratified by these compliments, Miss Patricia was
+heard to murmur something or other about Polly Burton's fashion of
+exaggeration. Then, perhaps partly to conceal embarrassment, she began
+tearing the slats from the side of one of her crates. Afterwards,
+driving her travel-worn flock of chickens toward the chicken house,
+which she herself had made ready, and shooing them with her black skirt,
+Miss Patricia temporarily disappeared.
+
+Through tears Mrs. Burton laughed at the picture.
+
+Vera followed Miss Patricia, whom she had learned to like and admire
+since the afternoon of their extraordinary introduction.
+
+"I hope to be allowed to help with the farm work, Aunt Patricia," she
+urged. "You know I too was brought up on Mr. Webster's farm in New
+Hampshire, besides, all my people in Russia were peasant farmers."
+
+Miss Patricia did not cease for an instant to continue to care for her
+brood. However, she did answer with unusual condescension:
+
+"You are a sensible girl, Vera. I observed the fact on the afternoon I
+met you in New York City when you made no effort to argue with me in
+connection with the escape of that ridiculous burglar."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BECOMING ADJUSTED
+
+
+It was not a simple matter for the Sunrise Camp Fire unit to become
+accustomed to their new life in the devastated French country. The
+conditions were primitive and difficult. More than once in the first few
+weeks Mrs. Burton wondered if in bringing the Camp Fire girls with her
+to work in France hers had not been the courage of folly?
+
+Tet they started out with excellent military discipline. Life at the
+farm house was modeled upon the precepts of the "Waacs," the Womans'
+Army Auxiliary Corps of the British army in France. These girls, many
+thousands in number, are performing every possible service behind the
+British armies in the field.
+
+Unexpectedly it was Sally Ashton who first demanded that a proper
+routine of life and work be laid down and obeyed. Also the household
+work must be equitably divided, each girl choosing her portion according
+to her tastes and talents.
+
+Each day's calendar, written by Mrs. Burton upon her typewriter, was
+hung in a conspicuous place in the front hall at the French farm.
+
+The domestic schedule read:
+
+    "Breakfast 8 o'clock, bedrooms cleaned immediately after.
+    Dinner 1 P. M.
+    Supper 6.30 P. M.
+    No work after 8.30 P. M.
+    Bedtime 10 o'clock."
+
+In the proper observance of the hours for meals Sally Ashton was
+particularly interested, as she had volunteered to undertake the
+direction of the housekeeping, which consisted of deciding upon the menu
+of the simple meals and assisting in their preparation. It was not
+possible that Sally alone should do all the cooking for so large a
+family without wearing herself out and leaving no time for other things.
+
+However, soon after their arrival Mrs. Burton had secured the services
+of an old French woman whom she had discovered wandering about the
+country homeless, her little hut having been entirely destroyed by the
+Germans. Not knowing what else to do, Mrs. Burton originally invited her
+to live with them at the farm temporarily. But she had proved such a
+help in getting settled and the girls had become so fond of her that no
+one of them willingly would have allowed Mère Antoinette to depart.
+
+After the wonderful fashion of French cooks, Mère Antoinette could make
+nourishing and savory dishes out of almost nothing, so she and Sally had
+principal charge of the kitchen. Notwithstanding, two of the Camp Fire
+Girls were to prepare supper each evening, so that they should not
+forget their accomplishments and in order to relieve the others.
+
+Marie, Mrs. Burton's maid, had accompanied her to France, although none
+too willingly. It was not that she did not adore her afflicted country,
+but because she feared the dangers of the crossing and the hardships she
+might be forced to endure.
+
+Marie, alas! was a patriot of a kind each country produces, a patriot of
+the lips, not of the heart or hand.
+
+It must be confessed that she had wandered far from her chosen work as
+maid to a celebrated American actress. Would any one have dreamed in
+those early days when Marie had first entered her service that Mrs.
+Burton would have followed so eccentric a career as she had wilfully
+chosen in the past few years? First to wander about the United States,
+living outdoors in Camp Fire fashion with a group of young girls, then
+with the same group of girls and two additional ones to undertake the
+present reclamation work in France!
+
+Having accomplished the journey across the sea in safety, Marie would
+cheerfully, yes, enthusiastically have remained in Paris, even if it
+were a Paris unlike the gay city she remembered. She would have enjoyed
+accompanying her "Madame" to the homes of distinguished persons, caring
+in the meantime for her wardrobe and urging her to return to her
+rightful place upon the stage. But since Mrs. Burton for the present
+would do none of these things and since Marie had refused positively to
+be separated, once more she had to make the best of a bad bargain.
+
+So voluntarily Marie offered to take charge of the greater part of the
+housework and to devote the rest of her time to sewing for the French
+children in their vicinity, whose clothes were nothing but an odd
+assortment of rags.
+
+Marie had her consolations. It was good to be out of a country which
+produced men of the type of Mr. Jefferson Simpson, who having
+_once_ proposed marriage and been declined, had not the courtesy to
+renew his suit. Also it was good to speak one's own tongue again, and
+although at present there were but few men to be seen in the
+neighborhood under sixty, there were military hospitals in the nearby
+villages. Moreover, there was always the prospect of the return of some
+gallant French _poilu_ for his holiday from the trenches. So Marie
+was unable to feel entirely wretched even while undergoing the hardships
+of an existence within a half-demolished farm house on the Aisne.
+
+As a matter of fact, the old farm house was not in so unfortunate a
+condition as the larger number of French homes, which had been wrecked
+by the enemy before he began his "strategic retreat."
+
+Only a portion of the left wing of the house had been demolished.
+
+This had comprised a large kitchen, a pantry and the dining room.
+However, a sufficiently large amount of space remained for the uses of
+the Camp Fire unit.
+
+In the center the house was divided by a long hall. On one side were two
+comfortably large rooms. The back one was chosen for the dining room and
+the front for the living room. The pantry was restored so that it could
+serve for the kitchen; as the old stove had been destroyed, a new one
+was ordered from Paris. This developed into a piece of good fortune, as
+it required far less fuel than the old, and fuel was one of the greatest
+material problems in France, coal selling at this time for $120 a ton.
+
+A single long room occupied the other side of the hall; this room had a
+high old-fashioned ceiling and was paneled in old French oak as
+beautiful as if it had adorned a French palace.
+
+Mère Antoinette explained that the farm house had been the property of
+Madame de Mauprais, a wealthy French woman who had lived in the château
+not far away. It had been occupied by her son, who had chosen to
+experiment in scientific farming for the benefit of the small peasant
+farmers in the neighborhood.
+
+The war had banished Monsieur de Mauprais and whatever family he may
+have possessed, so that Mrs. Burton had been able to rent his farm for a
+small sum through an agent who lived in the nearest village.
+
+It is possible that the farm house had been spared in a measure by the
+German soldiers because of their greater pleasure in the destruction of
+the old château which was only about half a mile away. At the present
+time the château appeared only as a mass of fallen stone.
+
+This single spacious room the Camp Fire girls chose for their school
+room for the French children in the neighborhood.
+
+The better furniture of the farmhouse had been hacked into bits of wood
+by the German soldiers and was fit only for burning. The simple things
+had not been so destroyed. Fortunately their camping life out of doors
+had accustomed this particular group of American girls to exercising
+ingenuity, so that the problem of furnishing and making attractive their
+school room with so little to go upon rather added to their interest.
+
+Two long planks raised upon clothes-horses discovered in the barn formed
+a serviceable table. Stools and odd chairs were brought down from the
+attic. On the floor were two Indian rugs Mrs. Burton had induced the
+Indian woman near the Painted Desert in Arizona to weave for her with
+the special Camp Fire design, the wood-gatherer's, the fire-maker's and
+the torch-bearer's insignia, inserted in the chosen shades of brown,
+flame color, yellow and white.
+
+On the walls hung a few Camp Fire panels and the coverings of sofa
+cushions and some outdoor photographs of the Sunrise Camp during former
+camping experiences which the girls had brought over with them.
+
+Besides these larger articles, they had managed to store away in their
+trunks the materials necessary for the regulation Camp Fire work, honor
+beads and the jewelry indicating the various orders in the Camp Fire. If
+they were to interest French girls in the movement, they must have the
+required paraphernalia.
+
+But the school at the farm house was not primarily a place where the
+French girls of the neighborhood were only to be interested in Camp Fire
+ideas. It was also a practical school.
+
+During the past year Marta Clark had been studying kindergarten.
+
+She, with Yvonne to help her, had charge of the tiny French children
+whom they were able to persuade to come daily to the big farm house.
+They were such starved, pathetic children, some of them almost babies!
+Yet they had been through so much suffering, their eyes had looked upon
+such hideous sights, that many of them were either nervous wrecks or
+else stupefied.
+
+Surely there could be no better service to France than this effort to
+bring back to her children a measure of their natural happiness!
+
+Yvonne and Marta devised wonderful games in one end of the big school
+room. At midday Vera and Peggy always appeared with a special luncheon
+for their small guests and for the older ones as well. Bettina Graham
+and Alice Ashton took charge of the older pupils, and in teaching it
+appeared that Alice at last had found her metier.
+
+Vera and Peggy also worked at the farming out of doors.
+
+More important than any other of Miss Patricia Lord's gifts to the
+community farm and the surrounding country was a motor tractor, which
+one day had rolled unconcernedly into the farm house yard, an ugly
+giant, proving of as much future value to the poor farmers in the
+neighborhood as any good giant of the ancient fairy tales.
+
+Fortunately Mary Gilchrist was able to explain its use to the French
+peasants who had never seen the like before, and to show them how
+speedily their devastated land might again be turned into plowed fields.
+
+Vera and Peggy made frequent trips to the nearby villages, gaining the
+friendship of the country people, inviting the younger ones to their
+farm and helping in whatever ways they could. Now and then Sally Ashton
+went with them and sometimes Sally played with the smallest of the
+children, but nearly always her interests were domestic.
+
+In contrast, Mary Gilchrist never remained in the house an hour if it
+were possible to be away. Besides engineering the tractor and being a
+general express delivery for the entire neighborhood, she had formed the
+habit of motoring into Soissons, which was one of the large towns
+nearby, and offering her services and the use of her car to the
+hospitals. Occasionally she spent days at a time driving invalided
+soldiers either from one hospital to another, or else in taking them out
+on drives for the fresh air and entertainment.
+
+It would therefore appear as if each member of the Sunrise Camp Fire
+unit had arranged her life with the idea of being useful in the highest
+degree, except the Camp Fire guardian.
+
+As a matter of fact, Mrs. Burton often used to say that she found no
+especial reason for her presence at the farm now that Aunt Patricia had
+become the really important and authoritative guardian. Nevertheless,
+with that rare quality of personality which as a girl Polly O'Neill had
+infused into every interest of her life, there was nothing which took
+place at the farm or in the neighboring country which she did not in a
+measure inspire.
+
+Once their household had been adjusted, it was true Mrs. Burton did not
+do a great deal of the actual work. Instead, and oftentimes alone, she
+wandered from one end of the French countryside to the other,
+occasionally returning so late to the farm that Aunt Patricia would be
+found waiting for her at the front door in a state of fear and
+indignation.
+
+Nevertheless the country people began to watch and wait for her coming.
+
+After a time she brought newspapers with her. Then they began to gather
+together in one of the larger huts to listen while she read aloud the
+war news, with not always a perfectly correct French accent, and yet one
+they could understand.
+
+When they were weary of the reading she used to talk, speaking always of
+the day when France would be free and the invader driven beyond her
+boundaries, never to return. And among her audience were a few of the
+old peasants who could recall the Franco-Prussian war.
+
+How amazingly these talks cheered the old men and women! Actually the
+daily round of toil once more became worth while, so near seemed the
+return of Victor and Hugo and Etienne. They would be happy to find the
+little homes restored and the fields green that had been drenched in
+blood.
+
+Occasionally Mrs. Burton made her audience laugh until the tears ran
+down their wrinkled faces with funny stories of the trenches, of their
+own _poilus_, and the British Tommies and the new American Sammees.
+
+Never had the great actress used her talent to a better purpose.
+
+At least it gained for her from these simple and almost heart broken
+peasants the eternal tribute of laughter and tears.
+
+Her greatest triumph was when Grand'mère, one of the oldest women in the
+little village of M--, was at last persuaded to pour forth her story.
+
+In more than three years she had not spoken except to answer "Yes" or
+"No," or now and then to make known her simple needs, not since the
+Germans carried off her granddaughter, Elsie. Elsie was the acknowledged
+beauty and belle of the countryside and engaged to marry Captain
+François Dupis, who was fighting with his regiment at Verdun.
+
+Mrs. Burton had gotten into the habit of stopping at Grand'mère's tiny
+hut, which her neighbors had restored. At first she brought the old
+woman little gifts of food in which she seemed not to take the least
+interest. Now and then she talked to her, although the old woman seldom
+replied except to nod her head with grave courtesy.
+
+Then one day without any warning as Mrs. Burton was standing near,
+Grand'mère drew her new friend down into her lap and poured out her
+heart-broken story. It left the younger woman ill and shaken.
+
+Afterwards returning late to the farm alone and entirely unafraid, so
+completely had the country people become her friend, Mrs. Burton
+wondered what had given the French nation its present faith and courage.
+Nothing approaching it has the world ever before witnessed! Then she
+recalled that having paid so dearly for their freedom in those mad days
+of the revolution, the French people would never again relinquish the
+supreme gift of human liberty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE OLD CHÂTEAU
+
+
+One afternoon the French farm house was deserted except for Sally
+Ashton, Mère 'Toinette and Miss Patricia.
+
+As a matter of fact, Miss Patricia was not in the house, but in the farm
+yard which was separated from the house by a newly planted kitchen
+garden. It was here that she spent the greater part of her time working
+far more diligently than if she had been engaged for a few dollars a
+week. Yet in Massachusetts Miss Patricia Lord's three-hundred-acre farm
+was one of the prides of the state. In ordinary times she was accustomed
+to employing from twenty-five to fifty men, although always Miss
+Patricia acted as her own overseer.
+
+As she had announced, for the present she had managed to secure the
+services of an old French peasant, nearer seventy years of age than
+sixty, to act as her assistant. But Jean was possessed of a
+determination of character only equaled by Miss Patricia's. Not a word
+of any language did he know except French, while Miss Patricia's French
+was one of the mysteries past finding out. Also Jean was nearly stone
+deaf. This misfortune really served as an advantage in his relation with
+Miss Patricia, as he never did anything at the time or in the way she
+ordered him to do it, there was consolation in the thought that he had
+not understood the order. Jean had his own ideas with regard to farming
+matters and an experience which had lasted through more than half a
+century.
+
+Therefore with the assistance of Peggy and Vera the outdoor work on the
+Sunrise Camp Fire farm was progressing with surprising success. The
+supply of livestock had been increased by a second shipment from the
+United States. This shipment Miss Patricia had divided with her French
+neighbors.
+
+Beside old Jean there was at this time another rebel in Miss Patricia's
+camp, Sally Ashton. The other girls were frequently annoyed by the old
+lady, nevertheless, appreciating her gallant qualities and for the sake
+of their Camp Fire guardian, they usually agreed to her demands when it
+was impossible to evade them. But Sally was not fond of doing
+_anything_ she was told to do. Not that Sally was disagreeable, and
+it was not in her nature to argue, she simply ignored either suggestions
+or commands, always pursuing her own sweet way.
+
+This afternoon, for example, several of the girls had invited her to
+walk with them to one of the French villages. Once a week they
+distributed loaves of bread and a few grocery supplies to the neediest
+of the peasants, those who had been unable to rebuild their huts or find
+regular occupation. Sally had declined with entire frankness. She had
+done her duty by making the bread for the others to give away and more
+successfully than any one of the girls could have made it. She disliked
+long, fatiguing walks.
+
+Mrs. Burton had gone off alone on one of her dramatic pilgrimages.
+
+Mary Gilchrist had again motored into Soissons and Sally would have
+enjoyed accompanying her. To have driven about through the French
+country with convalescent soldiers would have been extremely
+entertaining. But Mary had not asked her, preferring to take Yvonne,
+whom the American girls all appeared to adore.
+
+So in consequence Sally was vexed and a little jealous.
+
+Observing the others depart and that apparently Sally had nothing of
+importance to occupy her, Miss Patricia had ordered her to come out into
+the yard and help with the young chickens. They seemed to be afflicted
+with some uncomfortable moulting disease.
+
+To this invitation Sally had made no reply. She especially disliked
+foolish, feathery outdoor things and had no intention of sacrificing her
+well-earned leisure. The school had a semi-weekly half holiday and for
+once the house was quiet.
+
+Yet after a little more than an hour of leisure, Sally found herself
+bored. Many times of late she had missed her old friendship with Gerry
+Williams, since this was her first Camp Fire experience without Gerry,
+who had married Felipe Morris the summer before in California.
+
+At least Gerry occasionally had been frivolous! Certainly these were war
+times and yet could one be serious forever and ever, without an
+intermission? The other Camp Fire girls now and then got upon Sally's
+nerves.
+
+As she was seldom warm enough these days, covered with her steamer
+blanket Sally had been curled up on the bed in her room which she shared
+with her sister. First she had taken a short nap and then attempted to
+read a French novel which she had discovered in the attic of the farm.
+The French puzzled her and it was tiresome to have to consult a
+dictionary. So Sally lay still for a few moments listening to Mère
+'Toinette singing the Marseillaise in a cracked old voice as she went
+about her work downstairs.
+
+Finally, stretching in a characteristically indolent fashion, Sally rose
+and walked over to a window. She could only see through one small
+opening. All the glass in the countryside had been smashed by the
+terrific bombardments, and as there was no glass to be had for restoring
+the windows, glazed paper had been pasted over the frames. The one small
+aperture had been left for observation of climate and scenery.
+
+Even without her birdseye view, Sally was conscious that the sun was
+shining brilliantly. A long streak had shone through the glazed paper
+and lay across her bed.
+
+She decided that she might enjoy a short walk. She really had forgotten
+Mrs. Burton's suggestion that no one of the girls leave the farm alone
+and had no thought of deliberately breaking an unwritten law.
+
+Mère 'Toinette and Sally had become devoted friends and also there was
+an unspoken bond of sympathy between her and Jean, expressed only by the
+way in which the old man looked at her and in certain dry chucklings in
+his throat and shakings of his head.
+
+As Sally was about to leave the front door suddenly Mère 'Toinette
+appeared, to present her with a little package of freshly baked fruit
+muffins. Sally's appetite in war times, when everybody was compelled to
+live upon such short rations, was a standing household joke and one
+which she deeply resented. Mère 'Toinette resented the point of view
+equally, preferring Sally to any one of the other girls, and also it was
+her idea that the good things of this world are created only for the
+young. There was no measure to her own self-sacrifice.
+
+A few yards beyond the house Sally discovered old Jean, who was
+doubtless coming to find her, as he bore in his hand a French
+fleur-de-lis, the national wild flower, which he had found growing in a
+field as hardy and unconquerable as the French spirit.
+
+Sally accepted his offering with the smile of gratitude which seemed
+always a sufficient reward for her many masculine admirers.
+
+With Mère 'Toinette's gift in her Camp Fire knapsack and with Jean's
+flower thrust into her belt, Sally then made a fresh start. She had not
+thought of going far, as the roads and fields were in too disagreeable a
+condition.
+
+Pausing about an eighth of a mile from the farm house, she considered
+whether after all it were worth while to remain out of doors. Even if
+the afternoon were enchanting, walking through the heavy upturned soil
+was unpleasant.
+
+Then by accident Sally chanced to observe the ruins of the old French
+château shining under the rays of the winter sun.
+
+It was not far away and suddenly she made up her mind to go upon an
+exploring tour. Half a dozen times in the past few weeks the Camp Fire
+girls had discussed paying a visit to the château to see what
+interesting discoveries they might unearth among the ruins. But no one
+of them had so far had the opportunity.
+
+Ordinarily Sally Ashton was the least experimental of the entire group
+of girls. Instinctively, as a type of the feminine, home-staying woman,
+she disliked the many adventurous members of her own sisterhood. With
+not a great deal of imagination, Sally's views of romance were practical
+and matter of fact. Young men fell in love with one and she had no idea
+of how many lovers one might have and no thought of limiting the number
+so far as she was personally concerned. Then among the number one
+selected the man who would make the most comfortable and agreeable
+husband, married him, had children and was happy ever afterwards. So you
+see, a romance which might bring sorrow as well as happiness had no
+place in Sally Ashton's practical scheme of life.
+
+Therefore the fates must have driven her to the old French château on
+this winter afternoon.
+
+The walk itself occupied about half an hour. Around the château in times
+past there had been a moat. For their own convenience the German troops
+quartered at the old place had left the bridge over the moat
+undisturbed, else Sally would never have hazarded a dangerous crossing.
+
+The house had been built of gray stone and it was difficult to imagine
+how the enemy had managed so completely to reduce it to ruins. An
+explosion of dynamite must have been employed, for the château appeared
+to have fallen as if it had been destroyed by an earthquake. Certain
+portions of the outer walls remained standing, but the towers in the
+center had caved in upon the interior of the house.
+
+[Illustration: The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier.]
+
+As Sally drew near she felt a little desolate and yet she was not
+frightened, although a proverbial coward.
+
+The place appeared too abandoned to fear that any living thing could be
+in its vicinity. It was only that one felt the pity of the destruction
+of this ancient and beautiful home.
+
+The waste and confusion of war troubled Sally as it does all women. So
+hard it is to see why destruction is necessary to the growth and
+development of human history!
+
+Wondering what had become of the French family who formerly had lived in
+the château before the outbreak of the war, Sally walked up closer to
+the ruins. From a space between two walls, forming an insecure arch, a
+bird darted out into the daylight. Not ordinarily influenced by the
+beauties of nature or by unexpected expressions of her moods,
+nevertheless Sally uttered a cry of enchantment.
+
+Between the walls she had spied the ruins of an old French drawing room.
+The bird must have flown through the opening into the room and then
+quickly out again into the sunshine.
+
+A little table remained standing with an open book upon it, laid face
+down. There was a rug on the floor, now thick with mould, and yet it was
+a rare Aubusson rug with sturdy cupids trailing flowery vines across its
+surface. There were pieces of broken furniture and bric-a-brac strewn
+over the floor.
+
+Sally must have continued staring inside the room for several moments
+before she slowly became aware that there was a human figure seated in a
+chair in the shadow near one of the half fallen walls.
+
+The figure was that of a young soldier. He was asleep when Sally
+discovered him and incredibly dirty. His hair was long and matted,
+hanging thick over his forehead. One arm was wrapped in a soiled
+bandage.
+
+Yet Sally did not feel frightened, only faint and ill for an instant
+from pity.
+
+Coming to their farm house after a few days in Paris, Sally had seen
+trains filled with wounded soldiers. In Paris she also had noticed
+blinded and invalided men being led along the streets by their families
+or friends, yet never so piteous a figure as this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A MYSTERY
+
+
+Sally's little cry of astonishment must have awakened the soldier.
+
+The terror on his face when he first beheld her took away any thought of
+fear from the girl. Besides it was all too strange! Why should he, a
+soldier, be afraid, and of her? And why should he be in hiding in this
+queer tumble-down old place? For he _was_ in hiding, there was no
+doubt of this from his furtive manner.
+
+Some instinct in Sally, or perhaps the fact that she had seen so much
+hunger since her arrival in this portion of France, made her immediately
+take out her little package of bread which Mère 'Toinette had given her
+and thrust it forward.
+
+She was standing framed in the arch made by the two fallen walls, not
+having moved since the moment of her amazing discovery.
+
+The soldier's hunger was greater than his fear, for he almost snatched
+the food from Sally's hands and, as he ate it she could not bear
+watching him. There is something dreadful in the sight of a human being
+ravenously hungry.
+
+Afterwards, when he did not speak, Sally found herself making the first
+remarks, and unconsciously and stupidly, not realizing what she was
+doing at the moment, she spoke in English.
+
+The next instant, to her surprise, the soldier replied in the same
+tongue, although it seemed to Sally that he spoke with a foreign accent,
+what the accent was she did not know. Sally had not a great deal of
+experience, neither was she particularly clever.
+
+"What are you doing here?" is what she naturally inquired.
+
+The soldier hesitated and placed his hand to his forehead, looking at
+the girl dazedly.
+
+"Why am I hiding here?" he repeated. Then almost childishly he went on:
+"I am hiding, hiding because no one must find me, else I would be shot
+at once. I don't know how long I have been here alone. I am very cold."
+
+"But I don't understand your reason," Sally argued. "Why don't you find
+some one to take care of you? You cannot be living here; besides you
+could not have been here long without food or water or you would have
+died."
+
+"But I have had a little food and water," the soldier replied. "I found
+a few cans of food in a closet and there is water in one of the rooms."
+
+His voice had a complaining note which was an expression of suffering if
+one had understood. Then his face was feverish and wretched.
+
+"But you don't look as if you had used much water," Sally remarked in
+her usual matter-of-fact fashion. She had a way of pursuing her own
+first idea without being influenced by other considerations.
+
+"It is hard work when one's arm is like this," the soldier returned
+fretfully.
+
+Again Sally surveyed the soiled bandage with disfavor. Apparently it had
+not been changed in many days, since it was encrusted with dirt and
+blood and having slipped had been pulled awkwardly back into place.
+
+Temprementally, Sally Ashton hated the sight of blood and suffering. In
+the years of the Camp Fire training she had been obliged to study first
+aid, but she had left the practical application to the other girls. Her
+own tastes were domestic and she therefore had devoted her time to
+domestic affairs.
+
+Now something must be done for the soldier whose presence in the old
+château and whose behavior were equally puzzling, and as there was no
+one else, Sally had no idea of shirking the immediate task. In her Camp
+Fire kit she always carried first aid supplies.
+
+"If you will go to the room where you found the water and wash your arm
+as thoroughly as you can I will put on a fresh bandage for you," she
+offered. "Don't argue and don't be long, for something simply has to be
+done for you, you are in such a dreadful condition."
+
+Even in the midst of feeling a little like Florence Nightingale, Sally
+preserved a due amount of caution. She had no idea of wandering about a
+tumble-down château with a strange soldier. In reality she was not so
+much afraid of him as of the house itself. She had the impression that
+the walls were ready to topple down and bury her.
+
+When the soldier did not move, Sally beckoned him imperiously toward the
+open arch where she had remained standing just outside the walls.
+
+"You are to come here, while I take off the old bandage. No one will see
+you and I am afraid to enter so dangerous a place."
+
+The man obeyed, and Sally cut away the soiled linen, trying not to get
+too distinct an impression of the wound underneath. Yet what she saw
+alarmed her sufficiently, for she knew enough to realize that the wound
+required more scientific treatment than she felt able to give. "Now go
+and wash your arm," she directed, and without a word he went off.
+
+During the ten minutes her self-imposed patient remained away, Sally
+seriously considered his puzzling situation and determined upon the
+advice she would offer.
+
+In the first place, so far he had given her no explanation for his
+conduct.
+
+Why was he in concealment? The possibility that the soldier might have
+committed a wrong which made it incumbent that he hide from justice did
+not occur to Sally. She simply determined that they would discuss the
+subject to some satisfactory end on his return.
+
+The young man did look much better, having made an effort to cleanse his
+face as well as his wound, but as Sally took hold of his hand before
+beginning her task, she was startled to discover that he was suffering
+from a fever through neglect of his injury. This made her the more
+determined. Although appreciating her own inefficiency and disliking the
+work, there was nothing to be done at present but to go ahead with her
+own simple first-aid treatment. She had a bottle of antiseptic and clean
+surgical gauze.
+
+As she wound the bandage, wishing she had taken the trouble to learn the
+art more skilfully, Sally announced:
+
+"You must see a physician about your arm as soon as possible. You never
+have explained to me why you are hiding here. But in any case you cannot
+remain when you are ill and hungry and cold and require a great deal of
+attention. You must go into one of the villages to a hospital. While you
+were away I have been thinking what to do. You look to me too ill to
+walk very far and, as I am living not more than half a mile away, I will
+go back to our farm and tell my friends about you. Later I think I can
+arrange to come back for you in a motor and then we will drive you to
+one of the hospitals. I don't know as much about the French hospitals as
+my friends do, but of course everybody is anxious to do whatever is
+possible for the Allied soldiers."
+
+Sally placed a certain amount of stress on the expression "Allied
+soldiers," but never for an instant believing in the possibility that
+her patient could belong to an enemy nationality.
+
+"If you tell anyone you have discovered me here in hiding, it will be
+the last of me," the soldier declared.
+
+By this time Sally was beginning to be troubled. Why did the young man
+look and speak so strangely? He seemed confused and worried and either
+unable to explain his actions, or else unwilling. Yet somehow one had
+the impression that he was a gentleman and there need be no fear of any
+lack of personal courtesy.
+
+It was possible from his appearance to believe that he might be
+suffering from a mental breakdown. Sally recalled that many of the
+soldiers were affected in this way from shell shock or the long strain
+of battle.
+
+"I suppose I must tell you something. In any case, I have to trust my
+fate in your hands and I know there is not one person in a thousand who
+would spare me. I was a prisoner and escaped from my captors. I don't
+know how I discovered this old house. I don't know how long I have been
+wandering about the country before I came here, only that I hid myself
+in the daytime and stumbled around seeking a place of refuge at night.
+If you report me I suppose I will not be allowed even a soldier's death.
+I shall probably be hung."
+
+Suddenly the soldier laughed, such an unhappy, curious laugh that Sally
+had but one desire and that was to escape from the château and her
+strange companion at once and forever. Yet in spite of his vague and
+uncertain expression, the soldier's eyes were dark and fine and his
+features well cut. He was merely thin and haggard and dirty from his
+recent experiences.
+
+From his uniform it was impossible to guess anything; at least, it was
+impossible for Sally, who had but scant information with regard to
+military accoutrements.
+
+But even in the face of his confession she was not considering the
+soldier's nationality. He looked so miserable and ill, so like a sick
+boy, that the maternal spirit which was really strongly rooted in Sally
+Ashton's nature awakened. He could scarcely stand as he talked to her.
+
+"Please sit down. I don't know what you are to do," she remonstrated. "I
+don't know _why_ you ran away or from whom, but no fate could be
+much worse than starving to death here in this old place alone. Yet
+certainly I don't want to give you up to--to anybody," she concluded
+lamely, as a matter of fact not knowing to whom one should report a
+runaway soldier.
+
+This was a different Sally Ashton from the girl her family and friends
+ordinarily knew. The evanescent dimple had disappeared entirely and also
+the indolent expression in her golden brown eyes. She was frowning and
+her lips were closed in a firmer line.
+
+At her suggestion the soldier had returned to the chair which he had
+been occupying at the moment of her intrusion. But Sally saw that
+although he was seated he was swaying a little and that again he had put
+up his uninjured arm to his head.
+
+"Perhaps I can get away from here, if you will help me. I have escaped
+being caught so far. I only ask you to bring me a little food. Tomorrow
+I shall be stronger."
+
+Unconsciously Sally sighed. What fate had ever driven her forth into
+this undesired adventure?
+
+She did not like to aid a runaway prisoner, nor did she wish him to meet
+the disagreeable end he had suggested through any act of hers.
+
+Any other one of the Camp Fire girls, Sally believed, would have given
+the soldier a lecture on the high ideals of patriotism, or of meeting
+with proper fortitude whatever fate might overtake him. At least he
+would have been required to divulge his nationality, and if he were an
+enemy, of course there could be no hesitation in delivering him to
+justice.
+
+However, Sally only found herself answering:
+
+"Yes, I suppose I can manage to bring you something to eat once more.
+But I cannot say when I can get here without anyone's knowing, so you
+must stay where you can hear when I call. Afterwards you must promise me
+to go away. I don't know what I ought to do about you."
+
+Sally had gone a few yards from the château when she glanced back an
+instant toward the old stone ruins. The atmosphere of the afternoon had
+changed, the sun was no longer shining and the château lay deep in
+shadow.
+
+A cold wind was blowing across the desolate fields. Sally was not
+ordinarily impressionable, yet at this moment she felt a curious sense
+of foreboding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BREAKERS AHEAD
+
+
+A little tired and also because her attention was occupied with her
+recent experience, Sally did not choose her way over the rough
+countryside so carefully and therefore managed to take a much longer
+time for her return to the farm.
+
+Now that the sun had disappeared, the countryside seemed to have grown
+depressingly desolate. In the gray afternoon light the blackened tree
+trunks which had been partly burned were stark and ugly.
+
+Under ordinary circumstances Sally was particularly susceptible to
+physical discomfort, yet this afternoon she was too concerned over her
+problem to be more than vaguely disturbed by her surroundings.
+
+One thought continually assailed her. Would it be possible to appear
+among the other girls looking and behaving as if nothing unusual had
+occurred? For Sally had an honest and profound conviction that she had
+no talent for deception. How could she realize that she belonged to the
+type of women with whom dissimulation is a fine art once the exigencies
+of a situation required it? She had come to one definite conclusion, she
+would not betray the presence of the runaway soldier in the château for
+at least another twenty-four hours. She would take him food the next day
+and he might have the opportunity to attempt an escape. In all
+probability he would soon be captured and punished, and this was
+doubtless the fate he deserved; nevertheless Sally was glad that, in a
+cowardly fashion, she would not be directly responsible.
+
+She looked forward to the evening and the next day with no joy, bitterly
+regretting that she had not spent her leisure hours in resting and
+reading as she had at first intended. Surely repose and a contented
+spirit were more to be desired than unexpected adventures!
+
+Weary and dispirited, Sally finally arrived at home, only to be met in
+the front hall by Miss Patricia, who at once showed signs of an
+approaching storm.
+
+As a matter of fact, she was excessively annoyed over a piece of
+information she had just received, so it was unfortunate that Sally
+should return at a moment when she must bear the brunt of it.
+
+Moving a little listlessly up the broad uncarpeted stairs toward the
+bedroom she shared with her sister, the girl scarcely noticed the older
+woman's presence. She was hoping that Alice had not yet returned and
+that she might have a few moments to herself.
+
+Miss Patricia opened the attack with her usual vigor.
+
+"What do you mean, Sally, by going off this afternoon, knowing that I
+particularly needed your help? You must understand that it is highly
+improper for a young girl to tramp about over this French country alone.
+Even if Polly Burton has permitted you Camp Fire girls the most
+extraordinary amount of freedom, she surely has realized this and warned
+you against such indiscretion. There is no way of guessing into what
+difficulty you may have already managed to entangle yourself!"
+
+Sally felt herself flushing until her clear skin was suffused with
+glowing color.
+
+"I am sorry, Miss Patricia," she said, "but remember that I am not a
+child and cannot have you speak to me as if I were a disobedient one. I
+have been for a walk and----"
+
+But fortunately Sally was not required to complete her sentence.
+Suddenly Mrs. Burton had appeared out of her bedroom and began to hurry
+downstairs.
+
+"Sally!" she called with a suggestion of appeal in her voice. "The
+excitement over your disappearance is my fault, so please don't you and
+Aunt Patricia quarrel. A little while ago when I returned home and Mère
+'Toinette told me that you had gone out alone and she did not know in
+what direction, why, I became uneasy. You will not again, will you?
+Really I am afraid it is not safe for you children, although with me of
+course the case is different. Aunt Patricia is not disposed to think so,
+forgetting my advanced age. Still, Sally, no matter how enthusiastic we
+may feel over our work here in the shell-torn area of France, we must
+remember these are war times when one never knows what may happen next.
+Besides, the French do not always understand our American ideas of
+liberty for young girls."
+
+By this time having reached the foot of the stairs, Mrs. Burton slipped
+her hand inside Sally's, glancing back with a slightly amused and
+slightly apologetic expression toward Miss Patricia.
+
+"Really, Aunt Patricia, I do regret your being so annoyed, yet you must
+not take my news too seriously. Our guests are sure not to remain with
+us long."
+
+To the latter part of her Camp Fire guardian's remark Sally Ashton paid
+not the slightest heed, so concerned was she with the first part of her
+speech.
+
+Why of all times should this question of her personal liberty come up
+for discussion _this_ afternoon? Of her own free choice Sally felt
+convinced that she would never willingly go out alone. Nevertheless, how
+was she to keep her word to the young soldier unless she returned next
+day to the château? with the food she had promised him and without
+confiding the fact to any one else? Oh, why had she allowed herself to
+be drawn into this reckless promise? At this moment if she could only
+slip into her Camp Fire guardian's room and ask her advice! Miss
+Patricia would insist that if the soldier were a deserter he straightway
+should be brought to justice. But Sally understood her Camp Fire
+guardian well enough to appreciate that, once hearing the soldier in
+hiding was ill and wounded, she would be as reluctant as Sally herself
+to follow her manifest duty.
+
+Confidence on this particular subject was for the present out of the
+question, and as soon as she conveniently could Sally disappeared inside
+her own room. Later, when the other girls had returned, weary from their
+long errand of mercy in the next village and yet immensely interested in
+their experience, Sally pretended to have a slight headache.
+
+During supper she scarcely listened to the ever steady stream of
+conversation which flowed unceasingly each evening. In the daytime the
+American newcomers to the old French farm on the Aisne were too much
+engaged to allow opportunity for conversation. After supper they
+gathered in their improvised sitting-room to talk until their early
+bedtime.
+
+The sitting-room was oddly furnished with whatever furniture could be
+rescued after the commandeering of the more valuable possessions by the
+Germans.
+
+In the attic a few broken chairs stored away for years had been brought
+down and repaired. These were beautiful pieces of furniture in
+conspicuous contrast to the couches and stools which originally had
+arrived at the farm as large wooden boxes containing provisions.
+
+With old Jean's assistance, Peggy and Vera had developed unexpected
+talents as carpenters.
+
+Moreover, whatever her faults, Miss Patricia Lord was an unfailing
+source of supply. During her brief stay in Paris, without mentioning the
+fact to any one else, she had purchased thirty yards of old blue and
+rose cretonne, perhaps with the knowledge that beauty even of the
+simplest kind helps one to happiness and accomplishment.
+
+Therefore the two couches in the sitting-room were covered with the
+cretonne, and half a dozen box chairs; and there were cretonne valances
+at the windows.
+
+Save a single old lamp which had been left in the sitting-room, it had
+no other ornaments.
+
+The lamp was of bronze and bore the figure of a genie holding the stand,
+so that obviously it had been christened "Aladdin's lamp." It was
+supposed to gratify whatever wish one expressed, but the Camp Fire girls
+were too busy with the interests of other people at present to spend
+much time in considering their personal desires.
+
+There was one other object of interest in the room, a large photograph
+of the ruined Rheims Cathedral, which Mrs. Burton had bought in the
+neighborhood of Rheims not long before. The classic French city was not
+many miles from the present home of the group of American girls.
+
+As beautiful almost in destruction as it had been in its former glory,
+the photograph stood as a symbol of the imperishable beauty of French
+art. Also it represented another symbol. Here on the white wooden mantel
+of the French farm house "on the field of honor" it called to the
+American people to continue their work for the relief and the
+restoration of France.
+
+Tonight as she lay resting upon one of the couches, dressed in a simple
+dinner dress of some soft violet material, Mrs. Burton had glanced
+several times toward the photograph.
+
+As a tribute to her headache and a general disinclination to associate
+with her companions, Sally had been permitted to occupy the other couch
+which stood on the opposite side of the room.
+
+In their one large chair, close to the table with the lamp, Aunt
+Patricia sat knitting with her usual vigor and determination. Aside from
+Sally, the Camp Fire girls were grouped about near her.
+
+After having been quiet for the past half hour, Mrs. Burton suddenly
+asked: "Would any of you care to hear a poem concerning the destruction
+of the Cathedral at Rheims, written by a Kentucky woman? A friend sent
+it to me and it was so exquisite I have lately memorized it. In the last
+few moments while I have been looking at our photograph I have repeated
+the lines to myself. I wonder if it would interest you?"
+
+The girls replied in a chorus of acquiescence, but Mrs. Burton did not
+venture to begin until she also had received a nod of agreement from
+Aunt Patricia. Between the older and younger woman there was a bond of
+strong affection. Nevertheless, mingled with Mrs. Burton's love and
+respect, there was also a certain humorous appreciation.
+
+Since their arrival in France the Camp Fire girls had been compelled to
+spend their evenings in doors. This was unlike their former custom.
+
+Recently, when they had grown weary of talking, perhaps for only a half
+hour before bedtime, some one of them had fallen into the habit of
+reading aloud to the others.
+
+Apart from the pleasure, Mrs. Burton regarded this as useful education.
+
+Not a great many newspapers and magazines reached the old farm house in
+comparison with other days at camp; nevertheless they arrived in
+sufficient number both from the United States and Paris to keep one
+fairly in touch with world movements. The reading of the French papers
+and magazines was of course especially good practice.
+
+Yet, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Burton could seldom be persuaded to be
+anything save a listener. After reading or talking the greater part of
+the day to her new French friends, she was apt to be worn out by
+evening.
+
+Tonight she began to speak in a low voice as if she were tired, yet as
+her little audience was so near it did not matter and her voice never
+failed in its beautiful quality.
+
+                          "Rheims
+
+    "It was a people's church--stout, plain folk they,
+    Wanting their own cathedral, not the king's
+    Nor prelate's, nor great noble's. On the walls,
+    On porch and arch and doorway--see, the saints
+    Have the plain people's faces. That sweet Virgin
+    Was young Marie, who lived around the corner,
+    And whom the sculptor knew. From time to time
+    He saw her at her work, or with her babe,
+    So gay, so dainty, smiling at the child.
+    That sturdy Peter--Peter of the keys--
+    He was old Jean, the Breton fisherman,
+    Who, somehow, made his way here from the coast
+    And lived here many years, yet kept withal
+    The look of the great sea and his great nets.
+    And John there, the beloved, was Etienne,
+    And good St. James was François--brothers they,
+    And had a small, clean bakeshop, where they sold
+    Bread, cakes and little pies. Well, so it went!
+    These were not Italy's saints, nor yet the gods,
+    Majestic, calm, unmoved, of ancient Greece.
+    No, they were only townsfolk, common people,
+    And graced a common church--that stood and stood
+    Through war and fire and pestilence, through ravage
+    Of time and kings and conquerors, till at last
+    The century dawned which promised common men
+    The things they long had hoped for!
+                        O the time
+    Showed a fair face, was daughter of great Demos,
+    Flamboyant, bore a light, laughed loud and free,
+    And feared not any man--until--until--
+    There sprang a mailed figure from a throne,
+    Gorgeous, imperial, glowing--a monstrosity
+    Magnificent as death and as death terrible.
+    It walked these aisles and saw the humble ones,
+    Peter the fisherman, James and John, the shopkeepers,
+    And Mary, sweet, gay, innocent and poor.
+    Loud did it laugh and long. 'These peaceful folk!
+    What place have they in my great armed world?'
+    Then with its thunderbolts of fire it drove
+    These saints from out their places--breaking roof,
+    Wall, window, portal--and the great grave arch
+    Smoked with the awful funeral smoke of doom.
+
+    "Thus died they and their church--but from the wreck
+    Of fire and smoke and broken wood and stone
+    There rose a figure greater far than they--
+    Their Lord, who dwells within no house of hands;
+    Whose beauty hath no need of any form!
+    Out from the fire He passed, and round Him went
+    Marie and Jean and Etienne and Francois,
+    And they went singing, singing, through their France--
+    And Italy--and England--and the world!"
+
+When Mrs. Burton began her recitation she sat up on the edge of her
+couch and leaning forward kept her eyes fastened sometimes on the floor,
+sometimes on the picture of the great cathedral. Now and then her gaze
+quickly swept the faces of her audience.
+
+She was wondering if the poem had bored any one of them. It was a long
+poem and perhaps its spiritual meaning would not be altogether plain.
+
+However, as the poem reached its conclusion, and her voice with its
+dramatic power and sweetness made the picture of the peasant people and
+their peasant church a visible and compelling thing, she no longer felt
+fearful.
+
+The faces of the girls before her were fine and serious; Bettina and
+Marta, who cared more for poetry and art than the others, had flushed
+and their eyes were filled with tears.
+
+As Mrs. Burton finished, it was as if one could actually hear the new
+spirit of brotherhood which Christ preached two thousand years ago,
+"singing, singing, through the world."
+
+Yet in the silence which was a fitting tribute to the poem, suddenly the
+entire audience broke into a ripple of laughter. From the far side of
+the room a gentle snore had been Sally Ashton's sole expression of
+appreciation.
+
+Following the sound of the laughter, Sally sat up and began blinking her
+soft golden brown eyes, looking for all the world like a sleepy kitten.
+
+"I think you had far better give yourself up to justice and have someone
+take care of you properly," she announced in a far-away voice. This was
+the conclusion which Sally had just reached at the end of her
+half-sleeping and half-waking dream of her runaway soldier.
+
+She did not know that she was to make such an extraordinary remark
+aloud, but fortunately no one had the faintest knowledge of her meaning.
+
+Indeed, no one really heard her, as the girls were too amused over
+Sally's characteristic habit of falling asleep on occasions when
+conversation or entertainment bored her.
+
+Immediately after the laughter, Sally, not understanding its cause,
+nevertheless arose and began her journey to bed. She was annoyed but not
+seriously, since in waking she had reached the conclusion she desired.
+In the morning at dawn, before the other members of her household were
+awake, she would make a second trip to the château.
+
+She would carry provisions to the soldier and then advise him to leave
+the neighborhood immediately. Unless he departed of his own free will,
+taking his chances as he must, she then would be compelled to tell that
+he was in hiding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE RETURN
+
+
+Before daylight Sally rose softly and began to dress, feeling extremely
+irritated. She disliked getting up in the mornings and this scheme of
+arising early was so annoying that it had kept her awake the greater
+part of the night.
+
+Besides she had but little hope of not arousing Alice. Once as she was
+searching quietly on the floor for her shoes, Alice sat up, asking
+severely:
+
+"What on earth are you doing, Sally Ashton? If you are not ill, come on
+back to bed. If you are ill, come back in any case and let me get
+whatever it is you desire."
+
+Sally murmured something vague and indeterminate about endeavoring to
+discover a lost pillow and Alice fell comfortably asleep again, nor did
+she awaken when Sally at last slipped out of the room and down stairs.
+
+In case any one else heard her or called, she had made up her mind to
+explain that she was seeing about some preparation for breakfast. As
+"housekeeper extraordinary" this statement _might_ be believed,
+even if it were unlike her to start her ministrations so early.
+
+But no one was disturbed and Sally got her little bundle of provisions
+together quickly, since she knew just where the supplies of food were
+kept. They had not a great deal, considering the demands that were
+constantly being made upon them by the people in the neighborhood who
+were less well off, so Sally felt that she had not the right to be
+over-generous, and made her selections with due discretion.
+
+It was more than ever her determination to demand that the soldier leave
+the château at once this morning, if he could be induced to see the
+wisdom of such a proceeding, but if not by nightfall.
+
+Also Sally had made up her mind to ask no questions. If the soldier were
+arrested later she wished to know as little as possible concerning him.
+
+He had spoken of being captured and of running away from his captors.
+This suggested that he was a German or an Austrian who had been taken
+prisoner and was trying to effect an escape. If this were true Sally
+felt a fierce condemnation of her own cowardly attitude. But was it not
+remotely possible that the soldier had committed some offense and had
+then run away from his own regiment? However, this point of view was but
+little in his favor. As he spoke English with an accent and as foreign
+accents were all of an equal mystification to Sally, it was possible
+that she need never know his origin.
+
+Outdoors and slipping through the garden, to Sally's surprise and
+consternation she nearly ran into old Jean, who appeared to have been up
+all night caring for his stock.
+
+He looked like a gnome with his wrinkled skin, his little eyes, his
+muddy gray hair and even his clothes almost of a color with the earth.
+
+He was carrying a lantern, but instead of speaking beckoned mysteriously
+to Sally to follow him out to Miss Patricia's barn, where a half dozen
+cows were now installed.
+
+Not knowing what else to do, Sally stood by until she found herself
+presented with a small pail of milk, and still with no comments, for
+immediately after Jean went on with his morning's work.
+
+She did not waste time, however, in puzzling over the old servant man.
+
+After drinking a small quantity of the milk, not wishing to throw the
+rest away or to return to the house, Sally concluded to take it with her
+as a part of her offering. Yet she had no real desire to give
+refreshment to her accidental acquaintance.
+
+Some curious feminine force must have moved Sally Ashton on this
+occasion. Most women find it difficult to allow a human being to endure
+physical suffering, once the person is delivered into their care.
+
+As she made her way to the château for the second time Sally loathed the
+cold dark morning and there was no beauty nor significance to her in the
+gray leaden sky which lay like a mourning veil over the sad French
+landscape.
+
+Sally considered that she was engaged in an almost unjustifiable action.
+Yet she could not make up her mind to leave the soldier to starve, or to
+betray his presence in the château.
+
+Moreover, Sally was haunted by a small nervous fear, which may have been
+out of place in the face of the larger issues which were involved. As
+the soldier in hiding had no reason to believe she would arrive so early
+in the morning, he might still be asleep. Sally disliked the idea that
+thus she might be called upon to awaken him. The conventions of life
+were dear to her, she had a real appreciation of their value and place
+in social life and no desire to break with any one of them.
+
+The food could be left in the dismantled old drawing-room, under its
+arch of leaning walls, but Sally wished to leave a command as well as
+the food. After this one unhappy pilgrimage she would do nothing more
+for the soldier's safety and comfort. He must take his chances and slip
+away.
+
+The entire neighborhood was disturbingly quiet. An owl of late habits
+would have been almost companionable. Upon one point Sally considered
+herself inflexible. She would not enter the château; she might call
+softly from the outside if it were necessary. If no one replied she
+would return to the farm and nevermore would the château be honored by
+her presence.
+
+In an entirely different state of mind she approached the old house on
+this second occasion and made her way to the opening between the walls.
+
+Inside there seemed an even more uncanny silence. Yet how could one call
+to an utter stranger whose name, whose identity, whose nationality were
+all unknown?
+
+"Halloo!" Sally cried in a faint voice, not once but three or four
+times.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+She called again. Then she entered the drawing-room quickly with no
+other idea than to put down her offerings and flee away as soon as
+possible. Sally was possessed of the impression that, however long the
+wrecked walls might remain in position while she was outside them, once
+inside she would be buried beneath a descending mass.
+
+A few feet within the arch she discovered her soldier.
+
+He had made for himself a bed out of an old mattress which he had
+dragged from some other room, using a torn covering which once had been
+a beautiful eiderdown quilt. As he had no pillow and his face was
+completely uncovered, Sally realized he was in a stupor and so ill that
+he had not heard her approach or her repeated calls.
+
+Fortunately Sally Ashton was essentially practical.
+
+Moreover, in an extraordinary fashion for so young and presumably
+selfish a girl she immediately forgot herself. She was living in an
+atmosphere of unselfishness and devotion to others, so the thought that
+the object of her present care was not a worthy object did not at the
+moment influence her.
+
+In a matter-of-fact and skillful fashion Sally first poured a small
+amount of milk inside her patient's parted lips. Except that the soldier
+became half aroused by her act and seemed to wish more, there was no
+difficulty. Then unwrapping the arm which she had bandaged the day
+before, she cleansed the wound a second time with the antiseptic she had
+brought for the purpose.
+
+Afterwards, realizing that she must find the water she had been told was
+still to be had in one of the rooms of the château, without considering
+her previous fears, Sally climbed and crawled through one dangerous
+opening after the other, in spite of her awkwardness in any unaccustomed
+physical exertion. Finally she discovered the water. Then in a half
+broken pitcher, secured in passing through one of the wrecked bedrooms,
+she carried a small amount to the drawing-room.
+
+Without hesitation or embarrassment the girl bathed her undesired
+patient's face and hands. He had fine, strong features; there was
+nothing in the face to suggest weakness or cowardice. Still it remained
+impossible to decide his nationality or whether he was an officer or
+merely a common soldier, since his outfit was a patchwork of oddly
+assorted garments.
+
+Sally's acquaintance with uniforms was limited. She knew that the French
+wore the horizon blue and the British and Americans a nearly similar
+shade of khaki.
+
+Her patient's outfit was like no other she had seen.
+
+Yet over these minor details she did not trouble. In spite of her lack
+of experience, Sally was convinced that the soldier was now suffering
+from blood poison due to neglect of his wound and the unhealthy and
+unsanitary conditions in which he had been living.
+
+The day before she had thought he looked and acted strangely and had
+half an idea that he may have been partly delirious then, so she was not
+altogether surprised by the present situation.
+
+During her journey across the fields daylight had come; because she
+would not otherwise have been able to accomplish her present task even
+so inadequately as she had accomplished it, Sally was pleased.
+
+Yet when the moment arrived and she had done all she could for the
+soldier's comfort she had to face her real difficulty.
+
+There is no mistake in this world more serious than to judge other
+people's problems in the light in which they appear to us. The problem
+which is nothing to one human being appears insurmountable to another.
+
+So with Sally Ashton's present difficulty.
+
+She had made up her mind to tell the soldier that unless he left the
+château before the following day she would be compelled to tell her
+friends of his hiding place and ask advice. But she had meant to warn
+him of her intention and allow him to take his chances if he preferred.
+
+Now he appeared defenceless and entirely at her mercy.
+
+Should she betray him at once? Certainly there was a possibility that he
+would die of neglect if left alone at the château. But then he must have
+faced this possibility and deliberately chosen it.
+
+Sally wondered what would become of an escaped prisoner if he were
+discovered to be desperately ill? It did not seem possible that the
+military authorities would be so severe as he had anticipated.
+
+Yet she knew very little of the ways of military authorities, and an
+escaped prisoner would scarcely be an object of devoted attention.
+
+Although not aware of the fact, already Sally had assumed a protective
+attitude toward the soldier.
+
+One thing she might do and that was to wait another twenty-four hours.
+It was barely possible that he might not be so ill as she now believed.
+
+At present she must not remain a moment longer at the château. Instead
+she must run back across the fields, since it was her plan to reach the
+farm house and be discovered in the act of assisting Mère 'Toinette in
+the preparation of breakfast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+OTHER DAYS AND OTHER WAYS
+
+
+Under the new conditions of life in the devastated country of France, it
+has been difficult to set down the effect which the change of
+environment, the change of interest and of inspiration had upon each
+individual member of the Sunrise Camp Fire unit.
+
+Certainly their present daily life bore but a faint resemblance to their
+former outdoor summer encampments in various picturesque places in the
+United States. Nevertheless the Camp Fire girls always had considered
+that they were doing useful work merely by following the rules of their
+camp fire and by gaining the honors necessary to the growth of their
+organization and their own official rank.
+
+Now they realized that all their efforts had been but a preparation for
+the service they were at present undertaking. There was no detail of
+their past experience which was not of service, their Health Craft, Camp
+Craft, Home Craft, Business and Patriotism. Why, their very watch cry,
+"Wohelo"--work, health and love--embodied the three gifts they were
+trying to restore to the poverty-stricken French people in this
+particular neighborhood upon "the field of honor!"
+
+On this afternoon, in spite of the cold, the girls had arranged to hold
+their first out-of-doors Camp Fire meeting since their arrival in
+France.
+
+For weeks they had been working among the young French girls in the
+villages and the country near at hand, persuading them to spend whatever
+leisure they had in studying the Camp Fire ideas and activities.
+
+Bettina Graham and Alice Ashton had introduced as much Camp Fire study
+as possible into the regular routine of the school which they held daily
+in the big schoolroom at the farm. Even with the younger children there
+were like suggestions of play and of service which Marta Clark and
+Yvonne were able to give.
+
+But until this afternoon there had been no actual organization of the
+first group of Camp Fire girls in France. Strange that with Camp Fires
+in England, Australia, Africa, Japan, China and other foreign places,
+there should have been none in France! But Yvonne Fleury could have
+explained that, unlike American girls, French girls were not accustomed
+to intimate association with one another, their lives up to the time of
+their marriage being spent in seclusion among the members of their own
+family.
+
+Indeed, upon this same afternoon Yvonne was thinking of this as she
+dressed slowly before going outdoors to join the other girls. The house
+was empty save that Mère 'Toinette was working downstairs.
+
+Marta Clark and Peggy had been kind enough to make her a simple Camp
+Fire costume, the khaki skirt and blouse, which formed their ordinary
+service costume. Notwithstanding she had been studying the Camp Fire
+manual and trying to acquire the necessary honors, this was the first
+time Yvonne had worn the costume.
+
+How utterly unlike anything she had ever dreamed were these past weeks
+in her life! From the moment of her confession of weakness and the
+telling of her story to Mrs. Burton, Yvonne had deliberately chosen to
+remain with her rather than continue with the canteen work which she had
+originally planned to do in returning to her own country.
+
+For one reason she had fallen under the spell of Mrs. Burton's sympathy
+and charm; moreover, the girls in the Camp Fire work were nearer her own
+age and were to undertake a character of occupation in which she felt
+herself able to be useful. They were also going to live in the
+neighborhood of her old home before the outbreak of the war.
+
+As a matter of fact, although Yvonne had preferred not to confide the
+information to any one except Mrs. Burton, she was at present not fifty
+miles from the château in France where she had lived until the night
+word came that she and her family must fly before the oncoming horde of
+the enemy.
+
+Well, more than three years had passed since that night, three years
+which sometimes seemed an eternity to Yvonne. She had no wish to revisit
+the ruins of her old home, no wish to be reminded of it. There was no
+one left for whom she cared except perhaps a few neighbors.
+
+However, in the last few weeks Yvonne ordinarily did not permit herself
+to become depressed. This much she felt she owed to Mrs. Burton's
+kindness and to the comradeship which had been so generously given to
+her by the Camp Fire girls. Yvonne felt a particular affection for each
+one of them. She could not of course feel equally attracted. So far she
+cared most for Peggy Webster and for Mary Gilchrist, possibly attracted
+toward Mary because she also was an outsider like herself. Then Mary's
+boyish attitude toward life, her utter freedom even from the knowledge
+of the conventions in which Yvonne had been so carefully reared, at
+first startled, then amused the young French girl. But for Peggy
+Webster, Yvonne had a peculiar feeling of love and admiration. This may
+have been partly due to the fact that Peggy was Mrs. Burton's niece and
+so shared in the glamor of the great lady's personality, but it was more
+a tribute to Peggy's own character.
+
+After Yvonne's pathetic account of her history, Mrs. Burton had told at
+least a measure of her story to Peggy. She had asked Peggy to invoke the
+compassion and aid of the other girls and to do what she could for
+Yvonne herself.
+
+To Peggy's strength, to the freedom and the courage of her outlook upon
+life, Yvonne's tragic story had appealed strongly, but more Yvonne's
+timidity. Often the young French girl appeared unwilling to go on with
+the daily struggle of life when everything for which she had ever cared
+had been taken from her.
+
+Among the American Camp Fire girls there was only one girl for whom
+Yvonne felt a sensation of distrust which almost amounted to a dislike,
+and this was Sally Ashton. Nevertheless, in the early days of their
+acquaintance, Yvonne had not this point of view. Then she had admired
+Sally's prettiness, the gold brown of her hair and eyes, her white skin
+and even her indolent manners and graces. Yet recently Yvonne had become
+aware of a circumstance, or rather of a series of circumstances, which
+had first surprised, then puzzled and finally repelled her.
+
+In a few moments Yvonne left the farm house. If she were late at their
+first outdoor camp fire she realized she would have no difficulty in
+discovering the site they had selected, although it was at some distance
+away.
+
+Some time had passed since the arrival of the Camp Fire party in this
+neighborhood of France and now even in the winter fields there was a
+suggestion of approaching spring.
+
+As Yvonne walked on she felt an unselfish joy, a greater lightness of
+heart. Surely the spring would bring back some of her lost happiness to
+France. There would be another great drive, another tragic contest of
+strength, but the British and French lines would hold.
+
+Yvonne had the great faith and courage of her people, now she had
+learned to lay aside her personal sorrow.
+
+In a few more weeks Miss Patricia's American tractor, which was indeed a
+"strange god in a machine," would be able to turn these fields into
+plowed land ready for the spring planting.
+
+But now in a meadow, while still some distance away, Yvonne beheld an
+American, a French and a British flag set up on temporary staffs, and
+blending their colors and designs in a symbolic fashion as they floated
+in the wind.
+
+Yvonne paused for a moment to watch the group of her acquaintances and
+friends.
+
+Standing apart from the girls were Miss Patricia Lord, Mrs. Burton, and
+the two visitors who had arrived only a few days before. They were the
+guests whose approaching visit to the farm house Miss Patricia had so
+openly deplored, one of them Mrs. Bishop and the other Monsieur Duval,
+both of them ship acquaintances. Mrs. Bishop was in France to represent
+an American magazine and was at present intending to write a series of
+articles on the reclamation work along the Aisne and the Marne.
+
+Monsieur Duval had given no explanation for his appearance save to
+announce that he had some especial work on hand for his government in
+the southern districts of France.
+
+In spite of the fact that fuel was of such tremendous value in France at
+the present time, the Camp Fire girls had permitted themselves the
+extravagance of a fire to inaugurate their first outdoor Camp Fire
+ceremony. The boxes in which Miss Patricia's various purchases had come
+to the farm had proved useful for more than one service.
+
+In a circle near the camp fire were eight young French girls who this
+afternoon were to receive the wood-gatherers' rings. Just beyond them
+the American girls were seated.
+
+Peggy had been chosen to present the rings.
+
+Possibly they were waiting for Yvonne's arrival, for no sooner had she
+slipped silently into her place than Peggy Webster arose and recited the
+Wood-gatherer's Desire.
+
+    "As fagots are brought from the forest,
+      Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
+    I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters
+      Wherever, whenever I find them.
+
+    "I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree,
+      To be pure in my deepest desire;
+    To be true to the truth that is in me
+      And follow the Law of the Fire."
+
+Then she offered each one of the French girls a silver ring. When she
+came to Yvonne, clasping the Fire Maker's bracelet about her wrist, she
+whispered:
+
+"We feel, Yvonne, that you have a right to a higher order in our new
+Camp Fire group than the other members because of the help you have
+given us in whatever work we have attempted since our arrival in France.
+In fact, you are the leading French Camp Fire girl!"
+
+A moment later, in answer to a signal, Mrs. Burton walked over and stood
+just beyond the two circles of girls and the camp fire and close to the
+Allied flags.
+
+"There is not much I feel able to say to you," she began, speaking in a
+simple and friendly fashion. "I think perhaps you are already beginning
+to understand how intensely the people of the United States desire to
+render to France a part of the debt we owe her. It is France who has
+saved our liberty and the liberty of the entire world.
+
+"Now I hope that the first group of Camp Fire girls in France will later
+carry the flaming torch until the news of the Camp Fire movement has
+spread through all the French land. In the Camp Fire life we look for
+the romance, the beauty and the adventure which may be hidden in the
+smallest task. More important than these things I hope Camp Fire girls
+the world over may become a part of the new spirit everywhere growing up
+among women, the spirit of union, the ability to work and play together
+as men have in the past. For once all girls and women are united, there
+will be a new league for peace among the nations such as this world has
+never known."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A DEPARTURE AND AN ARRIVAL
+
+
+One evening two days later a little after the hour for bedtime at the
+farm, Mrs. Burton knocked softly at Miss Patricia's door.
+
+Miss Patricia quickly opened it.
+
+"You are ill, Polly Burton. Well, it is just what I have been expecting
+ever since the arrival of that strange man and woman. It seems to me
+that we had quite enough to do without entertaining guests. Besides, it
+strikes me as pure waste of energy, this riding about through the
+country with strangers when you should be at some _real_ work."
+
+During her speech Miss Patricia had drawn the younger woman into her
+room, closed the door behind her and was now gazing at her severely but
+it must be confessed solicitously as well.
+
+"But I am not ill, Aunt Patricia," Mrs. Burton protested as soon as she
+was allowed an opportunity to speak. "I only came in to have a talk with
+you about something important."
+
+Aunt Patricia's bedroom was large and empty, for there was more space at
+the old farm house than furniture. A great old-fashioned French bed had
+been spared from the general wreckage and upon this Mrs. Burton seated
+herself, drawing her feet up under her and her lavender dressing gown
+about her, since with so little heat in the house the bedrooms were
+uncomfortably cold.
+
+There was but one solitary stiff-backed chair, in which Miss Patricia
+sat perfectly erect.
+
+"Why not come here and sit beside me? There is plenty of room, and you
+will be more comfortable," Mrs. Burton urged.
+
+Aunt Patricia shook her head.
+
+"I am quite comfortable where I am. Moreover, Polly Burton, if I am an
+old woman and you no longer a young one, at the same time I am aware
+that you have every idea of trying to persuade me to some point of view
+of which you do not think I will approve. I have seen your methods
+before this evening. Thank you, I shall remain where I am."
+
+Mrs. Burton laughed.
+
+Aunt Patricia did look so uncompromising in a hideous smoke-gray
+dressing gown made without any attempt at decorations. Her small knot of
+hair was screwed into a tight coil at the back of her head.
+
+Mrs. Burton's own hair had kept its beautiful dusky quality, it had the
+dark sheen of the hair of the mythical Irish fairies, for only in
+Anglo-Saxon countries are fairies of necessity fair. Tonight Mrs.
+Burton's hair was unbound and hung about her shoulders as if she were a
+girl.
+
+Fearing that Miss Patricia might regard her frivolous appearance with
+disfavor, she now began braiding it into one heavy braid.
+
+"What ever it is you desire to say, I do wish you would begin, Polly, so
+that we both can go to bed," the elderly spinster remarked.
+
+Mrs. Burton shook her head. "You are not in a good humor, are you, Aunt
+Patricia? But at least there is one thing you will be glad to hear: our
+guests, Monsieur Duval and Mrs. Bishop, are leaving our farm the day
+after tomorrow."
+
+"A good riddance," Miss Patricia answered sharply.
+
+Then observing that her companion had flushed and undoubtedly was
+annoyed by her plain speaking, Aunt Patricia's manner became slightly
+mollified.
+
+"It is not that I have anything personal against your friends, Polly. I
+must say they have both endeavored to be very agreeable since their
+arrival and to give as little trouble as possible. But I told you on
+board ship I did not like the attitude of that Frenchman toward you. It
+was no surprise to me when he discovered he had important business in
+this part of France. Of course it should not be necessary for me to
+remind you that you are a married woman, with your unfortunate husband
+serving his country in France many miles from here and also that you are
+chaperoning a group of young girls. I suppose you will simply tell me
+that I do not understand French manners, but that is neither here nor
+there, Polly Burton. Your Frenchman is polite to your friend, Mrs.
+Bishop, I must confess he is also courteous to me; but I am obliged to
+repeat that his manner neither to Mrs. Bishop nor to me is in the least
+like his manner to you."
+
+"Aunt Patricia, you are so ridiculous! Still I don't feel like laughing
+this time; you really are making me angry," Mrs. Burton answered.
+
+"I have made a great many persons angry in my life, Polly. I cannot even
+flatter myself that this is the first time I have offended you. However,
+I feel compelled to speak the truth." Miss Patricia's tone remained
+imperturbable.
+
+"But that is just the trouble, Aunt Patricia, you are not speaking the
+truth, although of course I know you don't realize it and I beg your
+pardon," Mrs. Burton argued. "But why do you allow yourself to acquire
+such prejudices and such foolish impressions? I simply refuse to discuss
+the suggestion you have just made. Please never speak of it to me
+again."
+
+Ordinarily when the celebrated Mrs. Burton assumed an air of offended
+dignity such as she wore at present her world was apt to sue for pardon.
+Miss Patricia revealed no such intention. As a matter of fact, as she
+remained resolutely silent and as Mrs. Burton had not yet explained the
+reason for her visit, it was she who had to resume the conversation in a
+conciliatory manner.
+
+"I presume you won't approve then, Aunt Patricia, of what I wish to
+speak to you. Monsieur Duval has been ordered to southern France on some
+work for his government and has asked Mrs. Bishop and me to accompany
+him, because it is work in which he thinks we may be useful. You know
+the Germans have been sending back some of the French refugees whom they
+drove before them in their retreat. There are groups of five hundred at
+a time who now and then are sent over the border either from Germany or
+Switzerland. They are penniless and not only have no money or food or
+clothes; they do not know whether their families are living or dead and
+in any case have no way to reach them. The French government is to try
+to arrange some plan by which homes may be secured for these unfortunate
+people until they can communicate with their relatives or friends."
+
+"An excellent idea, but I do not exactly see your connection with it,"
+Miss Patricia returned.
+
+Mrs. Burton shrugged her shoulders impatiently. In all her life she
+never remembered any one who had opposed her desires in exactly the same
+fashion Miss Patricia did. Then, a little ashamed of herself, she
+answered gently but firmly:
+
+"My connection is that I am interested and that Mrs. Bishop and I have
+both decided to accompany Monsieur Duval. It is barely possible that we
+may be useful and able to offer a certain amount of advice. So many of
+the refugees are young women who have suffered impossible things and may
+require special care and shelter. Besides, I am very deeply anxious to
+see more of the country. We expect to travel south in the sector the
+Germans held three years ago. I will thus be able to find out how much
+restoration work has already been accomplished and how great a task
+remains. Moreover, Aunt Patricia dear, I have a personal errand. Surely
+you will think this important.
+
+"You remember my talking to you of the old peasant whose granddaughter,
+Elsie, had been driven into exile. Except to me the old woman has never
+spoken of her loss. Now there is a possibility that Elsie has been sent
+back into France and I have promised Grand'mère to search for her.
+
+"Moreover, Aunt Patricia, each village in the devastated districts has
+been ordered to prepare a list of names of the missing who disappeared
+at the time of the German retreat. These lists are to be turned over to
+Monsieur Duval. A committee is to be appointed near the frontier to take
+charge of the lists and see that the refugees get in touch with their
+own people as soon as possible. Don't you think this a wonderful
+scheme?"
+
+As Mrs. Burton unfolded the plan which had been carefully worked out
+with a great deal of foresight and care, in her enthusiasm she forgot
+Miss Patricia's chilling attitude. She had spent many hours during the
+brief visit at the farm of Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval in the outline
+she had just explained.
+
+Aunt Patricia continued to look unimpressed and uninspired.
+
+"I told you before, Polly, that I had no idea of criticizing Monsieur
+Duval's efforts in behalf of his government. I know the situation you
+speak of is extremely deplorable. Still I fail to see any reason for
+your assistance. There is sufficient work for you in this immediate
+neighborhood. However, I presume you have definitely made up your mind,"
+Miss Patricia concluded.
+
+Before replying, Mrs. Burton waited a moment, watching for a sign of
+yielding in her companion. But as Miss Patricia gave none, she nodded
+her head.
+
+"Yes, Aunt Patricia, I am going with Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval,
+although I am sorry you do not approve of my making the trip. I won't be
+away more than two weeks and I feel I may be of greater service than by
+remaining here."
+
+"You also feel that traveling about through the French country with a
+distinguished French politician and a woman author will be far more
+exciting than staying at the farm and doing your duty, Polly Burton,"
+Miss Patricia added, allowing her accumulated anger to overflow at last.
+"Do, please, whatever else you wish to add by way of camouflage, at
+least confess the truth. I presume it is your idea to leave me to look
+after the group of girls you undertook to chaperon in France?"
+
+In spite of the fact that by this time, Mrs. Burton, whose amiability
+was never her strong point, was in as bad a temper as her antagonist,
+she had to confess to herself that in Miss Patricia's last speech the
+scales dropped in her favor.
+
+"Why, yes, Aunt Patricia, that is what I wish you to do. But will it be
+such a serious responsibility? The work at the farm is so splendidly
+organized now and the girls are so deeply interested, I don't see why
+you should have any especial difficulty if you will just allow things to
+go on as they are at present."
+
+Of her own free will Miss Patricia at this moment rose from her stiff
+chair and came and sat on the edge of the bed facing the younger woman.
+She showed no sign of relaxing either physically or mentally, or of any
+softening in her rigid point of view.
+
+"I wonder, Polly Burton, if you have any reason for believing that
+things usually go on in exactly the same fashion in this world, after
+one has carefully arranged that they should? Of course I shall do my
+best to look after the Camp Fire girls, although they do not like me and
+I do not understand them. There is no telling what may occur in your
+absence," Miss Patricia ended so gloomily that Mrs. Burton's eyes shone
+with merriment, although she carefully lowered her lids.
+
+At the same instant, to her surprise, she felt Miss Patricia lean over
+and seize her by both shoulders. For a second she wondered if Aunt
+Patricia had made up her mind to shake her because of her rebellion.
+Instead Miss Patricia added unexpectedly:
+
+"Polly, my dear child, I really don't wish you to go on this wild goose
+chase, partly for the reasons I have given you, but also because I am
+afraid for you. You know the world is expecting another great German
+offensive this spring and no one understands why it has been delayed so
+long. Well, you must realize that as you travel farther south in France
+the line between the German and the French armies grows narrower and
+narrower. Only a few miles of victory and the Germans will again occupy
+their old line! It is possible you might arrive at some district at a
+crucial moment when a battle was beginning. Then the saints alone could
+preserve you!"
+
+With the last few words of her long speech Miss Patricia reverted to her
+Irish brogue and her Irish faith.
+
+Afterwards Mrs. Burton was glad to remember that, although Aunt Patricia
+certainly was not regarding her with affection at the moment,
+nevertheless, she slipped her arm about the elderly lady's hard and
+upright shoulders.
+
+"You are a dear, Aunt Patricia! But please don't worry. We are not going
+into any dangerous neighborhoods. The drive will not begin for many
+weeks. In any case there will be no retreat. Yet indeed we mean to take
+every possible precaution and at no time will we be near the German
+line. It is good of you to think I am worth worrying over, but this time
+it is not necessary."
+
+"Have you your husband's permission for this trip, Polly? I presume you
+have written Richard Burton of your new French friend?" Aunt Patricia
+demanded as a last forlorn hope.
+
+In reply Mrs. Burton smiled and nodded.
+
+"Yes, I have done both of those things. I wrote Richard about Monsieur
+Duval soon after our meeting on shipboard. But of course I have had no
+reply to my letter with regard to my trip south with Mrs. Bishop and
+Monsieur Duval, for there is not time for me to hear before we leave."
+
+"And nothing will change your decision, Polly?"
+
+Mrs. Burton had slid down on to the floor from the high old bed and now
+stood before Miss Patricia, hesitating for the fraction of a second.
+
+"I do wish you would not put the question in such a way, Aunt Patricia.
+You make me think of what Sally Ashton said to you, as if I too were a
+disobedient child, and I am more than twice Sally's age. Of course I do
+not wish to do anything you oppose, but the trip to southern France and
+the work I hope to be able to accomplish will be a great opportunity and
+a great experience. I hope you will make up your mind to feel as I do
+before we start the day after tomorrow."
+
+Before Aunt Patricia could reply, Mrs. Burton made a hasty and carefully
+designed retreat. Being fully cognizant that there was no possibility of
+Miss Patricia's relenting, she wished to pretend to believe she might
+change her mind and at the same time to announce the proposed time for
+her own departure.
+
+Fortunately for Mrs. Burton's courage and decision, her plan met with no
+especial opposition from any other member of the Camp Fire group.
+
+The girls regretted her leaving, and Sally Ashton more than the others;
+nevertheless it appealed to them as it had to Mrs. Burton, as a
+wonderful chance for service and at the same time a thrilling adventure.
+
+Two days later, even at the moment when the automobile appeared at the
+door to bear off Mrs. Burton and her two companions, Miss Patricia's
+attitude remained unchanged.
+
+Mrs. Burton devoted the last five minutes before her departure to
+begging Aunt Patricia to bestow her final consent and parting blessing.
+Aunt Patricia steadfastly refused.
+
+She also declined to see the automobile leave the farm. Instead, during
+the final farewells, turning her back upon the assembly, she marched up
+alone to her own room. Once inside, it is true she wiped away several
+tears, but immediately after set herself to writing a letter to Captain
+Richard Burton. And Captain Burton and Miss Patricia only were to know
+what the letter contained! Fortunately Captain Burton understood Miss
+Patricia and her devotion to his wife. Moreover, the extent of her
+devotion was to be proven later.
+
+The following day, perhaps because of Miss Patricia's prediction that
+nothing in life runs on continuously in the same groove, an unexpected
+telegram was brought out to the French farm house for Peggy Webster.
+
+In the telegram Lieutenant Ralph Marshall of the United States Aviation
+Service in France stated that, having been slightly injured by a fall,
+he had secured a few day's leave of absence. Would he be permitted to
+spend his leave with Mrs. Burton and the Camp Fire girls at their farm
+house on the Aisne?
+
+To Peggy Webster there appeared to be but one possible answer to this
+amazing piece of good fortune, and fortunately she was able to persuade
+Aunt Patricia to the same point of view. Miss Patricia did not approve
+of young men, but she did approve of Peggy and understood the situation
+in regard to Ralph.
+
+Therefore the return telegram read: "Yes."
+
+Except for brief intervals, Peggy and Ralph had seen but little of each
+other since their summer together in Arizona, a summer which had been
+fateful for them both. It had not occurred to Peggy that either she or
+Ralph would ever change their minds with regard to their future
+marriage, in spite of the fact that she was but eighteen years old and
+Ralph not much older. There remained only the question of persuading
+their two families to share their view.
+
+In the last two years Ralph had been redeeming his former idleness.
+Having volunteered for aviation work before the entry of the United
+States into the world war, he had been able to secure a commission and
+already had been in France a number of months.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A WARNING
+
+
+It was the morning after the departure of Mrs. Burton and her guests and
+three days before the arrival of Ralph. Marshall for his visit at the
+farm house on the Aisne.
+
+Having completed her work downstairs, Sally Ashton had hurried up to her
+bedroom where at present she was making little nervous preparations as
+if intending to go outdoors and anxious not to be observed.
+
+There was no reason why she should feel alarmed. So far as she knew,
+every member of her household was occupied with the day's work. From the
+schoolroom below she could hear the voices of the children singing a
+little French chanson, and now and then one of the older girls either
+asking a question or reciting. Alice Ashton and Bettina Graham, Marta
+Clark and Yvonne Fleury were engaged with their pupils.
+
+An hour before Peggy and Vera had driven off in the motor with Mary
+Gilchrist, since Mary had promised to transport a number of wounded
+soldiers from a train to a nearby convalescent hospital, and was
+uncertain whether she would find anyone at the railroad station to help.
+Therefore she had asked the two girls to accompany her. Peggy also
+desired to mail a letter to Ralph Marshall which might reach him before
+he started upon his journey.
+
+Always Aunt Patricia was occupied outdoors from breakfast until lunch
+time. So in spite of the fact that Sally Ashton showed a degree of
+suppressed excitement both in her manner and appearance, there would
+seem to have been no apparent excuse. A certain timorousness once wholly
+unlike her, lately had appeared in Sally's attitude.
+
+She also had grown thinner and her big golden brown eyes had lost their
+sleepy expression and acquired an anxious appeal. The lines about her
+full, rather pouting lips were strained and apprehensive.
+
+Having at the moment pulled a small traveling bag down from a shelf
+overhead and allowed it to fall on the floor, Sally did not hear the
+swift opening and closing of her bedroom door. Therefore, when she had
+secured her bag and was straightening up, she gave an exclamation of
+surprise on discovering her sister standing within a few feet of her.
+
+Except that she was handsomer, Alice looked very like her mother, the
+Esther of the first Camp Fire days, yet she and Sally bore no possible
+resemblance to each other either in disposition or appearance.
+
+Alice was tall and slender, with a grave, severe air. She wore her dark
+red hair parted and bound about the back of her head in a heavy braid.
+She was a little angular. There was a suggestion that unless life dealt
+generously with her, granting her the gifts which make for tenderness
+and softness in a woman's nature, she might in time have the appearance
+one is supposed to associate with an old maid. However, old maids are as
+unlike as the rest of the human species.
+
+Certainly at the present moment her expression was austere, although
+uneasy and distressed as well.
+
+"What are you doing, Sally?" she inquired, her voice gentle and
+solicitous, yet observing that a wave of color had swept over Sally's
+face even before she had spoken.
+
+The next moment Sally flung her bag down on the floor again, answering
+petulantly:
+
+"What am I doing? Well, really, Alice, I do not see what difference it
+makes to you, or why you should slip into our room so quietly that you
+frightened me. As a matter of fact, I got down my traveling bag
+to--to----" Sally's voice trailed off helplessly for an instant. The
+next instant, gathering force, she repeated: "I pulled down my bag
+because I wished to store away some odds and ends which I wish to keep
+safely."
+
+Then losing her temper in a most suspicious fashion, suddenly Sally
+stamped her foot as if she were an angry child and at the same time her
+eyes grew unexpectedly dark and lovely.
+
+"That is not what you came into this room to announce to me, Alice. So
+please say whatever it is you wish and be through. I am going out for a
+little walk before lunch." In any event Sally was no coward!
+
+"Then sit down. You do not look very well and I am afraid you won't like
+what I must say," Alice returned. "Understand, it gives me no pleasure;
+instead, I am tremendously worried and unhappy. I suppose I should have
+talked the situation over with Tante before she went away, but I knew it
+would interfere with her trip and so avoided troubling her."
+
+In answer to her sister's suggestion Sally seated herself upon a tall,
+old-fashioned wooden chair, so that only her toes were able to reach the
+ground. All at once she had felt as if she would be more comfortable
+seated. It was not because of Alice's suggestion that she had agreed,
+but because of a sudden sensation of weariness, almost of physical
+weakness, although this last idea seemed absurd.
+
+Yet somehow Sally appeared so like a tired and rebellious child that her
+sister found it difficult to continue their conversation. However, she
+must introduce the accusation she had been schooling herself to make
+before entering the room.
+
+"Is there anything you would like to talk to me about, Sally? Outside
+our daily life and work here at the farm is there anything which has
+been interesting you recently and which you have preferred not to
+mention to anybody?" Alice inquired gently, her voice shaken by her
+effort to hide her concern, while a fine line appeared between her level
+brows.
+
+Pretending to be bored rather than affected in any other fashion by her
+sister's speech, first Sally shrugged her shoulders. Then making a
+pretence of yawning, she placed her fingers lightly over her lips.
+
+"Really, Alice, what on earth is troubling you in connection with me?
+Have you had me on your conscience more than usual recently? Can't you
+ever get over your unattractive habit of treating me as if I were a
+refractory pupil and you an offended schoolmarm? In spite of being born
+in New England, there is no reason to affect this pose, as it is
+unnecessary and I think most unbecoming."
+
+Sally's manner was a little too self-assured, but otherwise she appeared
+as enigmatic as an accomplished actress. Gazing at her earnestly, there
+was nothing in her expression at present to suggest any emotion save a
+natural annoyance at being catechized.
+
+But Alice was not deceived.
+
+"Please don't assume such an air of offended virtue, Sally. You are far
+too fond of employing it when anyone reproaches you," Alice continued,
+but really too sincerely disturbed to feel angered by her sister's
+behavior. "Evidently you do not wish to confide in me, so I suppose
+there is no use wasting either your time or mine. For the past two
+weeks--I don't know the exact length of time, although you are aware of
+it, Sally--you have been disappearing from the farm almost every day. At
+first I did not notice. You seem to have been careful that neither Aunt
+Patricia, nor Tante, nor I should know. And you have been clever. But
+you could not escape everybody's observation and the other Camp Fire
+girls have seen you and been puzzled and at last worried to guess what
+you could be doing. You need not ask who the girls were; I shall not
+tell you. But finally several of them felt compelled to speak to me and
+to suggest that I ask your confidence. Oh, don't pretend you think you
+have been spied upon and badly treated. You know, Sally, that unless the
+girls cared for you they would not have troubled? But we have lived
+almost as one family and our interests are bound together. Do tell me
+what you have been doing, dear? What has taken you away from home so
+many times alone? I have been watching you myself recently. When I came
+into our room only a few minutes ago you were preparing to slip away."
+
+Sally was biting her lips and had lost her childish look.
+
+"This is not a criminal court, Alice; neither are you the public
+prosecutor. As a matter of fact, I refuse to answer your questions or to
+gratify either your curiosity or the curiosity of the Camp Fire girls.
+What I have been doing has harmed no one; at least I do not think it
+has, and I have not always been alone. Old Jean has been with me much of
+the time and has helped in every way. But by the time Tante returns I
+think I shall be free to tell her everything. Can't you trust me until
+then?"
+
+Sally's voice and manner had suddenly changed from bravado to pleading,
+but Alice was too angry and too frightened to be influenced. Moreover,
+she was suffering from a frequent elderly sister attitude. She felt
+herself called upon not only to examine Sally in regard to her
+proceedings but to condemn her without any real evidence.
+
+"Very well, Sally, unless you decide to confide in me immediately I
+shall be obliged to speak to Aunt Patricia."
+
+At the conclusion of this speech Alice beheld in her sister's face the
+expression of sheer unrelenting obstinacy in which Sally was an adept.
+It was a contradiction to her pretty softness, her indolent manner and
+even to the elusive dimple which recently had vanished.
+
+"I also warn you, Sally, that I intend to watch you and find out your
+proceedings for myself. In truth, I am frightened about you. If only
+Tante were here she could influence you, but Aunt Patricia will only
+become bitterly angry. I confess I don't know what she will say or do
+when she learns that I have no choice but to tell her."
+
+If Alice Ashton had one characteristic which predominated over all
+others, it was a fine sense of honor, a high ideal of personal
+integrity.
+
+As a matter of fact, she had never demanded the same standards from
+Sally she had asked of herself. It was a family custom to regard her
+younger sister as a person chiefly to be gratified and adored. Yet it
+had never occurred to Alice that Sally could fail in any essential thing
+such as straightforwardness and sincerity.
+
+"I don't like to speak to you, Sally, or even to suggest the idea, but I
+am afraid a few of the girls may be criticizing what you are doing in a
+fashion you can scarcely imagine. They do not speak before me, but I can
+hardly fail to guess what they are thinking from their manner. Sally,
+can't you realize that we are in a foreign country where the language,
+the customs, the ideas are not like ours? Even if what you are doing
+might not be considered wrong at home, can't you see that here in France
+you may be misunderstood? Please confide in me dear. You promised----"
+
+But Sally's soft shoulders stiffened in resistance.
+
+"Evidently you do not trust me yourself, Alice, and naturally your
+opinion is more important to me than anyone's else. Yet when one has
+lived with the same people a long time one does expect a certain amount
+of faith and understanding. I am sorry, for I cannot tell you what you
+wish to know at present. I may be able to in a very few days, if you
+will be good enough to wait and not speak to Aunt Patricia. It is hardly
+worth while to make a difficulty between us! Personally I am glad Tante
+_is_ away; at least, I am glad she is away today, since it would
+have been more difficult to refuse my confidence to her than to any one
+else. But I shall regret it if I am able to make my confession before
+her return. She at least would have tried to believe I have not intended
+to do anything wrong. Now please leave me alone, Alice. You were right,
+I am going out on an important errand. You need not worry over my going
+alone this time, because old Jean has promised to go with me as soon as
+he is free and I shall wait for him."
+
+Then, although Alice lingered for several moments longer, when Sally
+would neither speak to her, nor look at her, she slowly left the room.
+
+Afterwards when Alice had disappeared Sally's pretence of courage
+vanished and she sat with her hands clasped tightly together while the
+tears ran down her face.
+
+All very well to pretend to Alice that she was convinced she had been
+doing no wrong. But was this true? In the end would she not have to pay
+dearly in the continuing condemnation and distrust of her friends? When
+her confession was finally made, would they even then understand and
+forgive her?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE DISCOVERY
+
+
+A little more than an hour later Sally and Jean started forth upon their
+mysterious pilgrimage.
+
+To have been spared the ordeal of this morning's visit to the French
+château Sally would have given a great deal. On other occasions she had
+been nervous and fearful, but never to the extent to which the recent
+conversation with her sister had reduced her.
+
+More than once within the hour of waiting before she and Jean could slip
+away, Sally concluded to abandon her plan and never go near the château
+again, regardless of results. Then she remembered that she had given her
+word and that upon this visit many things were to be explained and
+arranged. Having endured so much of struggle, strain and suspicion, one
+must not fail in the end. And in spite of Sally's apparent indolence and
+softness, failure had no part in her mental make-up.
+
+Yet in being compelled to spend an hour of watching before daring to
+make her escape there was a sense of humiliation, almost of degradation.
+Nevertheless, what else could she do except wait until Alice was again
+absorbed in her teaching and until there was no one about the farm house
+or in the yard who would pay any especial attention to her actions?
+
+Sally's final misfortune was in encountering Yvonne as she passed
+through the hall downstairs.
+
+It may have been her imagination, due to her conversation with her
+sister. Sally felt almost convinced that Yvonne shrank away from her as
+she passed, almost as if she were drawing her skirts aside. In return
+Sally suffered a wave of indignation and the conviction that she would
+never be able to forgive Yvonne. She even had an impulse some day to
+avenge the other girl's injustice.
+
+She and Jean did not immediately move off in the direction of the
+château. She and old Jean took an entirely opposite direction, until in
+a field about half a mile away, altering their course, they walked
+rapidly toward the château. Sally never ceased to gaze behind them every
+few moments, fearing they might be followed.
+
+Small wonder that with the unaccustomed walks and the burden of a
+serious responsibility Sally Ashton had altered in the past few weeks!
+
+Indeed, her only solace had been the loyal faith and allegiance which
+the old French peasant, Jean, had given to her cause and to her.
+
+From the first day, when in halting and broken French she had begged him
+to accompany her to the château to assist in the care of a wounded
+soldier, he had not asked a question or refused his services.
+
+When it was impossible for him to escape Miss Patricia's vigilance at
+the hour Sally asked, she always found that he had managed to make the
+trip sometime later, during the day or night, and accomplished what was
+necessary. What he may have thought of the situation, what questions he
+may have asked himself behind the inscrutability of his weather-beaten
+countenance with its misty, coal-black eyes, Sally never inquired. There
+were enough problems to meet without this. The important fact was that
+Jean never failed her and that he made an otherwise impossible task
+possible.
+
+[Illustration: She and Old Jean Took an Entirely Opposite Direction.]
+
+After discovering the serious illness of the wounded soldier in hiding,
+Sally Ashton had continued the amazing task of caring for him at the
+château.
+
+She did not come to this decision immediately; indeed, it had grown so
+slowly that at times it did not appear as a decision at all. Nor did
+Sally attempt to justify herself. She felt compelled to take a
+courageous attitude with her sister, but she never had been convinced of
+her own patriotism or good sense. Even up to the present time she was
+not sure of the nationality of her patient, although it had been a
+relief that during his delirium he had spoken occasionally in French.
+
+The truth is that as the days passed on and Sally's responsibility
+increased her attitude toward the soldier changed. At first she had been
+annoyed, bored with the entire adventure and with the circumstances
+resulting from it. But as the young man's illness became more alarming
+and Sally's anxiety increased, a new characteristic awoke in her. Sally
+Ashton belonged to the type of girl who is essentially maternal. She
+would be one of the large group of women who love, marry and bring up a
+family and are nearly always adored by their husbands, but feel no
+passionate affection until the coming of their children.
+
+So unconsciously the wounded soldier's dependence upon her for food and
+attention, for life itself, aroused Sally's motherly instinct, although
+she did not dream of the fact and would have been angry at the
+suggestion.
+
+One convincing proof. In the beginning she had been both physically and
+mentally repelled by the soiled and blood-stained soldier and by his
+confused confession. She had not surrendered him to justice because she
+did not feel called upon to appear as the arbiter of any human being's
+fate and because she had not the dramatic instinct of most girls. But
+Sally had presumed the soldier would be arrested later and was not
+particularly concerned with his future one way or the other.
+
+Now her point of view had completely altered. At first her idea was
+merely that the soldier should recover with no other nursing save that
+which she and old Jean could bestow upon him. But now that he was
+recovering, she was equally determined he should be saved from whatever
+enemy he had feared before being delivered into her hands.
+
+Before parting on the previous afternoon Sally had agreed with her
+patient that they discuss his situation on her next visit to the
+château.
+
+As the old man and girl crept cautiously inside the opening between the
+arch of walls, they could see their soldier lying asleep upon his
+mattress, but between clean sheets and covered with blankets which Sally
+had managed to secure from the supply at the farm.
+
+The half-dismantled room was cold but fragrant with the odors of the
+woods and fields. Perhaps the fresh air which had at all times flooded
+the odd sick-room had been in a measure responsible for the ill man's
+recovery, having taken the place of other comforts he had been obliged
+to forego.
+
+He opened his eyes at the approach of his two friends and looked a
+little wistfully at Sally.
+
+"You have come at last! I was afraid you would not be able to manage.
+How kind you have been!"
+
+Sally made no reply except to offer him a glass of milk and to stand
+silently by until he had finished drinking it.
+
+She looked very sweet. Today her walk and the excitement of her morning
+had tired her so that she was paler than usual; yet her lips were full
+and crimson and her brown hair had a charming fashion of curling in
+little brown rings on her forehead as if she were a tiny child.
+
+The soldier no longer wore any look of mental confusion except that his
+expression was puzzled and questioning.
+
+"You are much better. I am glad," Sally said at last. "You see I do not
+know how often I can come to the château after today, unless you should
+become very ill again and then I would come in any case."
+
+Sally's direct fashion of speaking had its value amid the complexities
+of human relations.
+
+Old Jean had disappeared to bring fresh water and to accomplish other
+tasks so that Sally and the soldier were alone for a little time.
+
+As a matter of fact, Jean's had been the really difficult nursing. Night
+after night when the soldier's condition had been most critical Jean had
+made no pretence of going to bed, but had hobbled over at bedtime to
+remain until dawn by the ill man's side.
+
+"Perhaps you will sit down for a little so that I can ask you a great
+many questions," the soldier suggested. "Now that I am getting back my
+senses, you can scarcely imagine what a mystery my present situation
+is."
+
+Nodding agreement, Sally drew a beautiful French chair across the
+strange drawing-room and seated herself within a few feet of her
+patient's bed. It was odd that she had never felt any fear of the old
+walls tumbling down upon her from the hour she had begun her nursing,
+although before that time she had believed nothing could force her to
+trust herself inside the ruins.
+
+"I would like to ask you to begin at the beginning. In what condition
+and how long ago did you find me here? If I could only guess the time!
+But I am under the impression I have not been myself for several weeks
+until these last few days. Yet I have a vague recollection of finding my
+way to this old house and of seeing you standing one day framed in that
+open arch. After that I have no memory of anything else until I became
+conscious of your face and of old Jean's bending over me and then of
+this extraordinary place. If I have been ill, why have I not been cared
+for in a hospital?
+
+"I remember escaping from the Germans who had taken me prisoner and then
+wandering, wandering about in a country where there were no trees, no
+grass, no houses, nothing but the upturned earth and exploded shells.
+Afterwards I was not sure I had reached the French country. I know I
+used to hide in the day time and prowl around at night. I think I must
+have become ill soon after my escape, because I have an indistinct
+impression that I was trying to find my old home, the château where I
+lived before the outbreak of the war. I suppose that is one reason why I
+hid myself in here. But nothing I can remember explains _you_."
+
+Sally sighed.
+
+"I do not understand what you are talking about, at least not exactly. I
+am not even convinced you do. But if you really are a French soldier and
+managed to escape from the Germans, I am glad. I know you will think me
+stupid, but still how could I have been expected to understand that you
+were a French soldier when you seemed so horribly afraid of being
+discovered? You were in your own country and among your own people!
+Personally there is very little for me to tell about myself.
+
+"I am an American girl, I don't suppose you consider me French, and I am
+living at a farm house not far away with some American friends. One day
+I was taking a walk and just from curiosity slipped over here to look
+more closely at the château. It frightened me when I discovered you were
+hiding in here. You can never guess how you startled me! At our first
+meeting you told me some mixed-up story and asked me to bring you some
+food. I thought you were an escaped prisoner and I did not want to have
+anything to do with you. But you insisted if you were caught you would
+be hung. The next day when I arrived with the food you were too ill to
+recognize me. There is nothing more to tell."
+
+"That is all," the soldier repeated. "But that sounds more like the
+beginning, does it not? You were not even sure of my nationality and yet
+you have been coming here every day to care for me. Suppose I had been
+your enemy?"
+
+By this time the soldier was sitting up and intently studying the face
+of the girl before him. He was wearing a faded dark blue shirt which
+Jean had generously bestowed upon him the day before, this being the
+first occasion for which he had made an effort to dress himself.
+
+"Strange human beings, women! I wonder if we men will ever understand
+you? I have no doubt you would blow up the united armies of the Central
+Empires if it were possible without a qualm and yet you would make any
+sacrifice to save the life of one prisoner."
+
+"But I was never convinced about you," Sally apologized. "Then after you
+became so seriously ill I never thought. But I am sure I beg your
+pardon. As you are a Frenchman of course you would have been infinitely
+better cared for in a hospital. If anything had happened to you it would
+have been my fault. But really I did not know what was done to prisoners
+who ran away from their captors and you suggested such an uncomfortable
+fate for yourself.
+
+"Now you are better I don't think I will come back to the château again.
+You see you made me promise not to tell anyone that you were hiding
+here, and my sister and friends think it strange because I have been
+spending so much time away from the farm recently. I don't suppose I
+shall ever be able to make anyone understand. It is hard, isn't it, to
+be blamed for things and then find they have been of no use? Jean will
+do whatever is necessary for you until you are entirely well. He can
+bring me news of you and he will take a message to anyone you care to
+see if you do not feel strong enough to be moved to a hospital
+immediately."
+
+Sally rose as if she meant to leave at once, then something in her
+companion's expression made her sink down into her chair.
+
+"No, you must not come to see me again," he answered, "although I shall
+wish to see no one else. Perhaps it will not be long before I am able to
+call upon your friends if you will allow me. I am stronger than you
+realize; but you have not told me what you are doing in this
+neighborhood."
+
+Unexpectedly Sally had a remarkable sensation. It was as if suddenly her
+position and the soldier's changed and as if he had begun to think of
+her welfare rather than to have her devote herself to his.
+
+"Oh, we are doing reclamation work," Sally returned; "that is, my sister
+and friends are. I have not accomplished anything that is important. I
+told you I was stupid."
+
+All at once Sally's soldier broke into a peal of clear boyish laughter
+which was of more benefit to him than either of them appreciated.
+
+"No, you have done nothing except save my life. It is not kind of you
+under the circumstances to announce you consider it unimportant. Some
+day when I am able to rejoin my regiment perhaps I may be able to prove
+your work worth while. Thanks to you, perhaps I shall again serve France
+as I have never served her before! The enemy has taken from me
+everything else, my mother, my sister, my little brother and my home. I
+made up my mind that they should not hold me a prisoner whatever might
+befall me. If I had to give up my life I meant to die in the open."
+
+Then more excited and exhausted than either he or Sally had appreciated,
+the soldier lay down again, closing his eyes.
+
+It was a part of Sally's recent training which made her continue sitting
+quietly beside him for the next few moments without speaking or moving.
+
+In the interval she studied the soldier's face.
+
+For the first time he was appearing to her as a man. Up until now he had
+simply been a human being who must be cared for, allowed to suffer as
+little as possible and at last be restored to health.
+
+In considering him at present Sally did not particularly admire his
+appearance. She thought his nose was rather too large and his lips too
+thin and in spite of Jean's devotion, his services as a barber left a
+good deal to be desired.
+
+"Your arm is nearly well, still I think I should like to bandage it once
+more before I go," Sally suggested. "You do not realize it, of course,
+but I have learned a great deal about nursing since I began to look
+after you. I don't like sick people, else I suppose I could become a Red
+Cross nurse after more training if I wished. But I don't think I should
+like the work."
+
+As Sally talked she was accomplishing her task, certainly with a good
+deal more skill than she had shown several weeks before.
+
+However, her patient was not conscious of the fact. At present he was
+not thinking of his wound but of his nurse.
+
+There was something about her so deliciously frank and ingenuous. At
+least she seemed ingenuous to him, although it was difficult always to
+be sure concerning Sally.
+
+When she had finished the young Frenchman took one of her hands and
+touched it lightly with his lips.
+
+"Will you tell me your name, please, and where to find you before you
+say farewell? I am Lieutenant Robert Fleury of the French-cuirassiers."
+
+Ten minutes later Sally was walking back home alone to the farm house,
+having left Jean to continue to care for their patient.
+
+She was not to go back to the château again and she was to tell her
+friends exactly what had taken place in the past few weeks. She seemed
+to have promised this to her patient.
+
+Yet Sally was not sure when she would tell her story. She had no desire
+to make a confession to Alice, and Aunt Patricia was not to be
+considered. If only she might arrange to wait until Mrs. Burton's return
+from her journey into southern France.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+AN UNEXPECTED SHELTER
+
+
+It was after the hour for their midday dinner when Sally finally arrived
+at the farmhouse; however, she was able to reach her own room without
+any questions being asked concerning her delay.
+
+Undressing slowly with the idea of lying down for a little while before
+facing her friends, Sally was interrupted for the second time that day
+by the unexpected appearance of her sister. On this occasion Alice's
+expression made any further discussion not only unnecessary but
+impossible.
+
+"Will you come with me, please, to Aunt Patricia's room?" she began at
+once. "I have been talking to Aunt Patricia and she says it is only fair
+that we should hear your explanation before passing judgment. I have
+spoken to no one else, although I suppose it will be impossible to hide
+the facts from the other girls. In reality, I believe they already have
+guessed a great deal and have been trying to keep the truth from me."
+
+At the moment of her sister's entrance Sally had been slipping into a
+little blue dressing gown which had been her mother's final gift the day
+before their parting. The dressing gown did not have a utilitarian
+appearance, since it was made of a soft blue, light woolen material with
+little clusters of yellow roses scattered over the design and with blue
+ribbons and lace about the throat and sleeves.
+
+In response to her sister's speech Sally gathered about her the dressing
+gown, which she had not yet fastened, and immediately started to leave
+the room.
+
+"I shall be very glad indeed to talk to Aunt Patricia, but not to you,
+Alice, nor do I ever intend to forgive you. I suppose you followed old
+Jean and me to the château and have drawn your own inference from what
+you observed. Do you know, Alice, I have often wondered why the
+puritanical conscience is always so suspicious of other people?" And in
+this last speech of Sally's there was more of truth that she could fully
+appreciate.
+
+But if in this final analysis she were speaking the truth, the first
+part of her remark had been a complete falsehood. At the present time
+there was nothing she desired so little as being forced into making her
+confession to Miss Patricia Lord, a severe spinster with no
+consideration for human folly. Would any one else on earth be more
+difficult or more unrelenting?
+
+In the past hour or more, following her conversation at the château,
+Sally had been facing one of the hardest experiences of life.
+
+Her weeks of self-sacrifice and devotion had been not only unnecessary,
+they had been absurd. If only she could have enjoyed the inward
+satisfaction of considering herself a heroine or a martyr! But she had
+risked her own reputation and the young French officer's life to what
+end?
+
+As the two girls entered Miss Patricia's room, Sally, accompanied by her
+sister, whose existence on earth she refused to recognize, considered
+that Miss Patricia appeared as implacable as a stone image. Yet one
+could scarcely compare her to the Sphinx. That ancient stone figure with
+the head of a woman and the body of a lioness looks as if she had
+devoted the many centuries since her creation to solving the riddles of
+human life.
+
+Miss Patricia would consider anything but plain speaking a sheer waste
+of energy and truth. There were no riddles in Miss Patricia's mental
+category.
+
+Nevertheless, Miss Patricia's voice did not sound unkind when she
+suggested that Sally occupy the solitary chair in her bedroom, although
+undoubtedly this would leave the elderly woman standing as well as
+Alice. But then Sally did not realize how appealing her appearance was
+at this moment even to so harsh a critic of human nature.
+
+Sally indolent, Sally dreaming her own small and rather selfish dreams,
+or a Sally self-assured and self-content were not unfamiliar figures to
+her world. But Sally confused and tired, hurt and bewildered, not by her
+own actions or any one's else, but by a web of circumstance, was a new
+study.
+
+"No, I would prefer not to sit down, Miss Patricia, and in any case I
+would not have you stand," Sally answered, still with an innate sense of
+her own dignity and value which at no time in her life was she ever
+wholly to lose. "Alice seems to have told you some disagreeable story
+about me. So I think it just as well for me to tell you the exact truth.
+I hope I can make you understand. I suppose I should have confided in
+some one before, but until a few hours ago I did not feel that I had the
+privilege."
+
+Sally's golden brown eyes with the heavy upcurling lashes, which gave to
+her face the expression of unusual softness, were now gazing upward into
+Miss Patricia's. The latter's eyes were gallant also and steadfast, nor
+did Sally find them so distrustful as she had anticipated.
+
+"Very well, my dear, go on with your story. I thought Alice was too much
+excited," Miss Patricia returned, seating herself in her upright chair,
+as Sally seemed to prefer her to be seated.
+
+Then with her little dressing gown wrapped about her as if it had been a
+Roman toga, Sally told the history of the past weeks, her unexpected
+discovery of the wounded soldier amid the ruins of the old French
+château, her belief that he was a runaway prisoner and notwithstanding
+this, her effort, with Jean's assistance, to restore him to health.
+
+Sally's explanation was less confused than her conversation with the
+French soldier a short time before. However, since that hour many things
+had become clearer in her own mind. She did not break down until her
+story was completed and only then when she turned toward her sister.
+
+"I don't know, Alice, what you and the other Camp Fire girls have been
+thinking of me, and I don't believe I care to guess. I know you have not
+been generous. But since I don't wish to discuss the subject with any
+one save Aunt Patricia, and with Tante of course when she returns, I
+wish you would offer the other girls any interpretation of my behavior
+you care to give."
+
+At this Sally's voice broke in spite of her efforts at self-control.
+When Alice made a step toward her with her arms outstretched to ask
+forgiveness, Sally stepped back only to find herself enfolded by Miss
+Patricia and to hear Miss Patricia declare:
+
+"I think it would be wiser, Alice, for you to leave Sally and me alone
+for a little time; she is tired and unstrung. If you and the other girls
+have been unfair, you will have an opportunity to apologize later. Then
+Sally herself will feel more inclined to be reasonable."
+
+Afterwards, when Alice had reluctantly disappeared, unexpectedly Sally
+found herself seated as if she were a child in Aunt Patricia's lap and
+listening to a very wise and tender conversation, one she was never to
+forget, from a woman of deep and broad experience.
+
+When she grew less disturbed Aunt Patricia made no effort not to scold
+Sally for her unwisdom and her lack of reliance upon older judgment than
+her own. But the great fact was that Aunt Patricia was never unfair,
+that she had no sentimental suspicions and made no accusations with
+which Sally could not fairly agree.
+
+In their half hour together Sally Ashton learned to appreciate for the
+rest of her life Aunt Patricia's value, learned to understand why Mrs.
+Burton cared for her so devotedly and considered her a tower of strength
+in adversity. In this uncertain world in which we live there are fair
+weather and foul weather friends. Miss Patricia belonged to the number
+who not only fail to strike other people when they are down, but who
+spend all their energy and strength in the effort to lift them up again.
+
+Later on the other Camp Fire girls were also to form a new estimate of
+Miss Patricia's character, but simply by force of circumstance Sally was
+the first one of them to be admitted inside the stern citadel with which
+the elderly spinster surrounded her great heart.
+
+"In the morning, Sally, when you have rested, and if I were you, child,
+I would spend this afternoon in bed, why I intend to walk over with you
+to your château and make the acquaintance of your soldier. If he is a
+gentleman my dear, or even if he is a real man, I mean to bring him here
+to the farm house to remain as our guest until he has completely
+recovered. Now, don't argue with me, Sally. Mrs. Burton will tell you
+that I am a hopeless old woman with whom to have an argument. I simply
+never do any one's way except my own. I do not wish to discuss this side
+of the situation with you to any extent, but don't you see, my dear,
+that it is better for you that we have your soldier here? No one shall
+think your friends have not understood and approved of your care of this
+young Frenchman."
+
+Sally murmured her acquiescence and her gratitude. Yet suddenly she felt
+that she wished never again to see the young officer who for the past
+few weeks had been her constant thought and care.
+
+He had recovered sufficiently no longer to need her services and
+although he was not wilfully responsible, nevertheless he had given her
+a great deal of care and trouble.
+
+"Of course you must do what you think best, Aunt Patricia," Sally added
+a moment later, as she was preparing to start to her own room. "But
+don't you think we had best wait until Tante's return?"
+
+Aunt Patricia shook her head.
+
+"What Polly Burton may think or desire in the matter will not have the
+slightest influence with me. She cheerfully surrendered you girls into
+my charge in order to make this trip, of which she knew I thoroughly
+disapproved. However, in spite of the fact that I am very angry with
+her, I do not wish any one else to feel uneasy, although I shall not
+have a happy moment until she returns."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+TWO OFFICERS
+
+
+A week later two young officers were guests at the farm house on the
+Aisne, one of them an American aerial lieutenant, the other a lieutenant
+in the French cavalry.
+
+Following his telegram within a few days, Lieutenant Ralph Marshall had
+arrived to spend a short furlough, ostensibly with the entire group of
+American Camp Fire girls, although in reality his visit was to Peggy
+Webster. Notwithstanding the fact that he and Peggy were not supposed to
+be engaged, chiefly because of Peggy's youth, they shared a different
+conviction from their families.
+
+The other young officer was none other than "Sally's soldier." Absurd as
+the title appeared, particularly to Sally herself, nevertheless under
+this name he was discussed secretly and at length in the Camp Fire
+household.
+
+Toward late afternoon on the day after Sally's enforced confession,
+accompanied only by Old Jean, Miss Patricia Lord had tramped across the
+fields to the French château and had there interviewed its inmate with a
+directness and a searchlight quality worthy of a public prosecutor.
+
+As a result she had received more valuable information than Sally Ashton
+had acquired in the hour of their mutual and confused avowal. Among
+other things Miss Patricia had learned that the wounded officer's
+extraordinary outfit was due to the fact that he believed it would make
+his escape more feasible.
+
+But whatever the details of his story, he was able to inspire Miss
+Patricia with sufficient interest and faith to admit him as a temporary
+guest at the farm house in spite of the absence of Mrs. Burton.
+
+However, although undoubtedly a guest, he was a guest according to rules
+and restrictions laid down and adhered to by Miss Patricia and her
+household.
+
+In the first place, until he had completely recovered he was to remain
+in his room at the farm house, cared for only by old Jean with
+occasional visits from Miss Patricia. Under no circumstances was he to
+see or meet for the present a single one of the Camp Fire girls. This
+rule was particularly to be observed with regard to Sally Ashton.
+
+Miss Patricia made no effort to conceal her intention of making a
+thorough investigation of the account of his life the French officer had
+imparted to her. She knew it would not be so difficult to verify his
+statements. It was possible to communicate with the commander of his
+regiment and also his friends, as he claimed to have lived in the French
+country not many miles away from their neighborhood in the valley of the
+Aisne. After his recovery doubtless he would be able to find a number of
+his former acquaintances by returning to his old home.
+
+It was in his favor that the French officer entirely agreed with Miss
+Patricia's attitude in every particular save one. But he was wise enough
+not to argue with her concerning this. In truth, thirty-six hours after
+his installation at the farm house, the young Frenchman and Miss
+Patricia had become surprisingly intimate friends. One could explain
+this by stating that the officer had a delightful sense of humor and a
+valuable appreciation of character. Miss Patricia announced that no
+friendship could have been possible between them if Lieutenant Fleury's
+mother had not had the good sense to have him taught English by an
+English governess when he was a small boy. His accent Miss Patricia
+considered as peculiar as her own French one, nevertheless they were
+able to understand each other amazingly well.
+
+One brilliant morning Miss Patricia entered the French officer's room
+bearing a cup of bouillon to find him staring out a window which he had
+just opened in order to let in the air and for another purpose which
+Miss Patricia instantly suspected.
+
+"Breaking parole," she commented tersely.
+
+The young officer had not heard her entrance. In return he swung round
+and laughed.
+
+"Is that fair, Miss Lord? A cat may look at a king, _comme cá_ why
+not at a number of queens? Besides, don't you realize it is a miracle
+for a French soldier to be able to dream that these devastated fields of
+France are soon to become green and fruitful again? Having lost
+everything in the early days of the German invasion, my family, home, my
+small fortune, nevertheless I rejoice that for other French soldiers
+there may be a happier future when they return to their former homes,
+thanks to the great hearts of the American people!"
+
+The young officer's deep feeling and his quiet self-contained manner
+caused a lump to rise in Miss Patricia's throat and a mist before her
+eyes. Therefore her manner became more belligerent than ever.
+
+"Here, sit down and drink this," she commanded. "I suppose you consider
+that you have entirely recovered your strength and that I am the veriest
+old termagant not to permit you to enjoy your convalescence with a group
+of more or less charming American girls. But as a matter of fact I am
+really protecting you as well as the girls. We have lived without
+masculine society, unless you wish to count old Jean, ever since our
+arrival at the farm house. So whatever your impression, I am afraid you
+would soon be overpowered with attention once I allowed you to leave
+this room."
+
+Lieutenant Fleury finished his bouillon with a proper degree of
+gratitude and enthusiasm before replying.
+
+Afterwards he gazed at Miss Patricia for several moments in silence as
+if carefully considering a number of important matters.
+
+The young French officer was of more than medium height, had dark eyes
+and hair, and except when he was talking, his expression was grave and
+sad. His arm remained bandaged.
+
+"Miss Patricia, I do not wish to meet _all_ your Camp Fire girls. I
+agree with you I am not strong enough to make myself agreeable to them.
+But I do wish to see _one_ of them again. You are aware that I mean
+Miss Ashton. If ever a man had cause to be grateful to a girl-----"
+
+"Nonsense!" Miss Patricia interrupted, picking up the empty cup as if
+she were intending to leave the room immediately. "Sally was a goose and
+ran the risk of being the death of you instead of saving your life as
+you like to think. Besides, she has not the slightest desire to see you;
+she told me this herself. She feels now that she was ridiculous. She
+should never have paid any attention to the disjointed tale of an ill
+man, or to the promise which you seem to have exacted of the poor child
+in your original interview. As for being grateful to Sally, that is also
+a waste of energy when you have none too much to spare. The one dream of
+every girl in the world these days is to be allowed the privilege of
+caring for a good-looking soldier. Sally had her opportunity under
+particularly romantic and nonsensical circumstances. Besides, men will
+always be grateful to Sally Ashton for something or other as long as she
+lives, grateful because she is pretty and soft and selfish and, dear me,
+I suppose she is what one calls essentially feminine! I confess I have
+rather a tender feeling toward the child myself."
+
+And without further answer to his request Miss Patricia hurriedly
+departed.
+
+Outdoors at the same time Sally was occupied in the garden digging in a
+desultory fashion. As soon as there was no further danger of the ground
+freezing the Camp Fire girls were planning to plant a garden.
+
+Sally was alone at her task and alone because she preferred solitude.
+
+After her fantastic escapade had been disclosed to the other Camp Fire
+girls, those of them who had been particularly annoyed by her mysterious
+behavior were frankly regretful of their condemnation. They did not
+whole-heartedly approve of what she had done, but no one doubted Sally's
+good intention or the unselfishness of her motive. Aside from Yvonne,
+whose attitude continued puzzled and distrustful, each girl individually
+had approached Sally with a carefully veiled apology. However, Sally,
+who was not in a friendly state of mind toward the world at present,
+received their advances coldly.
+
+The only two persons whose opinion she really valued were Aunt
+Patricia's and Mrs. Burton's. Aunt Patricia had been kinder and more
+understanding than any human being could have dreamed possible. Mrs.
+Burton had not yet returned from her journey into southern France.
+Indeed, no word had been heard from her in a number of days, so that not
+alone did Aunt Patricia suffer from uneasiness. The great German drive
+so long expected was fanning the long line of the French battlefront
+into fiercer and more terrorizing flames. At any hour the greatest
+struggle in human history would once more burst upon the world.
+
+An hour later Sally Ashton knocked shyly upon Lieutenant Fleury's closed
+door. She did not do this in accordance with her own wishes, but because
+of an urgent appeal made by Miss Patricia.
+
+As a matter of fact, for some days Miss Patricia had been haunted by the
+story of his life, since the outbreak of the war, which the young French
+officer had recounted to her. He was not conscious of asking for
+sympathy, nor did he consider his story unusual. Nevertheless it
+occurred to Miss Patricia this morning that she was unwilling to add
+loneliness to the difficulties which he must face during the hours of
+his return to health. Up to the present time he had been too engaged
+with his soldiering to allow much opportunity for reflection.
+
+Miss Patricia was also convinced of the truth of what Lieutenant Fleury
+had told her of himself, although she had no thought of not adding the
+necessary proof to her instinctive conviction. But in the meantime if he
+really earnestly desired to see and talk to Sally Ashton and to express
+his gratitude, what possible harm could come of allowing them an
+interview? Their acquaintance had been achieved under such remarkable
+circumstances, to meet in a more ordinary and formal fashion would
+doubtless be best for them both. Afterwards they would not develop
+fantastic and untruthful ideas concerning each other.
+
+At the moment of Sally's arrival Lieutenant Fleury was despondent. It
+was true he had managed to escape from the Germans and could
+congratulate himself that he was not a prisoner and might hope within a
+reasonable length of time to return to his own regiment. Nevertheless
+what an extraordinarily stupid adventure he had stumbled into in his
+sub-conscious effort to seek the neighborhood of his former home!
+
+He had come out of the experience a thousand times better than he had
+any right to hope, yet had he not involved an American girl in what must
+have been an extremely disagreeable and ungrateful task?
+
+At this moment of her entrance into the invalid's room Sally Ashton did
+not appear to have been seriously affected by her experience.
+
+Her hour of working in the garden in the warm late winter sun had given
+her cheeks the color they frequently lacked, or else it was her
+embarrassment at meeting the young officer. Sally's hair was also
+curling in the delicious and irresponsible fashion it often assumed,
+breaking into small rings on her forehead and at the back of her neck in
+the fashion of which she at least pretended to disapprove.
+
+"Miss Patricia said you wished to speak to me. I am glad you are so much
+better," she began in a reserved and ceremonious fashion as if she and
+the lieutenant had met on but one previous occasion before today.
+
+In truth it seemed impossible to Sally that the French officer whom she
+was facing at present had been the ill and disheveled boy she had found
+in hiding at the château and nursed back to comparative health.
+
+In announcing that Sally did not desire to see the young French officer
+again, Miss Patricia had been correct. Sally considered that she had
+made a grave and foolish mistake and preferred, as most of us do, that
+her mistake be ignored and forgotten.
+
+Yet Lieutenant Fleury had no idea either of ignoring or forgetting
+Sally's effort in his behalf.
+
+Immediately in reply to her knock he had risen. His serious expression
+had now changed to one of boyish gratitude and good humor.
+
+"Yes, I did wish to speak to you; you are kind to have come," he
+returned, although in reality surprised by Sally's extremely youthful
+appearance. He had only a confused memory of her face bending above him
+during his delirium. They had enjoyed but one conversation when he was
+entirely himself. On that occasion he had supposed his rescuer a young
+woman of some years and dignity, and Sally at present looked like a
+school girl. Indeed, she was a school girl when at home in her own part
+of the world if one can count college and school as one and the same
+thing.
+
+After coming in from the garden this morning she had hastily changed her
+everyday Camp Fire dress for a white flannel of which she was especially
+fond, and without observing that the skirt had shrunk until it was
+extremely short.
+
+"I wished to tell you once again how more than grateful I am to you for
+your great kindness," the officer continued, smiling in spite of his
+serious state of mind at the unexpectedness of Sally's appearance.
+Looking at her now, it was hard to believe that she had ever assumed the
+arduous burden of nursing a wounded soldier under more than trying
+conditions. Yet if Sally had not been immature, she would have never
+have shouldered such a responsibility!
+
+She was smiling now and dimpling in an irresistible fashion.
+
+"Will you make me a promise?" she demanded. "It is the one thing I ask
+of you. If you are really under the impression that I was good to you
+when I was merely risking your life, then promise never to refer to what
+I did for you as long as you live and never mention the story to anybody
+who could have the faintest chance of knowing me. You see," Sally
+continued, her manner becoming more confidential, "I realize now that
+from every point of view I was foolish. It is kind of you to have turned
+out to be some one whom Miss Patricia and all of us are able to know,
+for you might have been a most impossible person."
+
+The young French officer laughed. As he recalled their last meeting and
+this one his benefactress struck him as a person who had the gift of
+provoking laughter.
+
+"I think this a good deal to require of me," he returned. "I will do
+what you ask only on condition that you-----"
+
+"That I promise to allow you to do a favor for me some day?" Sally
+completed the unfinished sentence. "I suppose that is what you were
+about to say, wasn't it? Of course you can do whatever kindness you like
+if you have the chance. But it does not seem probable. After you go away
+from the farm I can't imagine any reason why we should ever see each
+other again. Besides, you would do whatever you could for me whether I
+gave you permission or not." Here Sally smiled a second time.
+
+For an instant the French officer stared, nonplussed.
+
+But he was not the first person whom Sally had puzzled. She was so
+matter of fact and so sure of herself one could not tell whether she was
+extremely simple or correspondingly subtle.
+
+Since her companion regarded her as a child, he could have but one
+impression.
+
+When finally he held out his hand, Sally hesitated an instant before
+placing her own inside his. His exhibition of French courtesy and
+gratitude at their last meeting had been slightly embarrassing. But this
+time the lieutenant only held her hand gravely.
+
+"You are right, Miss Ashton, whatever was possible to show my gratitude
+to you I should do, with or without your permission. If I am spared when
+the war is over I may even create the opportunity which you seem to
+doubt my ever having. When the war began I had a sister who was, I think
+perhaps only a few years older than you. If you can ever make up your
+mind to regard me as she would have done, it would mean a great real to
+me."
+
+Sally was beginning to feel bored. She thought her companion was very
+conventional and a little stupid.
+
+She had not the faintest desire to adopt an unknown young man as a
+brother. Sally knew herself sufficiently well to realize that the
+sisterly attitude would make but little appeal to her as long as she
+lived. And she hoped that her interview with the rescued officer might
+be entertaining. Life was dull now at the farm with Mrs. Burton away and
+her own occupation, which had been exciting even if fatiguing,
+withdrawn.
+
+"What happened to your sister?" Sally inquired politely, although
+intending to make her escape as soon as possible should their
+conversation continue on such sentimental lines.
+
+"She was killed in the retreat when the Germans conquered this part of
+France at the outbreak of the war. I had gone to the front to join my
+regiment, so Yvonne and my mother were alone except for my little
+brother and a few women servants. Our château was destroyed."
+
+The French officer paused because Sally was looking at him with a
+curious expression as if an idea which she may have had in her mind for
+some time was now slowly crystalizing into a fact.
+
+"Your sister's name was Yvonne Fleury and your château was not far from
+here, was it not?" Sally demanded.
+
+The young officer nodded. He did not care to discuss his past history
+with Sally or with any one else in the world. There was nothing to be
+gained by recalling the inevitable tragedies of the war.
+
+Sally did not appear seriously distressed. Unless she happened to be an
+actual witness to suffering it did not touch her deeply. Besides, at the
+present time she was smiling oddly, as if she were pleased and
+displeased at the same time.
+
+"I don't think that you need adopt me as your sister," she remarked.
+
+Until this moment they had both continued standing.
+
+Now Sally made a little motion toward the invalid's chair which Miss
+Patricia had removed from their sitting-room to bestow upon her patient.
+
+"Suppose we both sit down," she suggested, taking the only other chair
+at the same instant.
+
+"There is something else I wish to talk to you about if you feel you are
+strong enough to hear. It may prove to be good news. I suppose it seems
+a strange coincidence, although some people would call it an act of
+Providence, but I am sure I don't understand such things. It is just
+barely possible your sister Yvonne Fleury was not killed. When we were
+crossing to France from the United States we met a girl on shipboard
+named Yvonne Fleury, whose home, the Château Yvonne, had been destroyed
+in the early part of the war. As she believed her brother had been
+killed at the front, she had gone to New York City, where she had been
+living with some friends for several years. She told the entire family
+tragedy to our chaperon, Mrs. Burton, who afterwards told the story to
+us, hoping we might be especially kind to Yvonne because of her
+unhappiness. The other girls have been, but Yvonne and I do not like
+each other and she has been very disagreeable to me. Still, if she turns
+out to be your sister, it does not matter. Under the circumstances I
+suppose I ought to say nothing against her.
+
+"I have been thinking of this for some time, ever since you told me your
+name, but of course there may be nothing in it. I only thought if you
+might like to meet this Yvonne Fleury--you see she came here to the farm
+and is living with us--I will speak first to Aunt Patricia and together
+you can decide."
+
+In reality Sally was not so unsympathetic or so childish as at present
+her words and manner suggested. During her long speech she had been
+watching the young officer narrowly. She had arrived at her present
+conclusion by putting certain facts together in a practical and
+commonsense fashion. There was more than a possibility that she might be
+wrong, so there was no reason for working oneself up into a state of
+hysteria or of heroics. Moreover, Sally had been entirely frank. She
+understood that the French officer would be overjoyed if Yvonne should
+prove to be his sister, but Sally herself would have felt no enthusiasm
+over the same discovery. As a matter of fact, she had no particular
+interest in Yvonne's opportunity for happiness through her aid.
+
+She was worried, however, because her former patient suddenly appeared
+so white and shaken by her words, when only a few moments before he had
+looked so remarkably well.
+
+Sally moved slowly backwards toward the door.
+
+"I'll go and find Aunt Patricia; perhaps I should have spoken to her
+first of my idea. Then after you have talked with her if you would like
+me to find Yvonne and ask her to come to you----"
+
+With these words, having managed to reach the half closed door, Sally
+disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE EXPECTED HAPPENS
+
+
+Miss Patricia Lord was on her way to the French village only a few miles
+from their farm house. Unless the call were urgent, rarely did Miss
+Patricia bestow her activities outside the environments of the farm,
+which of course included the house, garden, barns, fields, really a
+sufficient large sphere of activity even for her.
+
+It is true she had been an extremely practical benefactress to the
+entire neighborhood, yet her gifts had been made largely through other
+persons; Mrs. Burton or one of the Camp Fire girls reporting a special
+need among their neighbors, as promptly as possible Miss Patricia had
+seen that need supplied.
+
+So, as she took her walk on this summer afternoon, had she liked she
+might have given a good deal of credit to herself for the change in the
+appearance of the countryside which the past two months had wrought.
+
+A number of the peasants' huts near the road had been either entirely or
+partly rebuilt. But more important than the actual physical shelter,
+Miss Patricia's tractor had plowed its way over many acres which
+otherwise must have remained unproductive until, as far as the eye could
+see, the fields were now being made ready for planting. Even if German
+guns were thundering along the battle line, nevertheless behind that
+line the French peasants toiled on with their patience and their eternal
+industry.
+
+Today Miss Patricia was thinking of life's contrasts, of the peaceful
+scenes through which she was passing which only a few years before had
+been an altar of the world's carnage and which might soon be so
+sacrificed again.
+
+For it would seem as if the last gigantic struggle of the present war
+were now about to take place. Surely humanity would never pass through
+this universal Calvary again!
+
+Not yet had Mrs. Burton returned from her journey into southern France!
+
+A few days before, a letter stating that, having accomplished a portion
+of their mission, she, Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval were preparing to
+start on their homeward way, had arrived for Miss Patricia, although the
+letter had been delayed for a week.
+
+A more important witness of their mission had been the actual return to
+the French village of a number of the refugees in whose welfare Mrs.
+Burton had been especially interested. Among them was the French girl,
+Elise.
+
+At this moment Miss Patricia was intending to pay a call to offer her
+congratulations to Elise and her grandmother and also to learn if Elise
+had seen Mrs. Burton or heard any definite information concerning her.
+The visit was not one to which she looked forward with pleasure, but was
+due to the fact that Mrs. Burton had asked it of her as a favor. Miss
+Patricia's use of the French tongue was so impossible that all
+conversation between her and her French neighbors was an agony.
+Moreover, her unconsciously fierce manner seemed always to disconcert
+the courteous peasants.
+
+Nevertheless, the old men and women and children whom she met on the
+road into the village and later upon the village streets bowed to her
+with more than ordinary friendliness. If they could not comprehend her
+words or her manner, the value of her kindness they could understand.
+
+A child ran out of one of the houses and unexpectedly presented Miss
+Patricia with a little battered image of St. Joseph, and although St.
+Joseph is one of the patron saints of marriage, Miss Patricia accepted
+her gift with warm appreciation.
+
+An hour later, when she received the first intimation of what had
+occurred, Miss Patricia was standing in the little yard in front of
+their hut with Grand'mère and Elise.
+
+There was no restraint about Grand'mère's conversation now that her
+granddaughter was restored to her; indeed, she was pouring forth such a
+flood of rapid speech that Miss Patricia had the sensation of drowning
+in a sea of words of which she could understand about one in fifty.
+
+Nevertheless, it was pleasant to glance now and then toward Elise, who
+was as charmingly pretty as her neighbors and friends had described her.
+From her weeks of enforced imprisonment and something nearly approaching
+starvation, the young French girl was thin and haggard. Yet as nothing
+more terrible had happened, she was too rejoiced over her return not to
+show delight and gratitude in every expression of her vivid face.
+Moreover, after being allowed to cross the borderland from Germany into
+France, she really had a meeting of a few moments with Mrs. Burton, who
+had given her the money and the information necessary for her
+homecoming.
+
+At the moment when one of Elise's friends ran into the yard from an
+unexpected direction, Miss Patricia's first sensation was that of
+relief. At least she could enjoy a short respite from her position of
+exclusive audience to Grand'mère. The woman appeared so excited and so
+full of some story she undoubtedly had come to tell, that immediately
+she became the center of attention. Moreover, a dozen other persons soon
+followed her until in a few seconds the little yard was crowded with
+gesticulating figures.
+
+Miss Patricia was about to withdraw when a single word arrested her
+attention. The word was of course pronounced in French fashion, yet in
+the past few weeks Aunt Patricia had learned to recognize its peculiar
+French intonation. The word was Mrs. Burton's name.
+
+Through guessing, through intuition and also through the united efforts
+of her new friends, soon after Miss Patricia learned as much of the
+woman's tale as it was desirable for her to hear at the present time.
+
+This story had spread through the village. A French ambulance bearing
+the sign of the _croix de rouge_ had just driven through the town
+en route to the farm house on the Aisne, the present home of the Camp
+Fire girls. Returning from her work in southern France, Mrs. Burton had
+been injured and rather than be cared for in a hospital had begged to be
+brought directly to the farm.
+
+As a matter of fact, Miss Patricia arrived at the farm house exactly two
+minutes before the Red Cross ambulance drew up before the front door.
+How she managed this one could only discover from Miss Patricia. The
+village owned a single motor car used in transporting supplies and Miss
+Patricia saw that it traveled faster on this occasion than ever before
+in its history.
+
+Besides, Mrs. Burton, who was so swathed in bandages one could scarcely
+recognize her, the ambulance contained Monsieur Duval, the French
+senator, Mrs. Bishop and a Red Cross nurse.
+
+Ignoring them all, Aunt Patricia lifted Mrs. Burton in her arms and
+carried her upstairs to her room, placing her upon the bed.
+
+An hour later, when the farm house had grown strangely quiet and
+everybody had been sent outdoors except the nurse and a doctor who had
+been hastily summoned, Aunt Patricia stalked down the steps into the
+drawing-room. Here she found Monsieur Duval and Mrs. Bishop waiting to
+explain the situation to her.
+
+They had been motoring toward home and several miles back of the French
+line, when without any reason for such a catastrophe, a shell had
+dropped from a German aeroplane and exploded near their car.
+
+Aside from Mrs. Burton, no member of the party had been hurt, but a
+piece of the shell had imbedded itself inside her chest and was supposed
+to be too near her lungs for an operation.
+
+"Do you mean that Polly Burton has a chance to live without an
+operation?" Miss Patricia demanded in grim tones when her two companions
+had finished their unsatisfying explanation of what had taken place.
+
+Mrs. Bishop shook her head.
+
+"I am afraid not; that is why we took the risk of bringing her home to
+you when she wished so much to come."
+
+"Is there a chance for her to recover through an operation?" Miss
+Patricia next asked without a perceptible change either in her
+expression or manner.
+
+This time, as Mrs. Bishop appeared unable to speak, Monsieur Duval
+answered instead.
+
+"There is one in a hundred, but we dared not accept the responsibility
+without first coming to you."
+
+"Then telegraph at once for the best surgeon in Paris who can be spared
+and also for Captain Richard Burton. I will give you his address. In the
+meantime, if you can find hospitality elsewhere than at our farm I shall
+be grateful. We shall have but little opportunity to make visitors
+comfortable for the next few days."
+
+With this Miss Patricia withdrew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+
+Some little time afterwards, late on a March afternoon, the yard in
+front of the farm house on the Aisne, chosen by the Camp Fire girls for
+their temporary home in France, was occupied by a number of persons.
+They had separated into groups and were either walking about the place
+or else were seated in informal attitudes.
+
+On the wooden steps leading directly down from the house two girls moved
+aside to allow a woman and a man to pass them.
+
+The woman was Miss Patricia, who appeared taller and more painfully
+gaunt than ever, and moreover, was laying down the law upon some subject
+in her usual didatic fashion. Yet the man whose arm was slipped through
+hers was regarding her with devoted and amused affection. According to
+Captain Richard Burton and in the opinion of a number of other persons,
+Miss Patricia's good sense and devotion in the past few weeks had saved
+his wife's life.
+
+Miss Patricia was discussing with him the question of increasing the
+number of cows upon the farm until a dairy could be run upon really
+scientific principles. She desired a dairy sufficiently large to supply
+milk to the nearby hospitals as well as to the babies in the villages.
+Up to the present time she had been largely interested in preserving the
+health of the young children who came within her sphere of effort. But
+realizing that milk at present was one of the greatest needs in France
+for the proper feeding of the wounded soldiers and of the convalescents,
+Miss Patricia was arranging for the shipment of a herd of a hundred cows
+from the United States. As a matter of fact, she was supposed to be
+asking Captain Burton's advice upon the subject, though Miss Patricia's
+method of asking advice was merely to announce what she intended doing.
+
+After watching the two older persons disappear toward the barn, which
+had been restored until it presented a very comfortable aspect, Peggy
+Webster glanced up from her knitting to look earnestly at her companion.
+
+"How long do you intend remaining in France to continue with the
+reconstruction work, Vera?" she inquired.
+
+Vera Lagerloff was sewing upon a dress for one of the children in the
+neighborhood, since few of them had clothing enough to keep them warm
+and comfortable in spite of all that was being done for them in the
+reclamation districts by an increasing force of American women and
+girls.
+
+Vera's eyes followed the direction Miss Patricia's tall figure had just
+taken.
+
+"I intend to stay on indefinitely until the war is over and afterwards
+if I feel I can be of more use here than anywhere else. A few days ago
+Miss Patricia told me that she would be very glad to pay my expenses, as
+she believed I was 'a laborer worthy of my hire.' What an extraordinary
+woman she is and how much she seems to get out of life, if not for
+herself, then certainly for other people! I shall never forget our first
+meeting and the way in which she then took hold of the situation. I
+think none of us will forget her recent devotion to Mrs. Burton. Any one
+of us would have been willing to do what she did, only no one would have
+had the courage or the intelligence."
+
+Peggy nodded. "I have written mother pretty much the same thing you have
+just said. Certainly no one of our family can ever pay our debt to Aunt
+Patricia. Not that I should dare make the attempt!" Peggy added, smiling
+and looking a little anxiously at the sock she was about to finish. "But
+I wonder if I am envious of you, Vera, I mean of your planning to remain
+over here so long? Mother and father have written they would like me to
+come home as soon as I feel I am not especially needed and Tante has
+entirely recovered. They wish her to return as well, but I am by no
+means sure she will. There are moments of course when I am homesick and
+feel it my duty to be with my own people, now that Billy is gone and Dan
+has at last been permitted to volunteer. Then on the other hand, I
+naturally want to be in France while Ralph is here fighting. Have I told
+you that after Ralph's visit to us at the farm my family has consented
+to our engagement. We have promised not to consider marrying until the
+war is over. I am not speaking of this to any of the other Camp Fire
+girls, Vera, only to you and Bettina. But I shall always think of you,
+even if the future should separate us for a long time, as if you were
+almost my sister. I suppose if Billy had lived you would have been my
+sister."
+
+In response Vera shook her head with its heavy mass of dark hair.
+
+"I don't know, Peggy. I am not at all sure. I don't believe Billy's
+friendship and mine were like that. Perhaps when he grew older he would
+have wished to marry a prettier and more romantic girl, but always he
+would have come back to me for criticism and praise. Yet I should never
+have wished to marry any one else and now I shall never marry any one."
+
+As there is no real answer to a speech of this character, Peggy Webster
+made no reply. What Vera's future held in store for her was, according
+to an ancient pagan expression, "in the lap of the gods."
+
+But Peggy wrinkled her brows at this moment, making a little motion with
+her hand to attract Vera's attention to the figure of a girl who was
+standing alone about a dozen yards beyond them.
+
+"Sally looks pretty, does she not, with her dark hair and white dress?
+But of course nothing would induce her to confess that there is any
+especial reason why she wishes to look particularly attractive this
+afternoon. She is a funny child," Peggy concluded with the superior
+manner of an engaged person.
+
+This afternoon the Camp Fire girls were enjoying a half holiday and the
+unusual celebration of afternoon tea in honor of Mrs. Burton's recovery
+and also the arrival of the two guests whom they were now waiting out of
+doors to greet.
+
+Almost immediately after the reunion of Yvonne Fleury and her brother
+they left the farm together, returning to the neighborhood of their own
+château. Mrs. Burton's dangerous condition had made them feel it wiser
+to add no more responsibility to the household. They also desired to
+look up the old friends whom they might be able to find still living
+near their former home.
+
+Until this afternoon neither one of them had returned to the farm house
+even for a brief visit, although of course many letters had been
+exchanged between Yvonne and the other girls. Now Mary Gilchrist had
+motored over to the nearest railroad station to meet them and Yvonne and
+her brother, Lieutenant Fleury, were expected at any moment.
+
+Ten minutes later, when the motor containing the two guests finally
+arrived, Sally Ashton was the only one of the group of friends who did
+not go forward to welcome the newcomers.
+
+She did not believe that she particularly liked either of them and there
+would be time enough to do her duty later.
+
+As a matter of fact, Sally was about to slip around the side of the
+house toward the kitchen to assist in the preparation of their simple
+tea when Lieutenant Fleury followed her and as he called her by name she
+felt obliged to stop and speak to him.
+
+He looked extremely well as if he had entirely recovered from his
+illness and was better looking than Sally would have dreamed possible.
+
+"You do not seem enthusiastic about seeing me again?" Lieutenant Fleury
+began, smiling at Sally.
+
+"I am very glad to find you so well," Sally announced as she shook
+hands. It was difficult to confuse Sally. She had a great deal of poise
+of her own kind and a little superior air of detachment which was oddly
+amusing.
+
+"Yes, I am very well, thanks to you. Still I insist upon knowing why you
+are not pleased to see me? I remember you snubbed me for suggesting that
+we might develop a sisterly and brotherly affection for each other, but
+now I have discovered Yvonne, won't you be friends? It is hard upon me
+if you refuse to consent because my burden of gratitude to you must then
+be all the heavier. I am going back to join my regiment in a few days.
+Today I also came to warn Miss Lord and Captain Burton that there will
+be danger later this spring if you insist upon remaining here at your
+farm house. I cannot speak plainly, but I have reason to believe the
+German drive will not be long delayed. The Allied line will hold; they
+shall never break through, yet it might be wiser if you were out of the
+range of any possible danger."
+
+Without discussion of the question and disregarding the delightful
+possibility of tea, Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were walking side by
+side away from the farm house yard and toward the old château.
+
+"You are very kind, Lieutenant Fleury," Sally answered, speaking more
+gravely and with less childishness than one might have imagined, "but I
+do not believe we will consent to leave our farm house and to give up
+our work unless the war comes almost to our very door. Even then you
+know food might be useful to the soldiers and I am an extremely good
+cook."
+
+Sally's seriousness had disappeared and she was more her accustomed
+self.
+
+"Yet you have not answered my question or promised to be my friend,"
+Lieutenant Fleury argued, looking at his companion with an amused frown.
+Undoubtedly it was difficult to understand any human being who could be
+such a complete child at one moment and so wise the next; but perhaps
+Sally embodied the Biblical idea that true wisdom is only found among
+childish spirits.
+
+As a matter of fact, Sally answered simply, "Why, of course I am your
+friend, Lieutenant Fleury. Now when I am beginning to understand more of
+what soldiers must endure, I feel as if I were a friend to every man in
+our allied armies, although they probably are not aware of the honor,"
+and again Sally dimpled in irresistible fashion.
+
+Moreover, with this general acceptance of his friendship, Lieutenant
+Fleury was obliged to appear content, since Sally would give him no more
+satisfactory reply.
+
+A few weeks later the long-heralded German drive burst with renewed fury
+along a long line in France. How the group of American Camp Fire girls
+met the unexpected dangers and demands upon their courage and resources
+will be the subject of the next Camp Fire book.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campfire Girls on the Field of
+Honor, by Margaret Vandercook
+
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+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor by Margaret Vandercook</title>
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor, by 
+Margaret Vandercook
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor
+
+Author: Margaret Vandercook
+
+Release Date: February 25, 2010 [EBook #31393]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPFIRE GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<table summary='' class='books'>
+<tr><td class='c b pb10'>BOOKS BY MARGARET VANDERCOOK</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class='c'>THE RANCH GIRLS SERIES</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><p class='mb10'>The Ranch Girls at Rainbow Lodge<br />
+The Ranch Girls&#8217; Pot of Gold<br />
+The Ranch Girls at Boarding School<br />
+The Ranch Girls in Europe<br />
+The Ranch Girls at Home Again<br />
+The Ranch Girls and their Great Adventure</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class='c'>THE RED CROSS GIRLS SERIES</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><p class='mb10'>The Red Cross Girls in the British Trenches<br />
+The Red Cross Girls on the French Firing Line<br />
+The Red Cross Girls in Belgium<br />
+The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army<br />
+The Red Cross Girls with the Italian Army<br />
+The Red Cross Girls Under the Stars and Stripes</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class='c'>STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><p>The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls Across the Sea<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls&#8217; Careers<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls in After Years<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Desert<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail</p></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a id='link_i1'></a><img src='images/i002.jpg'  alt='' />
+<p class='center caption'>
+<span class='sc'>Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were Walking Side by Side Away from the Farm House.</span>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+
+<div class='titlepage'>
+<p class='fs16'>THE</p>
+<p class='fs20'>CAMP FIRE GIRLS</p>
+<p class='fs16'>ON THE</p>
+<p class='fs20 mb60'>FIELD OF HONOR</p>
+<p>BY</p> <p class='fs12'>MARGARET VANDERCOOK</p> <p class='fs08 mb55'>Author of
+&#8220;The Ranch Girls&#8221; Series, &#8220;The Red<br />Cross Girls&#8221;
+Series, etc.</p> <p class='mb55'>ILLUSTRATED</p> <p>PHILADELPHIA</p> <p class='fs13'>THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.</p> <p class='fs11'>PUBLISHERS</p></div>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+
+<p class='c'>Copyright, 1918, by</p>
+<p class='c sc'>The John C. Winston Company</p>
+
+<hr class='hr50' />
+
+<p class='c b'>STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS</p>
+
+<p class='c'>List of Titles in the Order of their Publication</p>
+
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='sc'>The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls Across the Sea<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls&#8217; Careers<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls in After Years<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls at the Edge of the Desert<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls Behind the Lines<br />
+The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+
+<table summary='TOC'>
+<tr><td colspan='3' class='center fs12'>CONTENTS</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan='3' class='center fs12'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='fs08'>CHAPTER</td><td colspan='2' class='tar fs08'>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>I.</td><td class='tcol2'>An Old House</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_1'>7</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>II.</td><td class='tcol2'>Explanations</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_2'>24</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>III.</td><td class='tcol2'>&#8220;A Long Time Going Over There&#8221;</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_3'>39</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>IV.</td><td class='tcol2'>Chaperoning the Chaperon</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_4'>47</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>V.</td><td class='tcol2'>The Confession</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_5'>66</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>VI.</td><td class='tcol2'>A French Farm House on the Field of Honor</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_6'>78</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>VII.</td><td class='tcol2'>Becoming Adjusted</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_7'>98</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>VIII.</td><td class='tcol2'>The Old Château</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_8'>113</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>IX.</td><td class='tcol2'>A Mystery</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_9'>126</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>X.</td><td class='tcol2'>Breakers Ahead</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_10'>138</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XI.</td><td class='tcol2'>The Return</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_11'>154</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XII.</td><td class='tcol2'>Other Days and Other Ways</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_12'>165</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XIII.</td><td class='tcol2'>A Departure and an Arrival</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_13'>176</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XIV.</td><td class='tcol2'>A Warning</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_14'>193</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XV.</td><td class='tcol2'>The Discovery</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_15'>205</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XVI.</td><td class='tcol2'>An Unexpected Shelter</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_16'>223</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XVII.</td><td class='tcol2'>Two Officers</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_17'>233</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XVIII.</td><td class='tcol2'>The Expected Happens</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_18'>254</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1'>XIX.</td><td class='tcol2'>The Field of Honor</td><td class='tcol3'><a href='#link_19'>263</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+
+<table summary='LOI'>
+<tr><td colspan='3' class='center fs12'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan='3' class='center fs12'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1i'>Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were Walking Side By Side away from the Farm House</td><td class='tcol2i'><a href='#link_i1'>Frontispiece</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1i'>Have You Nothing Better to do than Steal?</td><td class='tcol2i'><a href='#link_i2'>14</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1i'>The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier</td><td class='tcol2i'><a href='#link_i3'>122</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tcol1i'>She and Old Jean Took an Entirely Opposite Direction</td><td class='tcol2i'><a href='#link_i4'>208</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+
+<h1>The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor</h1>
+
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span><a id='link_1'></a>CHAPTER I<br /><span class='h2fs'>AN OLD HOUSE</span></h2>
+
+<p>There are certain old houses in New York City built of rose-colored brick and
+white stone which face Washington Square.</p>
+
+<p>On this morning in early winter a light snow covered the ground and clung to
+the bare branches of the shrubs and trees.</p>
+
+<p>In a drawing-room of one of the old houses a young girl was moving quietly
+about at work. She was alone and the room was almost entirely dismantled, the
+pictures having been taken down from the walls, the decorations stored away and
+the furniture protected by linen covers.</p>
+
+<p>The girl herself was wearing an odd costume, a long frock made like a <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> peasant&#8217;s smock with
+an insignia of two crossed logs and a flame embroidered upon one sleeve. With
+her dark eyes, her dark, rather coarse hair, which she wore parted in the middle
+over a low forehead, and her white, unusually colorless skin, she suggested a
+foreigner. Nevertheless, although her mother and father were born in Russia,
+Vera Lagerloff was not a foreigner. However, at this moment she was talking
+quietly to herself in a foreign tongue, yet the language she was making an
+attempt to practice was French and not Russian. Since the entry of the United
+States into the world war, New York City had been exchanging peoples as well as
+material supplies with her Allies to so large an extent that <i>one</i> language
+was no longer sufficient even for the requirements of one&#8217;s own
+country.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, still reciting her broken sentences almost as if she were rehearsing
+a part in a play, Vera walked over to a front window and stood gazing
+expectantly out into the Square as if she were looking for some one.</p>
+
+<p>It was about three o&#8217;clock in the afternoon <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> and the neighborhood was almost deserted.
+In the paths beyond the Washington Arch a few children were playing. Now and
+then an occasional man or woman passed along the street, to vanish into a house
+or apartment building.</p>
+
+<p>A few taxis and private cars rolled by, but not one made even a pretence of
+stopping before the rose-colored brick house.</p>
+
+<p>After about five minutes of waiting, sighing and then, smiling at her own
+folly, the girl turned away and began slowly to climb up the old colonial stairs
+leading to the second floor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When will human beings cease demanding the impossible?&#8221; she
+asked of herself, yet speaking aloud. &#8220;I know that Mrs. Burton and Bettina
+cannot arrive for another half hour, nevertheless I am wasting both time and
+energy watching for their appearance.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>During the past month Vera Lagerloff had been the guest of Mrs. Richard
+Burton in her New York home. Together they had been closing the house for an
+indefinite period and making their final arrangements for sailing for France.
+Within a <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> few days
+the American Sunrise Camp Fire unit, with Mrs. Burton as their guardian, was to
+set sail to help with the work of reclamation in the devastated area of France
+and also to establish the first group of Camp Fire girls ever recognized upon
+French soil.</p>
+
+<p>Since their summer &#8220;Behind the Lines&#8221; in southern California,
+Vera had been studying with these two purposes in mind.</p>
+
+<p>In the front of the house on the second floor Mrs. Burton&#8217;s private
+sitting-room was to be left undisturbed until the day of her departure, and it
+was toward this room Vera was making her way.</p>
+
+<p>Except for the two servants, man and wife, engaged only a short time before,
+who were presumably busy downstairs, she supposed herself alone.</p>
+
+<p>Now as she approached the sitting-room, through the open door she caught
+sight of the blue and silver of the walls, a pair of old blue curtains and a
+tea-table decorated with a tea-service and a blue bowl of yellow jonquils. Then
+an unlooked-for sensation made the girl pause within a few feet on the far side
+of the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> threshold,
+almost holding her breath, for she had the extraordinary impression that the
+room she had presumed empty was already occupied.</p>
+
+<p>The next instant Vera discovered that a man was standing in front of a small
+mahogany desk endeavoring to break into a locked drawer. He had not heard her
+approach, for he did not turn toward her, nevertheless she immediately
+recognized the man and the situation. The day before, in order to meet the
+expenses of the journey to France, Mrs. Burton had drawn a large sum of money
+from bank, placing it in her desk for safe keeping. To the members of her own
+household she had made no secret of this, and now one of them was taking
+advantage of his knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>Vera recognized that she must think and act quickly, or it might be possible
+that all their hopes and plans for service in France would vanish in one tragic
+instant.</p>
+
+<p>In the bedroom in the rear of the hall she knew there was a telephone. Yet
+the moments occupied in having the telephone <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_12'></a>12</span> answered and in calling the police seemed
+interminable. In far less time surely the thief must have accomplished his
+design!</p>
+
+<p>Yet naturally after her call had been answered Vera knew she must return to
+make sure and equally naturally she feared to face the man were he still
+upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>In the right hand corner of Mrs. Burton&#8217;s dressing table was a silver
+mounted pistol. This had been Captain Burton&#8217;s parting gift to his wife
+before his own departure for Europe a few weeks before. Vera distinctly
+remembered her own and Mrs. Burton&#8217;s nervousness over the gift and Captain
+Burton&#8217;s annoyance. They were about to make their home in a devastated
+country recently occupied by the enemy and yet were afraid of so simple a method
+of self-protection! Vera had shared in Captain Burton&#8217;s lecture and in his
+instructions.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, ordinarily she was not timid, but instead possessed a singular
+feminine courage. So an instant later, holding the small pistol partly concealed
+by her skirt, Vera slipped noiselessly back again into <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> the hall, moving along in the shadow near
+the wall. Within a few feet of the sitting-room suddenly the thief appeared in
+the doorway. The next instant, startled by her appearance, he made a headlong
+rush down the stairs with his purpose too nearly accomplished to think of
+surrender.</p>
+
+<p>As Vera followed she wondered if, when the thief reached the front door,
+where he must pause in opening it, would she then have the courage to fire? Much
+as she desired to secure the stolen money, she felt the instinctive feminine
+dislike of wounding another human being.</p>
+
+<p>Yet now she discovered that, in spite of having failed to notice the fact on
+her way upstairs, the front door was not locked. It had been purposely left
+slightly ajar so that there need be no dangerous delay.</p>
+
+<p>But before the thief actually reached the front door majestically it was
+flung open. From the outside a voice called &#8220;Halt.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a id='link_i2'></a><img src='images/i014.jpg'  alt='' />
+<p class='center caption'>
+&#8220;<span class='sc'>Have You Nothing Better to do than Steal?</span>&#8221;
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span>Immediately after,
+instead of a policeman as she anticipated, Vera beheld one of the most singular
+figures she had ever seen. For the moment, in her excitement and confusion, she
+could not tell whether the figure was a woman&#8217;s or a man&#8217;s. A long
+arm was thrust forward, then, such was the thief&#8217;s surprise, that he
+allowed the stolen pocketbook to be removed from his grasp without
+opposition.</p>
+
+<p>As Vera regained sufficient equanimity to cover him with her pistol she heard
+a rich Irish voice unmistakably a woman&#8217;s, saying:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sure, man alive and have you nothing better to do than steal when the
+world is so hard put for honest soldiers and workmen to carry on her affairs.
+Now get you away and pray the saints to forgive you, for the next time
+you&#8217;ll not be let off so easily.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Glad to take the newcomer at her word, the man vanished. Then before Vera
+could either move or speak, the surprising visitor marched up to her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Put that pistol away, child, and never handle it again, or you will
+injure yourself! Now take me upstairs to Polly Burton&#8217;s sitting-room and
+make me some tea, for the plain truth is I am famished. I have just arrived in
+New York from Boston, and <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_16'></a>16</span> travel in war times certainly has its drawbacks. But
+if you will wait I&#8217;ll first bring my suitcase inside the hall until we
+feel more like carrying it upstairs.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Before Vera could offer her assistance a shabby suitcase was brought
+indoors.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after she found herself, not leading the way, but following the
+unexpected intruder to the second floor. Evidently the elderly woman was
+familiar with the house, for she made her way directly to the sitting-room and,
+seating herself upon the divan, began untying her bonnet strings.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of her own confusion and excitement and the visitor&#8217;s
+surprising appearance, Vera believed herself in the presence of an important
+personage. She understood this, notwithstanding the fact that the woman&#8217;s
+costume was conspicuously shabby and she herself extremely plain.</p>
+
+<p>The bonnet which she removed without waiting to be asked followed a fashion
+of about a quarter of a century before. When her traveling coat had been laid
+aside the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> black
+dress underneath was almost equally old-fashioned in design.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here, child, please take this money and hide it in the same place, or
+find a safer one,&#8221; she announced. &#8220;Yet it may be just as well not to
+mention the robbery to Polly Burton. She is sure to need more strength than she
+possesses to be able to start on this perilous journey to France almost at the
+beginning of winter, with only you foolish children as her companions. Besides,
+I presume Polly left the money in the most conspicuous place in the house; she
+never has learned not to trust the entire world. I allowed the thief to escape
+so we need give no further time to him. But tell me the whole story&#8211;who
+are you, how did the man get into the house and why are you here
+alone?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At last, in the first opportunity which had been vouchsafed her, Vera
+endeavored to explain what had occurred. As she spoke she could feel herself
+being observed with the keenest, most searching scrutiny. Yet for some reason,
+although never having heard the name or seen her companion before, she had no
+thought of disputing her <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_18'></a>18</span> visitor&#8217;s right to whatever information she
+desired. The dark eyes in the weather-beaten old face were wise and kind; the
+manner belonged to a woman accustomed to being obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>Later Vera and her guest made a careful tour of the lower part of the house.
+Of course the cook had vanished soon after her husband. But they were downstairs
+in time to meet the police when they finally made their appearance.</p>
+
+<p>Vera opened the door, yet she stood aside to hear her companion announce.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You can go away again. No, we have no need of you, the telephone call
+was a mistake.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Finally when the police had disappeared without requiring a great deal of
+persuasion, for the second time Vera followed her unknown companion
+upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You understand, child, it would have been the greatest interruption to
+our present plans if I had not permitted the thief to escape. Some one would
+have had to appear in court and doubtless Polly Burton would have had newspaper
+reporters coming to the house at all hours. They <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> would have liked a story in which a woman
+of her prominence played a part.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Fifteen minutes later, having presented the unexpected guest with the tea she
+had requested, Vera was sitting beside the tea table waiting to satisfy her
+further needs, when she caught the sound of a key being turned in the lock of
+the front door downstairs and the next instant Mrs. Burton&#8217;s voice,
+followed by Bettina Graham&#8217;s, calling for her.</p>
+
+<p>With a hurried apology and really fearful that her autocratic companion might
+attempt to detain her, Vera ran out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>Over the banisters she could see Bettina Graham, who had just arrived from
+Washington, and Mrs. Burton, who had gone down to the Pennsylvania station to
+meet her.</p>
+
+<p>Standing near Bettina was a girl whom Vera had never seen before.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she joined them Bettina introduced her explaining:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Vera, this is Mary Gilchrist, who is going abroad to drive a motor in
+France. She had no friends with whom she could <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_20'></a>20</span> cross, and as we were intending to sail on the same
+steamer, I suggested when we met in Washington the other day that she might like
+to join our Camp Fire unit. At the depot I introduced her to Tante, who of
+course insisted that she come home with us rather than stay in a hotel
+alone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>During this conversation, Mrs. Richard Burton, the Sunrise Camp Fire guardian
+of former days, having passed by the group of girls, was making her way upstairs
+alone. She had moved so quickly that, in her effort to be polite to
+Bettina&#8217;s new friend, Vera had no opportunity to mention the presence of
+another stranger in the house. When she did murmur something, Mrs. Burton did
+not hear.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching her own sitting-room she gazed uncertainly for half an instant at
+the tall figure on the divan, who, having poured herself another cup of tea, was
+now engaged in drinking it. The next she clasped her hands together and with a
+manner suggesting both nervousness and apology, began.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Patricia, please don&#8217;t say you have come to argue with me
+about taking <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> my
+group of Sunrise Camp Fire girls to work with me in the devastated area of
+France. It is really too late now to interfere. I was finally able to secure my
+husband&#8217;s permission.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia Lord carefully set down her tea-cup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come and kiss me, Polly Burton, and tell me you are glad to see me. I
+don&#8217;t like your fashion of greeting an unexpected guest. But
+there&#8211;you look tired out from too much responsibility before it is time to
+set sail! As a matter of fact, I have not come to try to <i>prevent</i> your
+going to France. Has anybody ever made you give up anything you had firmly set
+your heart upon? But, mavourneen, I have come to go with you. Do you suppose for
+a moment, after receiving yours and Richard&#8217;s letters telling me of your
+plans, that I dreamed of allowing you to undertake such a project as you have in
+mind alone? Why, you won&#8217;t be able to look after yourself properly, to say
+nothing of more than half a dozen young girls! I am told there are eight hundred
+and forty thousand homeless people in the devastated <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> districts of France at the present time
+and I cannot understand why you wish to add to the number. But as you will go,
+well, I am determined to go with you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A moment later, seated close beside the older woman, Mrs. Burton had slipped
+an arm inside hers and was holding it close.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Aunt Patricia, I am so relieved,&#8221; she murmured. &#8220;I
+have not confided this fact to any one before, but sometimes I have been so
+nervous over the prospect of looking after my group of Camp Fire girls in France
+that I have wanted to run away and hide where no one could ever discover me. Of
+course I am not afraid of disaster for myself, Richard is in France and then
+nothing ever happens to me! Besides, no one has a right to think of oneself at
+present. But to be responsible to so many mothers for the safety of their
+beloved daughters! I rise up each morning feeling that my hair must have turned
+white in the night from the very thought. But if you are with me, why, I will
+not worry! Still I don&#8217;t see just how you can arrange to sail with us;
+perhaps you can manage to <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_23'></a>23</span> cross later, but our passage has been engaged for
+weeks and&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia Lord arose and walked over to the tea table, where she devoted
+her energy to pouring her hostess a cup of tea.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You need not trouble about <i>my</i> arrangements, Polly. I secured my
+ticket on the steamer upon which you are to sail some time ago and also my
+passport. I sent my trunk directly to the boat. Of course I am taking but few
+clothes with me, as a matter of fact, I have all I shall require in my suitcase
+downstairs. But later there will be many things necessary for our housekeeping
+in France of which you may not have thought.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span><a id='link_2'></a>CHAPTER II<br /><span class='h2fs'>EXPLANATIONS</span></h2>
+
+<p>&#8220;Bettina, who on earth is Miss Patricia Lord? A more formidable lady I
+never imagined!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sitting before a fire in their bedroom, which they had chosen to share so as
+to be able to talk for as long a time as they wished before retiring, were the
+two Sunrise Camp Fire girls, Bettina Graham and Vera Lagerloff. Both girls had
+changed conspicuously in manner and appearance since the summer before when they
+had been in camp together &#8220;Behind the Lines&#8221; in southern California.
+However, there comes a day in every girl&#8217;s life when with entire
+suddenness she seems to understand and accept the revelation of her
+womanhood.</p>
+
+<p>To Bettina Graham had been given an added social experience. During the past
+few months, without being formally introduced into society, nevertheless she had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> been assisting her
+mother in receiving in their home in Washington. In spite of the fact that there
+had been but little entertaining on a large scale because of the war, Bettina
+had gone to occasional dinners and small dances, and on account of her
+father&#8217;s prominence and her mother&#8217;s popularity, had shared in the
+best opportunities. Moreover, Washington had never been so crowded with
+interesting men and women, and yet scarcely a day passed when Bettina did not
+whisper to herself that nothing could make her enjoy a conventional society
+existence. It was only because of the universal absorption in the war at the
+present time that society had become more endurable. But to continue the life
+indefinitely demanded an impossible sacrifice.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon in late fall Bettina and her father, Senator Graham, in an hour
+of mutual confidence, imparted the information to each other that they regarded
+themselves as social failures.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You see, Bettina, my dear, I was not to the manner born in this social
+game and had no one to teach me until I married <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_26'></a>26</span> your mother,&#8221; Senator Graham announced with a
+certain embarrassment. &#8220;Indeed, I never had entered a drawing-room until I
+was a grown man and then had not the faintest idea how the confounded thing
+should be done. You don&#8217;t think you could have inherited a social
+awkwardness from me?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then, fearing to have wounded his daughter&#8217;s feelings Senator Graham
+added quickly: &#8220;I don&#8217;t mean that you have not charming manners,
+little Betty, as charming as any in the world aside from your mother&#8217;s.
+And personally I have not seen a prettier girl in Washington or elsewhere. But
+if you really are unhappy among strangers and would like to go to France with
+your old friends to help with the work over there, why, I will try to see how
+matters can be arranged. I don&#8217;t think I would speak of your idea to your
+mother, not just at present, as there is no point in worrying her.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In answer Bettina had laughed and promised. Always she was touched by her
+father&#8217;s use of her old childhood name <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_27'></a>27</span> now that she had become nearly as tall as he himself
+was.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But, father, don&#8217;t think I mind sharing a social disability with
+you. I am afraid my infirmity goes somewhat deeper,&#8221; Bettina answered.
+&#8220;As a matter of fact, I heard one of mother&#8217;s friends say the other
+day that there was no more brilliant or agreeable man in Washington society than
+Senator Graham, once he could be persuaded to throw aside his social hauteur and
+condescend to ordinary mortals,&#8221; she continued, imitating the
+visitor&#8217;s voice and manner, to the Senator&#8217;s deep amusement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But of course I won&#8217;t annoy mother until I am sure our Camp Fire
+unit has a real chance of being accepted for the work in France. It is hard upon
+mother to have had Tony inherit all the family beauty and charm. However, he
+will make up to her some day for my failures!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Bettina was doing herself an injustice. In reality she was unusually handsome
+and as she grew older her tall stateliness increased her distinction. Tonight
+she looked especially attractive as she sat <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_28'></a>28</span> braiding her long yellow hair into two heavy plaits,
+with a blue corduroy dressing gown worn over her night-dress.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Patricia? It is odd, Vera, you have never heard her name
+mentioned! Yet I confess my personal acquaintance with Aunt Patricia also began
+this afternoon, although I have known of her for a long time and my mother is
+one of her great friends.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Years ago when Tante was first married Aunt Patricia arrived in this
+country from Ireland, and as she seemed to be frightfully poor she secured a
+position at the theatre as wardrobe woman. Right away she adopted Tante and
+Uncle Richard and they have been devoted to one another ever since. Later on
+Aunt Patricia&#8217;s brother died, leaving her an enormous fortune. Then it
+developed that she had come to this country from Ireland because he had sent for
+her and afterwards had refused to live with him or accept a cent of his money
+because he would not do what she wished, or because for some reason or other she
+disapproved of him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After Aunt Patricia inherited the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_29'></a>29</span> money she has spent as little as possible for her own
+needs, but instead gives away large sums in eccentric fashions which appeal to
+her. Nevertheless I confess I am not happy over the prospect of her going to
+France to be with us, although Tante seems immensely relieved to have her
+companionship and our families will be glad to know she will not have to bear so
+much responsibility alone. It is a good deal of a task to look after seven or
+eight girls.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Vera frowned somewhat ruefully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I thought we were going to France to care for other people not to
+be looked after ourselves. However, if Miss Lord&#8217;s behavior this afternoon
+is a fair criterion I shall certainly become as a little child. For the entire
+time we were together I don&#8217;t think I dared do anything except what she
+commanded. But isn&#8217;t it wonderful that our entire Camp Fire unit is to go
+to France for the reclamation work? I thought when Mrs. Burton offered me the
+opportunity last summer that I should go alone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Within the past months Vera Lagerloff <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_30'></a>30</span> had also changed, but the transformation was unlike
+Bettina Graham&#8217;s.</p>
+
+<p>After Billy Webster&#8217;s death in California Vera had made astonishingly
+little open protest. But for that reason the effect upon her character had been
+the deeper.</p>
+
+<p>Since her earliest childhood there had been but little in her life for which
+she cared intensely, save her friendship with the odd dreaming boy, whose
+ambitions for his own future had absorbed so much of her time and thought. Until
+Billy died Vera really had never considered her own future apart from his.</p>
+
+<p>In many ways she was superior to the members of her own family, which in
+itself makes for a certain spiritual loneliness. Yet her parents were Russians,
+and Russia is at present offering more contradictions in human nature than any
+other race of people in the world. However, if her parents were peasants and had
+but little education, they had possessed sufficient courage to emigrate to the
+United States at a time when the Czar and autocracy ruled in their own land.
+Afterwards Vera&#8217;s father had become a small farmer <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> on Mr. Webster&#8217;s large place, and
+here Vera and Billy had grown up together.</p>
+
+<p>But at least Vera&#8217;s family made no effort to interfere with her. The
+other children appeared content to follow in the ways of their ancestors, living
+with and by the land. In a measure they were proud that Vera cared for books and
+people who could never be their friends. Yet perhaps Vera&#8217;s character had
+been largely influenced by her one singular friendship.</p>
+
+<p>Now it remained to be seen what she could accomplish with her own life
+uninspired by a dominating affection.</p>
+
+<p>She was an unusual looking girl, and not handsome according to Anglo-Saxon
+standards. She was tall and ruggedly built, with broad shoulders and hips,
+indicating strength more than grace. Her heavy dark hair, growing low over her
+forehead, had a unique quality of vitality. Her nose and mouth were both a
+little heavy, although her mouth gave promise of future beauty, and she had the
+fine Slavic eyes with the slight slant.</p>
+
+<p>Vera and Bettina afforded a marked contrast. The one girl, whatever her
+brilliant <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> father
+might say of his antecedents, showed only the evidences of high breeding, both
+its charm and limitations. Yet, thinking more deeply, was not after all
+Vera&#8217;s the older ancestry since the first men and women must have been
+those who lived nearest to nature?</p>
+
+<p>At this moment, when the one girl finished speaking, leaning over Bettina
+rested her chin in her slender hand. She had not seen Vera for some time and was
+now trying to discover in her companion&#8217;s face what she knew would never
+be confided to her, to what extent Vera had recovered from her sorrow over Billy
+Webster&#8217;s death.</p>
+
+<p>But instead of speaking of this, Bettina continued:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it is extraordinary that our entire Camp Fire unit is so soon to
+cross over to France. I only wish the rest of us were as well prepared for the
+work as you are, Vera. You have been studying cooking and the care of children,
+besides the first aid and the farm work, which you must have known already? I
+was able to find time for only a short period of intensive <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> study. Yet fortunately I know a good deal
+of French. Ever since I was a tiny child I have been speaking French and
+certainly I am familiar with our Camp Fire training and ideals. I only learned
+recently that, although there are organizations similar to our Camp Fire in
+England, China, Japan and Australia, there is none in France. Is it not a
+wonderful thing that we are to be the pioneers of the Camp Fire movement in
+France? Don&#8217;t you feel that if we can arouse sufficient enthusiasm among
+the French girls to induce them to form a national organization it will bring
+American and French girls into closer touch with each other?</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you know, Vera, so many times in the past year I have heard
+prominent men in Washington declare that the French, British, Italians and
+Americans, having fought together on common ground for a common ideal, can never
+in the future be anything but brothers in spirit. Yet never once have I heard
+any one speak of the same need for intimate association among the women of the
+different nations. Why is this not equally important? The <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> women of the future must also acquire
+something of the new international spirit, must also learn to work and play
+together. I think our Camp Fire embodies all these inspiring principles and
+ideas for girls, and so I hope our work in France may be the beginning of an
+international Camp Fire organization all over the world.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Vera Lagerloff, who had apparently been watching the flickering yellow and
+rose flames in their tiny fire while Bettina talked, now looked toward her and
+smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Be careful, Bettina, you are a dreamer. Remember, the world has room
+for but a few dreamers. I suppose that is why Billy went away. After all, you
+know it is the small, hard sacrifices that are required of women and girls in
+time of war.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then getting up, Vera began walking up and down the room as if finding relief
+in action.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;By the way, Bettina, have you heard the latest news from Gerry
+Williams?&#8211;oh, I should have said Gerry Morris, I forgot her married
+name.&#8221; Vera went on, apparently desiring to change the subject: <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> &#8220;She hopes to see us
+after we reach our headquarters in France, if she and her father-in-law are not
+too far away. I have sometimes wondered if Mr. Morris did not give the money he
+had recently inherited to help with the restoration work in France as a thank
+offering because Felipe was required to serve only a short sentence for having
+tried to escape the draft? Soon after he was permitted to enlist. Mr. Morris and
+Gerry are living in one of the tiny ruined villages, assisting the old men and
+women and children to rebuild their little homes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Bettina frowned, hardly aware that her expression had become slightly
+skeptical.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I was told that Gerry had sailed with her father-in-law, although
+so far as I know Felipe is still in an American training camp,&#8221; Bettina
+replied. &#8220;But, Vera, I am not yet an enthusiast over Gerry. However, as we
+have never liked each other, perhaps I am not fair. I do not believe that
+people&#8217;s natures ever entirely change, even if circumstances do affect one
+for a time. So I shall have to behold the miracle of a transformed Gerry <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> before I am convinced of
+the change I am told has taken place in her.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At this instant Bettina suddenly ceased speaking because a faint knock had
+just sounded on their bedroom door.</p>
+
+<p>When Vera opened the door another girl stood outside. She was small and dark
+and had an upward tilt to her nose and indeed to her entire face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know this is the hour for confidences and so I won&#8217;t interrupt
+you long,&#8221; she began. &#8220;Only I thought it might be just as well if I
+present you with a short outline of my history. Miss Graham was kind enough to
+allow me to travel to Washington with her after meeting me at the home of a
+mutual friend. She does not know much about me, so I think she is especially
+kind. But perhaps we girls are beginning to take one another more for granted!
+As a matter of fact, my name is Mary Gilchrist, although I am usually called
+&#8216;Gill&#8217; by my friends, because my father insists I am so small I represent
+the smallest possible measure. I have no mother and have spent all my life with
+my father on our big Wheat ranch <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_37'></a>37</span> in Kansas. I suppose I should have been a boy,
+because I adore machinery and have been driving a car for years, even before the
+law would have permitted me to drive one. Of course I only motored over our
+ranch at first. Now I am hoping I can be useful in France. For the last few
+years I have been able to manage a tractor for the plowing and harvesting of our
+fields. My father has given me my own motor to take to France. He said he could
+do nothing less, since he had no son to devote to his country&#8217;s service
+and, as he was too old to fight himself, felt he could do his best work in
+increasing our output of wheat. But I did not intend saying so much about
+myself, only to thank you and Mrs. Burton for agreeing to allow me to make the
+crossing with you. I shall try not to be a nuisance. Good-night.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then actually before Vera or Bettina could reply the other girl vanished. Yet
+she left behind her an affect of energy and warmth, her glowing, piquant face,
+the red lights in her brown hair, even the freckles on her clear, lightly tanned
+skin gave one <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span> the
+impression that courage and action were essential traits of her character.</p>
+
+<p>After she had gone Vera smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well Bettina, I believe your new friend is original, whatever else she
+may be.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And Bettina nodded in agreement.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span><a id='link_3'></a>CHAPTER III<br /><span class='h2fs'>&#8220;A LONG TIME GOING OVER THERE&#8221;</span></h2>
+
+<p>In a week Mrs. Burton and the Sunrise Camp Fire unit sailed from a port
+somewhere in the United States to a port somewhere in France. Not only were they
+accompanied by Miss Patricia Lord, but apparently they were led by her. Whenever
+any information had to be imparted it was always Miss Patricia who gave it and
+she also appeared to settle all questions and all disputes. Under ordinary
+circumstances the Camp Fire girls would have been annoyed, but at present they
+were too absorbed in a hundred interests and as many emotions to be more than
+vaguely aware of Miss Patricia&#8217;s existence.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton, in spite of finding her own position frequently usurped and her
+opinions regarded as of small value, nevertheless from the moment of leaving New
+York felt a sensation of gratitude each <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_40'></a>40</span> time she glanced at Aunt Patricia&#8217;s homely and
+uncompromising countenance. In time past they had weathered many storms
+together; if there were storms ahead Miss Patricia could be counted upon to
+remain firm as the Rock of Gibraltar. Difficult and domineering, yet behind her
+brusqueness there was great good sense. Moreover, Mrs. Burton knew that Miss
+Patricia possessed the gift of kindness which is the rarest of human qualities.
+The Irish humor was there also, although now and then it might be hidden out of
+sight and only used by Miss Patricia as she used her Irish brogue in moments of
+special stress.</p>
+
+<p>Conscious that her group of Camp Fire girls was not pleased by the addition
+of a new member to their party, Mrs. Burton hoped in time they might come to
+appreciate Miss Patricia&#8217;s real value, although she made no effort to
+propitiate them at the start.</p>
+
+<p>The leave-taking these days is perhaps the hardest portion of the journey to
+France. One must say farewell with apparent cheerfulness to one&#8217;s family
+and <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span> friends,
+assuming that whatever dangers may lie in wait for other people, for you there
+can be only plain sailing, since this is the gallant spirit these tragic times
+demand. But for the Camp Fire girls there was also a certain fear that they
+might find themselves unfit for the service they wished to offer. However, there
+was no faltering and no regret, but only tremendous inspiration in the knowledge
+that they were to be the first American Camp Fire girls to enter France upon a
+special mission and with a special message to French girls.</p>
+
+<p>Of the date or the port from which passenger vessels sail these days there is
+no published record. It is enough to state that the Camp Fire party sailed one
+morning in the early winter a little before noon from a small harbor south of
+New York City. The morning had been cold and rainy and the fog lay thick upon
+the water many miles from the land.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the fact that their vessel was to form one of a convoy of a dozen
+ships, each boat left port at a different hour, to meet further out at sea.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span>Soon after their
+own sailing, Mrs. Burton retired to her state-room. Aunt Patricia and the Camp
+Fire girls insisted upon remaining on deck for an indefinite length of time.</p>
+
+<p>At what point the United States considers her ships have entered the danger
+zone on this side of the Atlantic only persons who have lately crossed to the
+other side can know.</p>
+
+<p>When this hour arrived the Camp Fire girls were standing close together,
+although separated into small groups. Peggy Webster, Vera Lagerloff and Bettina
+Graham were talking to one another; Sally Ashton and Alice Ashton stood a short
+distance off with their arms about each other, drawn together only in moments of
+excitement. Within a few feet Marta Clark was beside Mary Gilchrist, with Aunt
+Patricia not far away, but apparently paying no attention to any of them.</p>
+
+<p>In truth, it was Aunt Patricia who gave the first signal. The ships which
+until now had been at some distance apart were deliberately forming into the
+position <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> necessary
+for their convoy. It was almost as if they were making ready for a naval attack;
+the boats slowed down, mysterious whistles were blown, signals were run up.</p>
+
+<p>An hour or so later and the entire convoy, guarded by United States torpedo
+destroyers, were steaming rapidly ahead.</p>
+
+<p>Bettina Graham was leaning over the ship&#8217;s railing looking toward the
+western line of the horizon through a pair of long-distance glasses. In another
+moment she offered the glasses to Vera.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if you can see the destroyers more distinctly than I can
+manage, Vera? The fog is so heavy and the boats are so nearly the same color. No
+wonder they are known as the &#8216;gray watch-dogs of the sea!&#8217; I suppose one
+should feel safer because we are so surrounded, and yet in a way I am more
+nervous. Certainly the destroyers do not allow one to forget the reason for
+their presence, and I really had not thought a great deal of our danger from
+submarines until they appeared.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>For a few seconds as she stared through the glasses Vera made no reply.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span>As she turned to
+present the glasses to Peggy, Vera shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I am a better American than you are, Bettina, because I most
+assuredly do not feel as you do. Our guard of destroyers gives me an almost
+perfect sense of security. It may be absurd of course and a kind of jingoism,
+but I do not consider that we can possibly come to grief, protected by our own
+navy.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As they stood thus close together the Camp Fire girls were wearing the
+uniforms which had been especially designed for their trip abroad.</p>
+
+<p>Their ordinary Camp Fire outfit was of course not suitable; nevertheless the
+new costumes had been made to follow as closely as possible the idea and the
+model of the old. For military reasons they had chosen a darker shade of brown
+than the ordinary khaki color. At present over their serviceable brown serge
+traveling dresses they wore long coats of a golden brown cloth made with
+adjustable capes to conform with the changes of climate. The only suggestion of
+the Camp Fire was the insignia of the crossed logs with the <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> ascending flames embroidered upon one
+sleeve. Their hats were of soft brown felt.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the variety of striking and interesting uniforms on board ship,
+already the Camp Fire girls had excited a good deal of quiet attention. However,
+this may not have been due to their uniforms alone. As a matter of fact, they
+were younger than the other passengers and many persons were curious with regard
+to the work they were planning to undertake in France.</p>
+
+<p>Sailing upon the same vessel there chanced to be a Red Cross unit of twenty
+other girls who were to do canteen work among the French and American soldiers.
+But except for one conspicuous exception, this unit of girls was noticeably
+older.</p>
+
+<p>This made the one girl appear rather an outsider; moreover, the Camp Fire
+girls learned that she was not an American girl, but a French girl returning to
+her own country.</p>
+
+<p>There were no passengers on the ship who were not sailing to France for
+urgent reasons and for reasons which the United <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_46'></a>46</span> States government considered of sufficient importance
+to permit of their crossing.</p>
+
+<p>There were a number of business men whose affairs were not only of importance
+to themselves, but to the Allied interests as well. There was a medical unit
+with a staff of doctors, nurses and assistants, three or four newspaper and
+magazine men, one well-known woman writer. But the most distinguished among the
+travelers were several returning Frenchmen who had been in the United States
+upon a special mission.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span><a id='link_4'></a>CHAPTER IV<br /><span class='h2fs'>CHAPERONING THE CHAPERON</span></h2>
+
+<p>One afternoon about midway in the voyage across the Atlantic, Mrs. Burton was
+seated upon the upper deck in her steamer chair enveloped in a fur rug and a fur
+coat. A small sealskin turban completely covered her hair, so only her face was
+revealed, her brilliant blue eyes, long slender nose and chin, and her cheeks
+upon which two spots of color were glowing.</p>
+
+<p>She was talking in French with a great deal of animation to a man who sat
+beside her. From his manner and appearance and also from his pronunciation it
+was self-evident that he was a Frenchman. Moreover, he revealed a certain
+intellectual distinction typically French. Monsieur Georges Duval was of middle
+age with clear-cut, aristocratic features, keen dark eyes and iron-gray hair. In
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span> comparison with him
+Mrs. Burton looked like a girl.</p>
+
+<p>It was just before tea time and the deck was crowded with the ship&#8217;s
+passengers. Since no lights were permitted after dark, it was necessary to enjoy
+all the daylight possible out of doors. This afternoon was clear and lovely,
+with a serene blue sky and sea.</p>
+
+<p>A number of the Camp Fire girls were strolling about talking to new
+acquaintances. But if Mrs. Burton had any knowledge of their presence she gave
+no sign, being too deeply interested in her conversation with her present
+companion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are extremely kind, Monsieur, and I am most happy to receive any
+advice you can give me. Later on I shall probably ask for your aid as well. Now
+and then I have wondered if in coming to France to offer our services to your
+country many American women may not prove more of a burden than a help. I hope
+this may not be true of me or of my companions. We intend to settle down
+somewhere in one of the devastated districts and do whatever we can to be
+useful. But <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> chiefly
+the group of girls I have with me want to offer their services to French girls.
+I have so often thought, Monsieur, that perhaps the greatest problem of the
+future rests with the young girls of the present day. When the war is over it
+will be their task to care for the wounded men and for many others whom these
+long years of warfare will have made unfit for work. More than this, there will
+be so many of these girls who can never have husbands or children. Our Camp Fire
+organization in the United States has a special message for the women of the
+future. But I must not bore you with this when you have so many matters of more
+importance to hold your attention.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Duval shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are not boring me, Madame. You could not do that, but in any case
+remember you are talking to a Frenchman about the women of his own country.
+Sometimes I think we Frenchmen confuse our women and our country; to us they are
+so much one and the same thing. When we fight for France, we are fighting for
+our women, when we fight to protect our <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_50'></a>50</span> women we are fighting to save France. I do not
+believe the world half realizes what great burdens the French women bore after
+the Franco-Prussian war, only forty years ago, not only in working shoulder to
+shoulder with their men, but by inspiring them after a bitter and cruel defeat.
+The courage, the steadfastness which France has revealed in the four long years
+of this present war is one way in which we have tried to pay our immense debt to
+them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Unable to reply because of the tears which she made no effort to conceal,
+Mrs. Burton remained silent for a few moments. When she finally spoke it was
+with a kind of diffidence:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Monsieur Duval, has it ever occurred to you how strange it is that,
+aside from our American Revolution, most of the great modern wars for democracy
+have been fought upon French soil? I have thought of this many times and
+sorrowed over what seems the injustice to your race. Forgive me if I appear too
+fanciful! Recently I have recognized why France always is represented by the
+symbolic <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> figure of a
+woman. She has endured the birth of the world&#8217;s freedom inside her body
+and her soul.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In Mrs. Burton&#8217;s speech there was perhaps nothing original, but always
+there was the old thrilling beautiful quality to her voice which stirred her
+audience, whether large or small.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Duval did not attempt to hide both his admiration and interest in
+his companion. The second day out at sea they had been introduced to each other
+by Mrs. Bishop, the woman novelist, with whom Mrs. Burton had a slight
+acquaintance in New York City. Indeed, they had met only upon one occasion, but
+on shipboard one is apt to renew acquaintances which one would have considered
+of no special interest at other times.</p>
+
+<p>Since their original meeting Mrs. Burton and the French commissioner, whom
+she had discovered to be a member of the French senate as well, had spent
+several hours each day in talking together. There were many subjects in which
+they were both interested, although of course the <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> war absorbed the greater part of their
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I only hope France may prove worthy of the sympathy and aid your
+country pours out upon her so generously. But I think when you reach France you
+will have no reason to complain of her lack of gratitude,&#8221; the Frenchman
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Of course our cause at present is a common one and our soldiers are
+fighting as brothers. But long before your men fought with ours, you American
+women were rendering us every possible service. Please be sure if I can be of
+the least assistance to you in making your plans for work in France I shall be
+more than happy. In spite of all our conversations you never have told me
+definitely what it is you intend doing.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton smiled. A cool breeze was blowing in from the sea so that she hid
+herself closer inside her rug.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just a moment then, Monsieur Duval, I will talk of our plans and then
+we must discuss something frivolous. Every morning as I waken I make up my mind
+not to speak of the war for at least a few hours, <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> but somehow I never manage to keep my
+promise to myself. We intend undertaking a certain amount of reclamation work in
+one of the ruined French villages. Our present scheme is first to find an old
+farm house and establish ourselves there in order to make a home where our
+neighbors can come to us as they will. My Camp Fire girls thus hope to form
+friendships with the French girls and later to induce them to become interested
+in our Camp Fire ideas.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You may be amused, Monsieur Duval, but another thing we intend is to
+teach the French women and girls to make corn bread, so as to help in the wheat
+conservation. I was told by a woman in Washington, who had just come back from
+the devastated regions, that this would be a real service to France, if once we
+could persuade the French people to our use of corn. The Indians taught us. As
+our Camp Fire is more or less modeled upon their institutions, we hope to carry
+on the Indian message of the corn. But enough of this; you have been kind to
+listen to me so long.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span>Monsieur Duval
+shook his head courteously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What you say is interesting and worth while, Madame, but I have an
+idea that you need not personally give all of your own time to these efforts.
+These matters your companions and other women may be able to accomplish with
+equal success. But you, you probably will find more important work to do in
+France. Perhaps you will allow me to see you later. I do not wish our
+acquaintance to end with our voyage, and it may be I can persuade you to
+additional tasks. But in any case I hope you will talk personally with many of
+my country people, men and women; there is no one so well adapted to make our
+nations understand each other as a gifted and charming American woman. I have
+many friends in Paris and before you leave I trust I may be allowed the
+privilege of presenting at least a few of them to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Feeling agreeably flattered, as any woman is flattered by the homage of a
+clever man, Mrs. Burton was about to reply, when suddenly the tall figure of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> Miss Patricia Lord
+appeared, rising before her like a pillar of darkness.</p>
+
+<p>She gave Monsieur Duval a curt nod; except for this she made no explanation
+of her presence, continuing standing until the courteous Frenchman felt
+constrained to offer her his chair.</p>
+
+<p>However, not until he had walked away did she condescend to accept his place
+and then she managed to sit perfectly upright, which is a <i>difficult</i> feat
+in a reclining chair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is the matter, Aunt Patricia?&#8221; Mrs. Burton at once
+demanded, feeling suddenly disturbed by Miss Patricia&#8217;s severe expression.
+&#8220;Surely nothing has happened to any one of the Camp Fire girls! I think I
+have noticed nearly all of them strolling about on deck in the past half
+hour.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Gloomily Miss Patricia frowned. &#8220;I am not here to discuss with you the
+girls whom you are suppose to be chaperoning. I wish to speak of your conduct,
+Polly Burton. I have been considering the subject for the past twenty-four
+hours. Under the circumstances you might as well know <i>first as last</i> that
+I do not approve of your <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_56'></a>56</span> present intimacy with this unknown Frenchman, this
+<i>Mr.</i> Duval.&#8221; Miss Patricia scorned the use of the French title.
+&#8220;I have no idea of attempting to pronounce the foolish word the French
+employ for plain &#8216;Mister.&#8217; However, you realize perfectly well that from
+the day following our sailing you have spent the greater part of your time in
+his society. Sorry as I am to speak of this, my respect for your husband compels
+me to warn you&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Here Aunt Patricia was interrupted by an explosion of laughter as fresh and
+ingenuous as a girl&#8217;s.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My dear Aunt Patricia, really I beg your pardon, but I supposed you
+were coming with me to France to help me chaperon my Camp Fire girls! I never
+dreamed of your also feeling obliged to chaperon me. Remember, I am pretty old
+and never was particularly fascinating, even as a girl. I am afraid you will
+have a hard time to persuade my husband to jealousy. Richard is the fascinating
+member of our family! As a matter of fact, I have simply been boring Monsieur
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> Duval for the past
+hour by discussing our plan of campaign after we reach France. You don&#8217;t
+consider the subject a dangerous one?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But neither Miss Patricia&#8217;s face nor figure relaxed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I may not be original, Polly Burton; as a matter of fact, I have no
+idea that you <i>said</i> anything of the least importance to your Frenchman.
+With you it is the old story; it is not <i>what</i> you say, but the <i>way</i>
+you say it. I have been watching you and you may pretend to have noticed the
+Camp Fire girls. However, if you tell the truth, you have not been aware of
+anything or anybody except Mr. Duval during the entire afternoon.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Miss Patricia appeared so annoyed and suspicious that it was
+difficult for Mrs. Burton to decide whether she were the more amused or
+irritated. However, it made no difference; either attitude would be entirely
+lost upon Miss Patricia Lord.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry you don&#8217;t approve of me,&#8221; Mrs. Burton returned
+with a pretence of <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span>
+meekness, yet dropping her eyelids to conceal the expression of her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is not that I do not approve of you, Polly, for I so seldom do
+that,&#8221; Aunt Patricia replied. &#8220;It is that I also feel it <i>my
+duty</i> to recall you to <i>your</i> duty. You speak of having lately observed
+the Camp Fire girls wandering about near you. I feel it an effort to believe
+this because only a short time ago, while undoubtedly you were enjoying yourself
+with a foreigner concerning whom you know absolutely nothing, I discovered Sally
+Ashton seated upon a coil of rope in an obscure portion of this vessel, flirting
+outrageously with a young American physician. Your niece, Peggy Webster, is
+walking up and down the lower deck with a French officer; lower deck not the
+upper, mind you, where she might have been seen by you, although I doubt it. The
+other girls are&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>By this time Mrs. Burton had become seriously annoyed. She was obliged to
+remember, of course, that Miss Patricia was a much older woman, yet,
+nevertheless <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> her
+eyes darkened and her color deepened a little ominously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Please Aunt Patricia, you are making a mistake,&#8221; she began
+warmly. &#8220;I am not in the habit of spying upon my Camp Fire girls and I am
+sure you will never find such a proceeding necessary.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then, ashamed of the word she had employed, she continued more gently.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So you have been making a tour of investigation because you considered
+that I was neglecting my duty? All I can say, Aunt Patricia, is that you will
+always discover Sally Ashton flirting if there is an agreeable man in sight. I
+cannot make up my mind whether or not Sally is unconscious, yet flirting with
+her is either an instinct, an art, or both. However, every man who sees her
+immediately succumbs. But as for Peggy, Peggy is an absolutely trustworthy
+person! Did I not tell you that Peggy considers herself engaged to Ralph
+Marshall, who is in the aviation service in France at the present time? None of
+Peggy&#8217;s family will acknowledge her engagement; we feel she is too young,
+yet Ralph&#8217;s parents are old friends of my <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_60'></a>60</span> sister and brother-in-law. After a time I am sure you
+will understand the Camp Fire Girls better.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was undeniably a tone of condescension in Mrs. Burton&#8217;s voice,
+and Aunt Patricia sniffed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I understand the girls as well as I consider necessary, Polly Burton,
+and probably better than you do. I have always insisted that you have little
+knowledge of human nature. As for thinking that a girl of Peggy&#8217;s age,
+with almost no experience of life, can have any idea of the character of man she
+could or should marry&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But here, realizing that Miss Patricia was mounted upon one of her favorite
+hobbies and that nothing she could say or do would stop her, Mrs. Burton,
+pretending to offer a polite attention, in reality allowed her mind to
+wander.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia was usually antagonistic to all male persons safely past their
+babyhood. Among her friends it was an open question whether Aunt Patricia had
+been jilted at an early age, or whether she had never condescended to an
+admirer.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span>&#8220;All men are
+idiots,&#8221; is what she had been known to remark when hard pressed.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually Mrs. Burton allowed herself to slip back in her chair, resting her
+head more comfortably against a brown velvet cushion.</p>
+
+<p>It was strange that she had felt so little fear of the submarine menace
+during the present voyage, when she had expected to be fearful the entire way
+across. There were odd moments at night when one could not sleep, thinking of
+the possible, even the probable danger that might manifest itself at any moment.
+But aside from obeying the ship&#8217;s rules with regard to life belts and
+lights, the keeping of one&#8217;s state-room door unlatched, what was there to
+do save trust in a higher power?</p>
+
+<p>Actually at this moment Mrs. Burton, while presumably listening, was deciding
+that she was enjoying the very crossing to France she had so much dreaded.</p>
+
+<p>It would never do to shock Aunt Patricia, yet in a number of years she had
+not met so agreeable a man as the French senator. Moreover, she was entertained
+by the opportunity to form a new and <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_62'></a>62</span> stimulating intimacy with a clever woman. Mrs.
+Bishop, known to her public as Georgianna Bishop, having written several
+successful novels, was at present traveling to Europe to write of the American
+soldiers life in the trenches.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the fact that Miss Patricia seemed also to regard Mrs. Bishop
+with disfavor, Mrs. Burton had invited her to spend a part of her time in France
+with them, if it could possibly be arranged.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment, if Miss Patricia would only stop talking, Mrs. Burton
+believed that she would like to have Mrs. Bishop sit beside her during the hour
+of afternoon tea.</p>
+
+<p>Tea would be served in a few moments. Perhaps, if Miss Patricia would decide
+to move, one of the Camp Fire girls would appear to act as messenger and find
+Mrs. Bishop.</p>
+
+<p>With this thought in mind, glancing carelessly up and down the deck, Mrs.
+Burton discovered Vera Lagerloff and Bettina Graham coming hurriedly toward her.
+What was more surprising, they were accompanied by the new friend with <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> whom she had been talking
+a few moments before.</p>
+
+<p>Both girls looked so white and frightened that Mrs. Burton, making a hasty
+movement in attempting to jump up from her chair, found herself entangled in her
+steamer rug.</p>
+
+<p>As Monsieur Duval endeavored to extricate her, he said quietly:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I hope we have not alarmed you, but a most unfortunate accident has
+just occurred on board ship, which I hope may not develop into a tragedy. A
+young French girl, traveling with the American Red Cross unit, is supposed to
+have attempted to take her own life. I am by no means sure of this, she may be
+ill and have fainted from some cause. I was sent for, I presume because of my
+nationality, then some one suggested you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But before Monsieur Duval had more than finished speaking, Mrs. Burton was
+hurrying away, accompanied by Bettina and Vera.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I really do not know how to explain what has happened,&#8221; Bettina
+continued. &#8220;You remember the French girl we have <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> noticed because she appeared so much
+younger than the other members of her Red Cross unit? It seems that at the
+beginning of the war all her people were killed and her home in France
+destroyed, so that she is now entirely alone. She was living with friends in the
+United States, but suddenly decided that she wished to return to France.
+Unexpectedly she must have lost her courage. However, all Vera and I really know
+it what one of the other Red Cross girls told us, asking us to tell no one
+else.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>By the end of Bettina&#8217;s speech, Mrs. Burton and the two girls had left
+the deck, and Vera was leading the way down one of the narrow corridors bordered
+on either side by small state-rooms.</p>
+
+<p>At the door of one of the rooms a woman in the uniform of a Red Cross nurse,
+after making a little motion to command silence, stepped quietly out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is nothing serious the matter, Mrs. Burton. It was hardly worth
+while to disturb you. At present the young French girl who was crossing with us
+to her former home is suffering from an attack <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_65'></a>65</span> of hysteria. As I have not been able to quiet her and
+as you are here, perhaps you will come and see what you can do.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then she turned to Vera and Bettina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If there is any other story of what has occurred being told on board
+ship, will you please do your best to contradict it? A ship is a hopeless place
+for gossip. However, I am afraid Yvonne will scarcely be fit for the work our
+Red Cross unit expects to undertake. I must find some one to befriend the child
+after we reach Paris.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Bettina and Vera moved away, followed by the older woman.</p>
+
+<p>At the same instant Mrs. Burton, entering the half open door of the
+state-room, discovered a young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with large
+brown eyes and fair hair, lying huddled on the bed. She was not crying, yet
+instantly put up her hands before her face as if to escape observation.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton sat down on the edge of the berth beside her.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span><a id='link_5'></a>CHAPTER V<br /><span class='h2fs'>THE CONFESSION</span></h2>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t talk if you prefer not; perhaps you may be able to sleep
+after a little if I sit here beside you,&#8221; Mrs. Burton said gently.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I would prefer to be alone,&#8221; the young French girl answered,
+speaking English with a pretty foreign accent.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Mrs. Burton rose, intending to leave the tiny state-room; however,
+having gone but a few steps she heard the he same voice plead:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, please don&#8217;t leave me. I have been watching you and your
+friends ever since our ship sailed, and as I must talk to some one, I wish it to
+be you. If you only knew how sorry I am to have created a scene and to have
+given so much trouble, when everybody has been so kind.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then the girl began to cry again, but softly as if her desire for tears was
+nearly spent.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span>Without replying
+Mrs. Burton took her former position.</p>
+
+<p>Occasionally she had a moment of thinking that perhaps after her years of
+experience as a Camp Fire guardian she was beginning to understand something of
+the utterly unlike temperaments of varying types of girls. Moreover, in spite of
+Aunt Patricia&#8217;s judgment, her work had afforded her unusual opportunities
+for the study of human nature.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as she sat silently watching the young French girl in her effort to
+regain her self-control, Mrs. Burton realized that hers would be no ordinary
+story. Her friend had chosen to protect her by stating that she was suffering
+from an attack of nerves, yet this instant the girl was making an intense effort
+to gain a fresh hold upon herself both mentally and physically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry,&#8221; she repeated a moment later, &#8220;for I realize
+now I should never have made the attempt to return home to France, although I
+thought after nearly three years in the United States surely I had the courage!
+Still, for the past few days I have been becoming more and more <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> convinced that I was going
+to fail, that I had not the strength for the work ahead of me. What you were
+told just now, that I had merely fainted, was not true. I had made up my mind
+that since I was not going to be able to be of service to my country I would not
+add to her burden. I could not do that; there had to be some way out, and I
+<i>had</i> to find the way.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sitting up, Yvonne now leaned forward, resting her small head with its heavy
+weight of fair hair upon her hands, clasped under her chin. She was not looking
+at her companion. Her eyes held an expression which betrays an inner vision.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I did make an effort to do what you suspect. I wonder if I was wrong?
+Certainly I was unsuccessful, since I do not even feel ill in consequence. I
+suppose I ought to explain that I had written a note to apologize for the
+mistake I had made in urging the Red Cross unit to bring me with them to France
+and to say I regretted the distress and trouble I must give. Then as I was
+carrying the letter to the room of the friend whom you found here with me I
+think I must have <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span>
+fainted. She was shocked and angry when she learned what I had attempted to do
+and I have given my word I will not try again.&#8221; Yvonne was silent for a
+moment and then added with another catch in her voice: &#8220;Do you think it
+wicked of me, because I am still a little sorry I failed in what I attempted?
+But I don&#8217;t think you will when I have told you my history.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Under ordinary circumstances Yvonne&#8217;s broken and incoherent story would
+have annoyed Mrs. Burton. She had scant sympathy and could make but slight
+excuse for the neurotic persons who have no fortitude with which to meet
+life&#8217;s inevitable disasters but expend all their energy in compassion for
+themselves. Especially did she resent this characteristic in a young girl,
+having grown accustomed to the sanity and the outdoor spirit engendered by the
+Camp Fire life. Moreover, one has at present no time or pity save for real
+tragedies.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Yvonne&#8217;s attitude had not so affected her. Instead she realized
+that the girl&#8217;s suffering had been due to a vital <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> cause and that the secret of her action
+still remained hidden.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Had you not better rest and talk to me later?&#8221; Mrs. Burton
+inquired. &#8220;I think you are very tired, more so than you realize. After a
+time perhaps you will see things more clearly. You are young, Yvonne, to believe
+there is nothing more for you in life that is worth while.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know that would be true if these were not war times, Madame,&#8221;
+the girl answered. &#8220;Will you please listen to my story now? There may be
+no opportunity at another time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Slipping out of her berth, Yvonne proffered the one small chair the
+state-room afforded to her visitor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Won&#8217;t you sit here? You may be more comfortable,&#8221; she
+suggested.</p>
+
+<p>Then she found a seat for herself on the lounge which ran along one side of
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the little French girl was looking so completely exhausted that
+Mrs. Burton would have liked again to urge her to wait. Yet after all perhaps it
+might be a relief to have her confession over!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span>&#8220;I was
+living in a château with my mother and two brothers when the war began,&#8221;
+Yvonne said, going directly to the heart of her story. &#8220;After the news
+came that war was declared and the Germans had invaded our country, my older
+brother, Andre, left at once to join his regiment near Paris. At that time we
+did not dream there could be danger near our home, which seemed so far from the
+front. I do not know whether you have noticed my name on our passenger list,
+Yvonne Fleury, and our home was called the Château Yvonne. It is not in
+existence any longer. But I am afraid I am not telling my story clearly.
+Sometimes I grow confused trying to remember when things actually happened, as
+they all came quickly and unexpectedly. After my brother and our men servants
+had gone my mother and I tried to carry on the work at the château as well as we
+could with only the women to help. We were not rich people; my father had died
+some years before, soon after my younger brother was born. But we had a good
+deal of land and a beautiful orchard. It seems <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_72'></a>72</span> strange to think that even the orchard has been
+destroyed!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As Yvonne talked she had a little habit of frowning, almost as if she were
+doubting the truth of her own story. Nevertheless, however unique and impossible
+her story might sound to her own ears, stories like hers had grown only too
+familiar since the outbreak of the war in Europe.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later and she seemed confused, as if scarcely knowing how to take up
+the threads of her own history. Afterwards she tried to speak more slowly, her
+voice sounding as if she were worn out both from her recent suffering and from
+the effort to recount her own and her country&#8217;s tragedy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;For weeks after the war started we had almost no news of any kind to
+tell us what was taking place. My brother could not send us a letter, as all our
+trains were devoted to carrying our troops. Now and then, when an occasional
+motor car passed through our village, a soldier or an officer would drop on the
+roadside an <i>edition speciale de la Presse</i>. Perhaps one of the old
+peasants, picking up the paper, would <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_73'></a>73</span> bring it to our château. Afterwards a number of them
+would gather around while either my mother or I read aloud the news. In those
+first days the news was nearly always sad news.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then for a little while Yvonne made no effort to continue her story and Mrs.
+Burton understood her silence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As soon as we could, my mother and I organized a little branch of La
+Croix Rouge in our village and did what we could. We had many people to help and
+so spent most of our time making bandages from old linen. We were told then that
+the wounded might be sent back across the Marne to be cared for by us and that
+our houses must be made ready to use as hospitals. But the wounded were not
+cared for by us, not in those early weeks of the war. You know what took place,
+Madame. Our soldiers were defeated; it is now an old story. One night when the
+battle line was drawing closer and closer to our home we were warned to flee.
+But my mother could not, would not believe the word when it came and so we
+waited too long. We had only a farm wagon and an <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span> old horse with which to make our escape,
+our other horses and car having been requisitioned for the army.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This time, when Yvonne hesitated, Mrs. Burton had a cowardly wish that she
+would not go on with her story, so easy it was to anticipate what might
+follow.</p>
+
+<p>In this moment Yvonne lived over again the night in her life she could never
+forget. Instead of the soft lapping of the waves against the sides of the ship,
+the young French girl was hearing the booming of guns, the shrieking of shells
+and the final patter of bullets like a falling rain.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I would prefer not to tell you anything more in detail, Mrs.
+Burton,&#8221; Yvonne afterwards added more calmly than one could have thought
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The night of our attempted escape we were overtaken by the enemy and
+my little brother was killed; a few days later my mother died of the shock and
+exposure. I don&#8217;t know just how things happened. I remember I was alone
+one night in a woods with a battle going on all around me. Next morning I
+believe the Germans began a retreat. A French soldier found me and <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> took me with him to the
+home of some French people. I think I must have been with them several weeks
+before I was myself again. Then I learned that our château had been burned and
+my brother reported killed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One day an American friend, who had learned of our family tragedy,
+came to see me and decided that it would be wiser to take me home to his own
+family in the United States. I was so dazed and miserable he believed I would be
+happier there and would sooner learn to forget. Of course after a time I was
+happier, but of course one can never forget. So at last I persuaded my friends I
+must be allowed to return to my own country, that I must help my people who were
+still going through all that I had endured. My friends were opposed to the idea,
+but because I insisted, at last they gave their consent. Then after our boat
+sailed I felt I could not go back to France. I was afraid. I remembered the long
+night in the woods&#8211;the German soldiers&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton&#8217;s arms were about the girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Please don&#8217;t talk any more of the past, <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> Yvonne. Try to remember, my dear, that
+the enemy is no longer in the neighborhood of your old home. He has been driven
+further and further back until some day, please God, the last German soldier
+shall have disappeared forever from the sacred soil of France.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sleep now, I shall sit here beside you. Later I will talk to you about
+joining my group of girls in France. You are not strong enough for the Red Cross
+work at present, but a great deal of our work will be among young French girls
+and you could be of the greatest aid to us if you care to help. Yet there will
+be time enough later to speak of our Camp Fire plans.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>However, when Yvonne had crawled back into her berth, more exhausted than she
+had realized, Mrs. Burton continued sitting beside her. Then, hoping the sound
+of her voice might be soothing and in order to help Yvonne to sleep and also
+because of the power of suggestion, she repeated a Camp Fire verse:</p>
+
+<div class='poetry'>
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span>&#8220;As fagots
+are brought from the forest,<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;Firmly held by the sinews which
+bind them,<br /> I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;Wherever, whenever I find them.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#8220;I will
+strive to grow strong like the pine tree,<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;To be pure in my
+deepest desire;<br /> To be true to the truth that is in me<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;And follow the Law of the Fire.&#8221;</p> </div><!-- poetry -->
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span><a id='link_6'></a>CHAPTER VI<br /><span class='h2fs'>A FRENCH FARM HOUSE ON THE FIELD OF HONOR</span></h2>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is the French country more tragic or less so than you anticipated,
+Vera?&#8221; Peggy Webster inquired.</p>
+
+<p>She and Vera Lagerloff were walking along what must once have served as a
+road, each girl carrying a large, nearly empty basket on her arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you mean the actual country?&#8221; Vera questioned. &#8220;Then,
+yes, conditions are worse than I expected to find them, certainly in a
+neighborhood like this, where the work of restoration is only just
+beginning.&#8221; She frowned, shaking her head sadly. &#8220;I could never have
+imagined God&#8217;s earth could be transformed to look like a place of torment,
+and yet this countryside suggests one of the hells in Dante&#8217;s
+&#8216;Inferno.&#8217; But if you mean are the French people more tragic than I
+thought to find them, then a thousand times, no! <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> Was there ever anything so inspiring or
+so amazing as their happiness and courage in returning to their old homes? The
+fact that their homes are no longer in existence seems not to discourage them,
+now their beloved land has been restored. When we have been working here a
+longer time I hope I shall recover from my desire to weep each time I see an old
+man or woman happily engaged in rebuilding one of their ruined huts. It is a
+wonderful experience, Peggy, this opportunity to appreciate the spiritual
+bravery of the French people. I hope I may learn a lesson from them. I have
+needed just such a lesson since Billy&#8217;s death.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Peggy Webster made no reply.</p>
+
+<p>The entire countryside through which they were passing lay between the line
+of the German advance into France at the beginning of the war and the famous
+Hindenburg line to which the Boches were forced back. The Germans had so
+devastated the French villages and country, it was as if the plague of the world
+had swept across them. The valley had also <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_80'></a>80</span> suffered the bombardment of the enemy and the
+returning fire from their own guns.</p>
+
+<p>Yet on this winter day the sun was shining brilliantly on the uptorn earth,
+which once had been so fair, while in a bit of broken shell not far from the
+road an indomitable sparrow had builded her nest.</p>
+
+<p>There were no shrubs and the trees were gaunt scarred trunks, without
+branches or leaves, reminding one of an ancient gloomy picture in the old-time
+family Bible, known as &#8220;Dry Bones in the Valley.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, even the French country does not make me sorrowful, not just at
+present,&#8221; Peggy replied. &#8220;If only the enemy can be forced further
+back next spring when the expected drive takes place, what a wonderful
+opportunity for us to be allowed to continue to help with the restoration of the
+French country. I do not believe many years will be required before the land
+will be lovely and fruitful again. But then you know I am a tiresome practical
+person. You don&#8217;t suppose by any chance this portion of France will ever
+be <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> destroyed by the
+enemy a second time? Yes, I know even such a suggestion sounds like disloyalty
+and I do not of course believe such a tragedy could occur. Just think, Vera,
+what only a handful of American women have accomplished here in the Aisne
+valley! Ten American women have had charge of the rehabilitation of twenty-seven
+villages and with the aid of the soldiers during their leaves of absence from
+the trenches have placed five thousand acres of land under cultivation. I hope
+we make a success of our work, Vera, yet whatever the future holds, we must
+stick to our posts.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The two Camp Fire girls were walking ankle deep in the winter mud. Where the
+roads had been cut into furrows by the passing of heavy artillery, miniature
+streams of melted snow ran winding in and out like the branches of a river. Now
+and then a gulley across the road would be so deep and wide that one had to make
+a flying leap to cross safely.</p>
+
+<p>About a quarter of a mile away the Aisne watered the countryside and the
+towns. Not far off was the classic old <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_82'></a>82</span> town of Rheims with her ancient Cathedral already
+partly destroyed. Encircling the landscape was the crown of low hills where not
+for days but years the tides of battle have surged up and down from victory to
+defeat, from defeat to victory, until during the winter of 1917 and 1918 there
+was a lull in the world conflict.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the two girls came in sight of a field. Already a devoted effort was
+being made to prepare the ground for an early spring plowing. Stray bits of
+shell, the half of a battered helmet, the butt of a broken gun had been laid in
+a neat pile, the larger stones had been placed beside them.</p>
+
+<p>Standing in front of a tiny hut which evidently had been partly burned down,
+were an old man and woman busily at work trying to rebuild their house. A small
+quantity of new lumber lay on the ground beside them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear me, I wish I were a carpenter, a mason, a doctor, I don&#8217;t
+know what else, and a million times a millionaire, then one might really be
+useful!&#8221; Peggy exclaimed, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_83'></a>83</span> as she and Vera stopped to gaze sympathetically at
+the old couple.</p>
+
+<p>The next instant their attention was also attracted by a child who was
+sitting near the pile of broken stones and shells nursing something in her arms.
+At first she did not observe the two American girls, although they were facing
+her and not many yards away.</p>
+
+<p>Her shock of dark hair looked as if it had been cut from her head in the
+darkness, she had large unhappy black eyes and a thin, haggard face.</p>
+
+<p>Finally discovering the two older girls, with an unexpected cry of terror,
+she made a flying leap toward the house, still clasping her broken doll, and hid
+herself inside.</p>
+
+<p>At the child&#8217;s cry the man and woman also turned as if they too were
+frightened and yet unable to flee. For an instant Vera and Peggy saw in their
+faces a suggestion of what they all too recently had endured. The next moment
+the old peasants were bowing and smiling with unfailing politeness.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you think we might speak to them, Vera?&#8221; Peggy inquired.
+&#8220;Of course we <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span>
+do not wish to be obtrusive, but I have a few groceries which I did not give
+away in the village still remaining in my basket. It is possible they might find
+them useful. How glad I am Yvonne Fleury is living with us! Already she has
+taught me more than I could ever learn in any other way about the French people,
+their gentleness, their infinite industry and patience and above all their
+beautiful manners. I hope no one of them will ever feel any American tries to
+help in a spirit of patronage; as for myself, each day I pray for a fresh gift
+of tact.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Vera started forward.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come with me, Peggy, I think I can persuade the two old people to
+realize we only wish to be helpful. You see, my own people were Russian peasants
+and there ought to be a bond of sympathy between us. It is true the French
+earned their liberty over a century ago, while our liberty yet hangs in the
+balance, now that German autocracy is trying to replace the Russian. I believe I
+am a better carpenter than these old people; if they are friendly I intend to
+ask them to allow me to return <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_85'></a>85</span> to assist them with their work tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards for ten or fifteen minutes the two girls remained talking happily
+with their new acquaintances.</p>
+
+<p>Like many other Americans, both Vera and Peggy had firm faith in their
+knowledge of the French language until their arrival in France. Assuredly they
+could understand each other perfectly as well as other Americans and English
+friends who spoke French slowly and deliberately. But unfortunately the French
+folk apparently speak with greater rapidity than any other nation on the face of
+the earth and with a wealth of idioms and unexpected intonations, leaving the
+foreigner who has never lived in France floundering hopelessly in pursuit of
+their meaning.</p>
+
+<p>In contrast with their other new French acquaintances the two American girls
+now found the old peasant and his wife a real satisfaction. Their vocabularies
+were not large and they spoke in a halting, simple fashion not difficult to
+translate.</p>
+
+<p>Their story was not unlike the story of thousands of other families in the
+stricken regions of France. During the period of <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> victory the Germans had been quartered in
+the nearby village, but as the village was not large and the soldiers were
+numerous, a few of them had been sent to live with the small peasant farmers not
+far from the town. They were ordered not only to live upon them, but also to
+secure whatever livestock they owned, or whatever food of value.</p>
+
+<p>Père and Mère Michét had possessed a daughter and a son-in-law. The son they
+thought still alive and fighting for France. Their daughter, Marguerite Michét,
+had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;La petite Marguerite, she has never been herself since her mother was
+taken,&#8221; Mère Michét explained. &#8220;I tell her always <i>la bonne
+mère</i> will return, but she is afraid of strangers; you will pardon
+her?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>When at last the girls had been permitted to leave their small offerings and
+had started toward their new home, Vera had agreed to return next day to render
+what assistance she could toward the restoration of the little house. Peggy was
+to come back in order to persuade the little French <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span> girl to make friends and perhaps pay them
+a visit at the farm.</p>
+
+<p>After walking on for a short added distance, both girls finally reached their
+own French farm house.</p>
+
+<p>It was now late afternoon and the old battered building appeared homely and
+forbidding. Once upon a time, with the French love of color, the farm house had
+been painted a bright pink, but now the color had been washed off, as if tears
+had rolled down the face of some poor old painted lady, smearing her faded
+cheeks. A fire had evidently been started when the Germans began their retreat,
+which for some freakish reason had died down after destroying only the rear
+portion of the building.</p>
+
+<p>After the arrival of the Camp Fire unit in France the entire party had gone
+straight to Paris as they planned, where their credentials had been presented to
+the proper authorities, as well as a brief outline of the work which they hoped
+to be allowed to undertake. Their idea was at once so simple and so practical
+that no objection was raised.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span>The Camp Fire unit
+looked forward to establishing a community farm in one of the ruined districts
+of France. So after a short stay in Paris, following the advice of the American
+Committee, Mrs. Burton and Aunt Patricia set out to find a home for their unit.
+Later the Camp Fire girls joined them at the old farm house on the Aisne.</p>
+
+<p>Only a little time had passed, nevertheless the farm already suggested
+home.</p>
+
+<p>As Peggy and Vera entered the open space where a gate had once stood, they
+discovered the entire Camp Fire community outside in the yard.</p>
+
+<p>As usual, Aunt Patricia was giving orders to everybody in sight, while Mrs.
+Burton in her effort to be of assistance as she urged the others not to attempt
+too much, was fluttering about, as often as not in the way.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, the Camp Fire girls were paying but little attention
+either to her or to Aunt Patricia. Mary Gilchrist, a few moments before, having
+driven her motor into the farm yard, the girls were at present helping her to
+unload.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span>After crossing to
+France with the Sunrise Camp Fire Unit, Mary had become so much one of them that
+she had concluded to remain with them for a time, certainly until she could find
+more useful work. Therefore her motor and her services were temporarily at their
+disposal.</p>
+
+<p>It is amazing what women and girls are accomplishing these days without
+masculine aid, and whether or not this is a fortunate state of affairs, the war
+has left no choice.</p>
+
+<p>Since they were both strong and energetic, Vera and Peggy were glad to have
+reached home at so critical a moment. However, the other girls were getting on
+quite comfortably without their aid. Bettina and Alice Ashton, having placed a
+plank at the end of the car, managed so that the large boxes and packing cases
+could slide onto the ground without being lifted. Nearly every box of any size
+bore the name of &#8220;Miss Patricia Lord.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Finally, &#8220;Gill,&#8221; for the Camp Fire girls were by this time
+calling Mary Gilchrist by her diminutive title, as she seemed to <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> prefer it, standing up on
+the seat of her motor, began signaling for attention.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Be quiet for a moment everybody, please, and listen as diligently as
+you can. I am not a magician, nor yet a ventriloquist, yet if you will be
+perfectly silent you will think I am one or both.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The next instant and Mary&#8217;s audience became aware of an extraordinary
+combination of familiar noises proceeding from the depths of her motor. One felt
+like a guest at a &#8220;mad tea-party,&#8221; although of a different nature
+from Alice&#8217;s. The noises were a mingled collection of squawks and cackles
+and crowing, and pitched in a considerably lower key, a rich but unmistakable
+grunt.</p>
+
+<p>Alone Aunt Patricia appeared gratified, almost exultant.</p>
+
+<p>Stepping over toward the car with her long, militant stride, she gave her
+commands briefly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here, Vera, you have more brains than the other girls, help me to move
+these crates. Polly Burton considered it possible to run a community farm
+without a farm animal within twenty miles. But <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_91'></a>91</span> then she was not brought up on a small place in
+Ireland where we kept the pig in the parlor!&#8221; And here Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s rich Irish brogue betrayed her cheerfulness for she only gave
+sway to her Irish pronunciation in moments of excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment, not only with Vera&#8217;s but also with Peggy&#8217;s and
+Alice Ashton&#8217;s aid, the four women dragged forward a large wooden box with
+open slats containing a noble collection of fowls, then another of geese and
+ducks. Finally with extreme caution they engineered the landing of a crate which
+had been the temporary home of a comfortable American hog and her eugenic
+family.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good gracious, Aunt Patricia, how did you ever manage to acquire such
+valuable possessions?&#8221; Mrs. Burton demanded.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;By ordering them shipped from my own farm in Massachusetts a month or
+more before we sailed for France and then by forwarding my address to the proper
+persons after we landed here,&#8221; Miss Patricia answered calmly. Ignoring any
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> further assistance,
+she began opening a box which was filled with grain.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I presume other things have arrived for me as well, Mary
+Gilchrist?&#8221; Miss Patricia questioned.</p>
+
+<p>Mary nodded and laughed. She looked very fetching in her motor driver&#8217;s
+costume of khaki with the short skirt and trousers and the Norfolk jacket belted
+in military fashion. On her hair, which had ruddy red brown lights in it, she
+wore a small military hat deeply dented in the center.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Goodness gracious, Aunt Patricia, dozens of things!&#8221; she
+replied. &#8220;You must have chartered an entire steamer to bring over your
+gifts to the French nation. Best of all, there are two beautiful cows waiting
+for you in Soissons at this moment. I could not bring them in the motor, nor did
+I dare invite them to amble along behind my car. But I have arranged with an old
+man in the town to escort the cows out to our place tomorrow, or as soon as
+possible.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>No one did anything but stare at Miss Patricia for the next few seconds.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span>Whether or not
+this condition of affairs made her unusually self-conscious, or whatever the
+reason, finally she rested from her labor of opening boxes to gaze first at Mrs.
+Burton and then slowly from one girl&#8217;s face to the other&#8217;s.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t mean to add to your burdens by asking any one of you to
+assist me in running my farm,&#8221; she began in a tone which might have been
+considered apologetic had it emanated from any one than Aunt Patricia. &#8220;I
+intend to find an old man to help and to do the rest myself.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then a peculiar expression crossed the rugged old face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You see, I was raised on a tiny farm in Ireland and used sometimes to
+know what it meant to be hungry until my brother came over to the United States
+and made a fortune in ways I am more or less ashamed to remember. I have been
+telling Polly Burton that I crossed over to France because I wished to look
+after her and also to help her care for you girls. But that was not the whole
+truth. I think I came largely because I could not sleep in my bed of nights
+knowing how many old <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span>
+people and babies there were in this devil-ridden portion of France who were
+hungry. Oh, there are many people as well as the governments interested in
+keeping the soldiers well fed! Maybe it&#8217;s a crime these days for the old
+and for babies to require food! Yet they do need it. So if you don&#8217;t mind,
+Polly, I want the people in our neighborhood to feel that they can come to our
+farm for milk and eggs, or whatever we have to give them. I left word with the
+manager of my farm near Boston to ship livestock to me in France whenever the
+chance offers. I am hoping after a little, when these old people get back on
+their farms that we may be able to give each family sufficient stock to keep
+them going until their young men and women return home. But remember, I
+don&#8217;t wish to interfere with what you children are doing, nursing the sick
+and opening schools and starting play centers. Heaven only knows what you are
+not undertaking! As I said before, I&#8217;ll just look after my
+farm.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Here Miss Patricia attempted to return to her usual belligerent manner, but
+found <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> it difficult
+because Mrs. Burton had placed her arm about her. Try as Aunt Patricia might to
+conceal her adoration of Mrs. Burton, it was nearly always an impossible
+feat.</p>
+
+<p>Besides Mrs. Burton was exclaiming with a little catch in her voice:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You dear, splendid, old Irish gentlewoman! Is there anybody in the
+world in the least like you? Of course you were right when you announced that I
+never would think of the really practical things we should require for our work
+over here. But, although I spent as much money as I could possibly afford, I
+have realized every day since our arrival, that if I had expended every cent I
+ever hope to possess, it would have amounted to nothing. Yet I never once
+thought of the shipping of stock for the little farms in our neighborhood, Aunt
+Patricia. I am sure you will make life more worth while for every man and woman
+in this part of the French country before many months.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Instead of appearing gratified by these compliments, Miss Patricia was heard
+to murmur something or other about Polly <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_96'></a>96</span> Burton&#8217;s fashion of exaggeration. Then, perhaps
+partly to conceal embarrassment, she began tearing the slats from the side of
+one of her crates. Afterwards, driving her travel-worn flock of chickens toward
+the chicken house, which she herself had made ready, and shooing them with her
+black skirt, Miss Patricia temporarily disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>Through tears Mrs. Burton laughed at the picture.</p>
+
+<p>Vera followed Miss Patricia, whom she had learned to like and admire since
+the afternoon of their extraordinary introduction.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I hope to be allowed to help with the farm work, Aunt Patricia,&#8221;
+she urged. &#8220;You know I too was brought up on Mr. Webster&#8217;s farm in
+New Hampshire, besides, all my people in Russia were peasant farmers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia did not cease for an instant to continue to care for her brood.
+However, she did answer with unusual condescension:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are a sensible girl, Vera. I observed the fact on the afternoon I
+met you <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> in New York
+City when you made no effort to argue with me in connection with the escape of
+that ridiculous burglar.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span><a id='link_7'></a>CHAPTER VII<br /><span class='h2fs'>BECOMING ADJUSTED</span></h2>
+
+<p>It was not a simple matter for the Sunrise Camp Fire unit to become
+accustomed to their new life in the devastated French country. The conditions
+were primitive and difficult. More than once in the first few weeks Mrs. Burton
+wondered if in bringing the Camp Fire girls with her to work in France hers had
+not been the courage of folly?</p>
+
+<p>Tet they started out with excellent military discipline. Life at the farm
+house was modeled upon the precepts of the &#8220;Waacs,&#8221; the
+Womans&#8217; Army Auxiliary Corps of the British army in France. These girls,
+many thousands in number, are performing every possible service behind the
+British armies in the field.</p>
+
+<p>Unexpectedly it was Sally Ashton who first demanded that a proper routine of
+life and work be laid down and obeyed. Also the household work must be equitably
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span> divided, each girl
+choosing her portion according to her tastes and talents.</p>
+
+<p>Each day&#8217;s calendar, written by Mrs. Burton upon her typewriter, was
+hung in a conspicuous place in the front hall at the French farm.</p>
+
+<p>The domestic schedule read:</p>
+
+<div class='poetry'>
+<p>&#8220;Breakfast 8 o&#8217;clock, bedrooms cleaned immediately after.<br />
+Dinner 1 P. M.<br /> Supper 6.30 P. M.<br /> No work after 8.30 P.
+M.<br /> Bedtime 10 o&#8217;clock.&#8221;</p> </div><!-- poetry -->
+
+<p>In the proper observance of the hours for meals Sally Ashton was particularly
+interested, as she had volunteered to undertake the direction of the
+housekeeping, which consisted of deciding upon the menu of the simple meals and
+assisting in their preparation. It was not possible that Sally alone should do
+all the cooking for so large a family without wearing herself out and leaving no
+time for other things.</p>
+
+<p>However, soon after their arrival Mrs. Burton had secured the services of an
+old French woman whom she had discovered wandering about the country homeless,
+her little hut having been entirely destroyed <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_100'></a>100</span> by the Germans. Not knowing what else to do, Mrs.
+Burton originally invited her to live with them at the farm temporarily. But she
+had proved such a help in getting settled and the girls had become so fond of
+her that no one of them willingly would have allowed Mère Antoinette to
+depart.</p>
+
+<p>After the wonderful fashion of French cooks, Mère Antoinette could make
+nourishing and savory dishes out of almost nothing, so she and Sally had
+principal charge of the kitchen. Notwithstanding, two of the Camp Fire Girls
+were to prepare supper each evening, so that they should not forget their
+accomplishments and in order to relieve the others.</p>
+
+<p>Marie, Mrs. Burton&#8217;s maid, had accompanied her to France, although none
+too willingly. It was not that she did not adore her afflicted country, but
+because she feared the dangers of the crossing and the hardships she might be
+forced to endure.</p>
+
+<p>Marie, alas! was a patriot of a kind each country produces, a patriot of the
+lips, not of the heart or hand.</p>
+
+<p>It must be confessed that she had wandered <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_101'></a>101</span> far from her chosen work as maid to a celebrated
+American actress. Would any one have dreamed in those early days when Marie had
+first entered her service that Mrs. Burton would have followed so eccentric a
+career as she had wilfully chosen in the past few years? First to wander about
+the United States, living outdoors in Camp Fire fashion with a group of young
+girls, then with the same group of girls and two additional ones to undertake
+the present reclamation work in France!</p>
+
+<p>Having accomplished the journey across the sea in safety, Marie would
+cheerfully, yes, enthusiastically have remained in Paris, even if it were a
+Paris unlike the gay city she remembered. She would have enjoyed accompanying
+her &#8220;Madame&#8221; to the homes of distinguished persons, caring in the
+meantime for her wardrobe and urging her to return to her rightful place upon
+the stage. But since Mrs. Burton for the present would do none of these things
+and since Marie had refused positively to be separated, once more she had to
+make the best of a bad bargain.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span>So voluntarily
+Marie offered to take charge of the greater part of the housework and to devote
+the rest of her time to sewing for the French children in their vicinity, whose
+clothes were nothing but an odd assortment of rags.</p>
+
+<p>Marie had her consolations. It was good to be out of a country which produced
+men of the type of Mr. Jefferson Simpson, who having <i>once</i> proposed
+marriage and been declined, had not the courtesy to renew his suit. Also it was
+good to speak one&#8217;s own tongue again, and although at present there were
+but few men to be seen in the neighborhood under sixty, there were military
+hospitals in the nearby villages. Moreover, there was always the prospect of the
+return of some gallant French <i>poilu</i> for his holiday from the trenches. So
+Marie was unable to feel entirely wretched even while undergoing the hardships
+of an existence within a half-demolished farm house on the Aisne.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, the old farm house was not in so unfortunate a condition
+as the larger number of French homes, which <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_103'></a>103</span> had been wrecked by the enemy before he began his
+&#8220;strategic retreat.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Only a portion of the left wing of the house had been demolished.</p>
+
+<p>This had comprised a large kitchen, a pantry and the dining room. However, a
+sufficiently large amount of space remained for the uses of the Camp Fire
+unit.</p>
+
+<p>In the center the house was divided by a long hall. On one side were two
+comfortably large rooms. The back one was chosen for the dining room and the
+front for the living room. The pantry was restored so that it could serve for
+the kitchen; as the old stove had been destroyed, a new one was ordered from
+Paris. This developed into a piece of good fortune, as it required far less fuel
+than the old, and fuel was one of the greatest material problems in France, coal
+selling at this time for $120 a ton.</p>
+
+<p>A single long room occupied the other side of the hall; this room had a high
+old-fashioned ceiling and was paneled in old French oak as beautiful as if it
+had adorned a French palace.</p>
+
+<p>Mère Antoinette explained that the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_104'></a>104</span> farm house had been the property of Madame de
+Mauprais, a wealthy French woman who had lived in the château not far away. It
+had been occupied by her son, who had chosen to experiment in scientific farming
+for the benefit of the small peasant farmers in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>The war had banished Monsieur de Mauprais and whatever family he may have
+possessed, so that Mrs. Burton had been able to rent his farm for a small sum
+through an agent who lived in the nearest village.</p>
+
+<p>It is possible that the farm house had been spared in a measure by the German
+soldiers because of their greater pleasure in the destruction of the old château
+which was only about half a mile away. At the present time the château appeared
+only as a mass of fallen stone.</p>
+
+<p>This single spacious room the Camp Fire girls chose for their school room for
+the French children in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>The better furniture of the farmhouse had been hacked into bits of wood by
+the German soldiers and was fit only for burning. <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> The simple things had not been so
+destroyed. Fortunately their camping life out of doors had accustomed this
+particular group of American girls to exercising ingenuity, so that the problem
+of furnishing and making attractive their school room with so little to go upon
+rather added to their interest.</p>
+
+<p>Two long planks raised upon clothes-horses discovered in the barn formed a
+serviceable table. Stools and odd chairs were brought down from the attic. On
+the floor were two Indian rugs Mrs. Burton had induced the Indian woman near the
+Painted Desert in Arizona to weave for her with the special Camp Fire design,
+the wood-gatherer&#8217;s, the fire-maker&#8217;s and the torch-bearer&#8217;s
+insignia, inserted in the chosen shades of brown, flame color, yellow and
+white.</p>
+
+<p>On the walls hung a few Camp Fire panels and the coverings of sofa cushions
+and some outdoor photographs of the Sunrise Camp during former camping
+experiences which the girls had brought over with them.</p>
+
+<p>Besides these larger articles, they had <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_106'></a>106</span> managed to store away in their trunks the materials
+necessary for the regulation Camp Fire work, honor beads and the jewelry
+indicating the various orders in the Camp Fire. If they were to interest French
+girls in the movement, they must have the required paraphernalia.</p>
+
+<p>But the school at the farm house was not primarily a place where the French
+girls of the neighborhood were only to be interested in Camp Fire ideas. It was
+also a practical school.</p>
+
+<p>During the past year Marta Clark had been studying kindergarten.</p>
+
+<p>She, with Yvonne to help her, had charge of the tiny French children whom
+they were able to persuade to come daily to the big farm house. They were such
+starved, pathetic children, some of them almost babies! Yet they had been
+through so much suffering, their eyes had looked upon such hideous sights, that
+many of them were either nervous wrecks or else stupefied.</p>
+
+<p>Surely there could be no better service to France than this effort to bring
+back to <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> her
+children a measure of their natural happiness!</p>
+
+<p>Yvonne and Marta devised wonderful games in one end of the big school room.
+At midday Vera and Peggy always appeared with a special luncheon for their small
+guests and for the older ones as well. Bettina Graham and Alice Ashton took
+charge of the older pupils, and in teaching it appeared that Alice at last had
+found her metier.</p>
+
+<p>Vera and Peggy also worked at the farming out of doors.</p>
+
+<p>More important than any other of Miss Patricia Lord&#8217;s gifts to the
+community farm and the surrounding country was a motor tractor, which one day
+had rolled unconcernedly into the farm house yard, an ugly giant, proving of as
+much future value to the poor farmers in the neighborhood as any good giant of
+the ancient fairy tales.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately Mary Gilchrist was able to explain its use to the French peasants
+who had never seen the like before, and to show them how speedily their
+devastated <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> land
+might again be turned into plowed fields.</p>
+
+<p>Vera and Peggy made frequent trips to the nearby villages, gaining the
+friendship of the country people, inviting the younger ones to their farm and
+helping in whatever ways they could. Now and then Sally Ashton went with them
+and sometimes Sally played with the smallest of the children, but nearly always
+her interests were domestic.</p>
+
+<p>In contrast, Mary Gilchrist never remained in the house an hour if it were
+possible to be away. Besides engineering the tractor and being a general express
+delivery for the entire neighborhood, she had formed the habit of motoring into
+Soissons, which was one of the large towns nearby, and offering her services and
+the use of her car to the hospitals. Occasionally she spent days at a time
+driving invalided soldiers either from one hospital to another, or else in
+taking them out on drives for the fresh air and entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>It would therefore appear as if each member of the Sunrise Camp Fire unit had
+arranged her life with the idea of <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_109'></a>109</span> being useful in the highest degree, except the Camp
+Fire guardian.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, Mrs. Burton often used to say that she found no especial
+reason for her presence at the farm now that Aunt Patricia had become the really
+important and authoritative guardian. Nevertheless, with that rare quality of
+personality which as a girl Polly O&#8217;Neill had infused into every interest of her
+life, there was nothing which took place at the farm or in the neighboring
+country which she did not in a measure inspire.</p>
+
+<p>Once their household had been adjusted, it was true Mrs. Burton did not do a
+great deal of the actual work. Instead, and oftentimes alone, she wandered from
+one end of the French countryside to the other, occasionally returning so late
+to the farm that Aunt Patricia would be found waiting for her at the front door
+in a state of fear and indignation.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless the country people began to watch and wait for her coming.</p>
+
+<p>After a time she brought newspapers with her. Then they began to gather
+together in one of the larger huts to listen <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_110'></a>110</span> while she read aloud the war news, with not always
+a perfectly correct French accent, and yet one they could understand.</p>
+
+<p>When they were weary of the reading she used to talk, speaking always of the
+day when France would be free and the invader driven beyond her boundaries,
+never to return. And among her audience were a few of the old peasants who could
+recall the Franco-Prussian war.</p>
+
+<p>How amazingly these talks cheered the old men and women! Actually the daily
+round of toil once more became worth while, so near seemed the return of Victor
+and Hugo and Etienne. They would be happy to find the little homes restored and
+the fields green that had been drenched in blood.</p>
+
+<p>Occasionally Mrs. Burton made her audience laugh until the tears ran down
+their wrinkled faces with funny stories of the trenches, of their own
+<i>poilus</i>, and the British Tommies and the new American Sammees.</p>
+
+<p>Never had the great actress used her talent to a better purpose.</p>
+
+<p>At least it gained for her from these <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_111'></a>111</span> simple and almost heart broken peasants the eternal
+tribute of laughter and tears.</p>
+
+<p>Her greatest triumph was when Grand&#8217;mère, one of the oldest women in
+the little village of M&#8211;, was at last persuaded to pour forth her
+story.</p>
+
+<p>In more than three years she had not spoken except to answer
+&#8220;Yes&#8221; or &#8220;No,&#8221; or now and then to make known her simple
+needs, not since the Germans carried off her granddaughter, Elsie. Elsie was the
+acknowledged beauty and belle of the countryside and engaged to marry Captain
+François Dupis, who was fighting with his regiment at Verdun.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton had gotten into the habit of stopping at Grand&#8217;mère&#8217;s
+tiny hut, which her neighbors had restored. At first she brought the old woman
+little gifts of food in which she seemed not to take the least interest. Now and
+then she talked to her, although the old woman seldom replied except to nod her
+head with grave courtesy.</p>
+
+<p>Then one day without any warning as Mrs. Burton was standing near,
+Grand&#8217;mère drew her new friend down into her <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> lap and poured out her heart-broken
+story. It left the younger woman ill and shaken.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards returning late to the farm alone and entirely unafraid, so
+completely had the country people become her friend, Mrs. Burton wondered what
+had given the French nation its present faith and courage. Nothing approaching
+it has the world ever before witnessed! Then she recalled that having paid so
+dearly for their freedom in those mad days of the revolution, the French people
+would never again relinquish the supreme gift of human liberty.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span><a id='link_8'></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /><span class='h2fs'>THE OLD CHÂTEAU</span></h2>
+
+<p>One afternoon the French farm house was deserted except for Sally Ashton,
+Mère &#8217;Toinette and Miss Patricia.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, Miss Patricia was not in the house, but in the farm yard
+which was separated from the house by a newly planted kitchen garden. It was
+here that she spent the greater part of her time working far more diligently
+than if she had been engaged for a few dollars a week. Yet in Massachusetts Miss
+Patricia Lord&#8217;s three-hundred-acre farm was one of the prides of the
+state. In ordinary times she was accustomed to employing from twenty-five to
+fifty men, although always Miss Patricia acted as her own overseer.</p>
+
+<p>As she had announced, for the present she had managed to secure the services
+of an old French peasant, nearer seventy <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_114'></a>114</span> years of age than sixty, to act as her assistant.
+But Jean was possessed of a determination of character only equaled by Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s. Not a word of any language did he know except French, while
+Miss Patricia&#8217;s French was one of the mysteries past finding out. Also
+Jean was nearly stone deaf. This misfortune really served as an advantage in his
+relation with Miss Patricia, as he never did anything at the time or in the way
+she ordered him to do it, there was consolation in the thought that he had not
+understood the order. Jean had his own ideas with regard to farming matters and
+an experience which had lasted through more than half a century.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore with the assistance of Peggy and Vera the outdoor work on the
+Sunrise Camp Fire farm was progressing with surprising success. The supply of
+livestock had been increased by a second shipment from the United States. This
+shipment Miss Patricia had divided with her French neighbors.</p>
+
+<p>Beside old Jean there was at this time another rebel in Miss Patricia&#8217;s
+camp, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> Sally
+Ashton. The other girls were frequently annoyed by the old lady, nevertheless,
+appreciating her gallant qualities and for the sake of their Camp Fire guardian,
+they usually agreed to her demands when it was impossible to evade them. But
+Sally was not fond of doing <i>anything</i> she was told to do. Not that Sally
+was disagreeable, and it was not in her nature to argue, she simply ignored
+either suggestions or commands, always pursuing her own sweet way.</p>
+
+<p>This afternoon, for example, several of the girls had invited her to walk
+with them to one of the French villages. Once a week they distributed loaves of
+bread and a few grocery supplies to the neediest of the peasants, those who had
+been unable to rebuild their huts or find regular occupation. Sally had declined
+with entire frankness. She had done her duty by making the bread for the others
+to give away and more successfully than any one of the girls could have made it.
+She disliked long, fatiguing walks.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton had gone off alone on one of her dramatic pilgrimages.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span>Mary Gilchrist
+had again motored into Soissons and Sally would have enjoyed accompanying her.
+To have driven about through the French country with convalescent soldiers would
+have been extremely entertaining. But Mary had not asked her, preferring to take
+Yvonne, whom the American girls all appeared to adore.</p>
+
+<p>So in consequence Sally was vexed and a little jealous.</p>
+
+<p>Observing the others depart and that apparently Sally had nothing of
+importance to occupy her, Miss Patricia had ordered her to come out into the
+yard and help with the young chickens. They seemed to be afflicted with some
+uncomfortable moulting disease.</p>
+
+<p>To this invitation Sally had made no reply. She especially disliked foolish,
+feathery outdoor things and had no intention of sacrificing her well-earned
+leisure. The school had a semi-weekly half holiday and for once the house was
+quiet.</p>
+
+<p>Yet after a little more than an hour of leisure, Sally found herself bored.
+Many times of late she had missed her old friendship with Gerry Williams, since
+this was <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> her first
+Camp Fire experience without Gerry, who had married Felipe Morris the summer
+before in California.</p>
+
+<p>At least Gerry occasionally had been frivolous! Certainly these were war
+times and yet could one be serious forever and ever, without an intermission?
+The other Camp Fire girls now and then got upon Sally&#8217;s nerves.</p>
+
+<p>As she was seldom warm enough these days, covered with her steamer blanket
+Sally had been curled up on the bed in her room which she shared with her
+sister. First she had taken a short nap and then attempted to read a French
+novel which she had discovered in the attic of the farm. The French puzzled her
+and it was tiresome to have to consult a dictionary. So Sally lay still for a
+few moments listening to Mère &#8217;Toinette singing the Marseillaise in a cracked
+old voice as she went about her work downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, stretching in a characteristically indolent fashion, Sally rose and
+walked over to a window. She could only see through one small opening. All the
+glass in the countryside had been smashed <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_118'></a>118</span> by the terrific bombardments, and as there was no
+glass to be had for restoring the windows, glazed paper had been pasted over the
+frames. The one small aperture had been left for observation of climate and
+scenery.</p>
+
+<p>Even without her birdseye view, Sally was conscious that the sun was shining
+brilliantly. A long streak had shone through the glazed paper and lay across her
+bed.</p>
+
+<p>She decided that she might enjoy a short walk. She really had forgotten Mrs.
+Burton&#8217;s suggestion that no one of the girls leave the farm alone and had
+no thought of deliberately breaking an unwritten law.</p>
+
+<p>Mère &#8217;Toinette and Sally had become devoted friends and also there was an
+unspoken bond of sympathy between her and Jean, expressed only by the way in
+which the old man looked at her and in certain dry chucklings in his throat and
+shakings of his head.</p>
+
+<p>As Sally was about to leave the front door suddenly Mère &#8217;Toinette appeared,
+to present her with a little package of freshly baked fruit muffins.
+Sally&#8217;s appetite in <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_119'></a>119</span> war times, when everybody was compelled to live
+upon such short rations, was a standing household joke and one which she deeply
+resented. Mère &#8217;Toinette resented the point of view equally, preferring Sally to
+any one of the other girls, and also it was her idea that the good things of
+this world are created only for the young. There was no measure to her own
+self-sacrifice.</p>
+
+<p>A few yards beyond the house Sally discovered old Jean, who was doubtless
+coming to find her, as he bore in his hand a French fleur-de-lis, the national
+wild flower, which he had found growing in a field as hardy and unconquerable as
+the French spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Sally accepted his offering with the smile of gratitude which seemed always a
+sufficient reward for her many masculine admirers.</p>
+
+<p>With Mère &#8217;Toinette&#8217;s gift in her Camp Fire knapsack and with
+Jean&#8217;s flower thrust into her belt, Sally then made a fresh start. She had
+not thought of going far, as the roads and fields were in too disagreeable a
+condition.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span>Pausing about an
+eighth of a mile from the farm house, she considered whether after all it were
+worth while to remain out of doors. Even if the afternoon were enchanting,
+walking through the heavy upturned soil was unpleasant.</p>
+
+<p>Then by accident Sally chanced to observe the ruins of the old French château
+shining under the rays of the winter sun.</p>
+
+<p>It was not far away and suddenly she made up her mind to go upon an exploring
+tour. Half a dozen times in the past few weeks the Camp Fire girls had discussed
+paying a visit to the château to see what interesting discoveries they might
+unearth among the ruins. But no one of them had so far had the opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>Ordinarily Sally Ashton was the least experimental of the entire group of
+girls. Instinctively, as a type of the feminine, home-staying woman, she
+disliked the many adventurous members of her own sisterhood. With not a great
+deal of imagination, Sally&#8217;s views of romance were practical and matter of
+fact. Young men fell in love with one and she had no idea of how many lovers one
+might have <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> and no
+thought of limiting the number so far as she was personally concerned. Then
+among the number one selected the man who would make the most comfortable and
+agreeable husband, married him, had children and was happy ever afterwards. So
+you see, a romance which might bring sorrow as well as happiness had no place in
+Sally Ashton&#8217;s practical scheme of life.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore the fates must have driven her to the old French château on this
+winter afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>The walk itself occupied about half an hour. Around the château in times past
+there had been a moat. For their own convenience the German troops quartered at
+the old place had left the bridge over the moat undisturbed, else Sally would
+never have hazarded a dangerous crossing.</p>
+
+<p>The house had been built of gray stone and it was difficult to imagine how
+the enemy had managed so completely to reduce it to ruins. An explosion of
+dynamite must have been employed, for the château appeared to have fallen as if
+it had been destroyed by an earthquake. Certain portions of the outer walls
+remained standing, but the towers in the center had caved in upon the interior
+of the house.</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a id='link_i3'></a><img src='images/i122.jpg'  alt='' />
+<p class='center caption'>
+<span class='sc'>The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier.</span>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span>As Sally drew
+near she felt a little desolate and yet she was not frightened, although a
+proverbial coward.</p>
+
+<p>The place appeared too abandoned to fear that any living thing could be in
+its vicinity. It was only that one felt the pity of the destruction of this
+ancient and beautiful home.</p>
+
+<p>The waste and confusion of war troubled Sally as it does all women. So hard
+it is to see why destruction is necessary to the growth and development of human
+history!</p>
+
+<p>Wondering what had become of the French family who formerly had lived in the
+château before the outbreak of the war, Sally walked up closer to the ruins.
+From a space between two walls, forming an insecure arch, a bird darted out into
+the daylight. Not ordinarily influenced by the beauties of nature or by
+unexpected expressions of her moods, nevertheless Sally uttered a cry of
+enchantment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span>Between the
+walls she had spied the ruins of an old French drawing room. The bird must have
+flown through the opening into the room and then quickly out again into the
+sunshine.</p>
+
+<p>A little table remained standing with an open book upon it, laid face down.
+There was a rug on the floor, now thick with mould, and yet it was a rare
+Aubusson rug with sturdy cupids trailing flowery vines across its surface. There
+were pieces of broken furniture and bric-a-brac strewn over the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Sally must have continued staring inside the room for several moments before
+she slowly became aware that there was a human figure seated in a chair in the
+shadow near one of the half fallen walls.</p>
+
+<p>The figure was that of a young soldier. He was asleep when Sally discovered
+him and incredibly dirty. His hair was long and matted, hanging thick over his
+forehead. One arm was wrapped in a soiled bandage.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Sally did not feel frightened, only faint and ill for an instant from
+pity.</p>
+
+<p>Coming to their farm house after a few <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_125'></a>125</span> days in Paris, Sally had seen trains filled with
+wounded soldiers. In Paris she also had noticed blinded and invalided men being
+led along the streets by their families or friends, yet never so piteous a
+figure as this.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span><a id='link_9'></a>CHAPTER IX<br /><span class='h2fs'>A MYSTERY</span></h2>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s little cry of astonishment must have awakened the soldier.</p>
+
+<p>The terror on his face when he first beheld her took away any thought of fear
+from the girl. Besides it was all too strange! Why should he, a soldier, be
+afraid, and of her? And why should he be in hiding in this queer tumble-down old
+place? For he <i>was</i> in hiding, there was no doubt of this from his furtive
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>Some instinct in Sally, or perhaps the fact that she had seen so much hunger
+since her arrival in this portion of France, made her immediately take out her
+little package of bread which Mère &#8217;Toinette had given her and thrust it
+forward.</p>
+
+<p>She was standing framed in the arch made by the two fallen walls, not having
+moved since the moment of her amazing discovery.</p>
+
+<p>The soldier&#8217;s hunger was greater than <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_127'></a>127</span> his fear, for he almost snatched the food from
+Sally&#8217;s hands and, as he ate it she could not bear watching him. There is
+something dreadful in the sight of a human being ravenously hungry.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards, when he did not speak, Sally found herself making the first
+remarks, and unconsciously and stupidly, not realizing what she was doing at the
+moment, she spoke in English.</p>
+
+<p>The next instant, to her surprise, the soldier replied in the same tongue,
+although it seemed to Sally that he spoke with a foreign accent, what the accent
+was she did not know. Sally had not a great deal of experience, neither was she
+particularly clever.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you doing here?&#8221; is what she naturally inquired.</p>
+
+<p>The soldier hesitated and placed his hand to his forehead, looking at the
+girl dazedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why am I hiding here?&#8221; he repeated. Then almost childishly he
+went on: &#8220;I am hiding, hiding because no one must find me, else I would be
+shot at once. I <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span>
+don&#8217;t know how long I have been here alone. I am very cold.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I don&#8217;t understand your reason,&#8221; Sally argued.
+&#8220;Why don&#8217;t you find some one to take care of you? You cannot be
+living here; besides you could not have been here long without food or water or
+you would have died.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I have had a little food and water,&#8221; the soldier replied.
+&#8220;I found a few cans of food in a closet and there is water in one of the
+rooms.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>His voice had a complaining note which was an expression of suffering if one
+had understood. Then his face was feverish and wretched.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But you don&#8217;t look as if you had used much water,&#8221; Sally
+remarked in her usual matter-of-fact fashion. She had a way of pursuing her own
+first idea without being influenced by other considerations.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is hard work when one&#8217;s arm is like this,&#8221; the soldier
+returned fretfully.</p>
+
+<p>Again Sally surveyed the soiled bandage with disfavor. Apparently it had not
+been changed in many days, since it was encrusted with dirt and blood and <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> having slipped had been
+pulled awkwardly back into place.</p>
+
+<p>Temprementally, Sally Ashton hated the sight of blood and suffering. In the
+years of the Camp Fire training she had been obliged to study first aid, but she
+had left the practical application to the other girls. Her own tastes were
+domestic and she therefore had devoted her time to domestic affairs.</p>
+
+<p>Now something must be done for the soldier whose presence in the old château
+and whose behavior were equally puzzling, and as there was no one else, Sally
+had no idea of shirking the immediate task. In her Camp Fire kit she always
+carried first aid supplies.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you will go to the room where you found the water and wash your arm
+as thoroughly as you can I will put on a fresh bandage for you,&#8221; she
+offered. &#8220;Don&#8217;t argue and don&#8217;t be long, for something simply
+has to be done for you, you are in such a dreadful condition.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Even in the midst of feeling a little like Florence Nightingale, Sally
+preserved a due amount of caution. She had no idea <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> of wandering about a tumble-down
+château with a strange soldier. In reality she was not so much afraid of him as
+of the house itself. She had the impression that the walls were ready to topple
+down and bury her.</p>
+
+<p>When the soldier did not move, Sally beckoned him imperiously toward the open
+arch where she had remained standing just outside the walls.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are to come here, while I take off the old bandage. No one will
+see you and I am afraid to enter so dangerous a place.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The man obeyed, and Sally cut away the soiled linen, trying not to get too
+distinct an impression of the wound underneath. Yet what she saw alarmed her
+sufficiently, for she knew enough to realize that the wound required more
+scientific treatment than she felt able to give. &#8220;Now go and wash your
+arm,&#8221; she directed, and without a word he went off.</p>
+
+<p>During the ten minutes her self-imposed patient remained away, Sally
+seriously considered his puzzling situation and determined upon the advice she
+would offer.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span>In the first
+place, so far he had given her no explanation for his conduct.</p>
+
+<p>Why was he in concealment? The possibility that the soldier might have
+committed a wrong which made it incumbent that he hide from justice did not
+occur to Sally. She simply determined that they would discuss the subject to
+some satisfactory end on his return.</p>
+
+<p>The young man did look much better, having made an effort to cleanse his face
+as well as his wound, but as Sally took hold of his hand before beginning her
+task, she was startled to discover that he was suffering from a fever through
+neglect of his injury. This made her the more determined. Although appreciating
+her own inefficiency and disliking the work, there was nothing to be done at
+present but to go ahead with her own simple first-aid treatment. She had a
+bottle of antiseptic and clean surgical gauze.</p>
+
+<p>As she wound the bandage, wishing she had taken the trouble to learn the art
+more skilfully, Sally announced:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You must see a physician about your arm as soon as possible. You never
+have <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> explained to
+me why you are hiding here. But in any case you cannot remain when you are ill
+and hungry and cold and require a great deal of attention. You must go into one
+of the villages to a hospital. While you were away I have been thinking what to
+do. You look to me too ill to walk very far and, as I am living not more than
+half a mile away, I will go back to our farm and tell my friends about you.
+Later I think I can arrange to come back for you in a motor and then we will
+drive you to one of the hospitals. I don&#8217;t know as much about the French
+hospitals as my friends do, but of course everybody is anxious to do whatever is
+possible for the Allied soldiers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally placed a certain amount of stress on the expression &#8220;Allied
+soldiers,&#8221; but never for an instant believing in the possibility that her
+patient could belong to an enemy nationality.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you tell anyone you have discovered me here in hiding, it will be
+the last of me,&#8221; the soldier declared.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Sally was beginning to be troubled. Why did the young man look
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> and speak so
+strangely? He seemed confused and worried and either unable to explain his
+actions, or else unwilling. Yet somehow one had the impression that he was a
+gentleman and there need be no fear of any lack of personal courtesy.</p>
+
+<p>It was possible from his appearance to believe that he might be suffering
+from a mental breakdown. Sally recalled that many of the soldiers were affected
+in this way from shell shock or the long strain of battle.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suppose I must tell you something. In any case, I have to trust my
+fate in your hands and I know there is not one person in a thousand who would
+spare me. I was a prisoner and escaped from my captors. I don&#8217;t know how I
+discovered this old house. I don&#8217;t know how long I have been wandering
+about the country before I came here, only that I hid myself in the daytime and
+stumbled around seeking a place of refuge at night. If you report me I suppose I
+will not be allowed even a soldier&#8217;s death. I shall probably be
+hung.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the soldier laughed, such an <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_134'></a>134</span> unhappy, curious laugh that Sally had but one
+desire and that was to escape from the château and her strange companion at once
+and forever. Yet in spite of his vague and uncertain expression, the
+soldier&#8217;s eyes were dark and fine and his features well cut. He was merely
+thin and haggard and dirty from his recent experiences.</p>
+
+<p>From his uniform it was impossible to guess anything; at least, it was
+impossible for Sally, who had but scant information with regard to military
+accoutrements.</p>
+
+<p>But even in the face of his confession she was not considering the
+soldier&#8217;s nationality. He looked so miserable and ill, so like a sick boy,
+that the maternal spirit which was really strongly rooted in Sally
+Ashton&#8217;s nature awakened. He could scarcely stand as he talked to her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Please sit down. I don&#8217;t know what you are to do,&#8221; she
+remonstrated. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know <i>why</i> you ran away or from whom,
+but no fate could be much worse than starving to death here in this old place
+alone. Yet certainly I don&#8217;t want to give you up to&#8211;to
+anybody,&#8221; she concluded <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_135'></a>135</span> lamely, as a matter of fact not knowing to whom one
+should report a runaway soldier.</p>
+
+<p>This was a different Sally Ashton from the girl her family and friends
+ordinarily knew. The evanescent dimple had disappeared entirely and also the
+indolent expression in her golden brown eyes. She was frowning and her lips were
+closed in a firmer line.</p>
+
+<p>At her suggestion the soldier had returned to the chair which he had been
+occupying at the moment of her intrusion. But Sally saw that although he was
+seated he was swaying a little and that again he had put up his uninjured arm to
+his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps I can get away from here, if you will help me. I have escaped
+being caught so far. I only ask you to bring me a little food. Tomorrow I shall
+be stronger.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Unconsciously Sally sighed. What fate had ever driven her forth into this
+undesired adventure?</p>
+
+<p>She did not like to aid a runaway prisoner, nor did she wish him to meet the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> disagreeable end
+he had suggested through any act of hers.</p>
+
+<p>Any other one of the Camp Fire girls, Sally believed, would have given the
+soldier a lecture on the high ideals of patriotism, or of meeting with proper
+fortitude whatever fate might overtake him. At least he would have been required
+to divulge his nationality, and if he were an enemy, of course there could be no
+hesitation in delivering him to justice.</p>
+
+<p>However, Sally only found herself answering:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I suppose I can manage to bring you something to eat once more.
+But I cannot say when I can get here without anyone&#8217;s knowing, so you must
+stay where you can hear when I call. Afterwards you must promise me to go away.
+I don&#8217;t know what I ought to do about you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally had gone a few yards from the château when she glanced back an instant
+toward the old stone ruins. The atmosphere of the afternoon had changed, the sun
+was no longer shining and the château lay deep in shadow.</p>
+
+<p>A cold wind was blowing across the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_137'></a>137</span> desolate fields. Sally was not ordinarily
+impressionable, yet at this moment she felt a curious sense of foreboding.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span><a id='link_10'></a>CHAPTER X<br /><span class='h2fs'>BREAKERS AHEAD</span></h2>
+
+<p>A little tired and also because her attention was occupied with her recent
+experience, Sally did not choose her way over the rough countryside so carefully
+and therefore managed to take a much longer time for her return to the farm.</p>
+
+<p>Now that the sun had disappeared, the countryside seemed to have grown
+depressingly desolate. In the gray afternoon light the blackened tree trunks
+which had been partly burned were stark and ugly.</p>
+
+<p>Under ordinary circumstances Sally was particularly susceptible to physical
+discomfort, yet this afternoon she was too concerned over her problem to be more
+than vaguely disturbed by her surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>One thought continually assailed her. Would it be possible to appear among
+the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> other girls
+looking and behaving as if nothing unusual had occurred? For Sally had an honest
+and profound conviction that she had no talent for deception. How could she
+realize that she belonged to the type of women with whom dissimulation is a fine
+art once the exigencies of a situation required it? She had come to one definite
+conclusion, she would not betray the presence of the runaway soldier in the
+château for at least another twenty-four hours. She would take him food the next
+day and he might have the opportunity to attempt an escape. In all probability
+he would soon be captured and punished, and this was doubtless the fate he
+deserved; nevertheless Sally was glad that, in a cowardly fashion, she would not
+be directly responsible.</p>
+
+<p>She looked forward to the evening and the next day with no joy, bitterly
+regretting that she had not spent her leisure hours in resting and reading as
+she had at first intended. Surely repose and a contented spirit were more to be
+desired than unexpected adventures!</p>
+
+<p>Weary and dispirited, Sally finally arrived <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_140'></a>140</span> at home, only to be met in the front hall by Miss
+Patricia, who at once showed signs of an approaching storm.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, she was excessively annoyed over a piece of information
+she had just received, so it was unfortunate that Sally should return at a
+moment when she must bear the brunt of it.</p>
+
+<p>Moving a little listlessly up the broad uncarpeted stairs toward the bedroom
+she shared with her sister, the girl scarcely noticed the older woman&#8217;s
+presence. She was hoping that Alice had not yet returned and that she might have
+a few moments to herself.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia opened the attack with her usual vigor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean, Sally, by going off this afternoon, knowing that I
+particularly needed your help? You must understand that it is highly improper
+for a young girl to tramp about over this French country alone. Even if Polly
+Burton has permitted you Camp Fire girls the most extraordinary amount of
+freedom, she surely has realized this and warned you against such indiscretion.
+There is <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> no way of
+guessing into what difficulty you may have already managed to entangle
+yourself!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally felt herself flushing until her clear skin was suffused with glowing
+color.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry, Miss Patricia,&#8221; she said, &#8220;but remember that I
+am not a child and cannot have you speak to me as if I were a disobedient one. I
+have been for a walk and&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But fortunately Sally was not required to complete her sentence. Suddenly
+Mrs. Burton had appeared out of her bedroom and began to hurry downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sally!&#8221; she called with a suggestion of appeal in her voice.
+&#8220;The excitement over your disappearance is my fault, so please don&#8217;t
+you and Aunt Patricia quarrel. A little while ago when I returned home and Mère
+&#8217;Toinette told me that you had gone out alone and she did not know in what
+direction, why, I became uneasy. You will not again, will you? Really I am
+afraid it is not safe for you children, although with me of course the case is
+different. Aunt Patricia is not disposed to think so, forgetting my advanced
+age. <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> Still, Sally,
+no matter how enthusiastic we may feel over our work here in the shell-torn area
+of France, we must remember these are war times when one never knows what may
+happen next. Besides, the French do not always understand our American ideas of
+liberty for young girls.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>By this time having reached the foot of the stairs, Mrs. Burton slipped her
+hand inside Sally&#8217;s, glancing back with a slightly amused and slightly
+apologetic expression toward Miss Patricia.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Really, Aunt Patricia, I do regret your being so annoyed, yet you must
+not take my news too seriously. Our guests are sure not to remain with us
+long.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>To the latter part of her Camp Fire guardian&#8217;s remark Sally Ashton paid
+not the slightest heed, so concerned was she with the first part of her
+speech.</p>
+
+<p>Why of all times should this question of her personal liberty come up for
+discussion <i>this</i> afternoon? Of her own free choice Sally felt convinced
+that she would never willingly go out alone. Nevertheless, how was she to keep
+her word to the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span>
+young soldier unless she returned next day to the château? with the food she had
+promised him and without confiding the fact to any one else? Oh, why had she
+allowed herself to be drawn into this reckless promise? At this moment if she
+could only slip into her Camp Fire guardian&#8217;s room and ask her advice!
+Miss Patricia would insist that if the soldier were a deserter he straightway
+should be brought to justice. But Sally understood her Camp Fire guardian well
+enough to appreciate that, once hearing the soldier in hiding was ill and
+wounded, she would be as reluctant as Sally herself to follow her manifest
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>Confidence on this particular subject was for the present out of the
+question, and as soon as she conveniently could Sally disappeared inside her own
+room. Later, when the other girls had returned, weary from their long errand of
+mercy in the next village and yet immensely interested in their experience,
+Sally pretended to have a slight headache.</p>
+
+<p>During supper she scarcely listened to the ever steady stream of conversation
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> which flowed
+unceasingly each evening. In the daytime the American newcomers to the old
+French farm on the Aisne were too much engaged to allow opportunity for
+conversation. After supper they gathered in their improvised sitting-room to
+talk until their early bedtime.</p>
+
+<p>The sitting-room was oddly furnished with whatever furniture could be rescued
+after the commandeering of the more valuable possessions by the Germans.</p>
+
+<p>In the attic a few broken chairs stored away for years had been brought down
+and repaired. These were beautiful pieces of furniture in conspicuous contrast
+to the couches and stools which originally had arrived at the farm as large
+wooden boxes containing provisions.</p>
+
+<p>With old Jean&#8217;s assistance, Peggy and Vera had developed unexpected
+talents as carpenters.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, whatever her faults, Miss Patricia Lord was an unfailing source of
+supply. During her brief stay in Paris, without mentioning the fact to any one
+else, she had purchased thirty yards of old blue and rose cretonne, perhaps with
+the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> knowledge that
+beauty even of the simplest kind helps one to happiness and accomplishment.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore the two couches in the sitting-room were covered with the cretonne,
+and half a dozen box chairs; and there were cretonne valances at the
+windows.</p>
+
+<p>Save a single old lamp which had been left in the sitting-room, it had no
+other ornaments.</p>
+
+<p>The lamp was of bronze and bore the figure of a genie holding the stand, so
+that obviously it had been christened &#8220;Aladdin&#8217;s lamp.&#8221; It was
+supposed to gratify whatever wish one expressed, but the Camp Fire girls were
+too busy with the interests of other people at present to spend much time in
+considering their personal desires.</p>
+
+<p>There was one other object of interest in the room, a large photograph of the
+ruined Rheims Cathedral, which Mrs. Burton had bought in the neighborhood of
+Rheims not long before. The classic French city was not many miles from the
+present home of the group of American girls.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span>As beautiful
+almost in destruction as it had been in its former glory, the photograph stood
+as a symbol of the imperishable beauty of French art. Also it represented
+another symbol. Here on the white wooden mantel of the French farm house
+&#8220;on the field of honor&#8221; it called to the American people to continue
+their work for the relief and the restoration of France.</p>
+
+<p>Tonight as she lay resting upon one of the couches, dressed in a simple
+dinner dress of some soft violet material, Mrs. Burton had glanced several times
+toward the photograph.</p>
+
+<p>As a tribute to her headache and a general disinclination to associate with
+her companions, Sally had been permitted to occupy the other couch which stood
+on the opposite side of the room.</p>
+
+<p>In their one large chair, close to the table with the lamp, Aunt Patricia sat
+knitting with her usual vigor and determination. Aside from Sally, the Camp Fire
+girls were grouped about near her.</p>
+
+<p>After having been quiet for the past half hour, Mrs. Burton suddenly asked:
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> &#8220;Would any
+of you care to hear a poem concerning the destruction of the Cathedral at
+Rheims, written by a Kentucky woman? A friend sent it to me and it was so
+exquisite I have lately memorized it. In the last few moments while I have been
+looking at our photograph I have repeated the lines to myself. I wonder if it
+would interest you?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The girls replied in a chorus of acquiescence, but Mrs. Burton did not
+venture to begin until she also had received a nod of agreement from Aunt
+Patricia. Between the older and younger woman there was a bond of strong
+affection. Nevertheless, mingled with Mrs. Burton&#8217;s love and respect,
+there was also a certain humorous appreciation.</p>
+
+<p>Since their arrival in France the Camp Fire girls had been compelled to spend
+their evenings in doors. This was unlike their former custom.</p>
+
+<p>Recently, when they had grown weary of talking, perhaps for only a half hour
+before bedtime, some one of them had fallen into the habit of reading aloud to
+the others.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span>Apart from the
+pleasure, Mrs. Burton regarded this as useful education.</p>
+
+<p>Not a great many newspapers and magazines reached the old farm house in
+comparison with other days at camp; nevertheless they arrived in sufficient
+number both from the United States and Paris to keep one fairly in touch with
+world movements. The reading of the French papers and magazines was of course
+especially good practice.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Burton could seldom be persuaded to be
+anything save a listener. After reading or talking the greater part of the day
+to her new French friends, she was apt to be worn out by evening.</p>
+
+<p>Tonight she began to speak in a low voice as if she were tired, yet as her
+little audience was so near it did not matter and her voice never failed in its
+beautiful quality.</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:10em'>&#8220;Rheims</p>
+
+<div class='poetry'>
+<p>&#8220;It was a people&#8217;s church&#8211;stout, plain folk they,<br />
+Wanting their own cathedral, not the king&#8217;s<br /> Nor prelate&#8217;s,
+nor great noble&#8217;s. On the walls,<br /> On porch and arch and
+doorway&#8211;see, the saints<br /> <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_149'></a>149</span>Have the plain people&#8217;s faces. That sweet
+Virgin<br /> Was young Marie, who lived around the corner,<br /> And whom
+the sculptor knew. From time to time<br /> He saw her at her work, or with her
+babe,<br /> So gay, so dainty, smiling at the child.<br /> That sturdy
+Peter&#8211;Peter of the keys&#8211;<br /> He was old Jean, the Breton
+fisherman,<br /> Who, somehow, made his way here from the coast<br /> And
+lived here many years, yet kept withal<br /> The look of the great sea and his
+great nets.<br /> And John there, the beloved, was Etienne,<br /> And good
+St. James was François&#8211;brothers they,<br /> And had a small, clean
+bakeshop, where they sold<br /> Bread, cakes and little pies. Well, so it
+went!<br /> These were not Italy&#8217;s saints, nor yet the gods,<br />
+Majestic, calm, unmoved, of ancient Greece.<br /> No, they were only
+townsfolk, common people,<br /> And graced a common church&#8211;that stood
+and stood<br /> Through war and fire and pestilence, through ravage<br /> Of
+time and kings and conquerors, till at last<br /> The century dawned which
+promised common men<br /> The things they long had hoped for!<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;O
+the time<br /> Showed a fair face, was daughter of great Demos,<br />
+Flamboyant, bore a light, laughed loud and free,<br /> And feared not any
+man&#8211;until&#8211;until&#8211;<br /> There sprang a mailed figure from a
+throne,<br /> Gorgeous, imperial, glowing&#8211;a monstrosity<br />
+Magnificent as death and as death terrible.<br /> It walked these aisles and
+saw the humble ones,<br /> <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_150'></a>150</span>Peter the fisherman, James and John, the
+shopkeepers,<br /> And Mary, sweet, gay, innocent and poor.<br /> Loud did
+it laugh and long. &#8216;These peaceful folk!<br /> What place have they in my
+great armed world?&#8217;<br /> Then with its thunderbolts of fire it
+drove<br /> These saints from out their places&#8211;breaking roof,<br />
+Wall, window, portal&#8211;and the great grave arch<br /> Smoked with the
+awful funeral smoke of doom.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#8220;Thus died they and
+their church&#8211;but from the wreck<br /> Of fire and smoke and broken wood
+and stone<br /> There rose a figure greater far than they&#8211;<br /> Their
+Lord, who dwells within no house of hands;<br /> Whose beauty hath no need of
+any form!<br /> Out from the fire He passed, and round Him went<br /> Marie
+and Jean and Etienne and Francois,<br /> And they went singing, singing,
+through their France&#8211;<br /> And Italy&#8211;and England&#8211;and the
+world!&#8221;</p> </div><!-- poetry -->
+
+<p>When Mrs. Burton began her recitation she sat up on the edge of her couch and
+leaning forward kept her eyes fastened sometimes on the floor, sometimes on the
+picture of the great cathedral. Now and then her gaze quickly swept the faces of
+her audience.</p>
+
+<p>She was wondering if the poem had <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_151'></a>151</span> bored any one of them. It was a long poem and
+perhaps its spiritual meaning would not be altogether plain.</p>
+
+<p>However, as the poem reached its conclusion, and her voice with its dramatic
+power and sweetness made the picture of the peasant people and their peasant
+church a visible and compelling thing, she no longer felt fearful.</p>
+
+<p>The faces of the girls before her were fine and serious; Bettina and Marta,
+who cared more for poetry and art than the others, had flushed and their eyes
+were filled with tears.</p>
+
+<p>As Mrs. Burton finished, it was as if one could actually hear the new spirit
+of brotherhood which Christ preached two thousand years ago, &#8220;singing,
+singing, through the world.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Yet in the silence which was a fitting tribute to the poem, suddenly the
+entire audience broke into a ripple of laughter. From the far side of the room a
+gentle snore had been Sally Ashton&#8217;s sole expression of appreciation.</p>
+
+<p>Following the sound of the laughter, Sally sat up and began blinking her soft
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> golden brown eyes,
+looking for all the world like a sleepy kitten.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think you had far better give yourself up to justice and have
+someone take care of you properly,&#8221; she announced in a far-away voice.
+This was the conclusion which Sally had just reached at the end of her
+half-sleeping and half-waking dream of her runaway soldier.</p>
+
+<p>She did not know that she was to make such an extraordinary remark aloud, but
+fortunately no one had the faintest knowledge of her meaning.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, no one really heard her, as the girls were too amused over
+Sally&#8217;s characteristic habit of falling asleep on occasions when
+conversation or entertainment bored her.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after the laughter, Sally, not understanding its cause,
+nevertheless arose and began her journey to bed. She was annoyed but not
+seriously, since in waking she had reached the conclusion she desired. In the
+morning at dawn, before the other members of her household were awake, she would
+make a second trip to the château.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span>She would carry
+provisions to the soldier and then advise him to leave the neighborhood
+immediately. Unless he departed of his own free will, taking his chances as he
+must, she then would be compelled to tell that he was in hiding.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span><a id='link_11'></a>CHAPTER XI<br /><span class='h2fs'>THE RETURN</span></h2>
+
+<p>Before daylight Sally rose softly and began to dress, feeling extremely
+irritated. She disliked getting up in the mornings and this scheme of arising
+early was so annoying that it had kept her awake the greater part of the
+night.</p>
+
+<p>Besides she had but little hope of not arousing Alice. Once as she was
+searching quietly on the floor for her shoes, Alice sat up, asking severely:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What on earth are you doing, Sally Ashton? If you are not ill, come on
+back to bed. If you are ill, come back in any case and let me get whatever it is
+you desire.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally murmured something vague and indeterminate about endeavoring to
+discover a lost pillow and Alice fell comfortably asleep again, nor did she
+awaken <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> when Sally
+at last slipped out of the room and down stairs.</p>
+
+<p>In case any one else heard her or called, she had made up her mind to explain
+that she was seeing about some preparation for breakfast. As &#8220;housekeeper
+extraordinary&#8221; this statement <i>might</i> be believed, even if it were
+unlike her to start her ministrations so early.</p>
+
+<p>But no one was disturbed and Sally got her little bundle of provisions
+together quickly, since she knew just where the supplies of food were kept. They
+had not a great deal, considering the demands that were constantly being made
+upon them by the people in the neighborhood who were less well off, so Sally
+felt that she had not the right to be over-generous, and made her selections
+with due discretion.</p>
+
+<p>It was more than ever her determination to demand that the soldier leave the
+château at once this morning, if he could be induced to see the wisdom of such a
+proceeding, but if not by nightfall.</p>
+
+<p>Also Sally had made up her mind to ask no questions. If the soldier were
+arrested <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> later she
+wished to know as little as possible concerning him.</p>
+
+<p>He had spoken of being captured and of running away from his captors. This
+suggested that he was a German or an Austrian who had been taken prisoner and
+was trying to effect an escape. If this were true Sally felt a fierce
+condemnation of her own cowardly attitude. But was it not remotely possible that
+the soldier had committed some offense and had then run away from his own
+regiment? However, this point of view was but little in his favor. As he spoke
+English with an accent and as foreign accents were all of an equal mystification
+to Sally, it was possible that she need never know his origin.</p>
+
+<p>Outdoors and slipping through the garden, to Sally&#8217;s surprise and
+consternation she nearly ran into old Jean, who appeared to have been up all
+night caring for his stock.</p>
+
+<p>He looked like a gnome with his wrinkled skin, his little eyes, his muddy
+gray hair and even his clothes almost of a color with the earth.</p>
+
+<p>He was carrying a lantern, but instead <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_157'></a>157</span> of speaking beckoned mysteriously to Sally to
+follow him out to Miss Patricia&#8217;s barn, where a half dozen cows were now
+installed.</p>
+
+<p>Not knowing what else to do, Sally stood by until she found herself presented
+with a small pail of milk, and still with no comments, for immediately after
+Jean went on with his morning&#8217;s work.</p>
+
+<p>She did not waste time, however, in puzzling over the old servant man.</p>
+
+<p>After drinking a small quantity of the milk, not wishing to throw the rest
+away or to return to the house, Sally concluded to take it with her as a part of
+her offering. Yet she had no real desire to give refreshment to her accidental
+acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Some curious feminine force must have moved Sally Ashton on this occasion.
+Most women find it difficult to allow a human being to endure physical
+suffering, once the person is delivered into their care.</p>
+
+<p>As she made her way to the château for the second time Sally loathed the cold
+dark morning and there was no beauty nor significance to her in the gray leaden
+sky <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> which lay like
+a mourning veil over the sad French landscape.</p>
+
+<p>Sally considered that she was engaged in an almost unjustifiable action. Yet
+she could not make up her mind to leave the soldier to starve, or to betray his
+presence in the château.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, Sally was haunted by a small nervous fear, which may have been out
+of place in the face of the larger issues which were involved. As the soldier in
+hiding had no reason to believe she would arrive so early in the morning, he
+might still be asleep. Sally disliked the idea that thus she might be called
+upon to awaken him. The conventions of life were dear to her, she had a real
+appreciation of their value and place in social life and no desire to break with
+any one of them.</p>
+
+<p>The food could be left in the dismantled old drawing-room, under its arch of
+leaning walls, but Sally wished to leave a command as well as the food. After
+this one unhappy pilgrimage she would do nothing more for the soldier&#8217;s
+safety and comfort. He must take his chances and slip away.</p>
+
+<p>The entire neighborhood was disturbingly <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_159'></a>159</span> quiet. An owl of late habits would have been almost
+companionable. Upon one point Sally considered herself inflexible. She would not
+enter the château; she might call softly from the outside if it were necessary.
+If no one replied she would return to the farm and nevermore would the château
+be honored by her presence.</p>
+
+<p>In an entirely different state of mind she approached the old house on this
+second occasion and made her way to the opening between the walls.</p>
+
+<p>Inside there seemed an even more uncanny silence. Yet how could one call to
+an utter stranger whose name, whose identity, whose nationality were all
+unknown?</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Halloo!&#8221; Sally cried in a faint voice, not once but three or
+four times.</p>
+
+<p>There was no reply.</p>
+
+<p>She called again. Then she entered the drawing-room quickly with no other
+idea than to put down her offerings and flee away as soon as possible. Sally was
+possessed of the impression that, however long the wrecked walls might remain in
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> position while she
+was outside them, once inside she would be buried beneath a descending mass.</p>
+
+<p>A few feet within the arch she discovered her soldier.</p>
+
+<p>He had made for himself a bed out of an old mattress which he had dragged
+from some other room, using a torn covering which once had been a beautiful
+eiderdown quilt. As he had no pillow and his face was completely uncovered,
+Sally realized he was in a stupor and so ill that he had not heard her approach
+or her repeated calls.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately Sally Ashton was essentially practical.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, in an extraordinary fashion for so young and presumably selfish a
+girl she immediately forgot herself. She was living in an atmosphere of
+unselfishness and devotion to others, so the thought that the object of her
+present care was not a worthy object did not at the moment influence her.</p>
+
+<p>In a matter-of-fact and skillful fashion Sally first poured a small amount of
+milk inside her patient&#8217;s parted lips. Except <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> that the soldier became half aroused by
+her act and seemed to wish more, there was no difficulty. Then unwrapping the
+arm which she had bandaged the day before, she cleansed the wound a second time
+with the antiseptic she had brought for the purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards, realizing that she must find the water she had been told was
+still to be had in one of the rooms of the château, without considering her
+previous fears, Sally climbed and crawled through one dangerous opening after
+the other, in spite of her awkwardness in any unaccustomed physical exertion.
+Finally she discovered the water. Then in a half broken pitcher, secured in
+passing through one of the wrecked bedrooms, she carried a small amount to the
+drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Without hesitation or embarrassment the girl bathed her undesired
+patient&#8217;s face and hands. He had fine, strong features; there was nothing
+in the face to suggest weakness or cowardice. Still it remained impossible to
+decide his nationality or whether he was an officer or merely <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> a common soldier, since
+his outfit was a patchwork of oddly assorted garments.</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s acquaintance with uniforms was limited. She knew that the
+French wore the horizon blue and the British and Americans a nearly similar
+shade of khaki.</p>
+
+<p>Her patient&#8217;s outfit was like no other she had seen.</p>
+
+<p>Yet over these minor details she did not trouble. In spite of her lack of
+experience, Sally was convinced that the soldier was now suffering from blood
+poison due to neglect of his wound and the unhealthy and unsanitary conditions
+in which he had been living.</p>
+
+<p>The day before she had thought he looked and acted strangely and had half an
+idea that he may have been partly delirious then, so she was not altogether
+surprised by the present situation.</p>
+
+<p>During her journey across the fields daylight had come; because she would not
+otherwise have been able to accomplish her present task even so inadequately as
+she had accomplished it, Sally was pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Yet when the moment arrived and she <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_163'></a>163</span> had done all she could for the soldier&#8217;s
+comfort she had to face her real difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>There is no mistake in this world more serious than to judge other
+people&#8217;s problems in the light in which they appear to us. The problem
+which is nothing to one human being appears insurmountable to another.</p>
+
+<p>So with Sally Ashton&#8217;s present difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>She had made up her mind to tell the soldier that unless he left the château
+before the following day she would be compelled to tell her friends of his
+hiding place and ask advice. But she had meant to warn him of her intention and
+allow him to take his chances if he preferred.</p>
+
+<p>Now he appeared defenceless and entirely at her mercy.</p>
+
+<p>Should she betray him at once? Certainly there was a possibility that he
+would die of neglect if left alone at the château. But then he must have faced
+this possibility and deliberately chosen it.</p>
+
+<p>Sally wondered what would become of an escaped prisoner if he were discovered
+to be desperately ill? It did not seem possible <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_164'></a>164</span> that the military authorities would be so severe as
+he had anticipated.</p>
+
+<p>Yet she knew very little of the ways of military authorities, and an escaped
+prisoner would scarcely be an object of devoted attention.</p>
+
+<p>Although not aware of the fact, already Sally had assumed a protective
+attitude toward the soldier.</p>
+
+<p>One thing she might do and that was to wait another twenty-four hours. It was
+barely possible that he might not be so ill as she now believed.</p>
+
+<p>At present she must not remain a moment longer at the château. Instead she
+must run back across the fields, since it was her plan to reach the farm house
+and be discovered in the act of assisting Mère &#8217;Toinette in the preparation of
+breakfast.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span><a id='link_12'></a>CHAPTER XII<br /><span class='h2fs'>OTHER DAYS AND OTHER WAYS</span></h2>
+
+<p>Under the new conditions of life in the devastated country of France, it has
+been difficult to set down the effect which the change of environment, the
+change of interest and of inspiration had upon each individual member of the
+Sunrise Camp Fire unit.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly their present daily life bore but a faint resemblance to their
+former outdoor summer encampments in various picturesque places in the United
+States. Nevertheless the Camp Fire girls always had considered that they were
+doing useful work merely by following the rules of their camp fire and by
+gaining the honors necessary to the growth of their organization and their own
+official rank.</p>
+
+<p>Now they realized that all their efforts had been but a preparation for the
+service they were at present undertaking. There was no detail of their past
+experience <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span> which
+was not of service, their Health Craft, Camp Craft, Home Craft, Business and
+Patriotism. Why, their very watch cry, &#8220;Wohelo&#8221;&#8211;work, health
+and love&#8211;embodied the three gifts they were trying to restore to the
+poverty-stricken French people in this particular neighborhood upon &#8220;the
+field of honor!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>On this afternoon, in spite of the cold, the girls had arranged to hold their
+first out-of-doors Camp Fire meeting since their arrival in France.</p>
+
+<p>For weeks they had been working among the young French girls in the villages
+and the country near at hand, persuading them to spend whatever leisure they had
+in studying the Camp Fire ideas and activities.</p>
+
+<p>Bettina Graham and Alice Ashton had introduced as much Camp Fire study as
+possible into the regular routine of the school which they held daily in the big
+schoolroom at the farm. Even with the younger children there were like
+suggestions of play and of service which Marta Clark and Yvonne were able to
+give.</p>
+
+<p>But until this afternoon there had <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_167'></a>167</span> been no actual organization of the first group of
+Camp Fire girls in France. Strange that with Camp Fires in England, Australia,
+Africa, Japan, China and other foreign places, there should have been none in
+France! But Yvonne Fleury could have explained that, unlike American girls,
+French girls were not accustomed to intimate association with one another, their
+lives up to the time of their marriage being spent in seclusion among the
+members of their own family.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, upon this same afternoon Yvonne was thinking of this as she dressed
+slowly before going outdoors to join the other girls. The house was empty save
+that Mère &#8217;Toinette was working downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>Marta Clark and Peggy had been kind enough to make her a simple Camp Fire
+costume, the khaki skirt and blouse, which formed their ordinary service
+costume. Notwithstanding she had been studying the Camp Fire manual and trying
+to acquire the necessary honors, this was the first time Yvonne had worn the
+costume.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span>How utterly
+unlike anything she had ever dreamed were these past weeks in her life! From the
+moment of her confession of weakness and the telling of her story to Mrs.
+Burton, Yvonne had deliberately chosen to remain with her rather than continue
+with the canteen work which she had originally planned to do in returning to her
+own country.</p>
+
+<p>For one reason she had fallen under the spell of Mrs. Burton&#8217;s sympathy
+and charm; moreover, the girls in the Camp Fire work were nearer her own age and
+were to undertake a character of occupation in which she felt herself able to be
+useful. They were also going to live in the neighborhood of her old home before
+the outbreak of the war.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, although Yvonne had preferred not to confide the
+information to any one except Mrs. Burton, she was at present not fifty miles
+from the château in France where she had lived until the night word came that
+she and her family must fly before the oncoming horde of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Well, more than three years had passed <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_169'></a>169</span> since that night, three years which sometimes
+seemed an eternity to Yvonne. She had no wish to revisit the ruins of her old
+home, no wish to be reminded of it. There was no one left for whom she cared
+except perhaps a few neighbors.</p>
+
+<p>However, in the last few weeks Yvonne ordinarily did not permit herself to
+become depressed. This much she felt she owed to Mrs. Burton&#8217;s kindness
+and to the comradeship which had been so generously given to her by the Camp
+Fire girls. Yvonne felt a particular affection for each one of them. She could
+not of course feel equally attracted. So far she cared most for Peggy Webster
+and for Mary Gilchrist, possibly attracted toward Mary because she also was an
+outsider like herself. Then Mary&#8217;s boyish attitude toward life, her utter
+freedom even from the knowledge of the conventions in which Yvonne had been so
+carefully reared, at first startled, then amused the young French girl. But for
+Peggy Webster, Yvonne had a peculiar feeling of love and admiration. This may
+have been partly due to the fact that Peggy was Mrs. Burton&#8217;s <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> niece and so shared in
+the glamor of the great lady&#8217;s personality, but it was more a tribute to
+Peggy&#8217;s own character.</p>
+
+<p>After Yvonne&#8217;s pathetic account of her history, Mrs. Burton had told at
+least a measure of her story to Peggy. She had asked Peggy to invoke the
+compassion and aid of the other girls and to do what she could for Yvonne
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>To Peggy&#8217;s strength, to the freedom and the courage of her outlook upon
+life, Yvonne&#8217;s tragic story had appealed strongly, but more Yvonne&#8217;s
+timidity. Often the young French girl appeared unwilling to go on with the daily
+struggle of life when everything for which she had ever cared had been taken
+from her.</p>
+
+<p>Among the American Camp Fire girls there was only one girl for whom Yvonne
+felt a sensation of distrust which almost amounted to a dislike, and this was
+Sally Ashton. Nevertheless, in the early days of their acquaintance, Yvonne had
+not this point of view. Then she had admired Sally&#8217;s prettiness, the gold
+brown of her hair and eyes, her white skin and even her indolent manners and
+graces. Yet recently <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_171'></a>171</span> Yvonne had become aware of a circumstance, or
+rather of a series of circumstances, which had first surprised, then puzzled and
+finally repelled her.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments Yvonne left the farm house. If she were late at their first
+outdoor camp fire she realized she would have no difficulty in discovering the
+site they had selected, although it was at some distance away.</p>
+
+<p>Some time had passed since the arrival of the Camp Fire party in this
+neighborhood of France and now even in the winter fields there was a suggestion
+of approaching spring.</p>
+
+<p>As Yvonne walked on she felt an unselfish joy, a greater lightness of heart.
+Surely the spring would bring back some of her lost happiness to France. There
+would be another great drive, another tragic contest of strength, but the
+British and French lines would hold.</p>
+
+<p>Yvonne had the great faith and courage of her people, now she had learned to
+lay aside her personal sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>In a few more weeks Miss Patricia&#8217;s American tractor, which was indeed
+a <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> &#8220;strange
+god in a machine,&#8221; would be able to turn these fields into plowed land
+ready for the spring planting.</p>
+
+<p>But now in a meadow, while still some distance away, Yvonne beheld an
+American, a French and a British flag set up on temporary staffs, and blending
+their colors and designs in a symbolic fashion as they floated in the wind.</p>
+
+<p>Yvonne paused for a moment to watch the group of her acquaintances and
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>Standing apart from the girls were Miss Patricia Lord, Mrs. Burton, and the
+two visitors who had arrived only a few days before. They were the guests whose
+approaching visit to the farm house Miss Patricia had so openly deplored, one of
+them Mrs. Bishop and the other Monsieur Duval, both of them ship acquaintances.
+Mrs. Bishop was in France to represent an American magazine and was at present
+intending to write a series of articles on the reclamation work along the Aisne
+and the Marne.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Duval had given no explanation for his appearance save to announce
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> that he had some
+especial work on hand for his government in the southern districts of
+France.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the fact that fuel was of such tremendous value in France at the
+present time, the Camp Fire girls had permitted themselves the extravagance of a
+fire to inaugurate their first outdoor Camp Fire ceremony. The boxes in which
+Miss Patricia&#8217;s various purchases had come to the farm had proved useful
+for more than one service.</p>
+
+<p>In a circle near the camp fire were eight young French girls who this
+afternoon were to receive the wood-gatherers&#8217; rings. Just beyond them the
+American girls were seated.</p>
+
+<p>Peggy had been chosen to present the rings.</p>
+
+<p>Possibly they were waiting for Yvonne&#8217;s arrival, for no sooner had she
+slipped silently into her place than Peggy Webster arose and recited the
+Wood-gatherer&#8217;s Desire.</p>
+
+<div class='poetry'>
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span>&#8220;As fagots
+are brought from the forest,<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;Firmly held by the sinews which
+bind them,<br /> I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;Wherever, whenever I find them.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#8220;I will
+strive to grow strong like the pine tree,<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;To be pure in my
+deepest desire;<br /> To be true to the truth that is in me<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;And follow the Law of the Fire.&#8221;</p> </div><!-- poetry -->
+
+<p>Then she offered each one of the French girls a silver ring. When she came to
+Yvonne, clasping the Fire Maker&#8217;s bracelet about her wrist, she
+whispered:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We feel, Yvonne, that you have a right to a higher order in our new
+Camp Fire group than the other members because of the help you have given us in
+whatever work we have attempted since our arrival in France. In fact, you are
+the leading French Camp Fire girl!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A moment later, in answer to a signal, Mrs. Burton walked over and stood just
+beyond the two circles of girls and the camp fire and close to the Allied
+flags.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is not much I feel able to say to you,&#8221; she began,
+speaking in a simple and friendly fashion. &#8220;I think perhaps you <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> are already beginning to
+understand how intensely the people of the United States desire to render to
+France a part of the debt we owe her. It is France who has saved our liberty and
+the liberty of the entire world.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now I hope that the first group of Camp Fire girls in France will
+later carry the flaming torch until the news of the Camp Fire movement has
+spread through all the French land. In the Camp Fire life we look for the
+romance, the beauty and the adventure which may be hidden in the smallest task.
+More important than these things I hope Camp Fire girls the world over may
+become a part of the new spirit everywhere growing up among women, the spirit of
+union, the ability to work and play together as men have in the past. For once
+all girls and women are united, there will be a new league for peace among the
+nations such as this world has never known.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span><a id='link_13'></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /><span class='h2fs'>A DEPARTURE AND AN ARRIVAL</span></h2>
+
+<p>One evening two days later a little after the hour for bedtime at the farm,
+Mrs. Burton knocked softly at Miss Patricia&#8217;s door.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia quickly opened it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are ill, Polly Burton. Well, it is just what I have been expecting
+ever since the arrival of that strange man and woman. It seems to me that we had
+quite enough to do without entertaining guests. Besides, it strikes me as pure
+waste of energy, this riding about through the country with strangers when you
+should be at some <i>real</i> work.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>During her speech Miss Patricia had drawn the younger woman into her room,
+closed the door behind her and was now gazing at her severely but it must be
+confessed solicitously as well.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I am not ill, Aunt Patricia,&#8221; Mrs. Burton protested as soon
+as she was <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> allowed
+an opportunity to speak. &#8220;I only came in to have a talk with you about
+something important.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Patricia&#8217;s bedroom was large and empty, for there was more space
+at the old farm house than furniture. A great old-fashioned French bed had been
+spared from the general wreckage and upon this Mrs. Burton seated herself,
+drawing her feet up under her and her lavender dressing gown about her, since
+with so little heat in the house the bedrooms were uncomfortably cold.</p>
+
+<p>There was but one solitary stiff-backed chair, in which Miss Patricia sat
+perfectly erect.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why not come here and sit beside me? There is plenty of room, and you
+will be more comfortable,&#8221; Mrs. Burton urged.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Patricia shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am quite comfortable where I am. Moreover, Polly Burton, if I am an
+old woman and you no longer a young one, at the same time I am aware that you
+have every idea of trying to persuade me to some point of view of which you do
+not think I will approve. I have seen your <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_178'></a>178</span> methods before this evening. Thank you, I shall
+remain where I am.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton laughed.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Patricia did look so uncompromising in a hideous smoke-gray dressing
+gown made without any attempt at decorations. Her small knot of hair was screwed
+into a tight coil at the back of her head.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton&#8217;s own hair had kept its beautiful dusky quality, it had the
+dark sheen of the hair of the mythical Irish fairies, for only in Anglo-Saxon
+countries are fairies of necessity fair. Tonight Mrs. Burton&#8217;s hair was
+unbound and hung about her shoulders as if she were a girl.</p>
+
+<p>Fearing that Miss Patricia might regard her frivolous appearance with
+disfavor, she now began braiding it into one heavy braid.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What ever it is you desire to say, I do wish you would begin, Polly,
+so that we both can go to bed,&#8221; the elderly spinster remarked.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton shook her head. &#8220;You are not in a good humor, are you, Aunt
+Patricia? But at least there is one thing you <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_179'></a>179</span> will be glad to hear: our guests, Monsieur Duval
+and Mrs. Bishop, are leaving our farm the day after tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A good riddance,&#8221; Miss Patricia answered sharply.</p>
+
+<p>Then observing that her companion had flushed and undoubtedly was annoyed by
+her plain speaking, Aunt Patricia&#8217;s manner became slightly mollified.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is not that I have anything personal against your friends, Polly. I
+must say they have both endeavored to be very agreeable since their arrival and
+to give as little trouble as possible. But I told you on board ship I did not
+like the attitude of that Frenchman toward you. It was no surprise to me when he
+discovered he had important business in this part of France. Of course it should
+not be necessary for me to remind you that you are a married woman, with your
+unfortunate husband serving his country in France many miles from here and also
+that you are chaperoning a group of young girls. I suppose you will simply tell
+me that I do not understand French manners, but that is neither here nor there,
+Polly Burton. Your <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span>
+Frenchman is polite to your friend, Mrs. Bishop, I must confess he is also
+courteous to me; but I am obliged to repeat that his manner neither to Mrs.
+Bishop nor to me is in the least like his manner to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Patricia, you are so ridiculous! Still I don&#8217;t feel like
+laughing this time; you really are making me angry,&#8221; Mrs. Burton
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have made a great many persons angry in my life, Polly. I cannot
+even flatter myself that this is the first time I have offended you. However, I
+feel compelled to speak the truth.&#8221; Miss Patricia&#8217;s tone remained
+imperturbable.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But that is just the trouble, Aunt Patricia, you are not speaking the
+truth, although of course I know you don&#8217;t realize it and I beg your
+pardon,&#8221; Mrs. Burton argued. &#8220;But why do you allow yourself to
+acquire such prejudices and such foolish impressions? I simply refuse to discuss
+the suggestion you have just made. Please never speak of it to me
+again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ordinarily when the celebrated Mrs. Burton assumed an air of offended dignity
+such as she wore at present her world <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_181'></a>181</span> was apt to sue for pardon. Miss Patricia revealed
+no such intention. As a matter of fact, as she remained resolutely silent and as
+Mrs. Burton had not yet explained the reason for her visit, it was she who had
+to resume the conversation in a conciliatory manner.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I presume you won&#8217;t approve then, Aunt Patricia, of what I wish
+to speak to you. Monsieur Duval has been ordered to southern France on some work
+for his government and has asked Mrs. Bishop and me to accompany him, because it
+is work in which he thinks we may be useful. You know the Germans have been
+sending back some of the French refugees whom they drove before them in their
+retreat. There are groups of five hundred at a time who now and then are sent
+over the border either from Germany or Switzerland. They are penniless and not
+only have no money or food or clothes; they do not know whether their families
+are living or dead and in any case have no way to reach them. The French
+government is to try to arrange some plan by which homes may be secured for
+these unfortunate <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span>
+people until they can communicate with their relatives or friends.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;An excellent idea, but I do not exactly see your connection with
+it,&#8221; Miss Patricia returned.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton shrugged her shoulders impatiently. In all her life she never
+remembered any one who had opposed her desires in exactly the same fashion Miss
+Patricia did. Then, a little ashamed of herself, she answered gently but
+firmly:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My connection is that I am interested and that Mrs. Bishop and I have
+both decided to accompany Monsieur Duval. It is barely possible that we may be
+useful and able to offer a certain amount of advice. So many of the refugees are
+young women who have suffered impossible things and may require special care and
+shelter. Besides, I am very deeply anxious to see more of the country. We expect
+to travel south in the sector the Germans held three years ago. I will thus be
+able to find out how much restoration work has already been accomplished and how
+great a task remains. Moreover, Aunt Patricia dear, I have a personal <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span> errand. Surely you will
+think this important.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You remember my talking to you of the old peasant whose granddaughter,
+Elsie, had been driven into exile. Except to me the old woman has never spoken
+of her loss. Now there is a possibility that Elsie has been sent back into
+France and I have promised Grand&#8217;mère to search for her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Moreover, Aunt Patricia, each village in the devastated districts has
+been ordered to prepare a list of names of the missing who disappeared at the
+time of the German retreat. These lists are to be turned over to Monsieur Duval.
+A committee is to be appointed near the frontier to take charge of the lists and
+see that the refugees get in touch with their own people as soon as possible.
+Don&#8217;t you think this a wonderful scheme?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As Mrs. Burton unfolded the plan which had been carefully worked out with a
+great deal of foresight and care, in her enthusiasm she forgot Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s chilling attitude. She had spent many hours during the brief
+visit at the farm of Mrs. <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_184'></a>184</span> Bishop and Monsieur Duval in the outline she had
+just explained.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Patricia continued to look unimpressed and uninspired.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I told you before, Polly, that I had no idea of criticizing Monsieur
+Duval&#8217;s efforts in behalf of his government. I know the situation you
+speak of is extremely deplorable. Still I fail to see any reason for your
+assistance. There is sufficient work for you in this immediate neighborhood.
+However, I presume you have definitely made up your mind,&#8221; Miss Patricia
+concluded.</p>
+
+<p>Before replying, Mrs. Burton waited a moment, watching for a sign of yielding
+in her companion. But as Miss Patricia gave none, she nodded her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Aunt Patricia, I am going with Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval,
+although I am sorry you do not approve of my making the trip. I won&#8217;t be
+away more than two weeks and I feel I may be of greater service than by
+remaining here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You also feel that traveling about through the French country with a
+distinguished <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span>
+French politician and a woman author will be far more exciting than staying at
+the farm and doing your duty, Polly Burton,&#8221; Miss Patricia added, allowing
+her accumulated anger to overflow at last. &#8220;Do, please, whatever else you
+wish to add by way of camouflage, at least confess the truth. I presume it is
+your idea to leave me to look after the group of girls you undertook to chaperon
+in France?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the fact that by this time, Mrs. Burton, whose amiability was
+never her strong point, was in as bad a temper as her antagonist, she had to
+confess to herself that in Miss Patricia&#8217;s last speech the scales dropped
+in her favor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, yes, Aunt Patricia, that is what I wish you to do. But will it be
+such a serious responsibility? The work at the farm is so splendidly organized
+now and the girls are so deeply interested, I don&#8217;t see why you should
+have any especial difficulty if you will just allow things to go on as they are
+at present.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Of her own free will Miss Patricia at this moment rose from her stiff chair
+and <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> came and sat
+on the edge of the bed facing the younger woman. She showed no sign of relaxing
+either physically or mentally, or of any softening in her rigid point of
+view.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wonder, Polly Burton, if you have any reason for believing that
+things usually go on in exactly the same fashion in this world, after one has
+carefully arranged that they should? Of course I shall do my best to look after
+the Camp Fire girls, although they do not like me and I do not understand them.
+There is no telling what may occur in your absence,&#8221; Miss Patricia ended
+so gloomily that Mrs. Burton&#8217;s eyes shone with merriment, although she
+carefully lowered her lids.</p>
+
+<p>At the same instant, to her surprise, she felt Miss Patricia lean over and
+seize her by both shoulders. For a second she wondered if Aunt Patricia had made
+up her mind to shake her because of her rebellion. Instead Miss Patricia added
+unexpectedly:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Polly, my dear child, I really don&#8217;t wish you to go on this wild
+goose chase, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span>
+partly for the reasons I have given you, but also because I am afraid for you.
+You know the world is expecting another great German offensive this spring and
+no one understands why it has been delayed so long. Well, you must realize that
+as you travel farther south in France the line between the German and the French
+armies grows narrower and narrower. Only a few miles of victory and the Germans
+will again occupy their old line! It is possible you might arrive at some
+district at a crucial moment when a battle was beginning. Then the saints alone
+could preserve you!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With the last few words of her long speech Miss Patricia reverted to her
+Irish brogue and her Irish faith.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards Mrs. Burton was glad to remember that, although Aunt Patricia
+certainly was not regarding her with affection at the moment, nevertheless, she
+slipped her arm about the elderly lady&#8217;s hard and upright shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are a dear, Aunt Patricia! But please don&#8217;t worry. We are
+not going into any dangerous neighborhoods. The <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_188'></a>188</span> drive will not begin for many weeks. In any case
+there will be no retreat. Yet indeed we mean to take every possible precaution
+and at no time will we be near the German line. It is good of you to think I am
+worth worrying over, but this time it is not necessary.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have you your husband&#8217;s permission for this trip, Polly? I
+presume you have written Richard Burton of your new French friend?&#8221; Aunt
+Patricia demanded as a last forlorn hope.</p>
+
+<p>In reply Mrs. Burton smiled and nodded.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I have done both of those things. I wrote Richard about Monsieur
+Duval soon after our meeting on shipboard. But of course I have had no reply to
+my letter with regard to my trip south with Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval, for
+there is not time for me to hear before we leave.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And nothing will change your decision, Polly?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton had slid down on to the floor from the high old bed and now stood
+before Miss Patricia, hesitating for the fraction of a second.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span>&#8220;I do wish
+you would not put the question in such a way, Aunt Patricia. You make me think
+of what Sally Ashton said to you, as if I too were a disobedient child, and I am
+more than twice Sally&#8217;s age. Of course I do not wish to do anything you
+oppose, but the trip to southern France and the work I hope to be able to
+accomplish will be a great opportunity and a great experience. I hope you will
+make up your mind to feel as I do before we start the day after
+tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Before Aunt Patricia could reply, Mrs. Burton made a hasty and carefully
+designed retreat. Being fully cognizant that there was no possibility of Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s relenting, she wished to pretend to believe she might change
+her mind and at the same time to announce the proposed time for her own
+departure.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for Mrs. Burton&#8217;s courage and decision, her plan met with
+no especial opposition from any other member of the Camp Fire group.</p>
+
+<p>The girls regretted her leaving, and Sally Ashton more than the others;
+nevertheless it appealed to them as it had <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_190'></a>190</span> to Mrs. Burton, as a wonderful chance for service
+and at the same time a thrilling adventure.</p>
+
+<p>Two days later, even at the moment when the automobile appeared at the door
+to bear off Mrs. Burton and her two companions, Miss Patricia&#8217;s attitude
+remained unchanged.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burton devoted the last five minutes before her departure to begging
+Aunt Patricia to bestow her final consent and parting blessing. Aunt Patricia
+steadfastly refused.</p>
+
+<p>She also declined to see the automobile leave the farm. Instead, during the
+final farewells, turning her back upon the assembly, she marched up alone to her
+own room. Once inside, it is true she wiped away several tears, but immediately
+after set herself to writing a letter to Captain Richard Burton. And Captain
+Burton and Miss Patricia only were to know what the letter contained!
+Fortunately Captain Burton understood Miss Patricia and her devotion to his
+wife. Moreover, the extent of her devotion was to be proven later.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span>The following
+day, perhaps because of Miss Patricia&#8217;s prediction that nothing in life
+runs on continuously in the same groove, an unexpected telegram was brought out
+to the French farm house for Peggy Webster.</p>
+
+<p>In the telegram Lieutenant Ralph Marshall of the United States Aviation
+Service in France stated that, having been slightly injured by a fall, he had
+secured a few day&#8217;s leave of absence. Would he be permitted to spend his
+leave with Mrs. Burton and the Camp Fire girls at their farm house on the
+Aisne?</p>
+
+<p>To Peggy Webster there appeared to be but one possible answer to this amazing
+piece of good fortune, and fortunately she was able to persuade Aunt Patricia to
+the same point of view. Miss Patricia did not approve of young men, but she did
+approve of Peggy and understood the situation in regard to Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore the return telegram read: &#8220;Yes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Except for brief intervals, Peggy and Ralph had seen but little of each other
+since their summer together in Arizona, a <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_192'></a>192</span> summer which had been fateful for them both. It had
+not occurred to Peggy that either she or Ralph would ever change their minds
+with regard to their future marriage, in spite of the fact that she was but
+eighteen years old and Ralph not much older. There remained only the question of
+persuading their two families to share their view.</p>
+
+<p>In the last two years Ralph had been redeeming his former idleness. Having
+volunteered for aviation work before the entry of the United States into the
+world war, he had been able to secure a commission and already had been in
+France a number of months.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span><a id='link_14'></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /><span class='h2fs'>A WARNING</span></h2>
+
+<p>It was the morning after the departure of Mrs. Burton and her guests and
+three days before the arrival of Ralph. Marshall for his visit at the farm house
+on the Aisne.</p>
+
+<p>Having completed her work downstairs, Sally Ashton had hurried up to her
+bedroom where at present she was making little nervous preparations as if
+intending to go outdoors and anxious not to be observed.</p>
+
+<p>There was no reason why she should feel alarmed. So far as she knew, every
+member of her household was occupied with the day&#8217;s work. From the
+schoolroom below she could hear the voices of the children singing a little
+French chanson, and now and then one of the older girls either asking a question
+or reciting. Alice Ashton and Bettina Graham, Marta <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> Clark and Yvonne Fleury were engaged
+with their pupils.</p>
+
+<p>An hour before Peggy and Vera had driven off in the motor with Mary
+Gilchrist, since Mary had promised to transport a number of wounded soldiers
+from a train to a nearby convalescent hospital, and was uncertain whether she
+would find anyone at the railroad station to help. Therefore she had asked the
+two girls to accompany her. Peggy also desired to mail a letter to Ralph
+Marshall which might reach him before he started upon his journey.</p>
+
+<p>Always Aunt Patricia was occupied outdoors from breakfast until lunch time.
+So in spite of the fact that Sally Ashton showed a degree of suppressed
+excitement both in her manner and appearance, there would seem to have been no
+apparent excuse. A certain timorousness once wholly unlike her, lately had
+appeared in Sally&#8217;s attitude.</p>
+
+<p>She also had grown thinner and her big golden brown eyes had lost their
+sleepy expression and acquired an anxious appeal. The lines about her full,
+rather <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> pouting
+lips were strained and apprehensive.</p>
+
+<p>Having at the moment pulled a small traveling bag down from a shelf overhead
+and allowed it to fall on the floor, Sally did not hear the swift opening and
+closing of her bedroom door. Therefore, when she had secured her bag and was
+straightening up, she gave an exclamation of surprise on discovering her sister
+standing within a few feet of her.</p>
+
+<p>Except that she was handsomer, Alice looked very like her mother, the Esther
+of the first Camp Fire days, yet she and Sally bore no possible resemblance to
+each other either in disposition or appearance.</p>
+
+<p>Alice was tall and slender, with a grave, severe air. She wore her dark red
+hair parted and bound about the back of her head in a heavy braid. She was a
+little angular. There was a suggestion that unless life dealt generously with
+her, granting her the gifts which make for tenderness and softness in a
+woman&#8217;s nature, she might in time have the appearance one is supposed to
+associate with an old maid. <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_196'></a>196</span> However, old maids are as unlike as the rest of the
+human species.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly at the present moment her expression was austere, although uneasy
+and distressed as well.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you doing, Sally?&#8221; she inquired, her voice gentle and
+solicitous, yet observing that a wave of color had swept over Sally&#8217;s face
+even before she had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment Sally flung her bag down on the floor again, answering
+petulantly:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What am I doing? Well, really, Alice, I do not see what difference it
+makes to you, or why you should slip into our room so quietly that you
+frightened me. As a matter of fact, I got down my traveling bag
+to&#8211;to&#8213;&#8221; Sally&#8217;s voice trailed off helplessly for an
+instant. The next instant, gathering force, she repeated: &#8220;I pulled down
+my bag because I wished to store away some odds and ends which I wish to keep
+safely.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then losing her temper in a most suspicious fashion, suddenly Sally stamped
+her foot as if she were an angry child and at <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_197'></a>197</span> the same time her eyes grew unexpectedly dark and
+lovely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is not what you came into this room to announce to me, Alice. So
+please say whatever it is you wish and be through. I am going out for a little
+walk before lunch.&#8221; In any event Sally was no coward!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then sit down. You do not look very well and I am afraid you
+won&#8217;t like what I must say,&#8221; Alice returned. &#8220;Understand, it
+gives me no pleasure; instead, I am tremendously worried and unhappy. I suppose
+I should have talked the situation over with Tante before she went away, but I
+knew it would interfere with her trip and so avoided troubling her.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In answer to her sister&#8217;s suggestion Sally seated herself upon a tall,
+old-fashioned wooden chair, so that only her toes were able to reach the ground.
+All at once she had felt as if she would be more comfortable seated. It was not
+because of Alice&#8217;s suggestion that she had agreed, but because of a sudden
+sensation of weariness, almost of physical weakness, although this last idea
+seemed absurd.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span>Yet somehow
+Sally appeared so like a tired and rebellious child that her sister found it
+difficult to continue their conversation. However, she must introduce the
+accusation she had been schooling herself to make before entering the room.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is there anything you would like to talk to me about, Sally? Outside
+our daily life and work here at the farm is there anything which has been
+interesting you recently and which you have preferred not to mention to
+anybody?&#8221; Alice inquired gently, her voice shaken by her effort to hide
+her concern, while a fine line appeared between her level brows.</p>
+
+<p>Pretending to be bored rather than affected in any other fashion by her
+sister&#8217;s speech, first Sally shrugged her shoulders. Then making a
+pretence of yawning, she placed her fingers lightly over her lips.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Really, Alice, what on earth is troubling you in connection with me?
+Have you had me on your conscience more than usual recently? Can&#8217;t you
+ever get over your unattractive habit of treating me as if I were a refractory
+pupil and you an offended schoolmarm? In spite of being <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> born in New England, there is no reason
+to affect this pose, as it is unnecessary and I think most
+unbecoming.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s manner was a little too self-assured, but otherwise she
+appeared as enigmatic as an accomplished actress. Gazing at her earnestly, there
+was nothing in her expression at present to suggest any emotion save a natural
+annoyance at being catechized.</p>
+
+<p>But Alice was not deceived.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Please don&#8217;t assume such an air of offended virtue, Sally. You
+are far too fond of employing it when anyone reproaches you,&#8221; Alice
+continued, but really too sincerely disturbed to feel angered by her
+sister&#8217;s behavior. &#8220;Evidently you do not wish to confide in me, so I
+suppose there is no use wasting either your time or mine. For the past two
+weeks&#8211;I don&#8217;t know the exact length of time, although you are aware
+of it, Sally&#8211;you have been disappearing from the farm almost every day. At
+first I did not notice. You seem to have been careful that neither Aunt
+Patricia, nor Tante, nor I should know. And you have been clever. But you could
+not <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> escape
+everybody&#8217;s observation and the other Camp Fire girls have seen you and
+been puzzled and at last worried to guess what you could be doing. You need not
+ask who the girls were; I shall not tell you. But finally several of them felt
+compelled to speak to me and to suggest that I ask your confidence. Oh,
+don&#8217;t pretend you think you have been spied upon and badly treated. You
+know, Sally, that unless the girls cared for you they would not have troubled?
+But we have lived almost as one family and our interests are bound together. Do
+tell me what you have been doing, dear? What has taken you away from home so
+many times alone? I have been watching you myself recently. When I came into our
+room only a few minutes ago you were preparing to slip away.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally was biting her lips and had lost her childish look.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is not a criminal court, Alice; neither are you the public
+prosecutor. As a matter of fact, I refuse to answer your questions or to gratify
+either your curiosity or the curiosity of the Camp Fire girls. <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> What I have been doing
+has harmed no one; at least I do not think it has, and I have not always been
+alone. Old Jean has been with me much of the time and has helped in every way.
+But by the time Tante returns I think I shall be free to tell her everything.
+Can&#8217;t you trust me until then?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s voice and manner had suddenly changed from bravado to pleading,
+but Alice was too angry and too frightened to be influenced. Moreover, she was
+suffering from a frequent elderly sister attitude. She felt herself called upon
+not only to examine Sally in regard to her proceedings but to condemn her
+without any real evidence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very well, Sally, unless you decide to confide in me immediately I
+shall be obliged to speak to Aunt Patricia.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At the conclusion of this speech Alice beheld in her sister&#8217;s face the
+expression of sheer unrelenting obstinacy in which Sally was an adept. It was a
+contradiction to her pretty softness, her indolent manner and even to the
+elusive dimple which recently had vanished.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span>&#8220;I also
+warn you, Sally, that I intend to watch you and find out your proceedings for
+myself. In truth, I am frightened about you. If only Tante were here she could
+influence you, but Aunt Patricia will only become bitterly angry. I confess I
+don&#8217;t know what she will say or do when she learns that I have no choice
+but to tell her.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>If Alice Ashton had one characteristic which predominated over all others, it
+was a fine sense of honor, a high ideal of personal integrity.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, she had never demanded the same standards from Sally she
+had asked of herself. It was a family custom to regard her younger sister as a
+person chiefly to be gratified and adored. Yet it had never occurred to Alice
+that Sally could fail in any essential thing such as straightforwardness and
+sincerity.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like to speak to you, Sally, or even to suggest the
+idea, but I am afraid a few of the girls may be criticizing what you are doing
+in a fashion you can scarcely imagine. They do not speak before me, but I can
+hardly fail to guess what they <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_203'></a>203</span> are thinking from their manner. Sally, can&#8217;t
+you realize that we are in a foreign country where the language, the customs,
+the ideas are not like ours? Even if what you are doing might not be considered
+wrong at home, can&#8217;t you see that here in France you may be misunderstood?
+Please confide in me dear. You promised&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But Sally&#8217;s soft shoulders stiffened in resistance.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Evidently you do not trust me yourself, Alice, and naturally your
+opinion is more important to me than anyone&#8217;s else. Yet when one has lived
+with the same people a long time one does expect a certain amount of faith and
+understanding. I am sorry, for I cannot tell you what you wish to know at
+present. I may be able to in a very few days, if you will be good enough to wait
+and not speak to Aunt Patricia. It is hardly worth while to make a difficulty
+between us! Personally I am glad Tante <i>is</i> away; at least, I am glad she
+is away today, since it would have been more difficult to refuse my confidence
+to her than to any one else. But <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_204'></a>204</span> I shall regret it if I am able to make my
+confession before her return. She at least would have tried to believe I have
+not intended to do anything wrong. Now please leave me alone, Alice. You were
+right, I am going out on an important errand. You need not worry over my going
+alone this time, because old Jean has promised to go with me as soon as he is
+free and I shall wait for him.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then, although Alice lingered for several moments longer, when Sally would
+neither speak to her, nor look at her, she slowly left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards when Alice had disappeared Sally&#8217;s pretence of courage
+vanished and she sat with her hands clasped tightly together while the tears ran
+down her face.</p>
+
+<p>All very well to pretend to Alice that she was convinced she had been doing
+no wrong. But was this true? In the end would she not have to pay dearly in the
+continuing condemnation and distrust of her friends? When her confession was
+finally made, would they even then understand and forgive her?</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span><a id='link_15'></a>CHAPTER XV<br /><span class='h2fs'>THE DISCOVERY</span></h2>
+
+<p>A little more than an hour later Sally and Jean started forth upon their
+mysterious pilgrimage.</p>
+
+<p>To have been spared the ordeal of this morning&#8217;s visit to the French
+château Sally would have given a great deal. On other occasions she had been
+nervous and fearful, but never to the extent to which the recent conversation
+with her sister had reduced her.</p>
+
+<p>More than once within the hour of waiting before she and Jean could slip
+away, Sally concluded to abandon her plan and never go near the château again,
+regardless of results. Then she remembered that she had given her word and that
+upon this visit many things were to be explained and arranged. Having endured so
+much of struggle, strain and suspicion, one must not fail in the end. And in
+spite of Sally&#8217;s <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_206'></a>206</span> apparent indolence and softness, failure had no
+part in her mental make-up.</p>
+
+<p>Yet in being compelled to spend an hour of watching before daring to make her
+escape there was a sense of humiliation, almost of degradation. Nevertheless,
+what else could she do except wait until Alice was again absorbed in her
+teaching and until there was no one about the farm house or in the yard who
+would pay any especial attention to her actions?</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s final misfortune was in encountering Yvonne as she passed
+through the hall downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>It may have been her imagination, due to her conversation with her sister.
+Sally felt almost convinced that Yvonne shrank away from her as she passed,
+almost as if she were drawing her skirts aside. In return Sally suffered a wave
+of indignation and the conviction that she would never be able to forgive
+Yvonne. She even had an impulse some day to avenge the other girl&#8217;s
+injustice.</p>
+
+<p>She and Jean did not immediately move off in the direction of the château.
+She and old Jean took an entirely opposite <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_207'></a>207</span> direction, until in a field about half a mile away,
+altering their course, they walked rapidly toward the château. Sally never
+ceased to gaze behind them every few moments, fearing they might be
+followed.</p>
+
+<p>Small wonder that with the unaccustomed walks and the burden of a serious
+responsibility Sally Ashton had altered in the past few weeks!</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, her only solace had been the loyal faith and allegiance which the old
+French peasant, Jean, had given to her cause and to her.</p>
+
+<p>From the first day, when in halting and broken French she had begged him to
+accompany her to the château to assist in the care of a wounded soldier, he had
+not asked a question or refused his services.</p>
+
+<p>When it was impossible for him to escape Miss Patricia&#8217;s vigilance at
+the hour Sally asked, she always found that he had managed to make the trip
+sometime later, during the day or night, and accomplished what was necessary.
+What he may have thought of the situation, what questions he may have asked
+himself behind the inscrutability of his weather-beaten countenance with its
+misty, coal-black eyes, Sally never inquired. There were enough problems to meet
+without this. The important fact was that Jean never failed her and that he made
+an otherwise impossible task possible.</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a id='link_i4'></a><img src='images/i208.jpg'  alt='' />
+<p class='center caption'>
+<span class='sc'>She and Old Jean Took an Entirely Opposite Direction.</span>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span>After
+discovering the serious illness of the wounded soldier in hiding, Sally Ashton
+had continued the amazing task of caring for him at the château.</p>
+
+<p>She did not come to this decision immediately; indeed, it had grown so slowly
+that at times it did not appear as a decision at all. Nor did Sally attempt to
+justify herself. She felt compelled to take a courageous attitude with her
+sister, but she never had been convinced of her own patriotism or good sense.
+Even up to the present time she was not sure of the nationality of her patient,
+although it had been a relief that during his delirium he had spoken
+occasionally in French.</p>
+
+<p>The truth is that as the days passed on and Sally&#8217;s responsibility
+increased her attitude toward the soldier changed. At first she had been
+annoyed, bored with the entire adventure and with the circumstances <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span> resulting from it. But
+as the young man&#8217;s illness became more alarming and Sally&#8217;s anxiety
+increased, a new characteristic awoke in her. Sally Ashton belonged to the type
+of girl who is essentially maternal. She would be one of the large group of
+women who love, marry and bring up a family and are nearly always adored by
+their husbands, but feel no passionate affection until the coming of their
+children.</p>
+
+<p>So unconsciously the wounded soldier&#8217;s dependence upon her for food and
+attention, for life itself, aroused Sally&#8217;s motherly instinct, although
+she did not dream of the fact and would have been angry at the suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>One convincing proof. In the beginning she had been both physically and
+mentally repelled by the soiled and blood-stained soldier and by his confused
+confession. She had not surrendered him to justice because she did not feel
+called upon to appear as the arbiter of any human being&#8217;s fate and because
+she had not the dramatic instinct of most girls. But Sally had presumed the
+soldier would be arrested later <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_211'></a>211</span> and was not particularly concerned with his future
+one way or the other.</p>
+
+<p>Now her point of view had completely altered. At first her idea was merely
+that the soldier should recover with no other nursing save that which she and
+old Jean could bestow upon him. But now that he was recovering, she was equally
+determined he should be saved from whatever enemy he had feared before being
+delivered into her hands.</p>
+
+<p>Before parting on the previous afternoon Sally had agreed with her patient
+that they discuss his situation on her next visit to the château.</p>
+
+<p>As the old man and girl crept cautiously inside the opening between the arch
+of walls, they could see their soldier lying asleep upon his mattress, but
+between clean sheets and covered with blankets which Sally had managed to secure
+from the supply at the farm.</p>
+
+<p>The half-dismantled room was cold but fragrant with the odors of the woods
+and fields. Perhaps the fresh air which had at all times flooded the odd
+sick-room had been in a measure responsible for the ill <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span> man&#8217;s recovery, having taken the
+place of other comforts he had been obliged to forego.</p>
+
+<p>He opened his eyes at the approach of his two friends and looked a little
+wistfully at Sally.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You have come at last! I was afraid you would not be able to manage.
+How kind you have been!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally made no reply except to offer him a glass of milk and to stand silently
+by until he had finished drinking it.</p>
+
+<p>She looked very sweet. Today her walk and the excitement of her morning had
+tired her so that she was paler than usual; yet her lips were full and crimson
+and her brown hair had a charming fashion of curling in little brown rings on
+her forehead as if she were a tiny child.</p>
+
+<p>The soldier no longer wore any look of mental confusion except that his
+expression was puzzled and questioning.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are much better. I am glad,&#8221; Sally said at last. &#8220;You
+see I do not know how often I can come to the château after today, unless you
+should become very <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span>
+ill again and then I would come in any case.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s direct fashion of speaking had its value amid the complexities
+of human relations.</p>
+
+<p>Old Jean had disappeared to bring fresh water and to accomplish other tasks
+so that Sally and the soldier were alone for a little time.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, Jean&#8217;s had been the really difficult nursing.
+Night after night when the soldier&#8217;s condition had been most critical Jean
+had made no pretence of going to bed, but had hobbled over at bedtime to remain
+until dawn by the ill man&#8217;s side.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps you will sit down for a little so that I can ask you a great
+many questions,&#8221; the soldier suggested. &#8220;Now that I am getting back
+my senses, you can scarcely imagine what a mystery my present situation
+is.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Nodding agreement, Sally drew a beautiful French chair across the strange
+drawing-room and seated herself within a few feet of her patient&#8217;s bed. It
+was odd that she had never felt any fear of the old <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span> walls tumbling down upon her from the
+hour she had begun her nursing, although before that time she had believed
+nothing could force her to trust herself inside the ruins.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I would like to ask you to begin at the beginning. In what condition
+and how long ago did you find me here? If I could only guess the time! But I am
+under the impression I have not been myself for several weeks until these last
+few days. Yet I have a vague recollection of finding my way to this old house
+and of seeing you standing one day framed in that open arch. After that I have
+no memory of anything else until I became conscious of your face and of old
+Jean&#8217;s bending over me and then of this extraordinary place. If I have
+been ill, why have I not been cared for in a hospital?</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I remember escaping from the Germans who had taken me prisoner and
+then wandering, wandering about in a country where there were no trees, no
+grass, no houses, nothing but the upturned earth and exploded shells. Afterwards
+I was not sure I had reached the French country. <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span> I know I used to hide in the day time
+and prowl around at night. I think I must have become ill soon after my escape,
+because I have an indistinct impression that I was trying to find my old home,
+the château where I lived before the outbreak of the war. I suppose that is one
+reason why I hid myself in here. But nothing I can remember explains
+<i>you</i>.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally sighed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I do not understand what you are talking about, at least not exactly.
+I am not even convinced you do. But if you really are a French soldier and
+managed to escape from the Germans, I am glad. I know you will think me stupid,
+but still how could I have been expected to understand that you were a French
+soldier when you seemed so horribly afraid of being discovered? You were in your
+own country and among your own people! Personally there is very little for me to
+tell about myself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am an American girl, I don&#8217;t suppose you consider me French,
+and I am living at a farm house not far away with some American friends. One day
+I was <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span> taking a
+walk and just from curiosity slipped over here to look more closely at the
+château. It frightened me when I discovered you were hiding in here. You can
+never guess how you startled me! At our first meeting you told me some mixed-up
+story and asked me to bring you some food. I thought you were an escaped
+prisoner and I did not want to have anything to do with you. But you insisted if
+you were caught you would be hung. The next day when I arrived with the food you
+were too ill to recognize me. There is nothing more to tell.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is all,&#8221; the soldier repeated. &#8220;But that sounds more
+like the beginning, does it not? You were not even sure of my nationality and
+yet you have been coming here every day to care for me. Suppose I had been your
+enemy?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>By this time the soldier was sitting up and intently studying the face of the
+girl before him. He was wearing a faded dark blue shirt which Jean had
+generously bestowed upon him the day before, this being the first occasion for
+which he had made an effort to dress himself.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span>&#8220;Strange
+human beings, women! I wonder if we men will ever understand you? I have no
+doubt you would blow up the united armies of the Central Empires if it were
+possible without a qualm and yet you would make any sacrifice to save the life
+of one prisoner.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I was never convinced about you,&#8221; Sally apologized.
+&#8220;Then after you became so seriously ill I never thought. But I am sure I
+beg your pardon. As you are a Frenchman of course you would have been infinitely
+better cared for in a hospital. If anything had happened to you it would have
+been my fault. But really I did not know what was done to prisoners who ran away
+from their captors and you suggested such an uncomfortable fate for
+yourself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now you are better I don&#8217;t think I will come back to the château
+again. You see you made me promise not to tell anyone that you were hiding here,
+and my sister and friends think it strange because I have been spending so much
+time away from the farm recently. I don&#8217;t suppose I shall ever be able to
+make anyone understand. <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_218'></a>218</span> It is hard, isn&#8217;t it, to be blamed for things
+and then find they have been of no use? Jean will do whatever is necessary for
+you until you are entirely well. He can bring me news of you and he will take a
+message to anyone you care to see if you do not feel strong enough to be moved
+to a hospital immediately.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally rose as if she meant to leave at once, then something in her
+companion&#8217;s expression made her sink down into her chair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, you must not come to see me again,&#8221; he answered,
+&#8220;although I shall wish to see no one else. Perhaps it will not be long
+before I am able to call upon your friends if you will allow me. I am stronger
+than you realize; but you have not told me what you are doing in this
+neighborhood.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Unexpectedly Sally had a remarkable sensation. It was as if suddenly her
+position and the soldier&#8217;s changed and as if he had begun to think of her
+welfare rather than to have her devote herself to his.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we are doing reclamation work,&#8221; <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span> Sally returned; &#8220;that is, my
+sister and friends are. I have not accomplished anything that is important. I
+told you I was stupid.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>All at once Sally&#8217;s soldier broke into a peal of clear boyish laughter
+which was of more benefit to him than either of them appreciated.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, you have done nothing except save my life. It is not kind of you
+under the circumstances to announce you consider it unimportant. Some day when I
+am able to rejoin my regiment perhaps I may be able to prove your work worth
+while. Thanks to you, perhaps I shall again serve France as I have never served
+her before! The enemy has taken from me everything else, my mother, my sister,
+my little brother and my home. I made up my mind that they should not hold me a
+prisoner whatever might befall me. If I had to give up my life I meant to die in
+the open.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then more excited and exhausted than either he or Sally had appreciated, the
+soldier lay down again, closing his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>It was a part of Sally&#8217;s recent training <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span> which made her continue sitting quietly
+beside him for the next few moments without speaking or moving.</p>
+
+<p>In the interval she studied the soldier&#8217;s face.</p>
+
+<p>For the first time he was appearing to her as a man. Up until now he had
+simply been a human being who must be cared for, allowed to suffer as little as
+possible and at last be restored to health.</p>
+
+<p>In considering him at present Sally did not particularly admire his
+appearance. She thought his nose was rather too large and his lips too thin and
+in spite of Jean&#8217;s devotion, his services as a barber left a good deal to
+be desired.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your arm is nearly well, still I think I should like to bandage it
+once more before I go,&#8221; Sally suggested. &#8220;You do not realize it, of
+course, but I have learned a great deal about nursing since I began to look
+after you. I don&#8217;t like sick people, else I suppose I could become a Red
+Cross nurse after more training if I wished. But I don&#8217;t think I should
+like the work.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As Sally talked she was accomplishing her task, certainly with a good deal
+more <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span> skill than
+she had shown several weeks before.</p>
+
+<p>However, her patient was not conscious of the fact. At present he was not
+thinking of his wound but of his nurse.</p>
+
+<p>There was something about her so deliciously frank and ingenuous. At least
+she seemed ingenuous to him, although it was difficult always to be sure
+concerning Sally.</p>
+
+<p>When she had finished the young Frenchman took one of her hands and touched
+it lightly with his lips.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Will you tell me your name, please, and where to find you before you
+say farewell? I am Lieutenant Robert Fleury of the
+French-cuirassiers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later Sally was walking back home alone to the farm house, having
+left Jean to continue to care for their patient.</p>
+
+<p>She was not to go back to the château again and she was to tell her friends
+exactly what had taken place in the past few weeks. She seemed to have promised
+this to her patient.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Sally was not sure when she would <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_222'></a>222</span> tell her story. She had no desire to make a
+confession to Alice, and Aunt Patricia was not to be considered. If only she
+might arrange to wait until Mrs. Burton&#8217;s return from her journey into
+southern France.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span><a id='link_16'></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /><span class='h2fs'>AN UNEXPECTED SHELTER</span></h2>
+
+<p>It was after the hour for their midday dinner when Sally finally arrived at
+the farmhouse; however, she was able to reach her own room without any questions
+being asked concerning her delay.</p>
+
+<p>Undressing slowly with the idea of lying down for a little while before
+facing her friends, Sally was interrupted for the second time that day by the
+unexpected appearance of her sister. On this occasion Alice&#8217;s expression
+made any further discussion not only unnecessary but impossible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Will you come with me, please, to Aunt Patricia&#8217;s room?&#8221;
+she began at once. &#8220;I have been talking to Aunt Patricia and she says it
+is only fair that we should hear your explanation before passing judgment. I
+have spoken to no one else, although I suppose it will be impossible to hide the
+facts from the other girls. <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_224'></a>224</span> In reality, I believe they already have guessed a
+great deal and have been trying to keep the truth from me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At the moment of her sister&#8217;s entrance Sally had been slipping into a
+little blue dressing gown which had been her mother&#8217;s final gift the day
+before their parting. The dressing gown did not have a utilitarian appearance,
+since it was made of a soft blue, light woolen material with little clusters of
+yellow roses scattered over the design and with blue ribbons and lace about the
+throat and sleeves.</p>
+
+<p>In response to her sister&#8217;s speech Sally gathered about her the
+dressing gown, which she had not yet fastened, and immediately started to leave
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I shall be very glad indeed to talk to Aunt Patricia, but not to you,
+Alice, nor do I ever intend to forgive you. I suppose you followed old Jean and
+me to the château and have drawn your own inference from what you observed. Do
+you know, Alice, I have often wondered why the puritanical conscience is always
+so suspicious of other people?&#8221; And in this last <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span> speech of Sally&#8217;s there was more
+of truth that she could fully appreciate.</p>
+
+<p>But if in this final analysis she were speaking the truth, the first part of
+her remark had been a complete falsehood. At the present time there was nothing
+she desired so little as being forced into making her confession to Miss
+Patricia Lord, a severe spinster with no consideration for human folly. Would
+any one else on earth be more difficult or more unrelenting?</p>
+
+<p>In the past hour or more, following her conversation at the château, Sally
+had been facing one of the hardest experiences of life.</p>
+
+<p>Her weeks of self-sacrifice and devotion had been not only unnecessary, they
+had been absurd. If only she could have enjoyed the inward satisfaction of
+considering herself a heroine or a martyr! But she had risked her own reputation
+and the young French officer&#8217;s life to what end?</p>
+
+<p>As the two girls entered Miss Patricia&#8217;s room, Sally, accompanied by
+her sister, whose existence on earth she refused to recognize, considered that
+Miss Patricia <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span>
+appeared as implacable as a stone image. Yet one could scarcely compare her to
+the Sphinx. That ancient stone figure with the head of a woman and the body of a
+lioness looks as if she had devoted the many centuries since her creation to
+solving the riddles of human life.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia would consider anything but plain speaking a sheer waste of
+energy and truth. There were no riddles in Miss Patricia&#8217;s mental
+category.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, Miss Patricia&#8217;s voice did not sound unkind when she
+suggested that Sally occupy the solitary chair in her bedroom, although
+undoubtedly this would leave the elderly woman standing as well as Alice. But
+then Sally did not realize how appealing her appearance was at this moment even
+to so harsh a critic of human nature.</p>
+
+<p>Sally indolent, Sally dreaming her own small and rather selfish dreams, or a
+Sally self-assured and self-content were not unfamiliar figures to her world.
+But Sally confused and tired, hurt and bewildered, not by her own actions or any
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span> one&#8217;s else,
+but by a web of circumstance, was a new study.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I would prefer not to sit down, Miss Patricia, and in any case I
+would not have you stand,&#8221; Sally answered, still with an innate sense of
+her own dignity and value which at no time in her life was she ever wholly to
+lose. &#8220;Alice seems to have told you some disagreeable story about me. So I
+think it just as well for me to tell you the exact truth. I hope I can make you
+understand. I suppose I should have confided in some one before, but until a few
+hours ago I did not feel that I had the privilege.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s golden brown eyes with the heavy upcurling lashes, which gave
+to her face the expression of unusual softness, were now gazing upward into Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s. The latter&#8217;s eyes were gallant also and steadfast, nor
+did Sally find them so distrustful as she had anticipated.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very well, my dear, go on with your story. I thought Alice was too
+much excited,&#8221; Miss Patricia returned, seating herself in her upright
+chair, as Sally seemed to prefer her to be seated.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span>Then with her
+little dressing gown wrapped about her as if it had been a Roman toga, Sally
+told the history of the past weeks, her unexpected discovery of the wounded
+soldier amid the ruins of the old French château, her belief that he was a
+runaway prisoner and notwithstanding this, her effort, with Jean&#8217;s
+assistance, to restore him to health.</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s explanation was less confused than her conversation with the
+French soldier a short time before. However, since that hour many things had
+become clearer in her own mind. She did not break down until her story was
+completed and only then when she turned toward her sister.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, Alice, what you and the other Camp Fire girls have
+been thinking of me, and I don&#8217;t believe I care to guess. I know you have
+not been generous. But since I don&#8217;t wish to discuss the subject with any
+one save Aunt Patricia, and with Tante of course when she returns, I wish you
+would offer the other girls any interpretation of my behavior you care to
+give.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span>At this
+Sally&#8217;s voice broke in spite of her efforts at self-control. When Alice
+made a step toward her with her arms outstretched to ask forgiveness, Sally
+stepped back only to find herself enfolded by Miss Patricia and to hear Miss
+Patricia declare:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think it would be wiser, Alice, for you to leave Sally and me alone
+for a little time; she is tired and unstrung. If you and the other girls have
+been unfair, you will have an opportunity to apologize later. Then Sally herself
+will feel more inclined to be reasonable.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards, when Alice had reluctantly disappeared, unexpectedly Sally found
+herself seated as if she were a child in Aunt Patricia&#8217;s lap and listening
+to a very wise and tender conversation, one she was never to forget, from a
+woman of deep and broad experience.</p>
+
+<p>When she grew less disturbed Aunt Patricia made no effort not to scold Sally
+for her unwisdom and her lack of reliance upon older judgment than her own. But
+the great fact was that Aunt Patricia was never unfair, that she had no
+sentimental <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span>
+suspicions and made no accusations with which Sally could not fairly agree.</p>
+
+<p>In their half hour together Sally Ashton learned to appreciate for the rest
+of her life Aunt Patricia&#8217;s value, learned to understand why Mrs. Burton
+cared for her so devotedly and considered her a tower of strength in adversity.
+In this uncertain world in which we live there are fair weather and foul weather
+friends. Miss Patricia belonged to the number who not only fail to strike other
+people when they are down, but who spend all their energy and strength in the
+effort to lift them up again.</p>
+
+<p>Later on the other Camp Fire girls were also to form a new estimate of Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s character, but simply by force of circumstance Sally was the
+first one of them to be admitted inside the stern citadel with which the elderly
+spinster surrounded her great heart.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In the morning, Sally, when you have rested, and if I were you, child,
+I would spend this afternoon in bed, why I intend to walk over with you to your
+château and make the acquaintance of your soldier. If <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span> he is a gentleman my dear, or even if
+he is a real man, I mean to bring him here to the farm house to remain as our
+guest until he has completely recovered. Now, don&#8217;t argue with me, Sally.
+Mrs. Burton will tell you that I am a hopeless old woman with whom to have an
+argument. I simply never do any one&#8217;s way except my own. I do not wish to
+discuss this side of the situation with you to any extent, but don&#8217;t you
+see, my dear, that it is better for you that we have your soldier here? No one
+shall think your friends have not understood and approved of your care of this
+young Frenchman.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally murmured her acquiescence and her gratitude. Yet suddenly she felt that
+she wished never again to see the young officer who for the past few weeks had
+been her constant thought and care.</p>
+
+<p>He had recovered sufficiently no longer to need her services and although he
+was not wilfully responsible, nevertheless he had given her a great deal of care
+and trouble.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Of course you must do what you think best, Aunt Patricia,&#8221; Sally
+added a <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span> moment
+later, as she was preparing to start to her own room. &#8220;But don&#8217;t you
+think we had best wait until Tante&#8217;s return?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Patricia shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What Polly Burton may think or desire in the matter will not have the
+slightest influence with me. She cheerfully surrendered you girls into my charge
+in order to make this trip, of which she knew I thoroughly disapproved. However,
+in spite of the fact that I am very angry with her, I do not wish any one else
+to feel uneasy, although I shall not have a happy moment until she
+returns.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span><a id='link_17'></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /><span class='h2fs'>TWO OFFICERS</span></h2>
+
+<p>A week later two young officers were guests at the farm house on the Aisne,
+one of them an American aerial lieutenant, the other a lieutenant in the French
+cavalry.</p>
+
+<p>Following his telegram within a few days, Lieutenant Ralph Marshall had
+arrived to spend a short furlough, ostensibly with the entire group of American
+Camp Fire girls, although in reality his visit was to Peggy Webster.
+Notwithstanding the fact that he and Peggy were not supposed to be engaged,
+chiefly because of Peggy&#8217;s youth, they shared a different conviction from
+their families.</p>
+
+<p>The other young officer was none other than &#8220;Sally&#8217;s
+soldier.&#8221; Absurd as the title appeared, particularly to Sally herself,
+nevertheless under this name he was discussed secretly and at length in the Camp
+Fire household.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span>Toward late
+afternoon on the day after Sally&#8217;s enforced confession, accompanied only
+by Old Jean, Miss Patricia Lord had tramped across the fields to the French
+château and had there interviewed its inmate with a directness and a searchlight
+quality worthy of a public prosecutor.</p>
+
+<p>As a result she had received more valuable information than Sally Ashton had
+acquired in the hour of their mutual and confused avowal. Among other things
+Miss Patricia had learned that the wounded officer&#8217;s extraordinary outfit
+was due to the fact that he believed it would make his escape more feasible.</p>
+
+<p>But whatever the details of his story, he was able to inspire Miss Patricia
+with sufficient interest and faith to admit him as a temporary guest at the farm
+house in spite of the absence of Mrs. Burton.</p>
+
+<p>However, although undoubtedly a guest, he was a guest according to rules and
+restrictions laid down and adhered to by Miss Patricia and her household.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, until he had completely recovered he was to remain in his
+room at the farm house, cared for only <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_235'></a>235</span> by old Jean with occasional visits from Miss
+Patricia. Under no circumstances was he to see or meet for the present a single
+one of the Camp Fire girls. This rule was particularly to be observed with
+regard to Sally Ashton.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia made no effort to conceal her intention of making a thorough
+investigation of the account of his life the French officer had imparted to her.
+She knew it would not be so difficult to verify his statements. It was possible
+to communicate with the commander of his regiment and also his friends, as he
+claimed to have lived in the French country not many miles away from their
+neighborhood in the valley of the Aisne. After his recovery doubtless he would
+be able to find a number of his former acquaintances by returning to his old
+home.</p>
+
+<p>It was in his favor that the French officer entirely agreed with Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s attitude in every particular save one. But he was wise enough
+not to argue with her concerning this. In truth, thirty-six hours after his
+installation at the farm house, the young Frenchman and Miss <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span> Patricia had become
+surprisingly intimate friends. One could explain this by stating that the
+officer had a delightful sense of humor and a valuable appreciation of
+character. Miss Patricia announced that no friendship could have been possible
+between them if Lieutenant Fleury&#8217;s mother had not had the good sense to
+have him taught English by an English governess when he was a small boy. His
+accent Miss Patricia considered as peculiar as her own French one, nevertheless
+they were able to understand each other amazingly well.</p>
+
+<p>One brilliant morning Miss Patricia entered the French officer&#8217;s room
+bearing a cup of bouillon to find him staring out a window which he had just
+opened in order to let in the air and for another purpose which Miss Patricia
+instantly suspected.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Breaking parole,&#8221; she commented tersely.</p>
+
+<p>The young officer had not heard her entrance. In return he swung round and
+laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is that fair, Miss Lord? A cat may look at a king, <i>comme cá</i> why
+not at a number <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span> of
+queens? Besides, don&#8217;t you realize it is a miracle for a French soldier to
+be able to dream that these devastated fields of France are soon to become green
+and fruitful again? Having lost everything in the early days of the German
+invasion, my family, home, my small fortune, nevertheless I rejoice that for
+other French soldiers there may be a happier future when they return to their
+former homes, thanks to the great hearts of the American people!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The young officer&#8217;s deep feeling and his quiet self-contained manner
+caused a lump to rise in Miss Patricia&#8217;s throat and a mist before her
+eyes. Therefore her manner became more belligerent than ever.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here, sit down and drink this,&#8221; she commanded. &#8220;I suppose
+you consider that you have entirely recovered your strength and that I am the
+veriest old termagant not to permit you to enjoy your convalescence with a group
+of more or less charming American girls. But as a matter of fact I am really
+protecting you as well as the girls. We have lived without masculine society,
+unless you wish to count <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_238'></a>238</span> old Jean, ever since our arrival at the farm house.
+So whatever your impression, I am afraid you would soon be overpowered with
+attention once I allowed you to leave this room.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Fleury finished his bouillon with a proper degree of gratitude and
+enthusiasm before replying.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards he gazed at Miss Patricia for several moments in silence as if
+carefully considering a number of important matters.</p>
+
+<p>The young French officer was of more than medium height, had dark eyes and
+hair, and except when he was talking, his expression was grave and sad. His arm
+remained bandaged.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Miss Patricia, I do not wish to meet <i>all</i> your Camp Fire girls.
+I agree with you I am not strong enough to make myself agreeable to them. But I
+do wish to see <i>one</i> of them again. You are aware that I mean Miss Ashton.
+If ever a man had cause to be grateful to a girl&#8213;-&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense!&#8221; Miss Patricia interrupted, picking up the empty cup
+as if she were intending to leave the room immediately. <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_239'></a>239</span> &#8220;Sally was a goose and ran the
+risk of being the death of you instead of saving your life as you like to think.
+Besides, she has not the slightest desire to see you; she told me this herself.
+She feels now that she was ridiculous. She should never have paid any attention
+to the disjointed tale of an ill man, or to the promise which you seem to have
+exacted of the poor child in your original interview. As for being grateful to
+Sally, that is also a waste of energy when you have none too much to spare. The
+one dream of every girl in the world these days is to be allowed the privilege
+of caring for a good-looking soldier. Sally had her opportunity under
+particularly romantic and nonsensical circumstances. Besides, men will always be
+grateful to Sally Ashton for something or other as long as she lives, grateful
+because she is pretty and soft and selfish and, dear me, I suppose she is what
+one calls essentially feminine! I confess I have rather a tender feeling toward
+the child myself.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And without further answer to his request Miss Patricia hurriedly
+departed.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240'></a>240</span>Outdoors at the
+same time Sally was occupied in the garden digging in a desultory fashion. As
+soon as there was no further danger of the ground freezing the Camp Fire girls
+were planning to plant a garden.</p>
+
+<p>Sally was alone at her task and alone because she preferred solitude.</p>
+
+<p>After her fantastic escapade had been disclosed to the other Camp Fire girls,
+those of them who had been particularly annoyed by her mysterious behavior were
+frankly regretful of their condemnation. They did not whole-heartedly approve of
+what she had done, but no one doubted Sally&#8217;s good intention or the
+unselfishness of her motive. Aside from Yvonne, whose attitude continued puzzled
+and distrustful, each girl individually had approached Sally with a carefully
+veiled apology. However, Sally, who was not in a friendly state of mind toward
+the world at present, received their advances coldly.</p>
+
+<p>The only two persons whose opinion she really valued were Aunt
+Patricia&#8217;s and Mrs. Burton&#8217;s. Aunt Patricia had been kinder and more
+understanding than any <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_241'></a>241</span> human being could have dreamed possible. Mrs.
+Burton had not yet returned from her journey into southern France. Indeed, no
+word had been heard from her in a number of days, so that not alone did Aunt
+Patricia suffer from uneasiness. The great German drive so long expected was
+fanning the long line of the French battlefront into fiercer and more
+terrorizing flames. At any hour the greatest struggle in human history would
+once more burst upon the world.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later Sally Ashton knocked shyly upon Lieutenant Fleury&#8217;s
+closed door. She did not do this in accordance with her own wishes, but because
+of an urgent appeal made by Miss Patricia.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, for some days Miss Patricia had been haunted by the
+story of his life, since the outbreak of the war, which the young French officer
+had recounted to her. He was not conscious of asking for sympathy, nor did he
+consider his story unusual. Nevertheless it occurred to Miss Patricia this
+morning that she was unwilling to add loneliness to the difficulties which he
+must face during the <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_242'></a>242</span> hours of his return to health. Up to the present
+time he had been too engaged with his soldiering to allow much opportunity for
+reflection.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia was also convinced of the truth of what Lieutenant Fleury had
+told her of himself, although she had no thought of not adding the necessary
+proof to her instinctive conviction. But in the meantime if he really earnestly
+desired to see and talk to Sally Ashton and to express his gratitude, what
+possible harm could come of allowing them an interview? Their acquaintance had
+been achieved under such remarkable circumstances, to meet in a more ordinary
+and formal fashion would doubtless be best for them both. Afterwards they would
+not develop fantastic and untruthful ideas concerning each other.</p>
+
+<p>At the moment of Sally&#8217;s arrival Lieutenant Fleury was despondent. It
+was true he had managed to escape from the Germans and could congratulate
+himself that he was not a prisoner and might hope within a reasonable length of
+time to return to his own regiment. Nevertheless <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_243'></a>243</span> what an extraordinarily stupid
+adventure he had stumbled into in his sub-conscious effort to seek the
+neighborhood of his former home!</p>
+
+<p>He had come out of the experience a thousand times better than he had any
+right to hope, yet had he not involved an American girl in what must have been
+an extremely disagreeable and ungrateful task?</p>
+
+<p>At this moment of her entrance into the invalid&#8217;s room Sally Ashton did
+not appear to have been seriously affected by her experience.</p>
+
+<p>Her hour of working in the garden in the warm late winter sun had given her
+cheeks the color they frequently lacked, or else it was her embarrassment at
+meeting the young officer. Sally&#8217;s hair was also curling in the delicious
+and irresponsible fashion it often assumed, breaking into small rings on her
+forehead and at the back of her neck in the fashion of which she at least
+pretended to disapprove.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Miss Patricia said you wished to speak to me. I am glad you are so
+much better,&#8221; she began in a reserved and ceremonious <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_244'></a>244</span> fashion as if she and the lieutenant
+had met on but one previous occasion before today.</p>
+
+<p>In truth it seemed impossible to Sally that the French officer whom she was
+facing at present had been the ill and disheveled boy she had found in hiding at
+the château and nursed back to comparative health.</p>
+
+<p>In announcing that Sally did not desire to see the young French officer
+again, Miss Patricia had been correct. Sally considered that she had made a
+grave and foolish mistake and preferred, as most of us do, that her mistake be
+ignored and forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Lieutenant Fleury had no idea either of ignoring or forgetting
+Sally&#8217;s effort in his behalf.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately in reply to her knock he had risen. His serious expression had
+now changed to one of boyish gratitude and good humor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I did wish to speak to you; you are kind to have come,&#8221; he
+returned, although in reality surprised by Sally&#8217;s extremely youthful
+appearance. He had only a confused memory of her face bending <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245'></a>245</span> above him during his
+delirium. They had enjoyed but one conversation when he was entirely himself. On
+that occasion he had supposed his rescuer a young woman of some years and
+dignity, and Sally at present looked like a school girl. Indeed, she was a
+school girl when at home in her own part of the world if one can count college
+and school as one and the same thing.</p>
+
+<p>After coming in from the garden this morning she had hastily changed her
+everyday Camp Fire dress for a white flannel of which she was especially fond,
+and without observing that the skirt had shrunk until it was extremely
+short.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wished to tell you once again how more than grateful I am to you for
+your great kindness,&#8221; the officer continued, smiling in spite of his
+serious state of mind at the unexpectedness of Sally&#8217;s appearance. Looking
+at her now, it was hard to believe that she had ever assumed the arduous burden
+of nursing a wounded soldier under more than trying conditions. Yet if Sally had
+not been immature, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246'></a>246</span>
+she would have never have shouldered such a responsibility!</p>
+
+<p>She was smiling now and dimpling in an irresistible fashion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Will you make me a promise?&#8221; she demanded. &#8220;It is the one
+thing I ask of you. If you are really under the impression that I was good to
+you when I was merely risking your life, then promise never to refer to what I
+did for you as long as you live and never mention the story to anybody who could
+have the faintest chance of knowing me. You see,&#8221; Sally continued, her
+manner becoming more confidential, &#8220;I realize now that from every point of
+view I was foolish. It is kind of you to have turned out to be some one whom
+Miss Patricia and all of us are able to know, for you might have been a most
+impossible person.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The young French officer laughed. As he recalled their last meeting and this
+one his benefactress struck him as a person who had the gift of provoking
+laughter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think this a good deal to require of me,&#8221; he returned.
+&#8220;I will do what you ask only on condition that you&#8213;-&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247'></a>247</span>&#8220;That I
+promise to allow you to do a favor for me some day?&#8221; Sally completed the
+unfinished sentence. &#8220;I suppose that is what you were about to say,
+wasn&#8217;t it? Of course you can do whatever kindness you like if you have the
+chance. But it does not seem probable. After you go away from the farm I
+can&#8217;t imagine any reason why we should ever see each other again. Besides,
+you would do whatever you could for me whether I gave you permission or
+not.&#8221; Here Sally smiled a second time.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant the French officer stared, nonplussed.</p>
+
+<p>But he was not the first person whom Sally had puzzled. She was so matter of
+fact and so sure of herself one could not tell whether she was extremely simple
+or correspondingly subtle.</p>
+
+<p>Since her companion regarded her as a child, he could have but one
+impression.</p>
+
+<p>When finally he held out his hand, Sally hesitated an instant before placing
+her own inside his. His exhibition of French courtesy and gratitude at their
+last meeting had been slightly embarrassing. But <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_248'></a>248</span> this time the lieutenant only held her
+hand gravely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are right, Miss Ashton, whatever was possible to show my gratitude
+to you I should do, with or without your permission. If I am spared when the war
+is over I may even create the opportunity which you seem to doubt my ever
+having. When the war began I had a sister who was, I think perhaps only a few
+years older than you. If you can ever make up your mind to regard me as she
+would have done, it would mean a great real to me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally was beginning to feel bored. She thought her companion was very
+conventional and a little stupid.</p>
+
+<p>She had not the faintest desire to adopt an unknown young man as a brother.
+Sally knew herself sufficiently well to realize that the sisterly attitude would
+make but little appeal to her as long as she lived. And she hoped that her
+interview with the rescued officer might be entertaining. Life was dull now at
+the farm with Mrs. Burton away and her own occupation, which had been exciting
+even if fatiguing, withdrawn.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249'></a>249</span>&#8220;What
+happened to your sister?&#8221; Sally inquired politely, although intending to
+make her escape as soon as possible should their conversation continue on such
+sentimental lines.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;She was killed in the retreat when the Germans conquered this part of
+France at the outbreak of the war. I had gone to the front to join my regiment,
+so Yvonne and my mother were alone except for my little brother and a few women
+servants. Our château was destroyed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The French officer paused because Sally was looking at him with a curious
+expression as if an idea which she may have had in her mind for some time was
+now slowly crystalizing into a fact.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your sister&#8217;s name was Yvonne Fleury and your château was not
+far from here, was it not?&#8221; Sally demanded.</p>
+
+<p>The young officer nodded. He did not care to discuss his past history with
+Sally or with any one else in the world. There was nothing to be gained by
+recalling the inevitable tragedies of the war.</p>
+
+<p>Sally did not appear seriously distressed. Unless she happened to be an <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250'></a>250</span> actual witness to
+suffering it did not touch her deeply. Besides, at the present time she was
+smiling oddly, as if she were pleased and displeased at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think that you need adopt me as your sister,&#8221; she
+remarked.</p>
+
+<p>Until this moment they had both continued standing.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sally made a little motion toward the invalid&#8217;s chair which Miss
+Patricia had removed from their sitting-room to bestow upon her patient.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Suppose we both sit down,&#8221; she suggested, taking the only other
+chair at the same instant.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is something else I wish to talk to you about if you feel you
+are strong enough to hear. It may prove to be good news. I suppose it seems a
+strange coincidence, although some people would call it an act of Providence,
+but I am sure I don&#8217;t understand such things. It is just barely possible
+your sister Yvonne Fleury was not killed. When we were crossing to France from
+the United States we met a girl on shipboard named Yvonne Fleury, whose <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251'></a>251</span> home, the Château
+Yvonne, had been destroyed in the early part of the war. As she believed her
+brother had been killed at the front, she had gone to New York City, where she
+had been living with some friends for several years. She told the entire family
+tragedy to our chaperon, Mrs. Burton, who afterwards told the story to us,
+hoping we might be especially kind to Yvonne because of her unhappiness. The
+other girls have been, but Yvonne and I do not like each other and she has been
+very disagreeable to me. Still, if she turns out to be your sister, it does not
+matter. Under the circumstances I suppose I ought to say nothing against
+her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have been thinking of this for some time, ever since you told me
+your name, but of course there may be nothing in it. I only thought if you might
+like to meet this Yvonne Fleury&#8211;you see she came here to the farm and is
+living with us&#8211;I will speak first to Aunt Patricia and together you can
+decide.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In reality Sally was not so unsympathetic or so childish as at present her
+words <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252'></a>252</span> and manner
+suggested. During her long speech she had been watching the young officer
+narrowly. She had arrived at her present conclusion by putting certain facts
+together in a practical and commonsense fashion. There was more than a
+possibility that she might be wrong, so there was no reason for working oneself
+up into a state of hysteria or of heroics. Moreover, Sally had been entirely
+frank. She understood that the French officer would be overjoyed if Yvonne
+should prove to be his sister, but Sally herself would have felt no enthusiasm
+over the same discovery. As a matter of fact, she had no particular interest in
+Yvonne&#8217;s opportunity for happiness through her aid.</p>
+
+<p>She was worried, however, because her former patient suddenly appeared so
+white and shaken by her words, when only a few moments before he had looked so
+remarkably well.</p>
+
+<p>Sally moved slowly backwards toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll go and find Aunt Patricia; perhaps I should have spoken to
+her first of <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253'></a>253</span> my
+idea. Then after you have talked with her if you would like me to find Yvonne
+and ask her to come to you&#8213;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With these words, having managed to reach the half closed door, Sally
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254'></a>254</span><a id='link_18'></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /><span class='h2fs'>THE EXPECTED HAPPENS</span></h2>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia Lord was on her way to the French village only a few miles from
+their farm house. Unless the call were urgent, rarely did Miss Patricia bestow
+her activities outside the environments of the farm, which of course included
+the house, garden, barns, fields, really a sufficient large sphere of activity
+even for her.</p>
+
+<p>It is true she had been an extremely practical benefactress to the entire
+neighborhood, yet her gifts had been made largely through other persons; Mrs.
+Burton or one of the Camp Fire girls reporting a special need among their
+neighbors, as promptly as possible Miss Patricia had seen that need
+supplied.</p>
+
+<p>So, as she took her walk on this summer afternoon, had she liked she might
+have given a good deal of credit to herself for the change in the appearance of
+the countryside <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255'></a>255</span>
+which the past two months had wrought.</p>
+
+<p>A number of the peasants&#8217; huts near the road had been either entirely
+or partly rebuilt. But more important than the actual physical shelter, Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s tractor had plowed its way over many acres which otherwise must
+have remained unproductive until, as far as the eye could see, the fields were
+now being made ready for planting. Even if German guns were thundering along the
+battle line, nevertheless behind that line the French peasants toiled on with
+their patience and their eternal industry.</p>
+
+<p>Today Miss Patricia was thinking of life&#8217;s contrasts, of the peaceful
+scenes through which she was passing which only a few years before had been an
+altar of the world&#8217;s carnage and which might soon be so sacrificed
+again.</p>
+
+<p>For it would seem as if the last gigantic struggle of the present war were
+now about to take place. Surely humanity would never pass through this universal
+Calvary again!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256'></a>256</span>Not yet had Mrs.
+Burton returned from her journey into southern France!</p>
+
+<p>A few days before, a letter stating that, having accomplished a portion of
+their mission, she, Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval were preparing to start on
+their homeward way, had arrived for Miss Patricia, although the letter had been
+delayed for a week.</p>
+
+<p>A more important witness of their mission had been the actual return to the
+French village of a number of the refugees in whose welfare Mrs. Burton had been
+especially interested. Among them was the French girl, Elise.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Miss Patricia was intending to pay a call to offer her
+congratulations to Elise and her grandmother and also to learn if Elise had seen
+Mrs. Burton or heard any definite information concerning her. The visit was not
+one to which she looked forward with pleasure, but was due to the fact that Mrs.
+Burton had asked it of her as a favor. Miss Patricia&#8217;s use of the French
+tongue was so impossible that all conversation between her and her French
+neighbors was <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257'></a>257</span> an
+agony. Moreover, her unconsciously fierce manner seemed always to disconcert the
+courteous peasants.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, the old men and women and children whom she met on the road
+into the village and later upon the village streets bowed to her with more than
+ordinary friendliness. If they could not comprehend her words or her manner, the
+value of her kindness they could understand.</p>
+
+<p>A child ran out of one of the houses and unexpectedly presented Miss Patricia
+with a little battered image of St. Joseph, and although St. Joseph is one of
+the patron saints of marriage, Miss Patricia accepted her gift with warm
+appreciation.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later, when she received the first intimation of what had occurred,
+Miss Patricia was standing in the little yard in front of their hut with
+Grand&#8217;mère and Elise.</p>
+
+<p>There was no restraint about Grand&#8217;mère&#8217;s conversation now that
+her granddaughter was restored to her; indeed, she was pouring forth such a
+flood of rapid speech that Miss Patricia had the sensation <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_258'></a>258</span> of drowning in a sea of words of which
+she could understand about one in fifty.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, it was pleasant to glance now and then toward Elise, who was as
+charmingly pretty as her neighbors and friends had described her. From her weeks
+of enforced imprisonment and something nearly approaching starvation, the young
+French girl was thin and haggard. Yet as nothing more terrible had happened, she
+was too rejoiced over her return not to show delight and gratitude in every
+expression of her vivid face. Moreover, after being allowed to cross the
+borderland from Germany into France, she really had a meeting of a few moments
+with Mrs. Burton, who had given her the money and the information necessary for
+her homecoming.</p>
+
+<p>At the moment when one of Elise&#8217;s friends ran into the yard from an
+unexpected direction, Miss Patricia&#8217;s first sensation was that of relief.
+At least she could enjoy a short respite from her position of exclusive audience
+to Grand&#8217;mère. The woman appeared so excited and so full <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259'></a>259</span> of some story she
+undoubtedly had come to tell, that immediately she became the center of
+attention. Moreover, a dozen other persons soon followed her until in a few
+seconds the little yard was crowded with gesticulating figures.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia was about to withdraw when a single word arrested her
+attention. The word was of course pronounced in French fashion, yet in the past
+few weeks Aunt Patricia had learned to recognize its peculiar French intonation.
+The word was Mrs. Burton&#8217;s name.</p>
+
+<p>Through guessing, through intuition and also through the united efforts of
+her new friends, soon after Miss Patricia learned as much of the woman&#8217;s
+tale as it was desirable for her to hear at the present time.</p>
+
+<p>This story had spread through the village. A French ambulance bearing the
+sign of the <i>croix de rouge</i> had just driven through the town en route to
+the farm house on the Aisne, the present home of the Camp Fire girls. Returning
+from her work in southern France, Mrs. Burton had been injured and rather than
+be cared for <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260'></a>260</span> in a
+hospital had begged to be brought directly to the farm.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, Miss Patricia arrived at the farm house exactly two
+minutes before the Red Cross ambulance drew up before the front door. How she
+managed this one could only discover from Miss Patricia. The village owned a
+single motor car used in transporting supplies and Miss Patricia saw that it
+traveled faster on this occasion than ever before in its history.</p>
+
+<p>Besides, Mrs. Burton, who was so swathed in bandages one could scarcely
+recognize her, the ambulance contained Monsieur Duval, the French senator, Mrs.
+Bishop and a Red Cross nurse.</p>
+
+<p>Ignoring them all, Aunt Patricia lifted Mrs. Burton in her arms and carried
+her upstairs to her room, placing her upon the bed.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later, when the farm house had grown strangely quiet and everybody
+had been sent outdoors except the nurse and a doctor who had been hastily
+summoned, Aunt Patricia stalked down the steps into the drawing-room. Here she
+found Monsieur <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261'></a>261</span>
+Duval and Mrs. Bishop waiting to explain the situation to her.</p>
+
+<p>They had been motoring toward home and several miles back of the French line,
+when without any reason for such a catastrophe, a shell had dropped from a
+German aeroplane and exploded near their car.</p>
+
+<p>Aside from Mrs. Burton, no member of the party had been hurt, but a piece of
+the shell had imbedded itself inside her chest and was supposed to be too near
+her lungs for an operation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you mean that Polly Burton has a chance to live without an
+operation?&#8221; Miss Patricia demanded in grim tones when her two companions
+had finished their unsatisfying explanation of what had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bishop shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am afraid not; that is why we took the risk of bringing her home to
+you when she wished so much to come.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is there a chance for her to recover through an operation?&#8221; Miss
+Patricia next asked without a perceptible change either in her expression or
+manner.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262'></a>262</span>This time, as
+Mrs. Bishop appeared unable to speak, Monsieur Duval answered instead.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is one in a hundred, but we dared not accept the responsibility
+without first coming to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then telegraph at once for the best surgeon in Paris who can be spared
+and also for Captain Richard Burton. I will give you his address. In the
+meantime, if you can find hospitality elsewhere than at our farm I shall be
+grateful. We shall have but little opportunity to make visitors comfortable for
+the next few days.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With this Miss Patricia withdrew.</p>
+
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263'></a>263</span><a id='link_19'></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /><span class='h2fs'>THE FIELD OF HONOR</span></h2>
+
+<p>Some little time afterwards, late on a March afternoon, the yard in front of
+the farm house on the Aisne, chosen by the Camp Fire girls for their temporary
+home in France, was occupied by a number of persons. They had separated into
+groups and were either walking about the place or else were seated in informal
+attitudes.</p>
+
+<p>On the wooden steps leading directly down from the house two girls moved
+aside to allow a woman and a man to pass them.</p>
+
+<p>The woman was Miss Patricia, who appeared taller and more painfully gaunt
+than ever, and moreover, was laying down the law upon some subject in her usual
+didatic fashion. Yet the man whose arm was slipped through hers was regarding
+her with devoted and amused affection. According to Captain Richard Burton and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264'></a>264</span> in the opinion of
+a number of other persons, Miss Patricia&#8217;s good sense and devotion in the
+past few weeks had saved his wife&#8217;s life.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Patricia was discussing with him the question of increasing the number
+of cows upon the farm until a dairy could be run upon really scientific
+principles. She desired a dairy sufficiently large to supply milk to the nearby
+hospitals as well as to the babies in the villages. Up to the present time she
+had been largely interested in preserving the health of the young children who
+came within her sphere of effort. But realizing that milk at present was one of
+the greatest needs in France for the proper feeding of the wounded soldiers and
+of the convalescents, Miss Patricia was arranging for the shipment of a herd of
+a hundred cows from the United States. As a matter of fact, she was supposed to
+be asking Captain Burton&#8217;s advice upon the subject, though Miss
+Patricia&#8217;s method of asking advice was merely to announce what she
+intended doing.</p>
+
+<p>After watching the two older persons <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_265'></a>265</span> disappear toward the barn, which had been restored
+until it presented a very comfortable aspect, Peggy Webster glanced up from her
+knitting to look earnestly at her companion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How long do you intend remaining in France to continue with the
+reconstruction work, Vera?&#8221; she inquired.</p>
+
+<p>Vera Lagerloff was sewing upon a dress for one of the children in the
+neighborhood, since few of them had clothing enough to keep them warm and
+comfortable in spite of all that was being done for them in the reclamation
+districts by an increasing force of American women and girls.</p>
+
+<p>Vera&#8217;s eyes followed the direction Miss Patricia&#8217;s tall figure
+had just taken.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I intend to stay on indefinitely until the war is over and afterwards
+if I feel I can be of more use here than anywhere else. A few days ago Miss
+Patricia told me that she would be very glad to pay my expenses, as she believed
+I was &#8216;a laborer worthy of my hire.&#8217; What an extraordinary woman she is
+and how much she seems to get out of life, if not for herself, then certainly
+for other people! I shall never <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_266'></a>266</span> forget our first meeting and the way in which she
+then took hold of the situation. I think none of us will forget her recent
+devotion to Mrs. Burton. Any one of us would have been willing to do what she
+did, only no one would have had the courage or the intelligence.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Peggy nodded. &#8220;I have written mother pretty much the same thing you
+have just said. Certainly no one of our family can ever pay our debt to Aunt
+Patricia. Not that I should dare make the attempt!&#8221; Peggy added, smiling
+and looking a little anxiously at the sock she was about to finish. &#8220;But I
+wonder if I am envious of you, Vera, I mean of your planning to remain over here
+so long? Mother and father have written they would like me to come home as soon
+as I feel I am not especially needed and Tante has entirely recovered. They wish
+her to return as well, but I am by no means sure she will. There are moments of
+course when I am homesick and feel it my duty to be with my own people, now that
+Billy is gone and Dan has at last been permitted to volunteer. Then on the other
+hand, I naturally <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267'></a>267</span>
+want to be in France while Ralph is here fighting. Have I told you that after
+Ralph&#8217;s visit to us at the farm my family has consented to our engagement.
+We have promised not to consider marrying until the war is over. I am not
+speaking of this to any of the other Camp Fire girls, Vera, only to you and
+Bettina. But I shall always think of you, even if the future should separate us
+for a long time, as if you were almost my sister. I suppose if Billy had lived
+you would have been my sister.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In response Vera shook her head with its heavy mass of dark hair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, Peggy. I am not at all sure. I don&#8217;t believe
+Billy&#8217;s friendship and mine were like that. Perhaps when he grew older he
+would have wished to marry a prettier and more romantic girl, but always he
+would have come back to me for criticism and praise. Yet I should never have
+wished to marry any one else and now I shall never marry any one.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As there is no real answer to a speech of this character, Peggy Webster made
+no reply. What Vera&#8217;s future held in store <span class='pagenum
+pncolor'><a id='page_268'></a>268</span> for her was, according to an ancient
+pagan expression, &#8220;in the lap of the gods.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But Peggy wrinkled her brows at this moment, making a little motion with her
+hand to attract Vera&#8217;s attention to the figure of a girl who was standing
+alone about a dozen yards beyond them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sally looks pretty, does she not, with her dark hair and white dress?
+But of course nothing would induce her to confess that there is any especial
+reason why she wishes to look particularly attractive this afternoon. She is a
+funny child,&#8221; Peggy concluded with the superior manner of an engaged
+person.</p>
+
+<p>This afternoon the Camp Fire girls were enjoying a half holiday and the
+unusual celebration of afternoon tea in honor of Mrs. Burton&#8217;s recovery
+and also the arrival of the two guests whom they were now waiting out of doors
+to greet.</p>
+
+<p>Almost immediately after the reunion of Yvonne Fleury and her brother they
+left the farm together, returning to the neighborhood of their own château. Mrs.
+Burton&#8217;s dangerous condition had made them feel it wiser to add no more
+responsibility <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269'></a>269</span> to
+the household. They also desired to look up the old friends whom they might be
+able to find still living near their former home.</p>
+
+<p>Until this afternoon neither one of them had returned to the farm house even
+for a brief visit, although of course many letters had been exchanged between
+Yvonne and the other girls. Now Mary Gilchrist had motored over to the nearest
+railroad station to meet them and Yvonne and her brother, Lieutenant Fleury,
+were expected at any moment.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later, when the motor containing the two guests finally arrived,
+Sally Ashton was the only one of the group of friends who did not go forward to
+welcome the newcomers.</p>
+
+<p>She did not believe that she particularly liked either of them and there
+would be time enough to do her duty later.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, Sally was about to slip around the side of the house
+toward the kitchen to assist in the preparation of their simple tea when
+Lieutenant Fleury followed her and as he called her by name she felt obliged to
+stop and speak to him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270'></a>270</span>He looked
+extremely well as if he had entirely recovered from his illness and was better
+looking than Sally would have dreamed possible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You do not seem enthusiastic about seeing me again?&#8221; Lieutenant
+Fleury began, smiling at Sally.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am very glad to find you so well,&#8221; Sally announced as she
+shook hands. It was difficult to confuse Sally. She had a great deal of poise of
+her own kind and a little superior air of detachment which was oddly
+amusing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I am very well, thanks to you. Still I insist upon knowing why
+you are not pleased to see me? I remember you snubbed me for suggesting that we
+might develop a sisterly and brotherly affection for each other, but now I have
+discovered Yvonne, won&#8217;t you be friends? It is hard upon me if you refuse
+to consent because my burden of gratitude to you must then be all the heavier. I
+am going back to join my regiment in a few days. Today I also came to warn Miss
+Lord and Captain Burton that there will be danger later this spring if you
+insist upon remaining here <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a
+id='page_271'></a>271</span> at your farm house. I cannot speak plainly, but I
+have reason to believe the German drive will not be long delayed. The Allied
+line will hold; they shall never break through, yet it might be wiser if you
+were out of the range of any possible danger.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Without discussion of the question and disregarding the delightful
+possibility of tea, Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were walking side by side away
+from the farm house yard and toward the old château.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are very kind, Lieutenant Fleury,&#8221; Sally answered, speaking
+more gravely and with less childishness than one might have imagined, &#8220;but
+I do not believe we will consent to leave our farm house and to give up our work
+unless the war comes almost to our very door. Even then you know food might be
+useful to the soldiers and I am an extremely good cook.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s seriousness had disappeared and she was more her accustomed
+self.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yet you have not answered my question or promised to be my
+friend,&#8221; Lieutenant Fleury argued, looking at his companion <span
+class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272'></a>272</span> with an amused frown.
+Undoubtedly it was difficult to understand any human being who could be such a
+complete child at one moment and so wise the next; but perhaps Sally embodied
+the Biblical idea that true wisdom is only found among childish spirits.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, Sally answered simply, &#8220;Why, of course I am your
+friend, Lieutenant Fleury. Now when I am beginning to understand more of what
+soldiers must endure, I feel as if I were a friend to every man in our allied
+armies, although they probably are not aware of the honor,&#8221; and again
+Sally dimpled in irresistible fashion.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, with this general acceptance of his friendship, Lieutenant Fleury
+was obliged to appear content, since Sally would give him no more satisfactory
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>A few weeks later the long-heralded German drive burst with renewed fury
+along a long line in France. How the group of American Camp Fire girls met the
+unexpected dangers and demands upon their courage and resources will be the
+subject of the next Camp Fire book.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campfire Girls on the Field of
+Honor, by Margaret Vandercook
+
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+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor, by
+Margaret Vandercook
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor
+
+Author: Margaret Vandercook
+
+Release Date: February 25, 2010 [EBook #31393]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPFIRE GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS BY MARGARET VANDERCOOK
+
+THE RANCH GIRLS SERIES
+
+The Ranch Girls at Rainbow Lodge
+The Ranch Girls' Pot of Gold
+The Ranch Girls at Boarding School
+The Ranch Girls in Europe
+The Ranch Girls at Home Again
+The Ranch Girls and their Great Adventure
+
+THE RED CROSS GIRLS SERIES
+
+The Red Cross Girls in the British Trenches
+The Red Cross Girls on the French Firing Line
+The Red Cross Girls in Belgium
+The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army
+The Red Cross Girls with the Italian Army
+The Red Cross Girls Under the Stars and Stripes
+
+STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS
+
+The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill
+The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World
+The Camp Fire Girls Across the Sea
+The Camp Fire Girls' Careers
+The Camp Fire Girls in After Years
+The Camp Fire Girls in the Desert
+The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were Walking Side by Side
+Away from the Farm House.]
+
+
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+BY
+
+MARGARET VANDERCOOK
+
+Author of "The Ranch Girls" Series, "The Red Cross Girls" Series, etc.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+PHILADELPHIA
+
+THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.
+
+PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1918, by
+
+The John C. Winston Company
+
+STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS
+
+List of Titles in the Order of their Publication
+
+    The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill
+    The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows
+    The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World
+    The Camp Fire Girls Across the Sea
+    The Camp Fire Girls' Careers
+    The Camp Fire Girls in After Years
+    The Camp Fire Girls at the Edge of the Desert
+    The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail
+    The Camp Fire Girls Behind the Lines
+    The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+       I. An Old House                                           7
+      II. Explanations                                          24
+     III. "A Long Time Going Over There"                        39
+      IV. Chaperoning the Chaperon                              47
+       V. The Confession                                        66
+      VI. A French Farm House on the Field of Honor             78
+     VII. Becoming Adjusted                                     98
+    VIII. The Old Chateau                                      113
+      IX. A Mystery                                            126
+       X. Breakers Ahead                                       138
+      XI. The Return                                           154
+     XII. Other Days and Other Ways                            165
+    XIII. A Departure and an Arrival                           176
+     XIV. A Warning                                            193
+      XV. The Discovery                                        205
+     XVI. An Unexpected Shelter                                223
+    XVII. Two Officers                                         233
+   XVIII. The Expected Happens                                 254
+     XIX. The Field of Honor                                   263
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+  Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were Walking Side By
+  Side away from the Farm House                       Frontispiece
+  Have You Nothing Better to do than Steal?                     14
+  The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier                       122
+  She and Old Jean Took an Entirely Opposite
+  Direction                                                    208
+
+
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+AN OLD HOUSE
+
+
+There are certain old houses in New York City built of rose-colored
+brick and white stone which face Washington Square.
+
+On this morning in early winter a light snow covered the ground and
+clung to the bare branches of the shrubs and trees.
+
+In a drawing-room of one of the old houses a young girl was moving
+quietly about at work. She was alone and the room was almost entirely
+dismantled, the pictures having been taken down from the walls, the
+decorations stored away and the furniture protected by linen covers.
+
+The girl herself was wearing an odd costume, a long frock made like a
+peasant's smock with an insignia of two crossed logs and a flame
+embroidered upon one sleeve. With her dark eyes, her dark, rather coarse
+hair, which she wore parted in the middle over a low forehead, and her
+white, unusually colorless skin, she suggested a foreigner.
+Nevertheless, although her mother and father were born in Russia, Vera
+Lagerloff was not a foreigner. However, at this moment she was talking
+quietly to herself in a foreign tongue, yet the language she was making
+an attempt to practice was French and not Russian. Since the entry of
+the United States into the world war, New York City had been exchanging
+peoples as well as material supplies with her Allies to so large an
+extent that _one_ language was no longer sufficient even for the
+requirements of one's own country.
+
+Finally, still reciting her broken sentences almost as if she were
+rehearsing a part in a play, Vera walked over to a front window and
+stood gazing expectantly out into the Square as if she were looking for
+some one.
+
+It was about three o'clock in the afternoon and the neighborhood was
+almost deserted. In the paths beyond the Washington Arch a few children
+were playing. Now and then an occasional man or woman passed along the
+street, to vanish into a house or apartment building.
+
+A few taxis and private cars rolled by, but not one made even a pretence
+of stopping before the rose-colored brick house.
+
+After about five minutes of waiting, sighing and then, smiling at her
+own folly, the girl turned away and began slowly to climb up the old
+colonial stairs leading to the second floor.
+
+"When will human beings cease demanding the impossible?" she asked of
+herself, yet speaking aloud. "I know that Mrs. Burton and Bettina cannot
+arrive for another half hour, nevertheless I am wasting both time and
+energy watching for their appearance."
+
+During the past month Vera Lagerloff had been the guest of Mrs. Richard
+Burton in her New York home. Together they had been closing the house
+for an indefinite period and making their final arrangements for sailing
+for France. Within a few days the American Sunrise Camp Fire unit, with
+Mrs. Burton as their guardian, was to set sail to help with the work of
+reclamation in the devastated area of France and also to establish the
+first group of Camp Fire girls ever recognized upon French soil.
+
+Since their summer "Behind the Lines" in southern California, Vera had
+been studying with these two purposes in mind.
+
+In the front of the house on the second floor Mrs. Burton's private
+sitting-room was to be left undisturbed until the day of her departure,
+and it was toward this room Vera was making her way.
+
+Except for the two servants, man and wife, engaged only a short time
+before, who were presumably busy downstairs, she supposed herself alone.
+
+Now as she approached the sitting-room, through the open door she caught
+sight of the blue and silver of the walls, a pair of old blue curtains
+and a tea-table decorated with a tea-service and a blue bowl of yellow
+jonquils. Then an unlooked-for sensation made the girl pause within a
+few feet on the far side of the threshold, almost holding her breath,
+for she had the extraordinary impression that the room she had presumed
+empty was already occupied.
+
+The next instant Vera discovered that a man was standing in front of a
+small mahogany desk endeavoring to break into a locked drawer. He had
+not heard her approach, for he did not turn toward her, nevertheless she
+immediately recognized the man and the situation. The day before, in
+order to meet the expenses of the journey to France, Mrs. Burton had
+drawn a large sum of money from bank, placing it in her desk for safe
+keeping. To the members of her own household she had made no secret of
+this, and now one of them was taking advantage of his knowledge.
+
+Vera recognized that she must think and act quickly, or it might be
+possible that all their hopes and plans for service in France would
+vanish in one tragic instant.
+
+In the bedroom in the rear of the hall she knew there was a telephone.
+Yet the moments occupied in having the telephone answered and in calling
+the police seemed interminable. In far less time surely the thief must
+have accomplished his design!
+
+Yet naturally after her call had been answered Vera knew she must return
+to make sure and equally naturally she feared to face the man were he
+still upstairs.
+
+In the right hand corner of Mrs. Burton's dressing table was a silver
+mounted pistol. This had been Captain Burton's parting gift to his wife
+before his own departure for Europe a few weeks before. Vera distinctly
+remembered her own and Mrs. Burton's nervousness over the gift and
+Captain Burton's annoyance. They were about to make their home in a
+devastated country recently occupied by the enemy and yet were afraid of
+so simple a method of self-protection! Vera had shared in Captain
+Burton's lecture and in his instructions.
+
+Moreover, ordinarily she was not timid, but instead possessed a singular
+feminine courage. So an instant later, holding the small pistol partly
+concealed by her skirt, Vera slipped noiselessly back again into the
+hall, moving along in the shadow near the wall. Within a few feet of the
+sitting-room suddenly the thief appeared in the doorway. The next
+instant, startled by her appearance, he made a headlong rush down the
+stairs with his purpose too nearly accomplished to think of surrender.
+
+As Vera followed she wondered if, when the thief reached the front door,
+where he must pause in opening it, would she then have the courage to
+fire? Much as she desired to secure the stolen money, she felt the
+instinctive feminine dislike of wounding another human being.
+
+Yet now she discovered that, in spite of having failed to notice the
+fact on her way upstairs, the front door was not locked. It had been
+purposely left slightly ajar so that there need be no dangerous delay.
+
+But before the thief actually reached the front door majestically it was
+flung open. From the outside a voice called "Halt."
+
+[Illustration: "Have You Nothing Better to do than Steal?"]
+
+Immediately after, instead of a policeman as she anticipated, Vera
+beheld one of the most singular figures she had ever seen. For the
+moment, in her excitement and confusion, she could not tell whether the
+figure was a woman's or a man's. A long arm was thrust forward, then,
+such was the thief's surprise, that he allowed the stolen pocketbook to
+be removed from his grasp without opposition.
+
+As Vera regained sufficient equanimity to cover him with her pistol she
+heard a rich Irish voice unmistakably a woman's, saying:
+
+"Sure, man alive and have you nothing better to do than steal when the
+world is so hard put for honest soldiers and workmen to carry on her
+affairs. Now get you away and pray the saints to forgive you, for the
+next time you'll not be let off so easily."
+
+Glad to take the newcomer at her word, the man vanished. Then before
+Vera could either move or speak, the surprising visitor marched up to
+her.
+
+"Put that pistol away, child, and never handle it again, or you will
+injure yourself! Now take me upstairs to Polly Burton's sitting-room and
+make me some tea, for the plain truth is I am famished. I have just
+arrived in New York from Boston, and travel in war times certainly has
+its drawbacks. But if you will wait I'll first bring my suitcase inside
+the hall until we feel more like carrying it upstairs."
+
+Before Vera could offer her assistance a shabby suitcase was brought
+indoors.
+
+Immediately after she found herself, not leading the way, but following
+the unexpected intruder to the second floor. Evidently the elderly woman
+was familiar with the house, for she made her way directly to the
+sitting-room and, seating herself upon the divan, began untying her
+bonnet strings.
+
+In spite of her own confusion and excitement and the visitor's
+surprising appearance, Vera believed herself in the presence of an
+important personage. She understood this, notwithstanding the fact that
+the woman's costume was conspicuously shabby and she herself extremely
+plain.
+
+The bonnet which she removed without waiting to be asked followed a
+fashion of about a quarter of a century before. When her traveling coat
+had been laid aside the black dress underneath was almost equally
+old-fashioned in design.
+
+"Here, child, please take this money and hide it in the same place, or
+find a safer one," she announced. "Yet it may be just as well not to
+mention the robbery to Polly Burton. She is sure to need more strength
+than she possesses to be able to start on this perilous journey to
+France almost at the beginning of winter, with only you foolish children
+as her companions. Besides, I presume Polly left the money in the most
+conspicuous place in the house; she never has learned not to trust the
+entire world. I allowed the thief to escape so we need give no further
+time to him. But tell me the whole story--who are you, how did the man
+get into the house and why are you here alone?"
+
+At last, in the first opportunity which had been vouchsafed her, Vera
+endeavored to explain what had occurred. As she spoke she could feel
+herself being observed with the keenest, most searching scrutiny. Yet
+for some reason, although never having heard the name or seen her
+companion before, she had no thought of disputing her visitor's right to
+whatever information she desired. The dark eyes in the weather-beaten
+old face were wise and kind; the manner belonged to a woman accustomed
+to being obeyed.
+
+Later Vera and her guest made a careful tour of the lower part of the
+house. Of course the cook had vanished soon after her husband. But they
+were downstairs in time to meet the police when they finally made their
+appearance.
+
+Vera opened the door, yet she stood aside to hear her companion
+announce.
+
+"You can go away again. No, we have no need of you, the telephone call
+was a mistake."
+
+Finally when the police had disappeared without requiring a great deal
+of persuasion, for the second time Vera followed her unknown companion
+upstairs.
+
+"You understand, child, it would have been the greatest interruption to
+our present plans if I had not permitted the thief to escape. Some one
+would have had to appear in court and doubtless Polly Burton would have
+had newspaper reporters coming to the house at all hours. They would
+have liked a story in which a woman of her prominence played a part."
+
+Fifteen minutes later, having presented the unexpected guest with the
+tea she had requested, Vera was sitting beside the tea table waiting to
+satisfy her further needs, when she caught the sound of a key being
+turned in the lock of the front door downstairs and the next instant
+Mrs. Burton's voice, followed by Bettina Graham's, calling for her.
+
+With a hurried apology and really fearful that her autocratic companion
+might attempt to detain her, Vera ran out of the room.
+
+Over the banisters she could see Bettina Graham, who had just arrived
+from Washington, and Mrs. Burton, who had gone down to the Pennsylvania
+station to meet her.
+
+Standing near Bettina was a girl whom Vera had never seen before.
+
+As soon as she joined them Bettina introduced her explaining:
+
+"Vera, this is Mary Gilchrist, who is going abroad to drive a motor in
+France. She had no friends with whom she could cross, and as we were
+intending to sail on the same steamer, I suggested when we met in
+Washington the other day that she might like to join our Camp Fire unit.
+At the depot I introduced her to Tante, who of course insisted that she
+come home with us rather than stay in a hotel alone."
+
+During this conversation, Mrs. Richard Burton, the Sunrise Camp Fire
+guardian of former days, having passed by the group of girls, was making
+her way upstairs alone. She had moved so quickly that, in her effort to
+be polite to Bettina's new friend, Vera had no opportunity to mention
+the presence of another stranger in the house. When she did murmur
+something, Mrs. Burton did not hear.
+
+Reaching her own sitting-room she gazed uncertainly for half an instant
+at the tall figure on the divan, who, having poured herself another cup
+of tea, was now engaged in drinking it. The next she clasped her hands
+together and with a manner suggesting both nervousness and apology,
+began.
+
+"Aunt Patricia, please don't say you have come to argue with me about
+taking my group of Sunrise Camp Fire girls to work with me in the
+devastated area of France. It is really too late now to interfere. I was
+finally able to secure my husband's permission."
+
+Miss Patricia Lord carefully set down her tea-cup.
+
+"Come and kiss me, Polly Burton, and tell me you are glad to see me. I
+don't like your fashion of greeting an unexpected guest. But there--you
+look tired out from too much responsibility before it is time to set
+sail! As a matter of fact, I have not come to try to _prevent_ your
+going to France. Has anybody ever made you give up anything you had
+firmly set your heart upon? But, mavourneen, I have come to go with you.
+Do you suppose for a moment, after receiving yours and Richard's letters
+telling me of your plans, that I dreamed of allowing you to undertake
+such a project as you have in mind alone? Why, you won't be able to look
+after yourself properly, to say nothing of more than half a dozen young
+girls! I am told there are eight hundred and forty thousand homeless
+people in the devastated districts of France at the present time and I
+cannot understand why you wish to add to the number. But as you will go,
+well, I am determined to go with you."
+
+A moment later, seated close beside the older woman, Mrs. Burton had
+slipped an arm inside hers and was holding it close.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Patricia, I am so relieved," she murmured. "I have not
+confided this fact to any one before, but sometimes I have been so
+nervous over the prospect of looking after my group of Camp Fire girls
+in France that I have wanted to run away and hide where no one could
+ever discover me. Of course I am not afraid of disaster for myself,
+Richard is in France and then nothing ever happens to me! Besides, no
+one has a right to think of oneself at present. But to be responsible to
+so many mothers for the safety of their beloved daughters! I rise up
+each morning feeling that my hair must have turned white in the night
+from the very thought. But if you are with me, why, I will not worry!
+Still I don't see just how you can arrange to sail with us; perhaps you
+can manage to cross later, but our passage has been engaged for weeks
+and----"
+
+Miss Patricia Lord arose and walked over to the tea table, where she
+devoted her energy to pouring her hostess a cup of tea.
+
+"You need not trouble about _my_ arrangements, Polly. I secured my
+ticket on the steamer upon which you are to sail some time ago and also
+my passport. I sent my trunk directly to the boat. Of course I am taking
+but few clothes with me, as a matter of fact, I have all I shall require
+in my suitcase downstairs. But later there will be many things necessary
+for our housekeeping in France of which you may not have thought."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+EXPLANATIONS
+
+
+"Bettina, who on earth is Miss Patricia Lord? A more formidable lady I
+never imagined!"
+
+Sitting before a fire in their bedroom, which they had chosen to share
+so as to be able to talk for as long a time as they wished before
+retiring, were the two Sunrise Camp Fire girls, Bettina Graham and Vera
+Lagerloff. Both girls had changed conspicuously in manner and appearance
+since the summer before when they had been in camp together "Behind the
+Lines" in southern California. However, there comes a day in every
+girl's life when with entire suddenness she seems to understand and
+accept the revelation of her womanhood.
+
+To Bettina Graham had been given an added social experience. During the
+past few months, without being formally introduced into society,
+nevertheless she had been assisting her mother in receiving in their
+home in Washington. In spite of the fact that there had been but little
+entertaining on a large scale because of the war, Bettina had gone to
+occasional dinners and small dances, and on account of her father's
+prominence and her mother's popularity, had shared in the best
+opportunities. Moreover, Washington had never been so crowded with
+interesting men and women, and yet scarcely a day passed when Bettina
+did not whisper to herself that nothing could make her enjoy a
+conventional society existence. It was only because of the universal
+absorption in the war at the present time that society had become more
+endurable. But to continue the life indefinitely demanded an impossible
+sacrifice.
+
+One afternoon in late fall Bettina and her father, Senator Graham, in an
+hour of mutual confidence, imparted the information to each other that
+they regarded themselves as social failures.
+
+"You see, Bettina, my dear, I was not to the manner born in this social
+game and had no one to teach me until I married your mother," Senator
+Graham announced with a certain embarrassment. "Indeed, I never had
+entered a drawing-room until I was a grown man and then had not the
+faintest idea how the confounded thing should be done. You don't think
+you could have inherited a social awkwardness from me?"
+
+Then, fearing to have wounded his daughter's feelings Senator Graham
+added quickly: "I don't mean that you have not charming manners, little
+Betty, as charming as any in the world aside from your mother's. And
+personally I have not seen a prettier girl in Washington or elsewhere.
+But if you really are unhappy among strangers and would like to go to
+France with your old friends to help with the work over there, why, I
+will try to see how matters can be arranged. I don't think I would speak
+of your idea to your mother, not just at present, as there is no point
+in worrying her."
+
+In answer Bettina had laughed and promised. Always she was touched by
+her father's use of her old childhood name now that she had become
+nearly as tall as he himself was.
+
+"But, father, don't think I mind sharing a social disability with you. I
+am afraid my infirmity goes somewhat deeper," Bettina answered. "As a
+matter of fact, I heard one of mother's friends say the other day that
+there was no more brilliant or agreeable man in Washington society than
+Senator Graham, once he could be persuaded to throw aside his social
+hauteur and condescend to ordinary mortals," she continued, imitating
+the visitor's voice and manner, to the Senator's deep amusement.
+
+"But of course I won't annoy mother until I am sure our Camp Fire unit
+has a real chance of being accepted for the work in France. It is hard
+upon mother to have had Tony inherit all the family beauty and charm.
+However, he will make up to her some day for my failures!"
+
+Bettina was doing herself an injustice. In reality she was unusually
+handsome and as she grew older her tall stateliness increased her
+distinction. Tonight she looked especially attractive as she sat
+braiding her long yellow hair into two heavy plaits, with a blue
+corduroy dressing gown worn over her night-dress.
+
+"Aunt Patricia? It is odd, Vera, you have never heard her name
+mentioned! Yet I confess my personal acquaintance with Aunt Patricia
+also began this afternoon, although I have known of her for a long time
+and my mother is one of her great friends.
+
+"Years ago when Tante was first married Aunt Patricia arrived in this
+country from Ireland, and as she seemed to be frightfully poor she
+secured a position at the theatre as wardrobe woman. Right away she
+adopted Tante and Uncle Richard and they have been devoted to one
+another ever since. Later on Aunt Patricia's brother died, leaving her
+an enormous fortune. Then it developed that she had come to this country
+from Ireland because he had sent for her and afterwards had refused to
+live with him or accept a cent of his money because he would not do what
+she wished, or because for some reason or other she disapproved of him.
+
+"After Aunt Patricia inherited the money she has spent as little as
+possible for her own needs, but instead gives away large sums in
+eccentric fashions which appeal to her. Nevertheless I confess I am not
+happy over the prospect of her going to France to be with us, although
+Tante seems immensely relieved to have her companionship and our
+families will be glad to know she will not have to bear so much
+responsibility alone. It is a good deal of a task to look after seven or
+eight girls."
+
+Vera frowned somewhat ruefully.
+
+"But I thought we were going to France to care for other people not to
+be looked after ourselves. However, if Miss Lord's behavior this
+afternoon is a fair criterion I shall certainly become as a little
+child. For the entire time we were together I don't think I dared do
+anything except what she commanded. But isn't it wonderful that our
+entire Camp Fire unit is to go to France for the reclamation work? I
+thought when Mrs. Burton offered me the opportunity last summer that I
+should go alone."
+
+Within the past months Vera Lagerloff had also changed, but the
+transformation was unlike Bettina Graham's.
+
+After Billy Webster's death in California Vera had made astonishingly
+little open protest. But for that reason the effect upon her character
+had been the deeper.
+
+Since her earliest childhood there had been but little in her life for
+which she cared intensely, save her friendship with the odd dreaming
+boy, whose ambitions for his own future had absorbed so much of her time
+and thought. Until Billy died Vera really had never considered her own
+future apart from his.
+
+In many ways she was superior to the members of her own family, which in
+itself makes for a certain spiritual loneliness. Yet her parents were
+Russians, and Russia is at present offering more contradictions in human
+nature than any other race of people in the world. However, if her
+parents were peasants and had but little education, they had possessed
+sufficient courage to emigrate to the United States at a time when the
+Czar and autocracy ruled in their own land. Afterwards Vera's father had
+become a small farmer on Mr. Webster's large place, and here Vera and
+Billy had grown up together.
+
+But at least Vera's family made no effort to interfere with her. The
+other children appeared content to follow in the ways of their
+ancestors, living with and by the land. In a measure they were proud
+that Vera cared for books and people who could never be their friends.
+Yet perhaps Vera's character had been largely influenced by her one
+singular friendship.
+
+Now it remained to be seen what she could accomplish with her own life
+uninspired by a dominating affection.
+
+She was an unusual looking girl, and not handsome according to
+Anglo-Saxon standards. She was tall and ruggedly built, with broad
+shoulders and hips, indicating strength more than grace. Her heavy dark
+hair, growing low over her forehead, had a unique quality of vitality.
+Her nose and mouth were both a little heavy, although her mouth gave
+promise of future beauty, and she had the fine Slavic eyes with the
+slight slant.
+
+Vera and Bettina afforded a marked contrast. The one girl, whatever her
+brilliant father might say of his antecedents, showed only the evidences
+of high breeding, both its charm and limitations. Yet, thinking more
+deeply, was not after all Vera's the older ancestry since the first men
+and women must have been those who lived nearest to nature?
+
+At this moment, when the one girl finished speaking, leaning over
+Bettina rested her chin in her slender hand. She had not seen Vera for
+some time and was now trying to discover in her companion's face what
+she knew would never be confided to her, to what extent Vera had
+recovered from her sorrow over Billy Webster's death.
+
+But instead of speaking of this, Bettina continued:
+
+"Yes, it is extraordinary that our entire Camp Fire unit is so soon to
+cross over to France. I only wish the rest of us were as well prepared
+for the work as you are, Vera. You have been studying cooking and the
+care of children, besides the first aid and the farm work, which you
+must have known already? I was able to find time for only a short period
+of intensive study. Yet fortunately I know a good deal of French. Ever
+since I was a tiny child I have been speaking French and certainly I am
+familiar with our Camp Fire training and ideals. I only learned recently
+that, although there are organizations similar to our Camp Fire in
+England, China, Japan and Australia, there is none in France. Is it not
+a wonderful thing that we are to be the pioneers of the Camp Fire
+movement in France? Don't you feel that if we can arouse sufficient
+enthusiasm among the French girls to induce them to form a national
+organization it will bring American and French girls into closer touch
+with each other?
+
+"Do you know, Vera, so many times in the past year I have heard
+prominent men in Washington declare that the French, British, Italians
+and Americans, having fought together on common ground for a common
+ideal, can never in the future be anything but brothers in spirit. Yet
+never once have I heard any one speak of the same need for intimate
+association among the women of the different nations. Why is this not
+equally important? The women of the future must also acquire something
+of the new international spirit, must also learn to work and play
+together. I think our Camp Fire embodies all these inspiring principles
+and ideas for girls, and so I hope our work in France may be the
+beginning of an international Camp Fire organization all over the
+world."
+
+Vera Lagerloff, who had apparently been watching the flickering yellow
+and rose flames in their tiny fire while Bettina talked, now looked
+toward her and smiled.
+
+"Be careful, Bettina, you are a dreamer. Remember, the world has room
+for but a few dreamers. I suppose that is why Billy went away. After
+all, you know it is the small, hard sacrifices that are required of
+women and girls in time of war."
+
+Then getting up, Vera began walking up and down the room as if finding
+relief in action.
+
+"By the way, Bettina, have you heard the latest news from Gerry
+Williams?--oh, I should have said Gerry Morris, I forgot her married
+name." Vera went on, apparently desiring to change the subject: "She
+hopes to see us after we reach our headquarters in France, if she and
+her father-in-law are not too far away. I have sometimes wondered if Mr.
+Morris did not give the money he had recently inherited to help with the
+restoration work in France as a thank offering because Felipe was
+required to serve only a short sentence for having tried to escape the
+draft? Soon after he was permitted to enlist. Mr. Morris and Gerry are
+living in one of the tiny ruined villages, assisting the old men and
+women and children to rebuild their little homes."
+
+Bettina frowned, hardly aware that her expression had become slightly
+skeptical.
+
+"Yes, I was told that Gerry had sailed with her father-in-law, although
+so far as I know Felipe is still in an American training camp," Bettina
+replied. "But, Vera, I am not yet an enthusiast over Gerry. However, as
+we have never liked each other, perhaps I am not fair. I do not believe
+that people's natures ever entirely change, even if circumstances do
+affect one for a time. So I shall have to behold the miracle of a
+transformed Gerry before I am convinced of the change I am told has
+taken place in her."
+
+At this instant Bettina suddenly ceased speaking because a faint knock
+had just sounded on their bedroom door.
+
+When Vera opened the door another girl stood outside. She was small and
+dark and had an upward tilt to her nose and indeed to her entire face.
+
+"I know this is the hour for confidences and so I won't interrupt you
+long," she began. "Only I thought it might be just as well if I present
+you with a short outline of my history. Miss Graham was kind enough to
+allow me to travel to Washington with her after meeting me at the home
+of a mutual friend. She does not know much about me, so I think she is
+especially kind. But perhaps we girls are beginning to take one another
+more for granted! As a matter of fact, my name is Mary Gilchrist,
+although I am usually called 'Gill' by my friends, because my father
+insists I am so small I represent the smallest possible measure. I have
+no mother and have spent all my life with my father on our big Wheat
+ranch in Kansas. I suppose I should have been a boy, because I adore
+machinery and have been driving a car for years, even before the law
+would have permitted me to drive one. Of course I only motored over our
+ranch at first. Now I am hoping I can be useful in France. For the last
+few years I have been able to manage a tractor for the plowing and
+harvesting of our fields. My father has given me my own motor to take to
+France. He said he could do nothing less, since he had no son to devote
+to his country's service and, as he was too old to fight himself, felt
+he could do his best work in increasing our output of wheat. But I did
+not intend saying so much about myself, only to thank you and Mrs.
+Burton for agreeing to allow me to make the crossing with you. I shall
+try not to be a nuisance. Good-night."
+
+Then actually before Vera or Bettina could reply the other girl
+vanished. Yet she left behind her an affect of energy and warmth, her
+glowing, piquant face, the red lights in her brown hair, even the
+freckles on her clear, lightly tanned skin gave one the impression that
+courage and action were essential traits of her character.
+
+After she had gone Vera smiled.
+
+"Well Bettina, I believe your new friend is original, whatever else she
+may be."
+
+And Bettina nodded in agreement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+"A LONG TIME GOING OVER THERE"
+
+
+In a week Mrs. Burton and the Sunrise Camp Fire unit sailed from a port
+somewhere in the United States to a port somewhere in France. Not only
+were they accompanied by Miss Patricia Lord, but apparently they were
+led by her. Whenever any information had to be imparted it was always
+Miss Patricia who gave it and she also appeared to settle all questions
+and all disputes. Under ordinary circumstances the Camp Fire girls would
+have been annoyed, but at present they were too absorbed in a hundred
+interests and as many emotions to be more than vaguely aware of Miss
+Patricia's existence.
+
+Mrs. Burton, in spite of finding her own position frequently usurped and
+her opinions regarded as of small value, nevertheless from the moment of
+leaving New York felt a sensation of gratitude each time she glanced at
+Aunt Patricia's homely and uncompromising countenance. In time past they
+had weathered many storms together; if there were storms ahead Miss
+Patricia could be counted upon to remain firm as the Rock of Gibraltar.
+Difficult and domineering, yet behind her brusqueness there was great
+good sense. Moreover, Mrs. Burton knew that Miss Patricia possessed the
+gift of kindness which is the rarest of human qualities. The Irish humor
+was there also, although now and then it might be hidden out of sight
+and only used by Miss Patricia as she used her Irish brogue in moments
+of special stress.
+
+Conscious that her group of Camp Fire girls was not pleased by the
+addition of a new member to their party, Mrs. Burton hoped in time they
+might come to appreciate Miss Patricia's real value, although she made
+no effort to propitiate them at the start.
+
+The leave-taking these days is perhaps the hardest portion of the
+journey to France. One must say farewell with apparent cheerfulness to
+one's family and friends, assuming that whatever dangers may lie in wait
+for other people, for you there can be only plain sailing, since this is
+the gallant spirit these tragic times demand. But for the Camp Fire
+girls there was also a certain fear that they might find themselves
+unfit for the service they wished to offer. However, there was no
+faltering and no regret, but only tremendous inspiration in the
+knowledge that they were to be the first American Camp Fire girls to
+enter France upon a special mission and with a special message to French
+girls.
+
+Of the date or the port from which passenger vessels sail these days
+there is no published record. It is enough to state that the Camp Fire
+party sailed one morning in the early winter a little before noon from a
+small harbor south of New York City. The morning had been cold and rainy
+and the fog lay thick upon the water many miles from the land.
+
+In spite of the fact that their vessel was to form one of a convoy of a
+dozen ships, each boat left port at a different hour, to meet further
+out at sea.
+
+Soon after their own sailing, Mrs. Burton retired to her state-room.
+Aunt Patricia and the Camp Fire girls insisted upon remaining on deck
+for an indefinite length of time.
+
+At what point the United States considers her ships have entered the
+danger zone on this side of the Atlantic only persons who have lately
+crossed to the other side can know.
+
+When this hour arrived the Camp Fire girls were standing close together,
+although separated into small groups. Peggy Webster, Vera Lagerloff and
+Bettina Graham were talking to one another; Sally Ashton and Alice
+Ashton stood a short distance off with their arms about each other,
+drawn together only in moments of excitement. Within a few feet Marta
+Clark was beside Mary Gilchrist, with Aunt Patricia not far away, but
+apparently paying no attention to any of them.
+
+In truth, it was Aunt Patricia who gave the first signal. The ships
+which until now had been at some distance apart were deliberately
+forming into the position necessary for their convoy. It was almost as
+if they were making ready for a naval attack; the boats slowed down,
+mysterious whistles were blown, signals were run up.
+
+An hour or so later and the entire convoy, guarded by United States
+torpedo destroyers, were steaming rapidly ahead.
+
+Bettina Graham was leaning over the ship's railing looking toward the
+western line of the horizon through a pair of long-distance glasses. In
+another moment she offered the glasses to Vera.
+
+"I wonder if you can see the destroyers more distinctly than I can
+manage, Vera? The fog is so heavy and the boats are so nearly the same
+color. No wonder they are known as the 'gray watch-dogs of the sea!' I
+suppose one should feel safer because we are so surrounded, and yet in a
+way I am more nervous. Certainly the destroyers do not allow one to
+forget the reason for their presence, and I really had not thought a
+great deal of our danger from submarines until they appeared."
+
+For a few seconds as she stared through the glasses Vera made no reply.
+
+As she turned to present the glasses to Peggy, Vera shook her head.
+
+"Then I am a better American than you are, Bettina, because I most
+assuredly do not feel as you do. Our guard of destroyers gives me an
+almost perfect sense of security. It may be absurd of course and a kind
+of jingoism, but I do not consider that we can possibly come to grief,
+protected by our own navy."
+
+As they stood thus close together the Camp Fire girls were wearing the
+uniforms which had been especially designed for their trip abroad.
+
+Their ordinary Camp Fire outfit was of course not suitable; nevertheless
+the new costumes had been made to follow as closely as possible the idea
+and the model of the old. For military reasons they had chosen a darker
+shade of brown than the ordinary khaki color. At present over their
+serviceable brown serge traveling dresses they wore long coats of a
+golden brown cloth made with adjustable capes to conform with the
+changes of climate. The only suggestion of the Camp Fire was the
+insignia of the crossed logs with the ascending flames embroidered upon
+one sleeve. Their hats were of soft brown felt.
+
+In spite of the variety of striking and interesting uniforms on board
+ship, already the Camp Fire girls had excited a good deal of quiet
+attention. However, this may not have been due to their uniforms alone.
+As a matter of fact, they were younger than the other passengers and
+many persons were curious with regard to the work they were planning to
+undertake in France.
+
+Sailing upon the same vessel there chanced to be a Red Cross unit of
+twenty other girls who were to do canteen work among the French and
+American soldiers. But except for one conspicuous exception, this unit
+of girls was noticeably older.
+
+This made the one girl appear rather an outsider; moreover, the Camp
+Fire girls learned that she was not an American girl, but a French girl
+returning to her own country.
+
+There were no passengers on the ship who were not sailing to France for
+urgent reasons and for reasons which the United States government
+considered of sufficient importance to permit of their crossing.
+
+There were a number of business men whose affairs were not only of
+importance to themselves, but to the Allied interests as well. There was
+a medical unit with a staff of doctors, nurses and assistants, three or
+four newspaper and magazine men, one well-known woman writer. But the
+most distinguished among the travelers were several returning Frenchmen
+who had been in the United States upon a special mission.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+CHAPERONING THE CHAPERON
+
+
+One afternoon about midway in the voyage across the Atlantic, Mrs.
+Burton was seated upon the upper deck in her steamer chair enveloped in
+a fur rug and a fur coat. A small sealskin turban completely covered her
+hair, so only her face was revealed, her brilliant blue eyes, long
+slender nose and chin, and her cheeks upon which two spots of color were
+glowing.
+
+She was talking in French with a great deal of animation to a man who
+sat beside her. From his manner and appearance and also from his
+pronunciation it was self-evident that he was a Frenchman. Moreover, he
+revealed a certain intellectual distinction typically French. Monsieur
+Georges Duval was of middle age with clear-cut, aristocratic features,
+keen dark eyes and iron-gray hair. In comparison with him Mrs. Burton
+looked like a girl.
+
+It was just before tea time and the deck was crowded with the ship's
+passengers. Since no lights were permitted after dark, it was necessary
+to enjoy all the daylight possible out of doors. This afternoon was
+clear and lovely, with a serene blue sky and sea.
+
+A number of the Camp Fire girls were strolling about talking to new
+acquaintances. But if Mrs. Burton had any knowledge of their presence
+she gave no sign, being too deeply interested in her conversation with
+her present companion.
+
+"You are extremely kind, Monsieur, and I am most happy to receive any
+advice you can give me. Later on I shall probably ask for your aid as
+well. Now and then I have wondered if in coming to France to offer our
+services to your country many American women may not prove more of a
+burden than a help. I hope this may not be true of me or of my
+companions. We intend to settle down somewhere in one of the devastated
+districts and do whatever we can to be useful. But chiefly the group of
+girls I have with me want to offer their services to French girls. I
+have so often thought, Monsieur, that perhaps the greatest problem of
+the future rests with the young girls of the present day. When the war
+is over it will be their task to care for the wounded men and for many
+others whom these long years of warfare will have made unfit for work.
+More than this, there will be so many of these girls who can never have
+husbands or children. Our Camp Fire organization in the United States
+has a special message for the women of the future. But I must not bore
+you with this when you have so many matters of more importance to hold
+your attention."
+
+Monsieur Duval shook his head.
+
+"You are not boring me, Madame. You could not do that, but in any case
+remember you are talking to a Frenchman about the women of his own
+country. Sometimes I think we Frenchmen confuse our women and our
+country; to us they are so much one and the same thing. When we fight
+for France, we are fighting for our women, when we fight to protect our
+women we are fighting to save France. I do not believe the world half
+realizes what great burdens the French women bore after the
+Franco-Prussian war, only forty years ago, not only in working shoulder
+to shoulder with their men, but by inspiring them after a bitter and
+cruel defeat. The courage, the steadfastness which France has revealed
+in the four long years of this present war is one way in which we have
+tried to pay our immense debt to them."
+
+Unable to reply because of the tears which she made no effort to
+conceal, Mrs. Burton remained silent for a few moments. When she finally
+spoke it was with a kind of diffidence:
+
+"Monsieur Duval, has it ever occurred to you how strange it is that,
+aside from our American Revolution, most of the great modern wars for
+democracy have been fought upon French soil? I have thought of this many
+times and sorrowed over what seems the injustice to your race. Forgive
+me if I appear too fanciful! Recently I have recognized why France
+always is represented by the symbolic figure of a woman. She has endured
+the birth of the world's freedom inside her body and her soul."
+
+In Mrs. Burton's speech there was perhaps nothing original, but always
+there was the old thrilling beautiful quality to her voice which stirred
+her audience, whether large or small.
+
+Monsieur Duval did not attempt to hide both his admiration and interest
+in his companion. The second day out at sea they had been introduced to
+each other by Mrs. Bishop, the woman novelist, with whom Mrs. Burton had
+a slight acquaintance in New York City. Indeed, they had met only upon
+one occasion, but on shipboard one is apt to renew acquaintances which
+one would have considered of no special interest at other times.
+
+Since their original meeting Mrs. Burton and the French commissioner,
+whom she had discovered to be a member of the French senate as well, had
+spent several hours each day in talking together. There were many
+subjects in which they were both interested, although of course the war
+absorbed the greater part of their thought.
+
+"I only hope France may prove worthy of the sympathy and aid your
+country pours out upon her so generously. But I think when you reach
+France you will have no reason to complain of her lack of gratitude,"
+the Frenchman answered.
+
+"Of course our cause at present is a common one and our soldiers are
+fighting as brothers. But long before your men fought with ours, you
+American women were rendering us every possible service. Please be sure
+if I can be of the least assistance to you in making your plans for work
+in France I shall be more than happy. In spite of all our conversations
+you never have told me definitely what it is you intend doing."
+
+Mrs. Burton smiled. A cool breeze was blowing in from the sea so that
+she hid herself closer inside her rug.
+
+"Just a moment then, Monsieur Duval, I will talk of our plans and then
+we must discuss something frivolous. Every morning as I waken I make up
+my mind not to speak of the war for at least a few hours, but somehow I
+never manage to keep my promise to myself. We intend undertaking a
+certain amount of reclamation work in one of the ruined French villages.
+Our present scheme is first to find an old farm house and establish
+ourselves there in order to make a home where our neighbors can come to
+us as they will. My Camp Fire girls thus hope to form friendships with
+the French girls and later to induce them to become interested in our
+Camp Fire ideas.
+
+"You may be amused, Monsieur Duval, but another thing we intend is to
+teach the French women and girls to make corn bread, so as to help in
+the wheat conservation. I was told by a woman in Washington, who had
+just come back from the devastated regions, that this would be a real
+service to France, if once we could persuade the French people to our
+use of corn. The Indians taught us. As our Camp Fire is more or less
+modeled upon their institutions, we hope to carry on the Indian message
+of the corn. But enough of this; you have been kind to listen to me so
+long."
+
+Monsieur Duval shook his head courteously.
+
+"What you say is interesting and worth while, Madame, but I have an idea
+that you need not personally give all of your own time to these efforts.
+These matters your companions and other women may be able to accomplish
+with equal success. But you, you probably will find more important work
+to do in France. Perhaps you will allow me to see you later. I do not
+wish our acquaintance to end with our voyage, and it may be I can
+persuade you to additional tasks. But in any case I hope you will talk
+personally with many of my country people, men and women; there is no
+one so well adapted to make our nations understand each other as a
+gifted and charming American woman. I have many friends in Paris and
+before you leave I trust I may be allowed the privilege of presenting at
+least a few of them to you."
+
+Feeling agreeably flattered, as any woman is flattered by the homage of
+a clever man, Mrs. Burton was about to reply, when suddenly the tall
+figure of Miss Patricia Lord appeared, rising before her like a pillar
+of darkness.
+
+She gave Monsieur Duval a curt nod; except for this she made no
+explanation of her presence, continuing standing until the courteous
+Frenchman felt constrained to offer her his chair.
+
+However, not until he had walked away did she condescend to accept his
+place and then she managed to sit perfectly upright, which is a
+_difficult_ feat in a reclining chair.
+
+"What is the matter, Aunt Patricia?" Mrs. Burton at once demanded,
+feeling suddenly disturbed by Miss Patricia's severe expression. "Surely
+nothing has happened to any one of the Camp Fire girls! I think I have
+noticed nearly all of them strolling about on deck in the past half
+hour."
+
+Gloomily Miss Patricia frowned. "I am not here to discuss with you the
+girls whom you are suppose to be chaperoning. I wish to speak of your
+conduct, Polly Burton. I have been considering the subject for the past
+twenty-four hours. Under the circumstances you might as well know
+_first as last_ that I do not approve of your present intimacy with
+this unknown Frenchman, this _Mr._ Duval." Miss Patricia scorned
+the use of the French title. "I have no idea of attempting to pronounce
+the foolish word the French employ for plain 'Mister.' However, you
+realize perfectly well that from the day following our sailing you have
+spent the greater part of your time in his society. Sorry as I am to
+speak of this, my respect for your husband compels me to warn you----"
+
+Here Aunt Patricia was interrupted by an explosion of laughter as fresh
+and ingenuous as a girl's.
+
+"My dear Aunt Patricia, really I beg your pardon, but I supposed you
+were coming with me to France to help me chaperon my Camp Fire girls! I
+never dreamed of your also feeling obliged to chaperon me. Remember, I
+am pretty old and never was particularly fascinating, even as a girl. I
+am afraid you will have a hard time to persuade my husband to jealousy.
+Richard is the fascinating member of our family! As a matter of fact, I
+have simply been boring Monsieur Duval for the past hour by discussing
+our plan of campaign after we reach France. You don't consider the
+subject a dangerous one?"
+
+But neither Miss Patricia's face nor figure relaxed.
+
+"I may not be original, Polly Burton; as a matter of fact, I have no
+idea that you _said_ anything of the least importance to your
+Frenchman. With you it is the old story; it is not _what_ you say,
+but the _way_ you say it. I have been watching you and you may
+pretend to have noticed the Camp Fire girls. However, if you tell the
+truth, you have not been aware of anything or anybody except Mr. Duval
+during the entire afternoon."
+
+At this moment Miss Patricia appeared so annoyed and suspicious that it
+was difficult for Mrs. Burton to decide whether she were the more amused
+or irritated. However, it made no difference; either attitude would be
+entirely lost upon Miss Patricia Lord.
+
+"I am sorry you don't approve of me," Mrs. Burton returned with a
+pretence of meekness, yet dropping her eyelids to conceal the expression
+of her eyes.
+
+"It is not that I do not approve of you, Polly, for I so seldom do
+that," Aunt Patricia replied. "It is that I also feel it _my duty_
+to recall you to _your_ duty. You speak of having lately observed
+the Camp Fire girls wandering about near you. I feel it an effort to
+believe this because only a short time ago, while undoubtedly you were
+enjoying yourself with a foreigner concerning whom you know absolutely
+nothing, I discovered Sally Ashton seated upon a coil of rope in an
+obscure portion of this vessel, flirting outrageously with a young
+American physician. Your niece, Peggy Webster, is walking up and down
+the lower deck with a French officer; lower deck not the upper, mind
+you, where she might have been seen by you, although I doubt it. The
+other girls are----"
+
+By this time Mrs. Burton had become seriously annoyed. She was obliged
+to remember, of course, that Miss Patricia was a much older woman, yet,
+nevertheless her eyes darkened and her color deepened a little
+ominously.
+
+"Please Aunt Patricia, you are making a mistake," she began warmly. "I
+am not in the habit of spying upon my Camp Fire girls and I am sure you
+will never find such a proceeding necessary."
+
+Then, ashamed of the word she had employed, she continued more gently.
+
+"So you have been making a tour of investigation because you considered
+that I was neglecting my duty? All I can say, Aunt Patricia, is that you
+will always discover Sally Ashton flirting if there is an agreeable man
+in sight. I cannot make up my mind whether or not Sally is unconscious,
+yet flirting with her is either an instinct, an art, or both. However,
+every man who sees her immediately succumbs. But as for Peggy, Peggy is
+an absolutely trustworthy person! Did I not tell you that Peggy
+considers herself engaged to Ralph Marshall, who is in the aviation
+service in France at the present time? None of Peggy's family will
+acknowledge her engagement; we feel she is too young, yet Ralph's
+parents are old friends of my sister and brother-in-law. After a time I
+am sure you will understand the Camp Fire Girls better."
+
+There was undeniably a tone of condescension in Mrs. Burton's voice, and
+Aunt Patricia sniffed.
+
+"I understand the girls as well as I consider necessary, Polly Burton,
+and probably better than you do. I have always insisted that you have
+little knowledge of human nature. As for thinking that a girl of Peggy's
+age, with almost no experience of life, can have any idea of the
+character of man she could or should marry----"
+
+But here, realizing that Miss Patricia was mounted upon one of her
+favorite hobbies and that nothing she could say or do would stop her,
+Mrs. Burton, pretending to offer a polite attention, in reality allowed
+her mind to wander.
+
+Miss Patricia was usually antagonistic to all male persons safely past
+their babyhood. Among her friends it was an open question whether Aunt
+Patricia had been jilted at an early age, or whether she had never
+condescended to an admirer.
+
+"All men are idiots," is what she had been known to remark when hard
+pressed.
+
+Gradually Mrs. Burton allowed herself to slip back in her chair, resting
+her head more comfortably against a brown velvet cushion.
+
+It was strange that she had felt so little fear of the submarine menace
+during the present voyage, when she had expected to be fearful the
+entire way across. There were odd moments at night when one could not
+sleep, thinking of the possible, even the probable danger that might
+manifest itself at any moment. But aside from obeying the ship's rules
+with regard to life belts and lights, the keeping of one's state-room
+door unlatched, what was there to do save trust in a higher power?
+
+Actually at this moment Mrs. Burton, while presumably listening, was
+deciding that she was enjoying the very crossing to France she had so
+much dreaded.
+
+It would never do to shock Aunt Patricia, yet in a number of years she
+had not met so agreeable a man as the French senator. Moreover, she was
+entertained by the opportunity to form a new and stimulating intimacy
+with a clever woman. Mrs. Bishop, known to her public as Georgianna
+Bishop, having written several successful novels, was at present
+traveling to Europe to write of the American soldiers life in the
+trenches.
+
+In spite of the fact that Miss Patricia seemed also to regard Mrs.
+Bishop with disfavor, Mrs. Burton had invited her to spend a part of her
+time in France with them, if it could possibly be arranged.
+
+At this moment, if Miss Patricia would only stop talking, Mrs. Burton
+believed that she would like to have Mrs. Bishop sit beside her during
+the hour of afternoon tea.
+
+Tea would be served in a few moments. Perhaps, if Miss Patricia would
+decide to move, one of the Camp Fire girls would appear to act as
+messenger and find Mrs. Bishop.
+
+With this thought in mind, glancing carelessly up and down the deck,
+Mrs. Burton discovered Vera Lagerloff and Bettina Graham coming
+hurriedly toward her. What was more surprising, they were accompanied by
+the new friend with whom she had been talking a few moments before.
+
+Both girls looked so white and frightened that Mrs. Burton, making a
+hasty movement in attempting to jump up from her chair, found herself
+entangled in her steamer rug.
+
+As Monsieur Duval endeavored to extricate her, he said quietly:
+
+"I hope we have not alarmed you, but a most unfortunate accident has
+just occurred on board ship, which I hope may not develop into a
+tragedy. A young French girl, traveling with the American Red Cross
+unit, is supposed to have attempted to take her own life. I am by no
+means sure of this, she may be ill and have fainted from some cause. I
+was sent for, I presume because of my nationality, then some one
+suggested you."
+
+But before Monsieur Duval had more than finished speaking, Mrs. Burton
+was hurrying away, accompanied by Bettina and Vera.
+
+"I really do not know how to explain what has happened," Bettina
+continued. "You remember the French girl we have noticed because she
+appeared so much younger than the other members of her Red Cross unit?
+It seems that at the beginning of the war all her people were killed and
+her home in France destroyed, so that she is now entirely alone. She was
+living with friends in the United States, but suddenly decided that she
+wished to return to France. Unexpectedly she must have lost her courage.
+However, all Vera and I really know it what one of the other Red Cross
+girls told us, asking us to tell no one else."
+
+By the end of Bettina's speech, Mrs. Burton and the two girls had left
+the deck, and Vera was leading the way down one of the narrow corridors
+bordered on either side by small state-rooms.
+
+At the door of one of the rooms a woman in the uniform of a Red Cross
+nurse, after making a little motion to command silence, stepped quietly
+out.
+
+"There is nothing serious the matter, Mrs. Burton. It was hardly worth
+while to disturb you. At present the young French girl who was crossing
+with us to her former home is suffering from an attack of hysteria. As I
+have not been able to quiet her and as you are here, perhaps you will
+come and see what you can do."
+
+Then she turned to Vera and Bettina.
+
+"If there is any other story of what has occurred being told on board
+ship, will you please do your best to contradict it? A ship is a
+hopeless place for gossip. However, I am afraid Yvonne will scarcely be
+fit for the work our Red Cross unit expects to undertake. I must find
+some one to befriend the child after we reach Paris."
+
+Bettina and Vera moved away, followed by the older woman.
+
+At the same instant Mrs. Burton, entering the half open door of the
+state-room, discovered a young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with
+large brown eyes and fair hair, lying huddled on the bed. She was not
+crying, yet instantly put up her hands before her face as if to escape
+observation.
+
+Mrs. Burton sat down on the edge of the berth beside her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE CONFESSION
+
+
+"Don't talk if you prefer not; perhaps you may be able to sleep after a
+little if I sit here beside you," Mrs. Burton said gently.
+
+"But I would prefer to be alone," the young French girl answered,
+speaking English with a pretty foreign accent.
+
+Instantly Mrs. Burton rose, intending to leave the tiny state-room;
+however, having gone but a few steps she heard the he same voice plead:
+
+"No, please don't leave me. I have been watching you and your friends
+ever since our ship sailed, and as I must talk to some one, I wish it to
+be you. If you only knew how sorry I am to have created a scene and to
+have given so much trouble, when everybody has been so kind."
+
+Then the girl began to cry again, but softly as if her desire for tears
+was nearly spent.
+
+Without replying Mrs. Burton took her former position.
+
+Occasionally she had a moment of thinking that perhaps after her years
+of experience as a Camp Fire guardian she was beginning to understand
+something of the utterly unlike temperaments of varying types of girls.
+Moreover, in spite of Aunt Patricia's judgment, her work had afforded
+her unusual opportunities for the study of human nature.
+
+Now, as she sat silently watching the young French girl in her effort to
+regain her self-control, Mrs. Burton realized that hers would be no
+ordinary story. Her friend had chosen to protect her by stating that she
+was suffering from an attack of nerves, yet this instant the girl was
+making an intense effort to gain a fresh hold upon herself both mentally
+and physically.
+
+"I am sorry," she repeated a moment later, "for I realize now I should
+never have made the attempt to return home to France, although I thought
+after nearly three years in the United States surely I had the courage!
+Still, for the past few days I have been becoming more and more
+convinced that I was going to fail, that I had not the strength for the
+work ahead of me. What you were told just now, that I had merely
+fainted, was not true. I had made up my mind that since I was not going
+to be able to be of service to my country I would not add to her burden.
+I could not do that; there had to be some way out, and I _had_ to
+find the way."
+
+Sitting up, Yvonne now leaned forward, resting her small head with its
+heavy weight of fair hair upon her hands, clasped under her chin. She
+was not looking at her companion. Her eyes held an expression which
+betrays an inner vision.
+
+"I did make an effort to do what you suspect. I wonder if I was wrong?
+Certainly I was unsuccessful, since I do not even feel ill in
+consequence. I suppose I ought to explain that I had written a note to
+apologize for the mistake I had made in urging the Red Cross unit to
+bring me with them to France and to say I regretted the distress and
+trouble I must give. Then as I was carrying the letter to the room of
+the friend whom you found here with me I think I must have fainted. She
+was shocked and angry when she learned what I had attempted to do and I
+have given my word I will not try again." Yvonne was silent for a moment
+and then added with another catch in her voice: "Do you think it wicked
+of me, because I am still a little sorry I failed in what I attempted?
+But I don't think you will when I have told you my history."
+
+Under ordinary circumstances Yvonne's broken and incoherent story would
+have annoyed Mrs. Burton. She had scant sympathy and could make but
+slight excuse for the neurotic persons who have no fortitude with which
+to meet life's inevitable disasters but expend all their energy in
+compassion for themselves. Especially did she resent this characteristic
+in a young girl, having grown accustomed to the sanity and the outdoor
+spirit engendered by the Camp Fire life. Moreover, one has at present no
+time or pity save for real tragedies.
+
+Yet Yvonne's attitude had not so affected her. Instead she realized that
+the girl's suffering had been due to a vital cause and that the secret
+of her action still remained hidden.
+
+"Had you not better rest and talk to me later?" Mrs. Burton inquired. "I
+think you are very tired, more so than you realize. After a time perhaps
+you will see things more clearly. You are young, Yvonne, to believe
+there is nothing more for you in life that is worth while."
+
+"I know that would be true if these were not war times, Madame," the
+girl answered. "Will you please listen to my story now? There may be no
+opportunity at another time."
+
+Slipping out of her berth, Yvonne proffered the one small chair the
+state-room afforded to her visitor.
+
+"Won't you sit here? You may be more comfortable," she suggested.
+
+Then she found a seat for herself on the lounge which ran along one side
+of the room.
+
+By this time the little French girl was looking so completely exhausted
+that Mrs. Burton would have liked again to urge her to wait. Yet after
+all perhaps it might be a relief to have her confession over!
+
+"I was living in a chateau with my mother and two brothers when the war
+began," Yvonne said, going directly to the heart of her story. "After
+the news came that war was declared and the Germans had invaded our
+country, my older brother, Andre, left at once to join his regiment near
+Paris. At that time we did not dream there could be danger near our
+home, which seemed so far from the front. I do not know whether you have
+noticed my name on our passenger list, Yvonne Fleury, and our home was
+called the Chateau Yvonne. It is not in existence any longer. But I am
+afraid I am not telling my story clearly. Sometimes I grow confused
+trying to remember when things actually happened, as they all came
+quickly and unexpectedly. After my brother and our men servants had gone
+my mother and I tried to carry on the work at the chateau as well as we
+could with only the women to help. We were not rich people; my father
+had died some years before, soon after my younger brother was born. But
+we had a good deal of land and a beautiful orchard. It seems strange to
+think that even the orchard has been destroyed!"
+
+As Yvonne talked she had a little habit of frowning, almost as if she
+were doubting the truth of her own story. Nevertheless, however unique
+and impossible her story might sound to her own ears, stories like hers
+had grown only too familiar since the outbreak of the war in Europe.
+
+A moment later and she seemed confused, as if scarcely knowing how to
+take up the threads of her own history. Afterwards she tried to speak
+more slowly, her voice sounding as if she were worn out both from her
+recent suffering and from the effort to recount her own and her
+country's tragedy.
+
+"For weeks after the war started we had almost no news of any kind to
+tell us what was taking place. My brother could not send us a letter, as
+all our trains were devoted to carrying our troops. Now and then, when
+an occasional motor car passed through our village, a soldier or an
+officer would drop on the roadside an _edition speciale de la
+Presse_. Perhaps one of the old peasants, picking up the paper, would
+bring it to our chateau. Afterwards a number of them would gather around
+while either my mother or I read aloud the news. In those first days the
+news was nearly always sad news."
+
+Then for a little while Yvonne made no effort to continue her story and
+Mrs. Burton understood her silence.
+
+"As soon as we could, my mother and I organized a little branch of La
+Croix Rouge in our village and did what we could. We had many people to
+help and so spent most of our time making bandages from old linen. We
+were told then that the wounded might be sent back across the Marne to
+be cared for by us and that our houses must be made ready to use as
+hospitals. But the wounded were not cared for by us, not in those early
+weeks of the war. You know what took place, Madame. Our soldiers were
+defeated; it is now an old story. One night when the battle line was
+drawing closer and closer to our home we were warned to flee. But my
+mother could not, would not believe the word when it came and so we
+waited too long. We had only a farm wagon and an old horse with which to
+make our escape, our other horses and car having been requisitioned for
+the army."
+
+This time, when Yvonne hesitated, Mrs. Burton had a cowardly wish that
+she would not go on with her story, so easy it was to anticipate what
+might follow.
+
+In this moment Yvonne lived over again the night in her life she could
+never forget. Instead of the soft lapping of the waves against the sides
+of the ship, the young French girl was hearing the booming of guns, the
+shrieking of shells and the final patter of bullets like a falling rain.
+
+"I would prefer not to tell you anything more in detail, Mrs. Burton,"
+Yvonne afterwards added more calmly than one could have thought
+possible.
+
+"The night of our attempted escape we were overtaken by the enemy and my
+little brother was killed; a few days later my mother died of the shock
+and exposure. I don't know just how things happened. I remember I was
+alone one night in a woods with a battle going on all around me. Next
+morning I believe the Germans began a retreat. A French soldier found me
+and took me with him to the home of some French people. I think I must
+have been with them several weeks before I was myself again. Then I
+learned that our chateau had been burned and my brother reported killed.
+
+"One day an American friend, who had learned of our family tragedy, came
+to see me and decided that it would be wiser to take me home to his own
+family in the United States. I was so dazed and miserable he believed I
+would be happier there and would sooner learn to forget. Of course after
+a time I was happier, but of course one can never forget. So at last I
+persuaded my friends I must be allowed to return to my own country, that
+I must help my people who were still going through all that I had
+endured. My friends were opposed to the idea, but because I insisted, at
+last they gave their consent. Then after our boat sailed I felt I could
+not go back to France. I was afraid. I remembered the long night in the
+woods--the German soldiers----"
+
+Mrs. Burton's arms were about the girl.
+
+"Please don't talk any more of the past, Yvonne. Try to remember, my
+dear, that the enemy is no longer in the neighborhood of your old home.
+He has been driven further and further back until some day, please God,
+the last German soldier shall have disappeared forever from the sacred
+soil of France.
+
+"Sleep now, I shall sit here beside you. Later I will talk to you about
+joining my group of girls in France. You are not strong enough for the
+Red Cross work at present, but a great deal of our work will be among
+young French girls and you could be of the greatest aid to us if you
+care to help. Yet there will be time enough later to speak of our Camp
+Fire plans."
+
+However, when Yvonne had crawled back into her berth, more exhausted
+than she had realized, Mrs. Burton continued sitting beside her. Then,
+hoping the sound of her voice might be soothing and in order to help
+Yvonne to sleep and also because of the power of suggestion, she
+repeated a Camp Fire verse:
+
+    "As fagots are brought from the forest,
+      Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
+    I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters
+      Wherever, whenever I find them.
+
+    "I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree,
+      To be pure in my deepest desire;
+    To be true to the truth that is in me
+      And follow the Law of the Fire."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A FRENCH FARM HOUSE ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+
+"Is the French country more tragic or less so than you anticipated,
+Vera?" Peggy Webster inquired.
+
+She and Vera Lagerloff were walking along what must once have served as
+a road, each girl carrying a large, nearly empty basket on her arm.
+
+"Do you mean the actual country?" Vera questioned. "Then, yes,
+conditions are worse than I expected to find them, certainly in a
+neighborhood like this, where the work of restoration is only just
+beginning." She frowned, shaking her head sadly. "I could never have
+imagined God's earth could be transformed to look like a place of
+torment, and yet this countryside suggests one of the hells in Dante's
+'Inferno.' But if you mean are the French people more tragic than I
+thought to find them, then a thousand times, no! Was there ever anything
+so inspiring or so amazing as their happiness and courage in returning
+to their old homes? The fact that their homes are no longer in existence
+seems not to discourage them, now their beloved land has been restored.
+When we have been working here a longer time I hope I shall recover from
+my desire to weep each time I see an old man or woman happily engaged in
+rebuilding one of their ruined huts. It is a wonderful experience,
+Peggy, this opportunity to appreciate the spiritual bravery of the
+French people. I hope I may learn a lesson from them. I have needed just
+such a lesson since Billy's death."
+
+For a moment Peggy Webster made no reply.
+
+The entire countryside through which they were passing lay between the
+line of the German advance into France at the beginning of the war and
+the famous Hindenburg line to which the Boches were forced back. The
+Germans had so devastated the French villages and country, it was as if
+the plague of the world had swept across them. The valley had also
+suffered the bombardment of the enemy and the returning fire from their
+own guns.
+
+Yet on this winter day the sun was shining brilliantly on the uptorn
+earth, which once had been so fair, while in a bit of broken shell not
+far from the road an indomitable sparrow had builded her nest.
+
+There were no shrubs and the trees were gaunt scarred trunks, without
+branches or leaves, reminding one of an ancient gloomy picture in the
+old-time family Bible, known as "Dry Bones in the Valley."
+
+"Well, even the French country does not make me sorrowful, not just at
+present," Peggy replied. "If only the enemy can be forced further back
+next spring when the expected drive takes place, what a wonderful
+opportunity for us to be allowed to continue to help with the
+restoration of the French country. I do not believe many years will be
+required before the land will be lovely and fruitful again. But then you
+know I am a tiresome practical person. You don't suppose by any chance
+this portion of France will ever be destroyed by the enemy a second
+time? Yes, I know even such a suggestion sounds like disloyalty and I do
+not of course believe such a tragedy could occur. Just think, Vera, what
+only a handful of American women have accomplished here in the Aisne
+valley! Ten American women have had charge of the rehabilitation of
+twenty-seven villages and with the aid of the soldiers during their
+leaves of absence from the trenches have placed five thousand acres of
+land under cultivation. I hope we make a success of our work, Vera, yet
+whatever the future holds, we must stick to our posts."
+
+The two Camp Fire girls were walking ankle deep in the winter mud. Where
+the roads had been cut into furrows by the passing of heavy artillery,
+miniature streams of melted snow ran winding in and out like the
+branches of a river. Now and then a gulley across the road would be so
+deep and wide that one had to make a flying leap to cross safely.
+
+About a quarter of a mile away the Aisne watered the countryside and the
+towns. Not far off was the classic old town of Rheims with her ancient
+Cathedral already partly destroyed. Encircling the landscape was the
+crown of low hills where not for days but years the tides of battle have
+surged up and down from victory to defeat, from defeat to victory, until
+during the winter of 1917 and 1918 there was a lull in the world
+conflict.
+
+Finally the two girls came in sight of a field. Already a devoted effort
+was being made to prepare the ground for an early spring plowing. Stray
+bits of shell, the half of a battered helmet, the butt of a broken gun
+had been laid in a neat pile, the larger stones had been placed beside
+them.
+
+Standing in front of a tiny hut which evidently had been partly burned
+down, were an old man and woman busily at work trying to rebuild their
+house. A small quantity of new lumber lay on the ground beside them.
+
+"Dear me, I wish I were a carpenter, a mason, a doctor, I don't know
+what else, and a million times a millionaire, then one might really be
+useful!" Peggy exclaimed, as she and Vera stopped to gaze
+sympathetically at the old couple.
+
+The next instant their attention was also attracted by a child who was
+sitting near the pile of broken stones and shells nursing something in
+her arms. At first she did not observe the two American girls, although
+they were facing her and not many yards away.
+
+Her shock of dark hair looked as if it had been cut from her head in the
+darkness, she had large unhappy black eyes and a thin, haggard face.
+
+Finally discovering the two older girls, with an unexpected cry of
+terror, she made a flying leap toward the house, still clasping her
+broken doll, and hid herself inside.
+
+At the child's cry the man and woman also turned as if they too were
+frightened and yet unable to flee. For an instant Vera and Peggy saw in
+their faces a suggestion of what they all too recently had endured. The
+next moment the old peasants were bowing and smiling with unfailing
+politeness.
+
+"Do you think we might speak to them, Vera?" Peggy inquired. "Of course
+we do not wish to be obtrusive, but I have a few groceries which I did
+not give away in the village still remaining in my basket. It is
+possible they might find them useful. How glad I am Yvonne Fleury is
+living with us! Already she has taught me more than I could ever learn
+in any other way about the French people, their gentleness, their
+infinite industry and patience and above all their beautiful manners. I
+hope no one of them will ever feel any American tries to help in a
+spirit of patronage; as for myself, each day I pray for a fresh gift of
+tact."
+
+Vera started forward.
+
+"Come with me, Peggy, I think I can persuade the two old people to
+realize we only wish to be helpful. You see, my own people were Russian
+peasants and there ought to be a bond of sympathy between us. It is true
+the French earned their liberty over a century ago, while our liberty
+yet hangs in the balance, now that German autocracy is trying to replace
+the Russian. I believe I am a better carpenter than these old people; if
+they are friendly I intend to ask them to allow me to return to assist
+them with their work tomorrow."
+
+Afterwards for ten or fifteen minutes the two girls remained talking
+happily with their new acquaintances.
+
+Like many other Americans, both Vera and Peggy had firm faith in their
+knowledge of the French language until their arrival in France.
+Assuredly they could understand each other perfectly as well as other
+Americans and English friends who spoke French slowly and deliberately.
+But unfortunately the French folk apparently speak with greater rapidity
+than any other nation on the face of the earth and with a wealth of
+idioms and unexpected intonations, leaving the foreigner who has never
+lived in France floundering hopelessly in pursuit of their meaning.
+
+In contrast with their other new French acquaintances the two American
+girls now found the old peasant and his wife a real satisfaction. Their
+vocabularies were not large and they spoke in a halting, simple fashion
+not difficult to translate.
+
+Their story was not unlike the story of thousands of other families in
+the stricken regions of France. During the period of victory the Germans
+had been quartered in the nearby village, but as the village was not
+large and the soldiers were numerous, a few of them had been sent to
+live with the small peasant farmers not far from the town. They were
+ordered not only to live upon them, but also to secure whatever
+livestock they owned, or whatever food of value.
+
+Pere and Mere Michet had possessed a daughter and a son-in-law. The son
+they thought still alive and fighting for France. Their daughter,
+Marguerite Michet, had disappeared.
+
+"La petite Marguerite, she has never been herself since her mother was
+taken," Mere Michet explained. "I tell her always _la bonne mere_
+will return, but she is afraid of strangers; you will pardon her?"
+
+When at last the girls had been permitted to leave their small offerings
+and had started toward their new home, Vera had agreed to return next
+day to render what assistance she could toward the restoration of the
+little house. Peggy was to come back in order to persuade the little
+French girl to make friends and perhaps pay them a visit at the farm.
+
+After walking on for a short added distance, both girls finally reached
+their own French farm house.
+
+It was now late afternoon and the old battered building appeared homely
+and forbidding. Once upon a time, with the French love of color, the
+farm house had been painted a bright pink, but now the color had been
+washed off, as if tears had rolled down the face of some poor old
+painted lady, smearing her faded cheeks. A fire had evidently been
+started when the Germans began their retreat, which for some freakish
+reason had died down after destroying only the rear portion of the
+building.
+
+After the arrival of the Camp Fire unit in France the entire party had
+gone straight to Paris as they planned, where their credentials had been
+presented to the proper authorities, as well as a brief outline of the
+work which they hoped to be allowed to undertake. Their idea was at once
+so simple and so practical that no objection was raised.
+
+The Camp Fire unit looked forward to establishing a community farm in
+one of the ruined districts of France. So after a short stay in Paris,
+following the advice of the American Committee, Mrs. Burton and Aunt
+Patricia set out to find a home for their unit. Later the Camp Fire
+girls joined them at the old farm house on the Aisne.
+
+Only a little time had passed, nevertheless the farm already suggested
+home.
+
+As Peggy and Vera entered the open space where a gate had once stood,
+they discovered the entire Camp Fire community outside in the yard.
+
+As usual, Aunt Patricia was giving orders to everybody in sight, while
+Mrs. Burton in her effort to be of assistance as she urged the others
+not to attempt too much, was fluttering about, as often as not in the
+way.
+
+As a matter of fact, the Camp Fire girls were paying but little
+attention either to her or to Aunt Patricia. Mary Gilchrist, a few
+moments before, having driven her motor into the farm yard, the girls
+were at present helping her to unload.
+
+After crossing to France with the Sunrise Camp Fire Unit, Mary had
+become so much one of them that she had concluded to remain with them
+for a time, certainly until she could find more useful work. Therefore
+her motor and her services were temporarily at their disposal.
+
+It is amazing what women and girls are accomplishing these days without
+masculine aid, and whether or not this is a fortunate state of affairs,
+the war has left no choice.
+
+Since they were both strong and energetic, Vera and Peggy were glad to
+have reached home at so critical a moment. However, the other girls were
+getting on quite comfortably without their aid. Bettina and Alice
+Ashton, having placed a plank at the end of the car, managed so that the
+large boxes and packing cases could slide onto the ground without being
+lifted. Nearly every box of any size bore the name of "Miss Patricia
+Lord."
+
+Finally, "Gill," for the Camp Fire girls were by this time calling Mary
+Gilchrist by her diminutive title, as she seemed to prefer it, standing
+up on the seat of her motor, began signaling for attention.
+
+"Be quiet for a moment everybody, please, and listen as diligently as
+you can. I am not a magician, nor yet a ventriloquist, yet if you will
+be perfectly silent you will think I am one or both."
+
+The next instant and Mary's audience became aware of an extraordinary
+combination of familiar noises proceeding from the depths of her motor.
+One felt like a guest at a "mad tea-party," although of a different
+nature from Alice's. The noises were a mingled collection of squawks and
+cackles and crowing, and pitched in a considerably lower key, a rich but
+unmistakable grunt.
+
+Alone Aunt Patricia appeared gratified, almost exultant.
+
+Stepping over toward the car with her long, militant stride, she gave
+her commands briefly.
+
+"Here, Vera, you have more brains than the other girls, help me to move
+these crates. Polly Burton considered it possible to run a community
+farm without a farm animal within twenty miles. But then she was not
+brought up on a small place in Ireland where we kept the pig in the
+parlor!" And here Miss Patricia's rich Irish brogue betrayed her
+cheerfulness for she only gave sway to her Irish pronunciation in
+moments of excitement.
+
+The next moment, not only with Vera's but also with Peggy's and Alice
+Ashton's aid, the four women dragged forward a large wooden box with
+open slats containing a noble collection of fowls, then another of geese
+and ducks. Finally with extreme caution they engineered the landing of a
+crate which had been the temporary home of a comfortable American hog
+and her eugenic family.
+
+"Good gracious, Aunt Patricia, how did you ever manage to acquire such
+valuable possessions?" Mrs. Burton demanded.
+
+"By ordering them shipped from my own farm in Massachusetts a month or
+more before we sailed for France and then by forwarding my address to
+the proper persons after we landed here," Miss Patricia answered calmly.
+Ignoring any further assistance, she began opening a box which was
+filled with grain.
+
+"I presume other things have arrived for me as well, Mary Gilchrist?"
+Miss Patricia questioned.
+
+Mary nodded and laughed. She looked very fetching in her motor driver's
+costume of khaki with the short skirt and trousers and the Norfolk
+jacket belted in military fashion. On her hair, which had ruddy red
+brown lights in it, she wore a small military hat deeply dented in the
+center.
+
+"Goodness gracious, Aunt Patricia, dozens of things!" she replied. "You
+must have chartered an entire steamer to bring over your gifts to the
+French nation. Best of all, there are two beautiful cows waiting for you
+in Soissons at this moment. I could not bring them in the motor, nor did
+I dare invite them to amble along behind my car. But I have arranged
+with an old man in the town to escort the cows out to our place
+tomorrow, or as soon as possible."
+
+No one did anything but stare at Miss Patricia for the next few seconds.
+
+Whether or not this condition of affairs made her unusually
+self-conscious, or whatever the reason, finally she rested from her
+labor of opening boxes to gaze first at Mrs. Burton and then slowly from
+one girl's face to the other's.
+
+"I don't mean to add to your burdens by asking any one of you to assist
+me in running my farm," she began in a tone which might have been
+considered apologetic had it emanated from any one than Aunt Patricia.
+"I intend to find an old man to help and to do the rest myself."
+
+Then a peculiar expression crossed the rugged old face.
+
+"You see, I was raised on a tiny farm in Ireland and used sometimes to
+know what it meant to be hungry until my brother came over to the United
+States and made a fortune in ways I am more or less ashamed to remember.
+I have been telling Polly Burton that I crossed over to France because I
+wished to look after her and also to help her care for you girls. But
+that was not the whole truth. I think I came largely because I could not
+sleep in my bed of nights knowing how many old people and babies there
+were in this devil-ridden portion of France who were hungry. Oh, there
+are many people as well as the governments interested in keeping the
+soldiers well fed! Maybe it's a crime these days for the old and for
+babies to require food! Yet they do need it. So if you don't mind,
+Polly, I want the people in our neighborhood to feel that they can come
+to our farm for milk and eggs, or whatever we have to give them. I left
+word with the manager of my farm near Boston to ship livestock to me in
+France whenever the chance offers. I am hoping after a little, when
+these old people get back on their farms that we may be able to give
+each family sufficient stock to keep them going until their young men
+and women return home. But remember, I don't wish to interfere with what
+you children are doing, nursing the sick and opening schools and
+starting play centers. Heaven only knows what you are not undertaking!
+As I said before, I'll just look after my farm."
+
+Here Miss Patricia attempted to return to her usual belligerent manner,
+but found it difficult because Mrs. Burton had placed her arm about her.
+Try as Aunt Patricia might to conceal her adoration of Mrs. Burton, it
+was nearly always an impossible feat.
+
+Besides Mrs. Burton was exclaiming with a little catch in her voice:
+
+"You dear, splendid, old Irish gentlewoman! Is there anybody in the
+world in the least like you? Of course you were right when you announced
+that I never would think of the really practical things we should
+require for our work over here. But, although I spent as much money as I
+could possibly afford, I have realized every day since our arrival, that
+if I had expended every cent I ever hope to possess, it would have
+amounted to nothing. Yet I never once thought of the shipping of stock
+for the little farms in our neighborhood, Aunt Patricia. I am sure you
+will make life more worth while for every man and woman in this part of
+the French country before many months."
+
+Instead of appearing gratified by these compliments, Miss Patricia was
+heard to murmur something or other about Polly Burton's fashion of
+exaggeration. Then, perhaps partly to conceal embarrassment, she began
+tearing the slats from the side of one of her crates. Afterwards,
+driving her travel-worn flock of chickens toward the chicken house,
+which she herself had made ready, and shooing them with her black skirt,
+Miss Patricia temporarily disappeared.
+
+Through tears Mrs. Burton laughed at the picture.
+
+Vera followed Miss Patricia, whom she had learned to like and admire
+since the afternoon of their extraordinary introduction.
+
+"I hope to be allowed to help with the farm work, Aunt Patricia," she
+urged. "You know I too was brought up on Mr. Webster's farm in New
+Hampshire, besides, all my people in Russia were peasant farmers."
+
+Miss Patricia did not cease for an instant to continue to care for her
+brood. However, she did answer with unusual condescension:
+
+"You are a sensible girl, Vera. I observed the fact on the afternoon I
+met you in New York City when you made no effort to argue with me in
+connection with the escape of that ridiculous burglar."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BECOMING ADJUSTED
+
+
+It was not a simple matter for the Sunrise Camp Fire unit to become
+accustomed to their new life in the devastated French country. The
+conditions were primitive and difficult. More than once in the first few
+weeks Mrs. Burton wondered if in bringing the Camp Fire girls with her
+to work in France hers had not been the courage of folly?
+
+Tet they started out with excellent military discipline. Life at the
+farm house was modeled upon the precepts of the "Waacs," the Womans'
+Army Auxiliary Corps of the British army in France. These girls, many
+thousands in number, are performing every possible service behind the
+British armies in the field.
+
+Unexpectedly it was Sally Ashton who first demanded that a proper
+routine of life and work be laid down and obeyed. Also the household
+work must be equitably divided, each girl choosing her portion according
+to her tastes and talents.
+
+Each day's calendar, written by Mrs. Burton upon her typewriter, was
+hung in a conspicuous place in the front hall at the French farm.
+
+The domestic schedule read:
+
+    "Breakfast 8 o'clock, bedrooms cleaned immediately after.
+    Dinner 1 P. M.
+    Supper 6.30 P. M.
+    No work after 8.30 P. M.
+    Bedtime 10 o'clock."
+
+In the proper observance of the hours for meals Sally Ashton was
+particularly interested, as she had volunteered to undertake the
+direction of the housekeeping, which consisted of deciding upon the menu
+of the simple meals and assisting in their preparation. It was not
+possible that Sally alone should do all the cooking for so large a
+family without wearing herself out and leaving no time for other things.
+
+However, soon after their arrival Mrs. Burton had secured the services
+of an old French woman whom she had discovered wandering about the
+country homeless, her little hut having been entirely destroyed by the
+Germans. Not knowing what else to do, Mrs. Burton originally invited her
+to live with them at the farm temporarily. But she had proved such a
+help in getting settled and the girls had become so fond of her that no
+one of them willingly would have allowed Mere Antoinette to depart.
+
+After the wonderful fashion of French cooks, Mere Antoinette could make
+nourishing and savory dishes out of almost nothing, so she and Sally had
+principal charge of the kitchen. Notwithstanding, two of the Camp Fire
+Girls were to prepare supper each evening, so that they should not
+forget their accomplishments and in order to relieve the others.
+
+Marie, Mrs. Burton's maid, had accompanied her to France, although none
+too willingly. It was not that she did not adore her afflicted country,
+but because she feared the dangers of the crossing and the hardships she
+might be forced to endure.
+
+Marie, alas! was a patriot of a kind each country produces, a patriot of
+the lips, not of the heart or hand.
+
+It must be confessed that she had wandered far from her chosen work as
+maid to a celebrated American actress. Would any one have dreamed in
+those early days when Marie had first entered her service that Mrs.
+Burton would have followed so eccentric a career as she had wilfully
+chosen in the past few years? First to wander about the United States,
+living outdoors in Camp Fire fashion with a group of young girls, then
+with the same group of girls and two additional ones to undertake the
+present reclamation work in France!
+
+Having accomplished the journey across the sea in safety, Marie would
+cheerfully, yes, enthusiastically have remained in Paris, even if it
+were a Paris unlike the gay city she remembered. She would have enjoyed
+accompanying her "Madame" to the homes of distinguished persons, caring
+in the meantime for her wardrobe and urging her to return to her
+rightful place upon the stage. But since Mrs. Burton for the present
+would do none of these things and since Marie had refused positively to
+be separated, once more she had to make the best of a bad bargain.
+
+So voluntarily Marie offered to take charge of the greater part of the
+housework and to devote the rest of her time to sewing for the French
+children in their vicinity, whose clothes were nothing but an odd
+assortment of rags.
+
+Marie had her consolations. It was good to be out of a country which
+produced men of the type of Mr. Jefferson Simpson, who having
+_once_ proposed marriage and been declined, had not the courtesy to
+renew his suit. Also it was good to speak one's own tongue again, and
+although at present there were but few men to be seen in the
+neighborhood under sixty, there were military hospitals in the nearby
+villages. Moreover, there was always the prospect of the return of some
+gallant French _poilu_ for his holiday from the trenches. So Marie
+was unable to feel entirely wretched even while undergoing the hardships
+of an existence within a half-demolished farm house on the Aisne.
+
+As a matter of fact, the old farm house was not in so unfortunate a
+condition as the larger number of French homes, which had been wrecked
+by the enemy before he began his "strategic retreat."
+
+Only a portion of the left wing of the house had been demolished.
+
+This had comprised a large kitchen, a pantry and the dining room.
+However, a sufficiently large amount of space remained for the uses of
+the Camp Fire unit.
+
+In the center the house was divided by a long hall. On one side were two
+comfortably large rooms. The back one was chosen for the dining room and
+the front for the living room. The pantry was restored so that it could
+serve for the kitchen; as the old stove had been destroyed, a new one
+was ordered from Paris. This developed into a piece of good fortune, as
+it required far less fuel than the old, and fuel was one of the greatest
+material problems in France, coal selling at this time for $120 a ton.
+
+A single long room occupied the other side of the hall; this room had a
+high old-fashioned ceiling and was paneled in old French oak as
+beautiful as if it had adorned a French palace.
+
+Mere Antoinette explained that the farm house had been the property of
+Madame de Mauprais, a wealthy French woman who had lived in the chateau
+not far away. It had been occupied by her son, who had chosen to
+experiment in scientific farming for the benefit of the small peasant
+farmers in the neighborhood.
+
+The war had banished Monsieur de Mauprais and whatever family he may
+have possessed, so that Mrs. Burton had been able to rent his farm for a
+small sum through an agent who lived in the nearest village.
+
+It is possible that the farm house had been spared in a measure by the
+German soldiers because of their greater pleasure in the destruction of
+the old chateau which was only about half a mile away. At the present
+time the chateau appeared only as a mass of fallen stone.
+
+This single spacious room the Camp Fire girls chose for their school
+room for the French children in the neighborhood.
+
+The better furniture of the farmhouse had been hacked into bits of wood
+by the German soldiers and was fit only for burning. The simple things
+had not been so destroyed. Fortunately their camping life out of doors
+had accustomed this particular group of American girls to exercising
+ingenuity, so that the problem of furnishing and making attractive their
+school room with so little to go upon rather added to their interest.
+
+Two long planks raised upon clothes-horses discovered in the barn formed
+a serviceable table. Stools and odd chairs were brought down from the
+attic. On the floor were two Indian rugs Mrs. Burton had induced the
+Indian woman near the Painted Desert in Arizona to weave for her with
+the special Camp Fire design, the wood-gatherer's, the fire-maker's and
+the torch-bearer's insignia, inserted in the chosen shades of brown,
+flame color, yellow and white.
+
+On the walls hung a few Camp Fire panels and the coverings of sofa
+cushions and some outdoor photographs of the Sunrise Camp during former
+camping experiences which the girls had brought over with them.
+
+Besides these larger articles, they had managed to store away in their
+trunks the materials necessary for the regulation Camp Fire work, honor
+beads and the jewelry indicating the various orders in the Camp Fire. If
+they were to interest French girls in the movement, they must have the
+required paraphernalia.
+
+But the school at the farm house was not primarily a place where the
+French girls of the neighborhood were only to be interested in Camp Fire
+ideas. It was also a practical school.
+
+During the past year Marta Clark had been studying kindergarten.
+
+She, with Yvonne to help her, had charge of the tiny French children
+whom they were able to persuade to come daily to the big farm house.
+They were such starved, pathetic children, some of them almost babies!
+Yet they had been through so much suffering, their eyes had looked upon
+such hideous sights, that many of them were either nervous wrecks or
+else stupefied.
+
+Surely there could be no better service to France than this effort to
+bring back to her children a measure of their natural happiness!
+
+Yvonne and Marta devised wonderful games in one end of the big school
+room. At midday Vera and Peggy always appeared with a special luncheon
+for their small guests and for the older ones as well. Bettina Graham
+and Alice Ashton took charge of the older pupils, and in teaching it
+appeared that Alice at last had found her metier.
+
+Vera and Peggy also worked at the farming out of doors.
+
+More important than any other of Miss Patricia Lord's gifts to the
+community farm and the surrounding country was a motor tractor, which
+one day had rolled unconcernedly into the farm house yard, an ugly
+giant, proving of as much future value to the poor farmers in the
+neighborhood as any good giant of the ancient fairy tales.
+
+Fortunately Mary Gilchrist was able to explain its use to the French
+peasants who had never seen the like before, and to show them how
+speedily their devastated land might again be turned into plowed fields.
+
+Vera and Peggy made frequent trips to the nearby villages, gaining the
+friendship of the country people, inviting the younger ones to their
+farm and helping in whatever ways they could. Now and then Sally Ashton
+went with them and sometimes Sally played with the smallest of the
+children, but nearly always her interests were domestic.
+
+In contrast, Mary Gilchrist never remained in the house an hour if it
+were possible to be away. Besides engineering the tractor and being a
+general express delivery for the entire neighborhood, she had formed the
+habit of motoring into Soissons, which was one of the large towns
+nearby, and offering her services and the use of her car to the
+hospitals. Occasionally she spent days at a time driving invalided
+soldiers either from one hospital to another, or else in taking them out
+on drives for the fresh air and entertainment.
+
+It would therefore appear as if each member of the Sunrise Camp Fire
+unit had arranged her life with the idea of being useful in the highest
+degree, except the Camp Fire guardian.
+
+As a matter of fact, Mrs. Burton often used to say that she found no
+especial reason for her presence at the farm now that Aunt Patricia had
+become the really important and authoritative guardian. Nevertheless,
+with that rare quality of personality which as a girl Polly O'Neill had
+infused into every interest of her life, there was nothing which took
+place at the farm or in the neighboring country which she did not in a
+measure inspire.
+
+Once their household had been adjusted, it was true Mrs. Burton did not
+do a great deal of the actual work. Instead, and oftentimes alone, she
+wandered from one end of the French countryside to the other,
+occasionally returning so late to the farm that Aunt Patricia would be
+found waiting for her at the front door in a state of fear and
+indignation.
+
+Nevertheless the country people began to watch and wait for her coming.
+
+After a time she brought newspapers with her. Then they began to gather
+together in one of the larger huts to listen while she read aloud the
+war news, with not always a perfectly correct French accent, and yet one
+they could understand.
+
+When they were weary of the reading she used to talk, speaking always of
+the day when France would be free and the invader driven beyond her
+boundaries, never to return. And among her audience were a few of the
+old peasants who could recall the Franco-Prussian war.
+
+How amazingly these talks cheered the old men and women! Actually the
+daily round of toil once more became worth while, so near seemed the
+return of Victor and Hugo and Etienne. They would be happy to find the
+little homes restored and the fields green that had been drenched in
+blood.
+
+Occasionally Mrs. Burton made her audience laugh until the tears ran
+down their wrinkled faces with funny stories of the trenches, of their
+own _poilus_, and the British Tommies and the new American Sammees.
+
+Never had the great actress used her talent to a better purpose.
+
+At least it gained for her from these simple and almost heart broken
+peasants the eternal tribute of laughter and tears.
+
+Her greatest triumph was when Grand'mere, one of the oldest women in the
+little village of M--, was at last persuaded to pour forth her story.
+
+In more than three years she had not spoken except to answer "Yes" or
+"No," or now and then to make known her simple needs, not since the
+Germans carried off her granddaughter, Elsie. Elsie was the acknowledged
+beauty and belle of the countryside and engaged to marry Captain
+Francois Dupis, who was fighting with his regiment at Verdun.
+
+Mrs. Burton had gotten into the habit of stopping at Grand'mere's tiny
+hut, which her neighbors had restored. At first she brought the old
+woman little gifts of food in which she seemed not to take the least
+interest. Now and then she talked to her, although the old woman seldom
+replied except to nod her head with grave courtesy.
+
+Then one day without any warning as Mrs. Burton was standing near,
+Grand'mere drew her new friend down into her lap and poured out her
+heart-broken story. It left the younger woman ill and shaken.
+
+Afterwards returning late to the farm alone and entirely unafraid, so
+completely had the country people become her friend, Mrs. Burton
+wondered what had given the French nation its present faith and courage.
+Nothing approaching it has the world ever before witnessed! Then she
+recalled that having paid so dearly for their freedom in those mad days
+of the revolution, the French people would never again relinquish the
+supreme gift of human liberty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE OLD CHATEAU
+
+
+One afternoon the French farm house was deserted except for Sally
+Ashton, Mere 'Toinette and Miss Patricia.
+
+As a matter of fact, Miss Patricia was not in the house, but in the farm
+yard which was separated from the house by a newly planted kitchen
+garden. It was here that she spent the greater part of her time working
+far more diligently than if she had been engaged for a few dollars a
+week. Yet in Massachusetts Miss Patricia Lord's three-hundred-acre farm
+was one of the prides of the state. In ordinary times she was accustomed
+to employing from twenty-five to fifty men, although always Miss
+Patricia acted as her own overseer.
+
+As she had announced, for the present she had managed to secure the
+services of an old French peasant, nearer seventy years of age than
+sixty, to act as her assistant. But Jean was possessed of a
+determination of character only equaled by Miss Patricia's. Not a word
+of any language did he know except French, while Miss Patricia's French
+was one of the mysteries past finding out. Also Jean was nearly stone
+deaf. This misfortune really served as an advantage in his relation with
+Miss Patricia, as he never did anything at the time or in the way she
+ordered him to do it, there was consolation in the thought that he had
+not understood the order. Jean had his own ideas with regard to farming
+matters and an experience which had lasted through more than half a
+century.
+
+Therefore with the assistance of Peggy and Vera the outdoor work on the
+Sunrise Camp Fire farm was progressing with surprising success. The
+supply of livestock had been increased by a second shipment from the
+United States. This shipment Miss Patricia had divided with her French
+neighbors.
+
+Beside old Jean there was at this time another rebel in Miss Patricia's
+camp, Sally Ashton. The other girls were frequently annoyed by the old
+lady, nevertheless, appreciating her gallant qualities and for the sake
+of their Camp Fire guardian, they usually agreed to her demands when it
+was impossible to evade them. But Sally was not fond of doing
+_anything_ she was told to do. Not that Sally was disagreeable, and
+it was not in her nature to argue, she simply ignored either suggestions
+or commands, always pursuing her own sweet way.
+
+This afternoon, for example, several of the girls had invited her to
+walk with them to one of the French villages. Once a week they
+distributed loaves of bread and a few grocery supplies to the neediest
+of the peasants, those who had been unable to rebuild their huts or find
+regular occupation. Sally had declined with entire frankness. She had
+done her duty by making the bread for the others to give away and more
+successfully than any one of the girls could have made it. She disliked
+long, fatiguing walks.
+
+Mrs. Burton had gone off alone on one of her dramatic pilgrimages.
+
+Mary Gilchrist had again motored into Soissons and Sally would have
+enjoyed accompanying her. To have driven about through the French
+country with convalescent soldiers would have been extremely
+entertaining. But Mary had not asked her, preferring to take Yvonne,
+whom the American girls all appeared to adore.
+
+So in consequence Sally was vexed and a little jealous.
+
+Observing the others depart and that apparently Sally had nothing of
+importance to occupy her, Miss Patricia had ordered her to come out into
+the yard and help with the young chickens. They seemed to be afflicted
+with some uncomfortable moulting disease.
+
+To this invitation Sally had made no reply. She especially disliked
+foolish, feathery outdoor things and had no intention of sacrificing her
+well-earned leisure. The school had a semi-weekly half holiday and for
+once the house was quiet.
+
+Yet after a little more than an hour of leisure, Sally found herself
+bored. Many times of late she had missed her old friendship with Gerry
+Williams, since this was her first Camp Fire experience without Gerry,
+who had married Felipe Morris the summer before in California.
+
+At least Gerry occasionally had been frivolous! Certainly these were war
+times and yet could one be serious forever and ever, without an
+intermission? The other Camp Fire girls now and then got upon Sally's
+nerves.
+
+As she was seldom warm enough these days, covered with her steamer
+blanket Sally had been curled up on the bed in her room which she shared
+with her sister. First she had taken a short nap and then attempted to
+read a French novel which she had discovered in the attic of the farm.
+The French puzzled her and it was tiresome to have to consult a
+dictionary. So Sally lay still for a few moments listening to Mere
+'Toinette singing the Marseillaise in a cracked old voice as she went
+about her work downstairs.
+
+Finally, stretching in a characteristically indolent fashion, Sally rose
+and walked over to a window. She could only see through one small
+opening. All the glass in the countryside had been smashed by the
+terrific bombardments, and as there was no glass to be had for restoring
+the windows, glazed paper had been pasted over the frames. The one small
+aperture had been left for observation of climate and scenery.
+
+Even without her birdseye view, Sally was conscious that the sun was
+shining brilliantly. A long streak had shone through the glazed paper
+and lay across her bed.
+
+She decided that she might enjoy a short walk. She really had forgotten
+Mrs. Burton's suggestion that no one of the girls leave the farm alone
+and had no thought of deliberately breaking an unwritten law.
+
+Mere 'Toinette and Sally had become devoted friends and also there was
+an unspoken bond of sympathy between her and Jean, expressed only by the
+way in which the old man looked at her and in certain dry chucklings in
+his throat and shakings of his head.
+
+As Sally was about to leave the front door suddenly Mere 'Toinette
+appeared, to present her with a little package of freshly baked fruit
+muffins. Sally's appetite in war times, when everybody was compelled to
+live upon such short rations, was a standing household joke and one
+which she deeply resented. Mere 'Toinette resented the point of view
+equally, preferring Sally to any one of the other girls, and also it was
+her idea that the good things of this world are created only for the
+young. There was no measure to her own self-sacrifice.
+
+A few yards beyond the house Sally discovered old Jean, who was
+doubtless coming to find her, as he bore in his hand a French
+fleur-de-lis, the national wild flower, which he had found growing in a
+field as hardy and unconquerable as the French spirit.
+
+Sally accepted his offering with the smile of gratitude which seemed
+always a sufficient reward for her many masculine admirers.
+
+With Mere 'Toinette's gift in her Camp Fire knapsack and with Jean's
+flower thrust into her belt, Sally then made a fresh start. She had not
+thought of going far, as the roads and fields were in too disagreeable a
+condition.
+
+Pausing about an eighth of a mile from the farm house, she considered
+whether after all it were worth while to remain out of doors. Even if
+the afternoon were enchanting, walking through the heavy upturned soil
+was unpleasant.
+
+Then by accident Sally chanced to observe the ruins of the old French
+chateau shining under the rays of the winter sun.
+
+It was not far away and suddenly she made up her mind to go upon an
+exploring tour. Half a dozen times in the past few weeks the Camp Fire
+girls had discussed paying a visit to the chateau to see what
+interesting discoveries they might unearth among the ruins. But no one
+of them had so far had the opportunity.
+
+Ordinarily Sally Ashton was the least experimental of the entire group
+of girls. Instinctively, as a type of the feminine, home-staying woman,
+she disliked the many adventurous members of her own sisterhood. With
+not a great deal of imagination, Sally's views of romance were practical
+and matter of fact. Young men fell in love with one and she had no idea
+of how many lovers one might have and no thought of limiting the number
+so far as she was personally concerned. Then among the number one
+selected the man who would make the most comfortable and agreeable
+husband, married him, had children and was happy ever afterwards. So you
+see, a romance which might bring sorrow as well as happiness had no
+place in Sally Ashton's practical scheme of life.
+
+Therefore the fates must have driven her to the old French chateau on
+this winter afternoon.
+
+The walk itself occupied about half an hour. Around the chateau in times
+past there had been a moat. For their own convenience the German troops
+quartered at the old place had left the bridge over the moat
+undisturbed, else Sally would never have hazarded a dangerous crossing.
+
+The house had been built of gray stone and it was difficult to imagine
+how the enemy had managed so completely to reduce it to ruins. An
+explosion of dynamite must have been employed, for the chateau appeared
+to have fallen as if it had been destroyed by an earthquake. Certain
+portions of the outer walls remained standing, but the towers in the
+center had caved in upon the interior of the house.
+
+[Illustration: The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier.]
+
+As Sally drew near she felt a little desolate and yet she was not
+frightened, although a proverbial coward.
+
+The place appeared too abandoned to fear that any living thing could be
+in its vicinity. It was only that one felt the pity of the destruction
+of this ancient and beautiful home.
+
+The waste and confusion of war troubled Sally as it does all women. So
+hard it is to see why destruction is necessary to the growth and
+development of human history!
+
+Wondering what had become of the French family who formerly had lived in
+the chateau before the outbreak of the war, Sally walked up closer to
+the ruins. From a space between two walls, forming an insecure arch, a
+bird darted out into the daylight. Not ordinarily influenced by the
+beauties of nature or by unexpected expressions of her moods,
+nevertheless Sally uttered a cry of enchantment.
+
+Between the walls she had spied the ruins of an old French drawing room.
+The bird must have flown through the opening into the room and then
+quickly out again into the sunshine.
+
+A little table remained standing with an open book upon it, laid face
+down. There was a rug on the floor, now thick with mould, and yet it was
+a rare Aubusson rug with sturdy cupids trailing flowery vines across its
+surface. There were pieces of broken furniture and bric-a-brac strewn
+over the floor.
+
+Sally must have continued staring inside the room for several moments
+before she slowly became aware that there was a human figure seated in a
+chair in the shadow near one of the half fallen walls.
+
+The figure was that of a young soldier. He was asleep when Sally
+discovered him and incredibly dirty. His hair was long and matted,
+hanging thick over his forehead. One arm was wrapped in a soiled
+bandage.
+
+Yet Sally did not feel frightened, only faint and ill for an instant
+from pity.
+
+Coming to their farm house after a few days in Paris, Sally had seen
+trains filled with wounded soldiers. In Paris she also had noticed
+blinded and invalided men being led along the streets by their families
+or friends, yet never so piteous a figure as this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A MYSTERY
+
+
+Sally's little cry of astonishment must have awakened the soldier.
+
+The terror on his face when he first beheld her took away any thought of
+fear from the girl. Besides it was all too strange! Why should he, a
+soldier, be afraid, and of her? And why should he be in hiding in this
+queer tumble-down old place? For he _was_ in hiding, there was no
+doubt of this from his furtive manner.
+
+Some instinct in Sally, or perhaps the fact that she had seen so much
+hunger since her arrival in this portion of France, made her immediately
+take out her little package of bread which Mere 'Toinette had given her
+and thrust it forward.
+
+She was standing framed in the arch made by the two fallen walls, not
+having moved since the moment of her amazing discovery.
+
+The soldier's hunger was greater than his fear, for he almost snatched
+the food from Sally's hands and, as he ate it she could not bear
+watching him. There is something dreadful in the sight of a human being
+ravenously hungry.
+
+Afterwards, when he did not speak, Sally found herself making the first
+remarks, and unconsciously and stupidly, not realizing what she was
+doing at the moment, she spoke in English.
+
+The next instant, to her surprise, the soldier replied in the same
+tongue, although it seemed to Sally that he spoke with a foreign accent,
+what the accent was she did not know. Sally had not a great deal of
+experience, neither was she particularly clever.
+
+"What are you doing here?" is what she naturally inquired.
+
+The soldier hesitated and placed his hand to his forehead, looking at
+the girl dazedly.
+
+"Why am I hiding here?" he repeated. Then almost childishly he went on:
+"I am hiding, hiding because no one must find me, else I would be shot
+at once. I don't know how long I have been here alone. I am very cold."
+
+"But I don't understand your reason," Sally argued. "Why don't you find
+some one to take care of you? You cannot be living here; besides you
+could not have been here long without food or water or you would have
+died."
+
+"But I have had a little food and water," the soldier replied. "I found
+a few cans of food in a closet and there is water in one of the rooms."
+
+His voice had a complaining note which was an expression of suffering if
+one had understood. Then his face was feverish and wretched.
+
+"But you don't look as if you had used much water," Sally remarked in
+her usual matter-of-fact fashion. She had a way of pursuing her own
+first idea without being influenced by other considerations.
+
+"It is hard work when one's arm is like this," the soldier returned
+fretfully.
+
+Again Sally surveyed the soiled bandage with disfavor. Apparently it had
+not been changed in many days, since it was encrusted with dirt and
+blood and having slipped had been pulled awkwardly back into place.
+
+Temprementally, Sally Ashton hated the sight of blood and suffering. In
+the years of the Camp Fire training she had been obliged to study first
+aid, but she had left the practical application to the other girls. Her
+own tastes were domestic and she therefore had devoted her time to
+domestic affairs.
+
+Now something must be done for the soldier whose presence in the old
+chateau and whose behavior were equally puzzling, and as there was no
+one else, Sally had no idea of shirking the immediate task. In her Camp
+Fire kit she always carried first aid supplies.
+
+"If you will go to the room where you found the water and wash your arm
+as thoroughly as you can I will put on a fresh bandage for you," she
+offered. "Don't argue and don't be long, for something simply has to be
+done for you, you are in such a dreadful condition."
+
+Even in the midst of feeling a little like Florence Nightingale, Sally
+preserved a due amount of caution. She had no idea of wandering about a
+tumble-down chateau with a strange soldier. In reality she was not so
+much afraid of him as of the house itself. She had the impression that
+the walls were ready to topple down and bury her.
+
+When the soldier did not move, Sally beckoned him imperiously toward the
+open arch where she had remained standing just outside the walls.
+
+"You are to come here, while I take off the old bandage. No one will see
+you and I am afraid to enter so dangerous a place."
+
+The man obeyed, and Sally cut away the soiled linen, trying not to get
+too distinct an impression of the wound underneath. Yet what she saw
+alarmed her sufficiently, for she knew enough to realize that the wound
+required more scientific treatment than she felt able to give. "Now go
+and wash your arm," she directed, and without a word he went off.
+
+During the ten minutes her self-imposed patient remained away, Sally
+seriously considered his puzzling situation and determined upon the
+advice she would offer.
+
+In the first place, so far he had given her no explanation for his
+conduct.
+
+Why was he in concealment? The possibility that the soldier might have
+committed a wrong which made it incumbent that he hide from justice did
+not occur to Sally. She simply determined that they would discuss the
+subject to some satisfactory end on his return.
+
+The young man did look much better, having made an effort to cleanse his
+face as well as his wound, but as Sally took hold of his hand before
+beginning her task, she was startled to discover that he was suffering
+from a fever through neglect of his injury. This made her the more
+determined. Although appreciating her own inefficiency and disliking the
+work, there was nothing to be done at present but to go ahead with her
+own simple first-aid treatment. She had a bottle of antiseptic and clean
+surgical gauze.
+
+As she wound the bandage, wishing she had taken the trouble to learn the
+art more skilfully, Sally announced:
+
+"You must see a physician about your arm as soon as possible. You never
+have explained to me why you are hiding here. But in any case you cannot
+remain when you are ill and hungry and cold and require a great deal of
+attention. You must go into one of the villages to a hospital. While you
+were away I have been thinking what to do. You look to me too ill to
+walk very far and, as I am living not more than half a mile away, I will
+go back to our farm and tell my friends about you. Later I think I can
+arrange to come back for you in a motor and then we will drive you to
+one of the hospitals. I don't know as much about the French hospitals as
+my friends do, but of course everybody is anxious to do whatever is
+possible for the Allied soldiers."
+
+Sally placed a certain amount of stress on the expression "Allied
+soldiers," but never for an instant believing in the possibility that
+her patient could belong to an enemy nationality.
+
+"If you tell anyone you have discovered me here in hiding, it will be
+the last of me," the soldier declared.
+
+By this time Sally was beginning to be troubled. Why did the young man
+look and speak so strangely? He seemed confused and worried and either
+unable to explain his actions, or else unwilling. Yet somehow one had
+the impression that he was a gentleman and there need be no fear of any
+lack of personal courtesy.
+
+It was possible from his appearance to believe that he might be
+suffering from a mental breakdown. Sally recalled that many of the
+soldiers were affected in this way from shell shock or the long strain
+of battle.
+
+"I suppose I must tell you something. In any case, I have to trust my
+fate in your hands and I know there is not one person in a thousand who
+would spare me. I was a prisoner and escaped from my captors. I don't
+know how I discovered this old house. I don't know how long I have been
+wandering about the country before I came here, only that I hid myself
+in the daytime and stumbled around seeking a place of refuge at night.
+If you report me I suppose I will not be allowed even a soldier's death.
+I shall probably be hung."
+
+Suddenly the soldier laughed, such an unhappy, curious laugh that Sally
+had but one desire and that was to escape from the chateau and her
+strange companion at once and forever. Yet in spite of his vague and
+uncertain expression, the soldier's eyes were dark and fine and his
+features well cut. He was merely thin and haggard and dirty from his
+recent experiences.
+
+From his uniform it was impossible to guess anything; at least, it was
+impossible for Sally, who had but scant information with regard to
+military accoutrements.
+
+But even in the face of his confession she was not considering the
+soldier's nationality. He looked so miserable and ill, so like a sick
+boy, that the maternal spirit which was really strongly rooted in Sally
+Ashton's nature awakened. He could scarcely stand as he talked to her.
+
+"Please sit down. I don't know what you are to do," she remonstrated. "I
+don't know _why_ you ran away or from whom, but no fate could be
+much worse than starving to death here in this old place alone. Yet
+certainly I don't want to give you up to--to anybody," she concluded
+lamely, as a matter of fact not knowing to whom one should report a
+runaway soldier.
+
+This was a different Sally Ashton from the girl her family and friends
+ordinarily knew. The evanescent dimple had disappeared entirely and also
+the indolent expression in her golden brown eyes. She was frowning and
+her lips were closed in a firmer line.
+
+At her suggestion the soldier had returned to the chair which he had
+been occupying at the moment of her intrusion. But Sally saw that
+although he was seated he was swaying a little and that again he had put
+up his uninjured arm to his head.
+
+"Perhaps I can get away from here, if you will help me. I have escaped
+being caught so far. I only ask you to bring me a little food. Tomorrow
+I shall be stronger."
+
+Unconsciously Sally sighed. What fate had ever driven her forth into
+this undesired adventure?
+
+She did not like to aid a runaway prisoner, nor did she wish him to meet
+the disagreeable end he had suggested through any act of hers.
+
+Any other one of the Camp Fire girls, Sally believed, would have given
+the soldier a lecture on the high ideals of patriotism, or of meeting
+with proper fortitude whatever fate might overtake him. At least he
+would have been required to divulge his nationality, and if he were an
+enemy, of course there could be no hesitation in delivering him to
+justice.
+
+However, Sally only found herself answering:
+
+"Yes, I suppose I can manage to bring you something to eat once more.
+But I cannot say when I can get here without anyone's knowing, so you
+must stay where you can hear when I call. Afterwards you must promise me
+to go away. I don't know what I ought to do about you."
+
+Sally had gone a few yards from the chateau when she glanced back an
+instant toward the old stone ruins. The atmosphere of the afternoon had
+changed, the sun was no longer shining and the chateau lay deep in
+shadow.
+
+A cold wind was blowing across the desolate fields. Sally was not
+ordinarily impressionable, yet at this moment she felt a curious sense
+of foreboding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BREAKERS AHEAD
+
+
+A little tired and also because her attention was occupied with her
+recent experience, Sally did not choose her way over the rough
+countryside so carefully and therefore managed to take a much longer
+time for her return to the farm.
+
+Now that the sun had disappeared, the countryside seemed to have grown
+depressingly desolate. In the gray afternoon light the blackened tree
+trunks which had been partly burned were stark and ugly.
+
+Under ordinary circumstances Sally was particularly susceptible to
+physical discomfort, yet this afternoon she was too concerned over her
+problem to be more than vaguely disturbed by her surroundings.
+
+One thought continually assailed her. Would it be possible to appear
+among the other girls looking and behaving as if nothing unusual had
+occurred? For Sally had an honest and profound conviction that she had
+no talent for deception. How could she realize that she belonged to the
+type of women with whom dissimulation is a fine art once the exigencies
+of a situation required it? She had come to one definite conclusion, she
+would not betray the presence of the runaway soldier in the chateau for
+at least another twenty-four hours. She would take him food the next day
+and he might have the opportunity to attempt an escape. In all
+probability he would soon be captured and punished, and this was
+doubtless the fate he deserved; nevertheless Sally was glad that, in a
+cowardly fashion, she would not be directly responsible.
+
+She looked forward to the evening and the next day with no joy, bitterly
+regretting that she had not spent her leisure hours in resting and
+reading as she had at first intended. Surely repose and a contented
+spirit were more to be desired than unexpected adventures!
+
+Weary and dispirited, Sally finally arrived at home, only to be met in
+the front hall by Miss Patricia, who at once showed signs of an
+approaching storm.
+
+As a matter of fact, she was excessively annoyed over a piece of
+information she had just received, so it was unfortunate that Sally
+should return at a moment when she must bear the brunt of it.
+
+Moving a little listlessly up the broad uncarpeted stairs toward the
+bedroom she shared with her sister, the girl scarcely noticed the older
+woman's presence. She was hoping that Alice had not yet returned and
+that she might have a few moments to herself.
+
+Miss Patricia opened the attack with her usual vigor.
+
+"What do you mean, Sally, by going off this afternoon, knowing that I
+particularly needed your help? You must understand that it is highly
+improper for a young girl to tramp about over this French country alone.
+Even if Polly Burton has permitted you Camp Fire girls the most
+extraordinary amount of freedom, she surely has realized this and warned
+you against such indiscretion. There is no way of guessing into what
+difficulty you may have already managed to entangle yourself!"
+
+Sally felt herself flushing until her clear skin was suffused with
+glowing color.
+
+"I am sorry, Miss Patricia," she said, "but remember that I am not a
+child and cannot have you speak to me as if I were a disobedient one. I
+have been for a walk and----"
+
+But fortunately Sally was not required to complete her sentence.
+Suddenly Mrs. Burton had appeared out of her bedroom and began to hurry
+downstairs.
+
+"Sally!" she called with a suggestion of appeal in her voice. "The
+excitement over your disappearance is my fault, so please don't you and
+Aunt Patricia quarrel. A little while ago when I returned home and Mere
+'Toinette told me that you had gone out alone and she did not know in
+what direction, why, I became uneasy. You will not again, will you?
+Really I am afraid it is not safe for you children, although with me of
+course the case is different. Aunt Patricia is not disposed to think so,
+forgetting my advanced age. Still, Sally, no matter how enthusiastic we
+may feel over our work here in the shell-torn area of France, we must
+remember these are war times when one never knows what may happen next.
+Besides, the French do not always understand our American ideas of
+liberty for young girls."
+
+By this time having reached the foot of the stairs, Mrs. Burton slipped
+her hand inside Sally's, glancing back with a slightly amused and
+slightly apologetic expression toward Miss Patricia.
+
+"Really, Aunt Patricia, I do regret your being so annoyed, yet you must
+not take my news too seriously. Our guests are sure not to remain with
+us long."
+
+To the latter part of her Camp Fire guardian's remark Sally Ashton paid
+not the slightest heed, so concerned was she with the first part of her
+speech.
+
+Why of all times should this question of her personal liberty come up
+for discussion _this_ afternoon? Of her own free choice Sally felt
+convinced that she would never willingly go out alone. Nevertheless, how
+was she to keep her word to the young soldier unless she returned next
+day to the chateau? with the food she had promised him and without
+confiding the fact to any one else? Oh, why had she allowed herself to
+be drawn into this reckless promise? At this moment if she could only
+slip into her Camp Fire guardian's room and ask her advice! Miss
+Patricia would insist that if the soldier were a deserter he straightway
+should be brought to justice. But Sally understood her Camp Fire
+guardian well enough to appreciate that, once hearing the soldier in
+hiding was ill and wounded, she would be as reluctant as Sally herself
+to follow her manifest duty.
+
+Confidence on this particular subject was for the present out of the
+question, and as soon as she conveniently could Sally disappeared inside
+her own room. Later, when the other girls had returned, weary from their
+long errand of mercy in the next village and yet immensely interested in
+their experience, Sally pretended to have a slight headache.
+
+During supper she scarcely listened to the ever steady stream of
+conversation which flowed unceasingly each evening. In the daytime the
+American newcomers to the old French farm on the Aisne were too much
+engaged to allow opportunity for conversation. After supper they
+gathered in their improvised sitting-room to talk until their early
+bedtime.
+
+The sitting-room was oddly furnished with whatever furniture could be
+rescued after the commandeering of the more valuable possessions by the
+Germans.
+
+In the attic a few broken chairs stored away for years had been brought
+down and repaired. These were beautiful pieces of furniture in
+conspicuous contrast to the couches and stools which originally had
+arrived at the farm as large wooden boxes containing provisions.
+
+With old Jean's assistance, Peggy and Vera had developed unexpected
+talents as carpenters.
+
+Moreover, whatever her faults, Miss Patricia Lord was an unfailing
+source of supply. During her brief stay in Paris, without mentioning the
+fact to any one else, she had purchased thirty yards of old blue and
+rose cretonne, perhaps with the knowledge that beauty even of the
+simplest kind helps one to happiness and accomplishment.
+
+Therefore the two couches in the sitting-room were covered with the
+cretonne, and half a dozen box chairs; and there were cretonne valances
+at the windows.
+
+Save a single old lamp which had been left in the sitting-room, it had
+no other ornaments.
+
+The lamp was of bronze and bore the figure of a genie holding the stand,
+so that obviously it had been christened "Aladdin's lamp." It was
+supposed to gratify whatever wish one expressed, but the Camp Fire girls
+were too busy with the interests of other people at present to spend
+much time in considering their personal desires.
+
+There was one other object of interest in the room, a large photograph
+of the ruined Rheims Cathedral, which Mrs. Burton had bought in the
+neighborhood of Rheims not long before. The classic French city was not
+many miles from the present home of the group of American girls.
+
+As beautiful almost in destruction as it had been in its former glory,
+the photograph stood as a symbol of the imperishable beauty of French
+art. Also it represented another symbol. Here on the white wooden mantel
+of the French farm house "on the field of honor" it called to the
+American people to continue their work for the relief and the
+restoration of France.
+
+Tonight as she lay resting upon one of the couches, dressed in a simple
+dinner dress of some soft violet material, Mrs. Burton had glanced
+several times toward the photograph.
+
+As a tribute to her headache and a general disinclination to associate
+with her companions, Sally had been permitted to occupy the other couch
+which stood on the opposite side of the room.
+
+In their one large chair, close to the table with the lamp, Aunt
+Patricia sat knitting with her usual vigor and determination. Aside from
+Sally, the Camp Fire girls were grouped about near her.
+
+After having been quiet for the past half hour, Mrs. Burton suddenly
+asked: "Would any of you care to hear a poem concerning the destruction
+of the Cathedral at Rheims, written by a Kentucky woman? A friend sent
+it to me and it was so exquisite I have lately memorized it. In the last
+few moments while I have been looking at our photograph I have repeated
+the lines to myself. I wonder if it would interest you?"
+
+The girls replied in a chorus of acquiescence, but Mrs. Burton did not
+venture to begin until she also had received a nod of agreement from
+Aunt Patricia. Between the older and younger woman there was a bond of
+strong affection. Nevertheless, mingled with Mrs. Burton's love and
+respect, there was also a certain humorous appreciation.
+
+Since their arrival in France the Camp Fire girls had been compelled to
+spend their evenings in doors. This was unlike their former custom.
+
+Recently, when they had grown weary of talking, perhaps for only a half
+hour before bedtime, some one of them had fallen into the habit of
+reading aloud to the others.
+
+Apart from the pleasure, Mrs. Burton regarded this as useful education.
+
+Not a great many newspapers and magazines reached the old farm house in
+comparison with other days at camp; nevertheless they arrived in
+sufficient number both from the United States and Paris to keep one
+fairly in touch with world movements. The reading of the French papers
+and magazines was of course especially good practice.
+
+Yet, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Burton could seldom be persuaded to be
+anything save a listener. After reading or talking the greater part of
+the day to her new French friends, she was apt to be worn out by
+evening.
+
+Tonight she began to speak in a low voice as if she were tired, yet as
+her little audience was so near it did not matter and her voice never
+failed in its beautiful quality.
+
+                          "Rheims
+
+    "It was a people's church--stout, plain folk they,
+    Wanting their own cathedral, not the king's
+    Nor prelate's, nor great noble's. On the walls,
+    On porch and arch and doorway--see, the saints
+    Have the plain people's faces. That sweet Virgin
+    Was young Marie, who lived around the corner,
+    And whom the sculptor knew. From time to time
+    He saw her at her work, or with her babe,
+    So gay, so dainty, smiling at the child.
+    That sturdy Peter--Peter of the keys--
+    He was old Jean, the Breton fisherman,
+    Who, somehow, made his way here from the coast
+    And lived here many years, yet kept withal
+    The look of the great sea and his great nets.
+    And John there, the beloved, was Etienne,
+    And good St. James was Francois--brothers they,
+    And had a small, clean bakeshop, where they sold
+    Bread, cakes and little pies. Well, so it went!
+    These were not Italy's saints, nor yet the gods,
+    Majestic, calm, unmoved, of ancient Greece.
+    No, they were only townsfolk, common people,
+    And graced a common church--that stood and stood
+    Through war and fire and pestilence, through ravage
+    Of time and kings and conquerors, till at last
+    The century dawned which promised common men
+    The things they long had hoped for!
+                        O the time
+    Showed a fair face, was daughter of great Demos,
+    Flamboyant, bore a light, laughed loud and free,
+    And feared not any man--until--until--
+    There sprang a mailed figure from a throne,
+    Gorgeous, imperial, glowing--a monstrosity
+    Magnificent as death and as death terrible.
+    It walked these aisles and saw the humble ones,
+    Peter the fisherman, James and John, the shopkeepers,
+    And Mary, sweet, gay, innocent and poor.
+    Loud did it laugh and long. 'These peaceful folk!
+    What place have they in my great armed world?'
+    Then with its thunderbolts of fire it drove
+    These saints from out their places--breaking roof,
+    Wall, window, portal--and the great grave arch
+    Smoked with the awful funeral smoke of doom.
+
+    "Thus died they and their church--but from the wreck
+    Of fire and smoke and broken wood and stone
+    There rose a figure greater far than they--
+    Their Lord, who dwells within no house of hands;
+    Whose beauty hath no need of any form!
+    Out from the fire He passed, and round Him went
+    Marie and Jean and Etienne and Francois,
+    And they went singing, singing, through their France--
+    And Italy--and England--and the world!"
+
+When Mrs. Burton began her recitation she sat up on the edge of her
+couch and leaning forward kept her eyes fastened sometimes on the floor,
+sometimes on the picture of the great cathedral. Now and then her gaze
+quickly swept the faces of her audience.
+
+She was wondering if the poem had bored any one of them. It was a long
+poem and perhaps its spiritual meaning would not be altogether plain.
+
+However, as the poem reached its conclusion, and her voice with its
+dramatic power and sweetness made the picture of the peasant people and
+their peasant church a visible and compelling thing, she no longer felt
+fearful.
+
+The faces of the girls before her were fine and serious; Bettina and
+Marta, who cared more for poetry and art than the others, had flushed
+and their eyes were filled with tears.
+
+As Mrs. Burton finished, it was as if one could actually hear the new
+spirit of brotherhood which Christ preached two thousand years ago,
+"singing, singing, through the world."
+
+Yet in the silence which was a fitting tribute to the poem, suddenly the
+entire audience broke into a ripple of laughter. From the far side of
+the room a gentle snore had been Sally Ashton's sole expression of
+appreciation.
+
+Following the sound of the laughter, Sally sat up and began blinking her
+soft golden brown eyes, looking for all the world like a sleepy kitten.
+
+"I think you had far better give yourself up to justice and have someone
+take care of you properly," she announced in a far-away voice. This was
+the conclusion which Sally had just reached at the end of her
+half-sleeping and half-waking dream of her runaway soldier.
+
+She did not know that she was to make such an extraordinary remark
+aloud, but fortunately no one had the faintest knowledge of her meaning.
+
+Indeed, no one really heard her, as the girls were too amused over
+Sally's characteristic habit of falling asleep on occasions when
+conversation or entertainment bored her.
+
+Immediately after the laughter, Sally, not understanding its cause,
+nevertheless arose and began her journey to bed. She was annoyed but not
+seriously, since in waking she had reached the conclusion she desired.
+In the morning at dawn, before the other members of her household were
+awake, she would make a second trip to the chateau.
+
+She would carry provisions to the soldier and then advise him to leave
+the neighborhood immediately. Unless he departed of his own free will,
+taking his chances as he must, she then would be compelled to tell that
+he was in hiding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE RETURN
+
+
+Before daylight Sally rose softly and began to dress, feeling extremely
+irritated. She disliked getting up in the mornings and this scheme of
+arising early was so annoying that it had kept her awake the greater
+part of the night.
+
+Besides she had but little hope of not arousing Alice. Once as she was
+searching quietly on the floor for her shoes, Alice sat up, asking
+severely:
+
+"What on earth are you doing, Sally Ashton? If you are not ill, come on
+back to bed. If you are ill, come back in any case and let me get
+whatever it is you desire."
+
+Sally murmured something vague and indeterminate about endeavoring to
+discover a lost pillow and Alice fell comfortably asleep again, nor did
+she awaken when Sally at last slipped out of the room and down stairs.
+
+In case any one else heard her or called, she had made up her mind to
+explain that she was seeing about some preparation for breakfast. As
+"housekeeper extraordinary" this statement _might_ be believed,
+even if it were unlike her to start her ministrations so early.
+
+But no one was disturbed and Sally got her little bundle of provisions
+together quickly, since she knew just where the supplies of food were
+kept. They had not a great deal, considering the demands that were
+constantly being made upon them by the people in the neighborhood who
+were less well off, so Sally felt that she had not the right to be
+over-generous, and made her selections with due discretion.
+
+It was more than ever her determination to demand that the soldier leave
+the chateau at once this morning, if he could be induced to see the
+wisdom of such a proceeding, but if not by nightfall.
+
+Also Sally had made up her mind to ask no questions. If the soldier were
+arrested later she wished to know as little as possible concerning him.
+
+He had spoken of being captured and of running away from his captors.
+This suggested that he was a German or an Austrian who had been taken
+prisoner and was trying to effect an escape. If this were true Sally
+felt a fierce condemnation of her own cowardly attitude. But was it not
+remotely possible that the soldier had committed some offense and had
+then run away from his own regiment? However, this point of view was but
+little in his favor. As he spoke English with an accent and as foreign
+accents were all of an equal mystification to Sally, it was possible
+that she need never know his origin.
+
+Outdoors and slipping through the garden, to Sally's surprise and
+consternation she nearly ran into old Jean, who appeared to have been up
+all night caring for his stock.
+
+He looked like a gnome with his wrinkled skin, his little eyes, his
+muddy gray hair and even his clothes almost of a color with the earth.
+
+He was carrying a lantern, but instead of speaking beckoned mysteriously
+to Sally to follow him out to Miss Patricia's barn, where a half dozen
+cows were now installed.
+
+Not knowing what else to do, Sally stood by until she found herself
+presented with a small pail of milk, and still with no comments, for
+immediately after Jean went on with his morning's work.
+
+She did not waste time, however, in puzzling over the old servant man.
+
+After drinking a small quantity of the milk, not wishing to throw the
+rest away or to return to the house, Sally concluded to take it with her
+as a part of her offering. Yet she had no real desire to give
+refreshment to her accidental acquaintance.
+
+Some curious feminine force must have moved Sally Ashton on this
+occasion. Most women find it difficult to allow a human being to endure
+physical suffering, once the person is delivered into their care.
+
+As she made her way to the chateau for the second time Sally loathed the
+cold dark morning and there was no beauty nor significance to her in the
+gray leaden sky which lay like a mourning veil over the sad French
+landscape.
+
+Sally considered that she was engaged in an almost unjustifiable action.
+Yet she could not make up her mind to leave the soldier to starve, or to
+betray his presence in the chateau.
+
+Moreover, Sally was haunted by a small nervous fear, which may have been
+out of place in the face of the larger issues which were involved. As
+the soldier in hiding had no reason to believe she would arrive so early
+in the morning, he might still be asleep. Sally disliked the idea that
+thus she might be called upon to awaken him. The conventions of life
+were dear to her, she had a real appreciation of their value and place
+in social life and no desire to break with any one of them.
+
+The food could be left in the dismantled old drawing-room, under its
+arch of leaning walls, but Sally wished to leave a command as well as
+the food. After this one unhappy pilgrimage she would do nothing more
+for the soldier's safety and comfort. He must take his chances and slip
+away.
+
+The entire neighborhood was disturbingly quiet. An owl of late habits
+would have been almost companionable. Upon one point Sally considered
+herself inflexible. She would not enter the chateau; she might call
+softly from the outside if it were necessary. If no one replied she
+would return to the farm and nevermore would the chateau be honored by
+her presence.
+
+In an entirely different state of mind she approached the old house on
+this second occasion and made her way to the opening between the walls.
+
+Inside there seemed an even more uncanny silence. Yet how could one call
+to an utter stranger whose name, whose identity, whose nationality were
+all unknown?
+
+"Halloo!" Sally cried in a faint voice, not once but three or four
+times.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+She called again. Then she entered the drawing-room quickly with no
+other idea than to put down her offerings and flee away as soon as
+possible. Sally was possessed of the impression that, however long the
+wrecked walls might remain in position while she was outside them, once
+inside she would be buried beneath a descending mass.
+
+A few feet within the arch she discovered her soldier.
+
+He had made for himself a bed out of an old mattress which he had
+dragged from some other room, using a torn covering which once had been
+a beautiful eiderdown quilt. As he had no pillow and his face was
+completely uncovered, Sally realized he was in a stupor and so ill that
+he had not heard her approach or her repeated calls.
+
+Fortunately Sally Ashton was essentially practical.
+
+Moreover, in an extraordinary fashion for so young and presumably
+selfish a girl she immediately forgot herself. She was living in an
+atmosphere of unselfishness and devotion to others, so the thought that
+the object of her present care was not a worthy object did not at the
+moment influence her.
+
+In a matter-of-fact and skillful fashion Sally first poured a small
+amount of milk inside her patient's parted lips. Except that the soldier
+became half aroused by her act and seemed to wish more, there was no
+difficulty. Then unwrapping the arm which she had bandaged the day
+before, she cleansed the wound a second time with the antiseptic she had
+brought for the purpose.
+
+Afterwards, realizing that she must find the water she had been told was
+still to be had in one of the rooms of the chateau, without considering
+her previous fears, Sally climbed and crawled through one dangerous
+opening after the other, in spite of her awkwardness in any unaccustomed
+physical exertion. Finally she discovered the water. Then in a half
+broken pitcher, secured in passing through one of the wrecked bedrooms,
+she carried a small amount to the drawing-room.
+
+Without hesitation or embarrassment the girl bathed her undesired
+patient's face and hands. He had fine, strong features; there was
+nothing in the face to suggest weakness or cowardice. Still it remained
+impossible to decide his nationality or whether he was an officer or
+merely a common soldier, since his outfit was a patchwork of oddly
+assorted garments.
+
+Sally's acquaintance with uniforms was limited. She knew that the French
+wore the horizon blue and the British and Americans a nearly similar
+shade of khaki.
+
+Her patient's outfit was like no other she had seen.
+
+Yet over these minor details she did not trouble. In spite of her lack
+of experience, Sally was convinced that the soldier was now suffering
+from blood poison due to neglect of his wound and the unhealthy and
+unsanitary conditions in which he had been living.
+
+The day before she had thought he looked and acted strangely and had
+half an idea that he may have been partly delirious then, so she was not
+altogether surprised by the present situation.
+
+During her journey across the fields daylight had come; because she
+would not otherwise have been able to accomplish her present task even
+so inadequately as she had accomplished it, Sally was pleased.
+
+Yet when the moment arrived and she had done all she could for the
+soldier's comfort she had to face her real difficulty.
+
+There is no mistake in this world more serious than to judge other
+people's problems in the light in which they appear to us. The problem
+which is nothing to one human being appears insurmountable to another.
+
+So with Sally Ashton's present difficulty.
+
+She had made up her mind to tell the soldier that unless he left the
+chateau before the following day she would be compelled to tell her
+friends of his hiding place and ask advice. But she had meant to warn
+him of her intention and allow him to take his chances if he preferred.
+
+Now he appeared defenceless and entirely at her mercy.
+
+Should she betray him at once? Certainly there was a possibility that he
+would die of neglect if left alone at the chateau. But then he must have
+faced this possibility and deliberately chosen it.
+
+Sally wondered what would become of an escaped prisoner if he were
+discovered to be desperately ill? It did not seem possible that the
+military authorities would be so severe as he had anticipated.
+
+Yet she knew very little of the ways of military authorities, and an
+escaped prisoner would scarcely be an object of devoted attention.
+
+Although not aware of the fact, already Sally had assumed a protective
+attitude toward the soldier.
+
+One thing she might do and that was to wait another twenty-four hours.
+It was barely possible that he might not be so ill as she now believed.
+
+At present she must not remain a moment longer at the chateau. Instead
+she must run back across the fields, since it was her plan to reach the
+farm house and be discovered in the act of assisting Mere 'Toinette in
+the preparation of breakfast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+OTHER DAYS AND OTHER WAYS
+
+
+Under the new conditions of life in the devastated country of France, it
+has been difficult to set down the effect which the change of
+environment, the change of interest and of inspiration had upon each
+individual member of the Sunrise Camp Fire unit.
+
+Certainly their present daily life bore but a faint resemblance to their
+former outdoor summer encampments in various picturesque places in the
+United States. Nevertheless the Camp Fire girls always had considered
+that they were doing useful work merely by following the rules of their
+camp fire and by gaining the honors necessary to the growth of their
+organization and their own official rank.
+
+Now they realized that all their efforts had been but a preparation for
+the service they were at present undertaking. There was no detail of
+their past experience which was not of service, their Health Craft, Camp
+Craft, Home Craft, Business and Patriotism. Why, their very watch cry,
+"Wohelo"--work, health and love--embodied the three gifts they were
+trying to restore to the poverty-stricken French people in this
+particular neighborhood upon "the field of honor!"
+
+On this afternoon, in spite of the cold, the girls had arranged to hold
+their first out-of-doors Camp Fire meeting since their arrival in
+France.
+
+For weeks they had been working among the young French girls in the
+villages and the country near at hand, persuading them to spend whatever
+leisure they had in studying the Camp Fire ideas and activities.
+
+Bettina Graham and Alice Ashton had introduced as much Camp Fire study
+as possible into the regular routine of the school which they held daily
+in the big schoolroom at the farm. Even with the younger children there
+were like suggestions of play and of service which Marta Clark and
+Yvonne were able to give.
+
+But until this afternoon there had been no actual organization of the
+first group of Camp Fire girls in France. Strange that with Camp Fires
+in England, Australia, Africa, Japan, China and other foreign places,
+there should have been none in France! But Yvonne Fleury could have
+explained that, unlike American girls, French girls were not accustomed
+to intimate association with one another, their lives up to the time of
+their marriage being spent in seclusion among the members of their own
+family.
+
+Indeed, upon this same afternoon Yvonne was thinking of this as she
+dressed slowly before going outdoors to join the other girls. The house
+was empty save that Mere 'Toinette was working downstairs.
+
+Marta Clark and Peggy had been kind enough to make her a simple Camp
+Fire costume, the khaki skirt and blouse, which formed their ordinary
+service costume. Notwithstanding she had been studying the Camp Fire
+manual and trying to acquire the necessary honors, this was the first
+time Yvonne had worn the costume.
+
+How utterly unlike anything she had ever dreamed were these past weeks
+in her life! From the moment of her confession of weakness and the
+telling of her story to Mrs. Burton, Yvonne had deliberately chosen to
+remain with her rather than continue with the canteen work which she had
+originally planned to do in returning to her own country.
+
+For one reason she had fallen under the spell of Mrs. Burton's sympathy
+and charm; moreover, the girls in the Camp Fire work were nearer her own
+age and were to undertake a character of occupation in which she felt
+herself able to be useful. They were also going to live in the
+neighborhood of her old home before the outbreak of the war.
+
+As a matter of fact, although Yvonne had preferred not to confide the
+information to any one except Mrs. Burton, she was at present not fifty
+miles from the chateau in France where she had lived until the night
+word came that she and her family must fly before the oncoming horde of
+the enemy.
+
+Well, more than three years had passed since that night, three years
+which sometimes seemed an eternity to Yvonne. She had no wish to revisit
+the ruins of her old home, no wish to be reminded of it. There was no
+one left for whom she cared except perhaps a few neighbors.
+
+However, in the last few weeks Yvonne ordinarily did not permit herself
+to become depressed. This much she felt she owed to Mrs. Burton's
+kindness and to the comradeship which had been so generously given to
+her by the Camp Fire girls. Yvonne felt a particular affection for each
+one of them. She could not of course feel equally attracted. So far she
+cared most for Peggy Webster and for Mary Gilchrist, possibly attracted
+toward Mary because she also was an outsider like herself. Then Mary's
+boyish attitude toward life, her utter freedom even from the knowledge
+of the conventions in which Yvonne had been so carefully reared, at
+first startled, then amused the young French girl. But for Peggy
+Webster, Yvonne had a peculiar feeling of love and admiration. This may
+have been partly due to the fact that Peggy was Mrs. Burton's niece and
+so shared in the glamor of the great lady's personality, but it was more
+a tribute to Peggy's own character.
+
+After Yvonne's pathetic account of her history, Mrs. Burton had told at
+least a measure of her story to Peggy. She had asked Peggy to invoke the
+compassion and aid of the other girls and to do what she could for
+Yvonne herself.
+
+To Peggy's strength, to the freedom and the courage of her outlook upon
+life, Yvonne's tragic story had appealed strongly, but more Yvonne's
+timidity. Often the young French girl appeared unwilling to go on with
+the daily struggle of life when everything for which she had ever cared
+had been taken from her.
+
+Among the American Camp Fire girls there was only one girl for whom
+Yvonne felt a sensation of distrust which almost amounted to a dislike,
+and this was Sally Ashton. Nevertheless, in the early days of their
+acquaintance, Yvonne had not this point of view. Then she had admired
+Sally's prettiness, the gold brown of her hair and eyes, her white skin
+and even her indolent manners and graces. Yet recently Yvonne had become
+aware of a circumstance, or rather of a series of circumstances, which
+had first surprised, then puzzled and finally repelled her.
+
+In a few moments Yvonne left the farm house. If she were late at their
+first outdoor camp fire she realized she would have no difficulty in
+discovering the site they had selected, although it was at some distance
+away.
+
+Some time had passed since the arrival of the Camp Fire party in this
+neighborhood of France and now even in the winter fields there was a
+suggestion of approaching spring.
+
+As Yvonne walked on she felt an unselfish joy, a greater lightness of
+heart. Surely the spring would bring back some of her lost happiness to
+France. There would be another great drive, another tragic contest of
+strength, but the British and French lines would hold.
+
+Yvonne had the great faith and courage of her people, now she had
+learned to lay aside her personal sorrow.
+
+In a few more weeks Miss Patricia's American tractor, which was indeed a
+"strange god in a machine," would be able to turn these fields into
+plowed land ready for the spring planting.
+
+But now in a meadow, while still some distance away, Yvonne beheld an
+American, a French and a British flag set up on temporary staffs, and
+blending their colors and designs in a symbolic fashion as they floated
+in the wind.
+
+Yvonne paused for a moment to watch the group of her acquaintances and
+friends.
+
+Standing apart from the girls were Miss Patricia Lord, Mrs. Burton, and
+the two visitors who had arrived only a few days before. They were the
+guests whose approaching visit to the farm house Miss Patricia had so
+openly deplored, one of them Mrs. Bishop and the other Monsieur Duval,
+both of them ship acquaintances. Mrs. Bishop was in France to represent
+an American magazine and was at present intending to write a series of
+articles on the reclamation work along the Aisne and the Marne.
+
+Monsieur Duval had given no explanation for his appearance save to
+announce that he had some especial work on hand for his government in
+the southern districts of France.
+
+In spite of the fact that fuel was of such tremendous value in France at
+the present time, the Camp Fire girls had permitted themselves the
+extravagance of a fire to inaugurate their first outdoor Camp Fire
+ceremony. The boxes in which Miss Patricia's various purchases had come
+to the farm had proved useful for more than one service.
+
+In a circle near the camp fire were eight young French girls who this
+afternoon were to receive the wood-gatherers' rings. Just beyond them
+the American girls were seated.
+
+Peggy had been chosen to present the rings.
+
+Possibly they were waiting for Yvonne's arrival, for no sooner had she
+slipped silently into her place than Peggy Webster arose and recited the
+Wood-gatherer's Desire.
+
+    "As fagots are brought from the forest,
+      Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
+    I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters
+      Wherever, whenever I find them.
+
+    "I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree,
+      To be pure in my deepest desire;
+    To be true to the truth that is in me
+      And follow the Law of the Fire."
+
+Then she offered each one of the French girls a silver ring. When she
+came to Yvonne, clasping the Fire Maker's bracelet about her wrist, she
+whispered:
+
+"We feel, Yvonne, that you have a right to a higher order in our new
+Camp Fire group than the other members because of the help you have
+given us in whatever work we have attempted since our arrival in France.
+In fact, you are the leading French Camp Fire girl!"
+
+A moment later, in answer to a signal, Mrs. Burton walked over and stood
+just beyond the two circles of girls and the camp fire and close to the
+Allied flags.
+
+"There is not much I feel able to say to you," she began, speaking in a
+simple and friendly fashion. "I think perhaps you are already beginning
+to understand how intensely the people of the United States desire to
+render to France a part of the debt we owe her. It is France who has
+saved our liberty and the liberty of the entire world.
+
+"Now I hope that the first group of Camp Fire girls in France will later
+carry the flaming torch until the news of the Camp Fire movement has
+spread through all the French land. In the Camp Fire life we look for
+the romance, the beauty and the adventure which may be hidden in the
+smallest task. More important than these things I hope Camp Fire girls
+the world over may become a part of the new spirit everywhere growing up
+among women, the spirit of union, the ability to work and play together
+as men have in the past. For once all girls and women are united, there
+will be a new league for peace among the nations such as this world has
+never known."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A DEPARTURE AND AN ARRIVAL
+
+
+One evening two days later a little after the hour for bedtime at the
+farm, Mrs. Burton knocked softly at Miss Patricia's door.
+
+Miss Patricia quickly opened it.
+
+"You are ill, Polly Burton. Well, it is just what I have been expecting
+ever since the arrival of that strange man and woman. It seems to me
+that we had quite enough to do without entertaining guests. Besides, it
+strikes me as pure waste of energy, this riding about through the
+country with strangers when you should be at some _real_ work."
+
+During her speech Miss Patricia had drawn the younger woman into her
+room, closed the door behind her and was now gazing at her severely but
+it must be confessed solicitously as well.
+
+"But I am not ill, Aunt Patricia," Mrs. Burton protested as soon as she
+was allowed an opportunity to speak. "I only came in to have a talk with
+you about something important."
+
+Aunt Patricia's bedroom was large and empty, for there was more space at
+the old farm house than furniture. A great old-fashioned French bed had
+been spared from the general wreckage and upon this Mrs. Burton seated
+herself, drawing her feet up under her and her lavender dressing gown
+about her, since with so little heat in the house the bedrooms were
+uncomfortably cold.
+
+There was but one solitary stiff-backed chair, in which Miss Patricia
+sat perfectly erect.
+
+"Why not come here and sit beside me? There is plenty of room, and you
+will be more comfortable," Mrs. Burton urged.
+
+Aunt Patricia shook her head.
+
+"I am quite comfortable where I am. Moreover, Polly Burton, if I am an
+old woman and you no longer a young one, at the same time I am aware
+that you have every idea of trying to persuade me to some point of view
+of which you do not think I will approve. I have seen your methods
+before this evening. Thank you, I shall remain where I am."
+
+Mrs. Burton laughed.
+
+Aunt Patricia did look so uncompromising in a hideous smoke-gray
+dressing gown made without any attempt at decorations. Her small knot of
+hair was screwed into a tight coil at the back of her head.
+
+Mrs. Burton's own hair had kept its beautiful dusky quality, it had the
+dark sheen of the hair of the mythical Irish fairies, for only in
+Anglo-Saxon countries are fairies of necessity fair. Tonight Mrs.
+Burton's hair was unbound and hung about her shoulders as if she were a
+girl.
+
+Fearing that Miss Patricia might regard her frivolous appearance with
+disfavor, she now began braiding it into one heavy braid.
+
+"What ever it is you desire to say, I do wish you would begin, Polly, so
+that we both can go to bed," the elderly spinster remarked.
+
+Mrs. Burton shook her head. "You are not in a good humor, are you, Aunt
+Patricia? But at least there is one thing you will be glad to hear: our
+guests, Monsieur Duval and Mrs. Bishop, are leaving our farm the day
+after tomorrow."
+
+"A good riddance," Miss Patricia answered sharply.
+
+Then observing that her companion had flushed and undoubtedly was
+annoyed by her plain speaking, Aunt Patricia's manner became slightly
+mollified.
+
+"It is not that I have anything personal against your friends, Polly. I
+must say they have both endeavored to be very agreeable since their
+arrival and to give as little trouble as possible. But I told you on
+board ship I did not like the attitude of that Frenchman toward you. It
+was no surprise to me when he discovered he had important business in
+this part of France. Of course it should not be necessary for me to
+remind you that you are a married woman, with your unfortunate husband
+serving his country in France many miles from here and also that you are
+chaperoning a group of young girls. I suppose you will simply tell me
+that I do not understand French manners, but that is neither here nor
+there, Polly Burton. Your Frenchman is polite to your friend, Mrs.
+Bishop, I must confess he is also courteous to me; but I am obliged to
+repeat that his manner neither to Mrs. Bishop nor to me is in the least
+like his manner to you."
+
+"Aunt Patricia, you are so ridiculous! Still I don't feel like laughing
+this time; you really are making me angry," Mrs. Burton answered.
+
+"I have made a great many persons angry in my life, Polly. I cannot even
+flatter myself that this is the first time I have offended you. However,
+I feel compelled to speak the truth." Miss Patricia's tone remained
+imperturbable.
+
+"But that is just the trouble, Aunt Patricia, you are not speaking the
+truth, although of course I know you don't realize it and I beg your
+pardon," Mrs. Burton argued. "But why do you allow yourself to acquire
+such prejudices and such foolish impressions? I simply refuse to discuss
+the suggestion you have just made. Please never speak of it to me
+again."
+
+Ordinarily when the celebrated Mrs. Burton assumed an air of offended
+dignity such as she wore at present her world was apt to sue for pardon.
+Miss Patricia revealed no such intention. As a matter of fact, as she
+remained resolutely silent and as Mrs. Burton had not yet explained the
+reason for her visit, it was she who had to resume the conversation in a
+conciliatory manner.
+
+"I presume you won't approve then, Aunt Patricia, of what I wish to
+speak to you. Monsieur Duval has been ordered to southern France on some
+work for his government and has asked Mrs. Bishop and me to accompany
+him, because it is work in which he thinks we may be useful. You know
+the Germans have been sending back some of the French refugees whom they
+drove before them in their retreat. There are groups of five hundred at
+a time who now and then are sent over the border either from Germany or
+Switzerland. They are penniless and not only have no money or food or
+clothes; they do not know whether their families are living or dead and
+in any case have no way to reach them. The French government is to try
+to arrange some plan by which homes may be secured for these unfortunate
+people until they can communicate with their relatives or friends."
+
+"An excellent idea, but I do not exactly see your connection with it,"
+Miss Patricia returned.
+
+Mrs. Burton shrugged her shoulders impatiently. In all her life she
+never remembered any one who had opposed her desires in exactly the same
+fashion Miss Patricia did. Then, a little ashamed of herself, she
+answered gently but firmly:
+
+"My connection is that I am interested and that Mrs. Bishop and I have
+both decided to accompany Monsieur Duval. It is barely possible that we
+may be useful and able to offer a certain amount of advice. So many of
+the refugees are young women who have suffered impossible things and may
+require special care and shelter. Besides, I am very deeply anxious to
+see more of the country. We expect to travel south in the sector the
+Germans held three years ago. I will thus be able to find out how much
+restoration work has already been accomplished and how great a task
+remains. Moreover, Aunt Patricia dear, I have a personal errand. Surely
+you will think this important.
+
+"You remember my talking to you of the old peasant whose granddaughter,
+Elsie, had been driven into exile. Except to me the old woman has never
+spoken of her loss. Now there is a possibility that Elsie has been sent
+back into France and I have promised Grand'mere to search for her.
+
+"Moreover, Aunt Patricia, each village in the devastated districts has
+been ordered to prepare a list of names of the missing who disappeared
+at the time of the German retreat. These lists are to be turned over to
+Monsieur Duval. A committee is to be appointed near the frontier to take
+charge of the lists and see that the refugees get in touch with their
+own people as soon as possible. Don't you think this a wonderful
+scheme?"
+
+As Mrs. Burton unfolded the plan which had been carefully worked out
+with a great deal of foresight and care, in her enthusiasm she forgot
+Miss Patricia's chilling attitude. She had spent many hours during the
+brief visit at the farm of Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval in the outline
+she had just explained.
+
+Aunt Patricia continued to look unimpressed and uninspired.
+
+"I told you before, Polly, that I had no idea of criticizing Monsieur
+Duval's efforts in behalf of his government. I know the situation you
+speak of is extremely deplorable. Still I fail to see any reason for
+your assistance. There is sufficient work for you in this immediate
+neighborhood. However, I presume you have definitely made up your mind,"
+Miss Patricia concluded.
+
+Before replying, Mrs. Burton waited a moment, watching for a sign of
+yielding in her companion. But as Miss Patricia gave none, she nodded
+her head.
+
+"Yes, Aunt Patricia, I am going with Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval,
+although I am sorry you do not approve of my making the trip. I won't be
+away more than two weeks and I feel I may be of greater service than by
+remaining here."
+
+"You also feel that traveling about through the French country with a
+distinguished French politician and a woman author will be far more
+exciting than staying at the farm and doing your duty, Polly Burton,"
+Miss Patricia added, allowing her accumulated anger to overflow at last.
+"Do, please, whatever else you wish to add by way of camouflage, at
+least confess the truth. I presume it is your idea to leave me to look
+after the group of girls you undertook to chaperon in France?"
+
+In spite of the fact that by this time, Mrs. Burton, whose amiability
+was never her strong point, was in as bad a temper as her antagonist,
+she had to confess to herself that in Miss Patricia's last speech the
+scales dropped in her favor.
+
+"Why, yes, Aunt Patricia, that is what I wish you to do. But will it be
+such a serious responsibility? The work at the farm is so splendidly
+organized now and the girls are so deeply interested, I don't see why
+you should have any especial difficulty if you will just allow things to
+go on as they are at present."
+
+Of her own free will Miss Patricia at this moment rose from her stiff
+chair and came and sat on the edge of the bed facing the younger woman.
+She showed no sign of relaxing either physically or mentally, or of any
+softening in her rigid point of view.
+
+"I wonder, Polly Burton, if you have any reason for believing that
+things usually go on in exactly the same fashion in this world, after
+one has carefully arranged that they should? Of course I shall do my
+best to look after the Camp Fire girls, although they do not like me and
+I do not understand them. There is no telling what may occur in your
+absence," Miss Patricia ended so gloomily that Mrs. Burton's eyes shone
+with merriment, although she carefully lowered her lids.
+
+At the same instant, to her surprise, she felt Miss Patricia lean over
+and seize her by both shoulders. For a second she wondered if Aunt
+Patricia had made up her mind to shake her because of her rebellion.
+Instead Miss Patricia added unexpectedly:
+
+"Polly, my dear child, I really don't wish you to go on this wild goose
+chase, partly for the reasons I have given you, but also because I am
+afraid for you. You know the world is expecting another great German
+offensive this spring and no one understands why it has been delayed so
+long. Well, you must realize that as you travel farther south in France
+the line between the German and the French armies grows narrower and
+narrower. Only a few miles of victory and the Germans will again occupy
+their old line! It is possible you might arrive at some district at a
+crucial moment when a battle was beginning. Then the saints alone could
+preserve you!"
+
+With the last few words of her long speech Miss Patricia reverted to her
+Irish brogue and her Irish faith.
+
+Afterwards Mrs. Burton was glad to remember that, although Aunt Patricia
+certainly was not regarding her with affection at the moment,
+nevertheless, she slipped her arm about the elderly lady's hard and
+upright shoulders.
+
+"You are a dear, Aunt Patricia! But please don't worry. We are not going
+into any dangerous neighborhoods. The drive will not begin for many
+weeks. In any case there will be no retreat. Yet indeed we mean to take
+every possible precaution and at no time will we be near the German
+line. It is good of you to think I am worth worrying over, but this time
+it is not necessary."
+
+"Have you your husband's permission for this trip, Polly? I presume you
+have written Richard Burton of your new French friend?" Aunt Patricia
+demanded as a last forlorn hope.
+
+In reply Mrs. Burton smiled and nodded.
+
+"Yes, I have done both of those things. I wrote Richard about Monsieur
+Duval soon after our meeting on shipboard. But of course I have had no
+reply to my letter with regard to my trip south with Mrs. Bishop and
+Monsieur Duval, for there is not time for me to hear before we leave."
+
+"And nothing will change your decision, Polly?"
+
+Mrs. Burton had slid down on to the floor from the high old bed and now
+stood before Miss Patricia, hesitating for the fraction of a second.
+
+"I do wish you would not put the question in such a way, Aunt Patricia.
+You make me think of what Sally Ashton said to you, as if I too were a
+disobedient child, and I am more than twice Sally's age. Of course I do
+not wish to do anything you oppose, but the trip to southern France and
+the work I hope to be able to accomplish will be a great opportunity and
+a great experience. I hope you will make up your mind to feel as I do
+before we start the day after tomorrow."
+
+Before Aunt Patricia could reply, Mrs. Burton made a hasty and carefully
+designed retreat. Being fully cognizant that there was no possibility of
+Miss Patricia's relenting, she wished to pretend to believe she might
+change her mind and at the same time to announce the proposed time for
+her own departure.
+
+Fortunately for Mrs. Burton's courage and decision, her plan met with no
+especial opposition from any other member of the Camp Fire group.
+
+The girls regretted her leaving, and Sally Ashton more than the others;
+nevertheless it appealed to them as it had to Mrs. Burton, as a
+wonderful chance for service and at the same time a thrilling adventure.
+
+Two days later, even at the moment when the automobile appeared at the
+door to bear off Mrs. Burton and her two companions, Miss Patricia's
+attitude remained unchanged.
+
+Mrs. Burton devoted the last five minutes before her departure to
+begging Aunt Patricia to bestow her final consent and parting blessing.
+Aunt Patricia steadfastly refused.
+
+She also declined to see the automobile leave the farm. Instead, during
+the final farewells, turning her back upon the assembly, she marched up
+alone to her own room. Once inside, it is true she wiped away several
+tears, but immediately after set herself to writing a letter to Captain
+Richard Burton. And Captain Burton and Miss Patricia only were to know
+what the letter contained! Fortunately Captain Burton understood Miss
+Patricia and her devotion to his wife. Moreover, the extent of her
+devotion was to be proven later.
+
+The following day, perhaps because of Miss Patricia's prediction that
+nothing in life runs on continuously in the same groove, an unexpected
+telegram was brought out to the French farm house for Peggy Webster.
+
+In the telegram Lieutenant Ralph Marshall of the United States Aviation
+Service in France stated that, having been slightly injured by a fall,
+he had secured a few day's leave of absence. Would he be permitted to
+spend his leave with Mrs. Burton and the Camp Fire girls at their farm
+house on the Aisne?
+
+To Peggy Webster there appeared to be but one possible answer to this
+amazing piece of good fortune, and fortunately she was able to persuade
+Aunt Patricia to the same point of view. Miss Patricia did not approve
+of young men, but she did approve of Peggy and understood the situation
+in regard to Ralph.
+
+Therefore the return telegram read: "Yes."
+
+Except for brief intervals, Peggy and Ralph had seen but little of each
+other since their summer together in Arizona, a summer which had been
+fateful for them both. It had not occurred to Peggy that either she or
+Ralph would ever change their minds with regard to their future
+marriage, in spite of the fact that she was but eighteen years old and
+Ralph not much older. There remained only the question of persuading
+their two families to share their view.
+
+In the last two years Ralph had been redeeming his former idleness.
+Having volunteered for aviation work before the entry of the United
+States into the world war, he had been able to secure a commission and
+already had been in France a number of months.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A WARNING
+
+
+It was the morning after the departure of Mrs. Burton and her guests and
+three days before the arrival of Ralph. Marshall for his visit at the
+farm house on the Aisne.
+
+Having completed her work downstairs, Sally Ashton had hurried up to her
+bedroom where at present she was making little nervous preparations as
+if intending to go outdoors and anxious not to be observed.
+
+There was no reason why she should feel alarmed. So far as she knew,
+every member of her household was occupied with the day's work. From the
+schoolroom below she could hear the voices of the children singing a
+little French chanson, and now and then one of the older girls either
+asking a question or reciting. Alice Ashton and Bettina Graham, Marta
+Clark and Yvonne Fleury were engaged with their pupils.
+
+An hour before Peggy and Vera had driven off in the motor with Mary
+Gilchrist, since Mary had promised to transport a number of wounded
+soldiers from a train to a nearby convalescent hospital, and was
+uncertain whether she would find anyone at the railroad station to help.
+Therefore she had asked the two girls to accompany her. Peggy also
+desired to mail a letter to Ralph Marshall which might reach him before
+he started upon his journey.
+
+Always Aunt Patricia was occupied outdoors from breakfast until lunch
+time. So in spite of the fact that Sally Ashton showed a degree of
+suppressed excitement both in her manner and appearance, there would
+seem to have been no apparent excuse. A certain timorousness once wholly
+unlike her, lately had appeared in Sally's attitude.
+
+She also had grown thinner and her big golden brown eyes had lost their
+sleepy expression and acquired an anxious appeal. The lines about her
+full, rather pouting lips were strained and apprehensive.
+
+Having at the moment pulled a small traveling bag down from a shelf
+overhead and allowed it to fall on the floor, Sally did not hear the
+swift opening and closing of her bedroom door. Therefore, when she had
+secured her bag and was straightening up, she gave an exclamation of
+surprise on discovering her sister standing within a few feet of her.
+
+Except that she was handsomer, Alice looked very like her mother, the
+Esther of the first Camp Fire days, yet she and Sally bore no possible
+resemblance to each other either in disposition or appearance.
+
+Alice was tall and slender, with a grave, severe air. She wore her dark
+red hair parted and bound about the back of her head in a heavy braid.
+She was a little angular. There was a suggestion that unless life dealt
+generously with her, granting her the gifts which make for tenderness
+and softness in a woman's nature, she might in time have the appearance
+one is supposed to associate with an old maid. However, old maids are as
+unlike as the rest of the human species.
+
+Certainly at the present moment her expression was austere, although
+uneasy and distressed as well.
+
+"What are you doing, Sally?" she inquired, her voice gentle and
+solicitous, yet observing that a wave of color had swept over Sally's
+face even before she had spoken.
+
+The next moment Sally flung her bag down on the floor again, answering
+petulantly:
+
+"What am I doing? Well, really, Alice, I do not see what difference it
+makes to you, or why you should slip into our room so quietly that you
+frightened me. As a matter of fact, I got down my traveling bag
+to--to----" Sally's voice trailed off helplessly for an instant. The
+next instant, gathering force, she repeated: "I pulled down my bag
+because I wished to store away some odds and ends which I wish to keep
+safely."
+
+Then losing her temper in a most suspicious fashion, suddenly Sally
+stamped her foot as if she were an angry child and at the same time her
+eyes grew unexpectedly dark and lovely.
+
+"That is not what you came into this room to announce to me, Alice. So
+please say whatever it is you wish and be through. I am going out for a
+little walk before lunch." In any event Sally was no coward!
+
+"Then sit down. You do not look very well and I am afraid you won't like
+what I must say," Alice returned. "Understand, it gives me no pleasure;
+instead, I am tremendously worried and unhappy. I suppose I should have
+talked the situation over with Tante before she went away, but I knew it
+would interfere with her trip and so avoided troubling her."
+
+In answer to her sister's suggestion Sally seated herself upon a tall,
+old-fashioned wooden chair, so that only her toes were able to reach the
+ground. All at once she had felt as if she would be more comfortable
+seated. It was not because of Alice's suggestion that she had agreed,
+but because of a sudden sensation of weariness, almost of physical
+weakness, although this last idea seemed absurd.
+
+Yet somehow Sally appeared so like a tired and rebellious child that her
+sister found it difficult to continue their conversation. However, she
+must introduce the accusation she had been schooling herself to make
+before entering the room.
+
+"Is there anything you would like to talk to me about, Sally? Outside
+our daily life and work here at the farm is there anything which has
+been interesting you recently and which you have preferred not to
+mention to anybody?" Alice inquired gently, her voice shaken by her
+effort to hide her concern, while a fine line appeared between her level
+brows.
+
+Pretending to be bored rather than affected in any other fashion by her
+sister's speech, first Sally shrugged her shoulders. Then making a
+pretence of yawning, she placed her fingers lightly over her lips.
+
+"Really, Alice, what on earth is troubling you in connection with me?
+Have you had me on your conscience more than usual recently? Can't you
+ever get over your unattractive habit of treating me as if I were a
+refractory pupil and you an offended schoolmarm? In spite of being born
+in New England, there is no reason to affect this pose, as it is
+unnecessary and I think most unbecoming."
+
+Sally's manner was a little too self-assured, but otherwise she appeared
+as enigmatic as an accomplished actress. Gazing at her earnestly, there
+was nothing in her expression at present to suggest any emotion save a
+natural annoyance at being catechized.
+
+But Alice was not deceived.
+
+"Please don't assume such an air of offended virtue, Sally. You are far
+too fond of employing it when anyone reproaches you," Alice continued,
+but really too sincerely disturbed to feel angered by her sister's
+behavior. "Evidently you do not wish to confide in me, so I suppose
+there is no use wasting either your time or mine. For the past two
+weeks--I don't know the exact length of time, although you are aware of
+it, Sally--you have been disappearing from the farm almost every day. At
+first I did not notice. You seem to have been careful that neither Aunt
+Patricia, nor Tante, nor I should know. And you have been clever. But
+you could not escape everybody's observation and the other Camp Fire
+girls have seen you and been puzzled and at last worried to guess what
+you could be doing. You need not ask who the girls were; I shall not
+tell you. But finally several of them felt compelled to speak to me and
+to suggest that I ask your confidence. Oh, don't pretend you think you
+have been spied upon and badly treated. You know, Sally, that unless the
+girls cared for you they would not have troubled? But we have lived
+almost as one family and our interests are bound together. Do tell me
+what you have been doing, dear? What has taken you away from home so
+many times alone? I have been watching you myself recently. When I came
+into our room only a few minutes ago you were preparing to slip away."
+
+Sally was biting her lips and had lost her childish look.
+
+"This is not a criminal court, Alice; neither are you the public
+prosecutor. As a matter of fact, I refuse to answer your questions or to
+gratify either your curiosity or the curiosity of the Camp Fire girls.
+What I have been doing has harmed no one; at least I do not think it
+has, and I have not always been alone. Old Jean has been with me much of
+the time and has helped in every way. But by the time Tante returns I
+think I shall be free to tell her everything. Can't you trust me until
+then?"
+
+Sally's voice and manner had suddenly changed from bravado to pleading,
+but Alice was too angry and too frightened to be influenced. Moreover,
+she was suffering from a frequent elderly sister attitude. She felt
+herself called upon not only to examine Sally in regard to her
+proceedings but to condemn her without any real evidence.
+
+"Very well, Sally, unless you decide to confide in me immediately I
+shall be obliged to speak to Aunt Patricia."
+
+At the conclusion of this speech Alice beheld in her sister's face the
+expression of sheer unrelenting obstinacy in which Sally was an adept.
+It was a contradiction to her pretty softness, her indolent manner and
+even to the elusive dimple which recently had vanished.
+
+"I also warn you, Sally, that I intend to watch you and find out your
+proceedings for myself. In truth, I am frightened about you. If only
+Tante were here she could influence you, but Aunt Patricia will only
+become bitterly angry. I confess I don't know what she will say or do
+when she learns that I have no choice but to tell her."
+
+If Alice Ashton had one characteristic which predominated over all
+others, it was a fine sense of honor, a high ideal of personal
+integrity.
+
+As a matter of fact, she had never demanded the same standards from
+Sally she had asked of herself. It was a family custom to regard her
+younger sister as a person chiefly to be gratified and adored. Yet it
+had never occurred to Alice that Sally could fail in any essential thing
+such as straightforwardness and sincerity.
+
+"I don't like to speak to you, Sally, or even to suggest the idea, but I
+am afraid a few of the girls may be criticizing what you are doing in a
+fashion you can scarcely imagine. They do not speak before me, but I can
+hardly fail to guess what they are thinking from their manner. Sally,
+can't you realize that we are in a foreign country where the language,
+the customs, the ideas are not like ours? Even if what you are doing
+might not be considered wrong at home, can't you see that here in France
+you may be misunderstood? Please confide in me dear. You promised----"
+
+But Sally's soft shoulders stiffened in resistance.
+
+"Evidently you do not trust me yourself, Alice, and naturally your
+opinion is more important to me than anyone's else. Yet when one has
+lived with the same people a long time one does expect a certain amount
+of faith and understanding. I am sorry, for I cannot tell you what you
+wish to know at present. I may be able to in a very few days, if you
+will be good enough to wait and not speak to Aunt Patricia. It is hardly
+worth while to make a difficulty between us! Personally I am glad Tante
+_is_ away; at least, I am glad she is away today, since it would
+have been more difficult to refuse my confidence to her than to any one
+else. But I shall regret it if I am able to make my confession before
+her return. She at least would have tried to believe I have not intended
+to do anything wrong. Now please leave me alone, Alice. You were right,
+I am going out on an important errand. You need not worry over my going
+alone this time, because old Jean has promised to go with me as soon as
+he is free and I shall wait for him."
+
+Then, although Alice lingered for several moments longer, when Sally
+would neither speak to her, nor look at her, she slowly left the room.
+
+Afterwards when Alice had disappeared Sally's pretence of courage
+vanished and she sat with her hands clasped tightly together while the
+tears ran down her face.
+
+All very well to pretend to Alice that she was convinced she had been
+doing no wrong. But was this true? In the end would she not have to pay
+dearly in the continuing condemnation and distrust of her friends? When
+her confession was finally made, would they even then understand and
+forgive her?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE DISCOVERY
+
+
+A little more than an hour later Sally and Jean started forth upon their
+mysterious pilgrimage.
+
+To have been spared the ordeal of this morning's visit to the French
+chateau Sally would have given a great deal. On other occasions she had
+been nervous and fearful, but never to the extent to which the recent
+conversation with her sister had reduced her.
+
+More than once within the hour of waiting before she and Jean could slip
+away, Sally concluded to abandon her plan and never go near the chateau
+again, regardless of results. Then she remembered that she had given her
+word and that upon this visit many things were to be explained and
+arranged. Having endured so much of struggle, strain and suspicion, one
+must not fail in the end. And in spite of Sally's apparent indolence and
+softness, failure had no part in her mental make-up.
+
+Yet in being compelled to spend an hour of watching before daring to
+make her escape there was a sense of humiliation, almost of degradation.
+Nevertheless, what else could she do except wait until Alice was again
+absorbed in her teaching and until there was no one about the farm house
+or in the yard who would pay any especial attention to her actions?
+
+Sally's final misfortune was in encountering Yvonne as she passed
+through the hall downstairs.
+
+It may have been her imagination, due to her conversation with her
+sister. Sally felt almost convinced that Yvonne shrank away from her as
+she passed, almost as if she were drawing her skirts aside. In return
+Sally suffered a wave of indignation and the conviction that she would
+never be able to forgive Yvonne. She even had an impulse some day to
+avenge the other girl's injustice.
+
+She and Jean did not immediately move off in the direction of the
+chateau. She and old Jean took an entirely opposite direction, until in
+a field about half a mile away, altering their course, they walked
+rapidly toward the chateau. Sally never ceased to gaze behind them every
+few moments, fearing they might be followed.
+
+Small wonder that with the unaccustomed walks and the burden of a
+serious responsibility Sally Ashton had altered in the past few weeks!
+
+Indeed, her only solace had been the loyal faith and allegiance which
+the old French peasant, Jean, had given to her cause and to her.
+
+From the first day, when in halting and broken French she had begged him
+to accompany her to the chateau to assist in the care of a wounded
+soldier, he had not asked a question or refused his services.
+
+When it was impossible for him to escape Miss Patricia's vigilance at
+the hour Sally asked, she always found that he had managed to make the
+trip sometime later, during the day or night, and accomplished what was
+necessary. What he may have thought of the situation, what questions he
+may have asked himself behind the inscrutability of his weather-beaten
+countenance with its misty, coal-black eyes, Sally never inquired. There
+were enough problems to meet without this. The important fact was that
+Jean never failed her and that he made an otherwise impossible task
+possible.
+
+[Illustration: She and Old Jean Took an Entirely Opposite Direction.]
+
+After discovering the serious illness of the wounded soldier in hiding,
+Sally Ashton had continued the amazing task of caring for him at the
+chateau.
+
+She did not come to this decision immediately; indeed, it had grown so
+slowly that at times it did not appear as a decision at all. Nor did
+Sally attempt to justify herself. She felt compelled to take a
+courageous attitude with her sister, but she never had been convinced of
+her own patriotism or good sense. Even up to the present time she was
+not sure of the nationality of her patient, although it had been a
+relief that during his delirium he had spoken occasionally in French.
+
+The truth is that as the days passed on and Sally's responsibility
+increased her attitude toward the soldier changed. At first she had been
+annoyed, bored with the entire adventure and with the circumstances
+resulting from it. But as the young man's illness became more alarming
+and Sally's anxiety increased, a new characteristic awoke in her. Sally
+Ashton belonged to the type of girl who is essentially maternal. She
+would be one of the large group of women who love, marry and bring up a
+family and are nearly always adored by their husbands, but feel no
+passionate affection until the coming of their children.
+
+So unconsciously the wounded soldier's dependence upon her for food and
+attention, for life itself, aroused Sally's motherly instinct, although
+she did not dream of the fact and would have been angry at the
+suggestion.
+
+One convincing proof. In the beginning she had been both physically and
+mentally repelled by the soiled and blood-stained soldier and by his
+confused confession. She had not surrendered him to justice because she
+did not feel called upon to appear as the arbiter of any human being's
+fate and because she had not the dramatic instinct of most girls. But
+Sally had presumed the soldier would be arrested later and was not
+particularly concerned with his future one way or the other.
+
+Now her point of view had completely altered. At first her idea was
+merely that the soldier should recover with no other nursing save that
+which she and old Jean could bestow upon him. But now that he was
+recovering, she was equally determined he should be saved from whatever
+enemy he had feared before being delivered into her hands.
+
+Before parting on the previous afternoon Sally had agreed with her
+patient that they discuss his situation on her next visit to the
+chateau.
+
+As the old man and girl crept cautiously inside the opening between the
+arch of walls, they could see their soldier lying asleep upon his
+mattress, but between clean sheets and covered with blankets which Sally
+had managed to secure from the supply at the farm.
+
+The half-dismantled room was cold but fragrant with the odors of the
+woods and fields. Perhaps the fresh air which had at all times flooded
+the odd sick-room had been in a measure responsible for the ill man's
+recovery, having taken the place of other comforts he had been obliged
+to forego.
+
+He opened his eyes at the approach of his two friends and looked a
+little wistfully at Sally.
+
+"You have come at last! I was afraid you would not be able to manage.
+How kind you have been!"
+
+Sally made no reply except to offer him a glass of milk and to stand
+silently by until he had finished drinking it.
+
+She looked very sweet. Today her walk and the excitement of her morning
+had tired her so that she was paler than usual; yet her lips were full
+and crimson and her brown hair had a charming fashion of curling in
+little brown rings on her forehead as if she were a tiny child.
+
+The soldier no longer wore any look of mental confusion except that his
+expression was puzzled and questioning.
+
+"You are much better. I am glad," Sally said at last. "You see I do not
+know how often I can come to the chateau after today, unless you should
+become very ill again and then I would come in any case."
+
+Sally's direct fashion of speaking had its value amid the complexities
+of human relations.
+
+Old Jean had disappeared to bring fresh water and to accomplish other
+tasks so that Sally and the soldier were alone for a little time.
+
+As a matter of fact, Jean's had been the really difficult nursing. Night
+after night when the soldier's condition had been most critical Jean had
+made no pretence of going to bed, but had hobbled over at bedtime to
+remain until dawn by the ill man's side.
+
+"Perhaps you will sit down for a little so that I can ask you a great
+many questions," the soldier suggested. "Now that I am getting back my
+senses, you can scarcely imagine what a mystery my present situation
+is."
+
+Nodding agreement, Sally drew a beautiful French chair across the
+strange drawing-room and seated herself within a few feet of her
+patient's bed. It was odd that she had never felt any fear of the old
+walls tumbling down upon her from the hour she had begun her nursing,
+although before that time she had believed nothing could force her to
+trust herself inside the ruins.
+
+"I would like to ask you to begin at the beginning. In what condition
+and how long ago did you find me here? If I could only guess the time!
+But I am under the impression I have not been myself for several weeks
+until these last few days. Yet I have a vague recollection of finding my
+way to this old house and of seeing you standing one day framed in that
+open arch. After that I have no memory of anything else until I became
+conscious of your face and of old Jean's bending over me and then of
+this extraordinary place. If I have been ill, why have I not been cared
+for in a hospital?
+
+"I remember escaping from the Germans who had taken me prisoner and then
+wandering, wandering about in a country where there were no trees, no
+grass, no houses, nothing but the upturned earth and exploded shells.
+Afterwards I was not sure I had reached the French country. I know I
+used to hide in the day time and prowl around at night. I think I must
+have become ill soon after my escape, because I have an indistinct
+impression that I was trying to find my old home, the chateau where I
+lived before the outbreak of the war. I suppose that is one reason why I
+hid myself in here. But nothing I can remember explains _you_."
+
+Sally sighed.
+
+"I do not understand what you are talking about, at least not exactly. I
+am not even convinced you do. But if you really are a French soldier and
+managed to escape from the Germans, I am glad. I know you will think me
+stupid, but still how could I have been expected to understand that you
+were a French soldier when you seemed so horribly afraid of being
+discovered? You were in your own country and among your own people!
+Personally there is very little for me to tell about myself.
+
+"I am an American girl, I don't suppose you consider me French, and I am
+living at a farm house not far away with some American friends. One day
+I was taking a walk and just from curiosity slipped over here to look
+more closely at the chateau. It frightened me when I discovered you were
+hiding in here. You can never guess how you startled me! At our first
+meeting you told me some mixed-up story and asked me to bring you some
+food. I thought you were an escaped prisoner and I did not want to have
+anything to do with you. But you insisted if you were caught you would
+be hung. The next day when I arrived with the food you were too ill to
+recognize me. There is nothing more to tell."
+
+"That is all," the soldier repeated. "But that sounds more like the
+beginning, does it not? You were not even sure of my nationality and yet
+you have been coming here every day to care for me. Suppose I had been
+your enemy?"
+
+By this time the soldier was sitting up and intently studying the face
+of the girl before him. He was wearing a faded dark blue shirt which
+Jean had generously bestowed upon him the day before, this being the
+first occasion for which he had made an effort to dress himself.
+
+"Strange human beings, women! I wonder if we men will ever understand
+you? I have no doubt you would blow up the united armies of the Central
+Empires if it were possible without a qualm and yet you would make any
+sacrifice to save the life of one prisoner."
+
+"But I was never convinced about you," Sally apologized. "Then after you
+became so seriously ill I never thought. But I am sure I beg your
+pardon. As you are a Frenchman of course you would have been infinitely
+better cared for in a hospital. If anything had happened to you it would
+have been my fault. But really I did not know what was done to prisoners
+who ran away from their captors and you suggested such an uncomfortable
+fate for yourself.
+
+"Now you are better I don't think I will come back to the chateau again.
+You see you made me promise not to tell anyone that you were hiding
+here, and my sister and friends think it strange because I have been
+spending so much time away from the farm recently. I don't suppose I
+shall ever be able to make anyone understand. It is hard, isn't it, to
+be blamed for things and then find they have been of no use? Jean will
+do whatever is necessary for you until you are entirely well. He can
+bring me news of you and he will take a message to anyone you care to
+see if you do not feel strong enough to be moved to a hospital
+immediately."
+
+Sally rose as if she meant to leave at once, then something in her
+companion's expression made her sink down into her chair.
+
+"No, you must not come to see me again," he answered, "although I shall
+wish to see no one else. Perhaps it will not be long before I am able to
+call upon your friends if you will allow me. I am stronger than you
+realize; but you have not told me what you are doing in this
+neighborhood."
+
+Unexpectedly Sally had a remarkable sensation. It was as if suddenly her
+position and the soldier's changed and as if he had begun to think of
+her welfare rather than to have her devote herself to his.
+
+"Oh, we are doing reclamation work," Sally returned; "that is, my sister
+and friends are. I have not accomplished anything that is important. I
+told you I was stupid."
+
+All at once Sally's soldier broke into a peal of clear boyish laughter
+which was of more benefit to him than either of them appreciated.
+
+"No, you have done nothing except save my life. It is not kind of you
+under the circumstances to announce you consider it unimportant. Some
+day when I am able to rejoin my regiment perhaps I may be able to prove
+your work worth while. Thanks to you, perhaps I shall again serve France
+as I have never served her before! The enemy has taken from me
+everything else, my mother, my sister, my little brother and my home. I
+made up my mind that they should not hold me a prisoner whatever might
+befall me. If I had to give up my life I meant to die in the open."
+
+Then more excited and exhausted than either he or Sally had appreciated,
+the soldier lay down again, closing his eyes.
+
+It was a part of Sally's recent training which made her continue sitting
+quietly beside him for the next few moments without speaking or moving.
+
+In the interval she studied the soldier's face.
+
+For the first time he was appearing to her as a man. Up until now he had
+simply been a human being who must be cared for, allowed to suffer as
+little as possible and at last be restored to health.
+
+In considering him at present Sally did not particularly admire his
+appearance. She thought his nose was rather too large and his lips too
+thin and in spite of Jean's devotion, his services as a barber left a
+good deal to be desired.
+
+"Your arm is nearly well, still I think I should like to bandage it once
+more before I go," Sally suggested. "You do not realize it, of course,
+but I have learned a great deal about nursing since I began to look
+after you. I don't like sick people, else I suppose I could become a Red
+Cross nurse after more training if I wished. But I don't think I should
+like the work."
+
+As Sally talked she was accomplishing her task, certainly with a good
+deal more skill than she had shown several weeks before.
+
+However, her patient was not conscious of the fact. At present he was
+not thinking of his wound but of his nurse.
+
+There was something about her so deliciously frank and ingenuous. At
+least she seemed ingenuous to him, although it was difficult always to
+be sure concerning Sally.
+
+When she had finished the young Frenchman took one of her hands and
+touched it lightly with his lips.
+
+"Will you tell me your name, please, and where to find you before you
+say farewell? I am Lieutenant Robert Fleury of the French-cuirassiers."
+
+Ten minutes later Sally was walking back home alone to the farm house,
+having left Jean to continue to care for their patient.
+
+She was not to go back to the chateau again and she was to tell her
+friends exactly what had taken place in the past few weeks. She seemed
+to have promised this to her patient.
+
+Yet Sally was not sure when she would tell her story. She had no desire
+to make a confession to Alice, and Aunt Patricia was not to be
+considered. If only she might arrange to wait until Mrs. Burton's return
+from her journey into southern France.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+AN UNEXPECTED SHELTER
+
+
+It was after the hour for their midday dinner when Sally finally arrived
+at the farmhouse; however, she was able to reach her own room without
+any questions being asked concerning her delay.
+
+Undressing slowly with the idea of lying down for a little while before
+facing her friends, Sally was interrupted for the second time that day
+by the unexpected appearance of her sister. On this occasion Alice's
+expression made any further discussion not only unnecessary but
+impossible.
+
+"Will you come with me, please, to Aunt Patricia's room?" she began at
+once. "I have been talking to Aunt Patricia and she says it is only fair
+that we should hear your explanation before passing judgment. I have
+spoken to no one else, although I suppose it will be impossible to hide
+the facts from the other girls. In reality, I believe they already have
+guessed a great deal and have been trying to keep the truth from me."
+
+At the moment of her sister's entrance Sally had been slipping into a
+little blue dressing gown which had been her mother's final gift the day
+before their parting. The dressing gown did not have a utilitarian
+appearance, since it was made of a soft blue, light woolen material with
+little clusters of yellow roses scattered over the design and with blue
+ribbons and lace about the throat and sleeves.
+
+In response to her sister's speech Sally gathered about her the dressing
+gown, which she had not yet fastened, and immediately started to leave
+the room.
+
+"I shall be very glad indeed to talk to Aunt Patricia, but not to you,
+Alice, nor do I ever intend to forgive you. I suppose you followed old
+Jean and me to the chateau and have drawn your own inference from what
+you observed. Do you know, Alice, I have often wondered why the
+puritanical conscience is always so suspicious of other people?" And in
+this last speech of Sally's there was more of truth that she could fully
+appreciate.
+
+But if in this final analysis she were speaking the truth, the first
+part of her remark had been a complete falsehood. At the present time
+there was nothing she desired so little as being forced into making her
+confession to Miss Patricia Lord, a severe spinster with no
+consideration for human folly. Would any one else on earth be more
+difficult or more unrelenting?
+
+In the past hour or more, following her conversation at the chateau,
+Sally had been facing one of the hardest experiences of life.
+
+Her weeks of self-sacrifice and devotion had been not only unnecessary,
+they had been absurd. If only she could have enjoyed the inward
+satisfaction of considering herself a heroine or a martyr! But she had
+risked her own reputation and the young French officer's life to what
+end?
+
+As the two girls entered Miss Patricia's room, Sally, accompanied by her
+sister, whose existence on earth she refused to recognize, considered
+that Miss Patricia appeared as implacable as a stone image. Yet one
+could scarcely compare her to the Sphinx. That ancient stone figure with
+the head of a woman and the body of a lioness looks as if she had
+devoted the many centuries since her creation to solving the riddles of
+human life.
+
+Miss Patricia would consider anything but plain speaking a sheer waste
+of energy and truth. There were no riddles in Miss Patricia's mental
+category.
+
+Nevertheless, Miss Patricia's voice did not sound unkind when she
+suggested that Sally occupy the solitary chair in her bedroom, although
+undoubtedly this would leave the elderly woman standing as well as
+Alice. But then Sally did not realize how appealing her appearance was
+at this moment even to so harsh a critic of human nature.
+
+Sally indolent, Sally dreaming her own small and rather selfish dreams,
+or a Sally self-assured and self-content were not unfamiliar figures to
+her world. But Sally confused and tired, hurt and bewildered, not by her
+own actions or any one's else, but by a web of circumstance, was a new
+study.
+
+"No, I would prefer not to sit down, Miss Patricia, and in any case I
+would not have you stand," Sally answered, still with an innate sense of
+her own dignity and value which at no time in her life was she ever
+wholly to lose. "Alice seems to have told you some disagreeable story
+about me. So I think it just as well for me to tell you the exact truth.
+I hope I can make you understand. I suppose I should have confided in
+some one before, but until a few hours ago I did not feel that I had the
+privilege."
+
+Sally's golden brown eyes with the heavy upcurling lashes, which gave to
+her face the expression of unusual softness, were now gazing upward into
+Miss Patricia's. The latter's eyes were gallant also and steadfast, nor
+did Sally find them so distrustful as she had anticipated.
+
+"Very well, my dear, go on with your story. I thought Alice was too much
+excited," Miss Patricia returned, seating herself in her upright chair,
+as Sally seemed to prefer her to be seated.
+
+Then with her little dressing gown wrapped about her as if it had been a
+Roman toga, Sally told the history of the past weeks, her unexpected
+discovery of the wounded soldier amid the ruins of the old French
+chateau, her belief that he was a runaway prisoner and notwithstanding
+this, her effort, with Jean's assistance, to restore him to health.
+
+Sally's explanation was less confused than her conversation with the
+French soldier a short time before. However, since that hour many things
+had become clearer in her own mind. She did not break down until her
+story was completed and only then when she turned toward her sister.
+
+"I don't know, Alice, what you and the other Camp Fire girls have been
+thinking of me, and I don't believe I care to guess. I know you have not
+been generous. But since I don't wish to discuss the subject with any
+one save Aunt Patricia, and with Tante of course when she returns, I
+wish you would offer the other girls any interpretation of my behavior
+you care to give."
+
+At this Sally's voice broke in spite of her efforts at self-control.
+When Alice made a step toward her with her arms outstretched to ask
+forgiveness, Sally stepped back only to find herself enfolded by Miss
+Patricia and to hear Miss Patricia declare:
+
+"I think it would be wiser, Alice, for you to leave Sally and me alone
+for a little time; she is tired and unstrung. If you and the other girls
+have been unfair, you will have an opportunity to apologize later. Then
+Sally herself will feel more inclined to be reasonable."
+
+Afterwards, when Alice had reluctantly disappeared, unexpectedly Sally
+found herself seated as if she were a child in Aunt Patricia's lap and
+listening to a very wise and tender conversation, one she was never to
+forget, from a woman of deep and broad experience.
+
+When she grew less disturbed Aunt Patricia made no effort not to scold
+Sally for her unwisdom and her lack of reliance upon older judgment than
+her own. But the great fact was that Aunt Patricia was never unfair,
+that she had no sentimental suspicions and made no accusations with
+which Sally could not fairly agree.
+
+In their half hour together Sally Ashton learned to appreciate for the
+rest of her life Aunt Patricia's value, learned to understand why Mrs.
+Burton cared for her so devotedly and considered her a tower of strength
+in adversity. In this uncertain world in which we live there are fair
+weather and foul weather friends. Miss Patricia belonged to the number
+who not only fail to strike other people when they are down, but who
+spend all their energy and strength in the effort to lift them up again.
+
+Later on the other Camp Fire girls were also to form a new estimate of
+Miss Patricia's character, but simply by force of circumstance Sally was
+the first one of them to be admitted inside the stern citadel with which
+the elderly spinster surrounded her great heart.
+
+"In the morning, Sally, when you have rested, and if I were you, child,
+I would spend this afternoon in bed, why I intend to walk over with you
+to your chateau and make the acquaintance of your soldier. If he is a
+gentleman my dear, or even if he is a real man, I mean to bring him here
+to the farm house to remain as our guest until he has completely
+recovered. Now, don't argue with me, Sally. Mrs. Burton will tell you
+that I am a hopeless old woman with whom to have an argument. I simply
+never do any one's way except my own. I do not wish to discuss this side
+of the situation with you to any extent, but don't you see, my dear,
+that it is better for you that we have your soldier here? No one shall
+think your friends have not understood and approved of your care of this
+young Frenchman."
+
+Sally murmured her acquiescence and her gratitude. Yet suddenly she felt
+that she wished never again to see the young officer who for the past
+few weeks had been her constant thought and care.
+
+He had recovered sufficiently no longer to need her services and
+although he was not wilfully responsible, nevertheless he had given her
+a great deal of care and trouble.
+
+"Of course you must do what you think best, Aunt Patricia," Sally added
+a moment later, as she was preparing to start to her own room. "But
+don't you think we had best wait until Tante's return?"
+
+Aunt Patricia shook her head.
+
+"What Polly Burton may think or desire in the matter will not have the
+slightest influence with me. She cheerfully surrendered you girls into
+my charge in order to make this trip, of which she knew I thoroughly
+disapproved. However, in spite of the fact that I am very angry with
+her, I do not wish any one else to feel uneasy, although I shall not
+have a happy moment until she returns."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+TWO OFFICERS
+
+
+A week later two young officers were guests at the farm house on the
+Aisne, one of them an American aerial lieutenant, the other a lieutenant
+in the French cavalry.
+
+Following his telegram within a few days, Lieutenant Ralph Marshall had
+arrived to spend a short furlough, ostensibly with the entire group of
+American Camp Fire girls, although in reality his visit was to Peggy
+Webster. Notwithstanding the fact that he and Peggy were not supposed to
+be engaged, chiefly because of Peggy's youth, they shared a different
+conviction from their families.
+
+The other young officer was none other than "Sally's soldier." Absurd as
+the title appeared, particularly to Sally herself, nevertheless under
+this name he was discussed secretly and at length in the Camp Fire
+household.
+
+Toward late afternoon on the day after Sally's enforced confession,
+accompanied only by Old Jean, Miss Patricia Lord had tramped across the
+fields to the French chateau and had there interviewed its inmate with a
+directness and a searchlight quality worthy of a public prosecutor.
+
+As a result she had received more valuable information than Sally Ashton
+had acquired in the hour of their mutual and confused avowal. Among
+other things Miss Patricia had learned that the wounded officer's
+extraordinary outfit was due to the fact that he believed it would make
+his escape more feasible.
+
+But whatever the details of his story, he was able to inspire Miss
+Patricia with sufficient interest and faith to admit him as a temporary
+guest at the farm house in spite of the absence of Mrs. Burton.
+
+However, although undoubtedly a guest, he was a guest according to rules
+and restrictions laid down and adhered to by Miss Patricia and her
+household.
+
+In the first place, until he had completely recovered he was to remain
+in his room at the farm house, cared for only by old Jean with
+occasional visits from Miss Patricia. Under no circumstances was he to
+see or meet for the present a single one of the Camp Fire girls. This
+rule was particularly to be observed with regard to Sally Ashton.
+
+Miss Patricia made no effort to conceal her intention of making a
+thorough investigation of the account of his life the French officer had
+imparted to her. She knew it would not be so difficult to verify his
+statements. It was possible to communicate with the commander of his
+regiment and also his friends, as he claimed to have lived in the French
+country not many miles away from their neighborhood in the valley of the
+Aisne. After his recovery doubtless he would be able to find a number of
+his former acquaintances by returning to his old home.
+
+It was in his favor that the French officer entirely agreed with Miss
+Patricia's attitude in every particular save one. But he was wise enough
+not to argue with her concerning this. In truth, thirty-six hours after
+his installation at the farm house, the young Frenchman and Miss
+Patricia had become surprisingly intimate friends. One could explain
+this by stating that the officer had a delightful sense of humor and a
+valuable appreciation of character. Miss Patricia announced that no
+friendship could have been possible between them if Lieutenant Fleury's
+mother had not had the good sense to have him taught English by an
+English governess when he was a small boy. His accent Miss Patricia
+considered as peculiar as her own French one, nevertheless they were
+able to understand each other amazingly well.
+
+One brilliant morning Miss Patricia entered the French officer's room
+bearing a cup of bouillon to find him staring out a window which he had
+just opened in order to let in the air and for another purpose which
+Miss Patricia instantly suspected.
+
+"Breaking parole," she commented tersely.
+
+The young officer had not heard her entrance. In return he swung round
+and laughed.
+
+"Is that fair, Miss Lord? A cat may look at a king, _comme ca_ why
+not at a number of queens? Besides, don't you realize it is a miracle
+for a French soldier to be able to dream that these devastated fields of
+France are soon to become green and fruitful again? Having lost
+everything in the early days of the German invasion, my family, home, my
+small fortune, nevertheless I rejoice that for other French soldiers
+there may be a happier future when they return to their former homes,
+thanks to the great hearts of the American people!"
+
+The young officer's deep feeling and his quiet self-contained manner
+caused a lump to rise in Miss Patricia's throat and a mist before her
+eyes. Therefore her manner became more belligerent than ever.
+
+"Here, sit down and drink this," she commanded. "I suppose you consider
+that you have entirely recovered your strength and that I am the veriest
+old termagant not to permit you to enjoy your convalescence with a group
+of more or less charming American girls. But as a matter of fact I am
+really protecting you as well as the girls. We have lived without
+masculine society, unless you wish to count old Jean, ever since our
+arrival at the farm house. So whatever your impression, I am afraid you
+would soon be overpowered with attention once I allowed you to leave
+this room."
+
+Lieutenant Fleury finished his bouillon with a proper degree of
+gratitude and enthusiasm before replying.
+
+Afterwards he gazed at Miss Patricia for several moments in silence as
+if carefully considering a number of important matters.
+
+The young French officer was of more than medium height, had dark eyes
+and hair, and except when he was talking, his expression was grave and
+sad. His arm remained bandaged.
+
+"Miss Patricia, I do not wish to meet _all_ your Camp Fire girls. I
+agree with you I am not strong enough to make myself agreeable to them.
+But I do wish to see _one_ of them again. You are aware that I mean
+Miss Ashton. If ever a man had cause to be grateful to a girl-----"
+
+"Nonsense!" Miss Patricia interrupted, picking up the empty cup as if
+she were intending to leave the room immediately. "Sally was a goose and
+ran the risk of being the death of you instead of saving your life as
+you like to think. Besides, she has not the slightest desire to see you;
+she told me this herself. She feels now that she was ridiculous. She
+should never have paid any attention to the disjointed tale of an ill
+man, or to the promise which you seem to have exacted of the poor child
+in your original interview. As for being grateful to Sally, that is also
+a waste of energy when you have none too much to spare. The one dream of
+every girl in the world these days is to be allowed the privilege of
+caring for a good-looking soldier. Sally had her opportunity under
+particularly romantic and nonsensical circumstances. Besides, men will
+always be grateful to Sally Ashton for something or other as long as she
+lives, grateful because she is pretty and soft and selfish and, dear me,
+I suppose she is what one calls essentially feminine! I confess I have
+rather a tender feeling toward the child myself."
+
+And without further answer to his request Miss Patricia hurriedly
+departed.
+
+Outdoors at the same time Sally was occupied in the garden digging in a
+desultory fashion. As soon as there was no further danger of the ground
+freezing the Camp Fire girls were planning to plant a garden.
+
+Sally was alone at her task and alone because she preferred solitude.
+
+After her fantastic escapade had been disclosed to the other Camp Fire
+girls, those of them who had been particularly annoyed by her mysterious
+behavior were frankly regretful of their condemnation. They did not
+whole-heartedly approve of what she had done, but no one doubted Sally's
+good intention or the unselfishness of her motive. Aside from Yvonne,
+whose attitude continued puzzled and distrustful, each girl individually
+had approached Sally with a carefully veiled apology. However, Sally,
+who was not in a friendly state of mind toward the world at present,
+received their advances coldly.
+
+The only two persons whose opinion she really valued were Aunt
+Patricia's and Mrs. Burton's. Aunt Patricia had been kinder and more
+understanding than any human being could have dreamed possible. Mrs.
+Burton had not yet returned from her journey into southern France.
+Indeed, no word had been heard from her in a number of days, so that not
+alone did Aunt Patricia suffer from uneasiness. The great German drive
+so long expected was fanning the long line of the French battlefront
+into fiercer and more terrorizing flames. At any hour the greatest
+struggle in human history would once more burst upon the world.
+
+An hour later Sally Ashton knocked shyly upon Lieutenant Fleury's closed
+door. She did not do this in accordance with her own wishes, but because
+of an urgent appeal made by Miss Patricia.
+
+As a matter of fact, for some days Miss Patricia had been haunted by the
+story of his life, since the outbreak of the war, which the young French
+officer had recounted to her. He was not conscious of asking for
+sympathy, nor did he consider his story unusual. Nevertheless it
+occurred to Miss Patricia this morning that she was unwilling to add
+loneliness to the difficulties which he must face during the hours of
+his return to health. Up to the present time he had been too engaged
+with his soldiering to allow much opportunity for reflection.
+
+Miss Patricia was also convinced of the truth of what Lieutenant Fleury
+had told her of himself, although she had no thought of not adding the
+necessary proof to her instinctive conviction. But in the meantime if he
+really earnestly desired to see and talk to Sally Ashton and to express
+his gratitude, what possible harm could come of allowing them an
+interview? Their acquaintance had been achieved under such remarkable
+circumstances, to meet in a more ordinary and formal fashion would
+doubtless be best for them both. Afterwards they would not develop
+fantastic and untruthful ideas concerning each other.
+
+At the moment of Sally's arrival Lieutenant Fleury was despondent. It
+was true he had managed to escape from the Germans and could
+congratulate himself that he was not a prisoner and might hope within a
+reasonable length of time to return to his own regiment. Nevertheless
+what an extraordinarily stupid adventure he had stumbled into in his
+sub-conscious effort to seek the neighborhood of his former home!
+
+He had come out of the experience a thousand times better than he had
+any right to hope, yet had he not involved an American girl in what must
+have been an extremely disagreeable and ungrateful task?
+
+At this moment of her entrance into the invalid's room Sally Ashton did
+not appear to have been seriously affected by her experience.
+
+Her hour of working in the garden in the warm late winter sun had given
+her cheeks the color they frequently lacked, or else it was her
+embarrassment at meeting the young officer. Sally's hair was also
+curling in the delicious and irresponsible fashion it often assumed,
+breaking into small rings on her forehead and at the back of her neck in
+the fashion of which she at least pretended to disapprove.
+
+"Miss Patricia said you wished to speak to me. I am glad you are so much
+better," she began in a reserved and ceremonious fashion as if she and
+the lieutenant had met on but one previous occasion before today.
+
+In truth it seemed impossible to Sally that the French officer whom she
+was facing at present had been the ill and disheveled boy she had found
+in hiding at the chateau and nursed back to comparative health.
+
+In announcing that Sally did not desire to see the young French officer
+again, Miss Patricia had been correct. Sally considered that she had
+made a grave and foolish mistake and preferred, as most of us do, that
+her mistake be ignored and forgotten.
+
+Yet Lieutenant Fleury had no idea either of ignoring or forgetting
+Sally's effort in his behalf.
+
+Immediately in reply to her knock he had risen. His serious expression
+had now changed to one of boyish gratitude and good humor.
+
+"Yes, I did wish to speak to you; you are kind to have come," he
+returned, although in reality surprised by Sally's extremely youthful
+appearance. He had only a confused memory of her face bending above him
+during his delirium. They had enjoyed but one conversation when he was
+entirely himself. On that occasion he had supposed his rescuer a young
+woman of some years and dignity, and Sally at present looked like a
+school girl. Indeed, she was a school girl when at home in her own part
+of the world if one can count college and school as one and the same
+thing.
+
+After coming in from the garden this morning she had hastily changed her
+everyday Camp Fire dress for a white flannel of which she was especially
+fond, and without observing that the skirt had shrunk until it was
+extremely short.
+
+"I wished to tell you once again how more than grateful I am to you for
+your great kindness," the officer continued, smiling in spite of his
+serious state of mind at the unexpectedness of Sally's appearance.
+Looking at her now, it was hard to believe that she had ever assumed the
+arduous burden of nursing a wounded soldier under more than trying
+conditions. Yet if Sally had not been immature, she would have never
+have shouldered such a responsibility!
+
+She was smiling now and dimpling in an irresistible fashion.
+
+"Will you make me a promise?" she demanded. "It is the one thing I ask
+of you. If you are really under the impression that I was good to you
+when I was merely risking your life, then promise never to refer to what
+I did for you as long as you live and never mention the story to anybody
+who could have the faintest chance of knowing me. You see," Sally
+continued, her manner becoming more confidential, "I realize now that
+from every point of view I was foolish. It is kind of you to have turned
+out to be some one whom Miss Patricia and all of us are able to know,
+for you might have been a most impossible person."
+
+The young French officer laughed. As he recalled their last meeting and
+this one his benefactress struck him as a person who had the gift of
+provoking laughter.
+
+"I think this a good deal to require of me," he returned. "I will do
+what you ask only on condition that you-----"
+
+"That I promise to allow you to do a favor for me some day?" Sally
+completed the unfinished sentence. "I suppose that is what you were
+about to say, wasn't it? Of course you can do whatever kindness you like
+if you have the chance. But it does not seem probable. After you go away
+from the farm I can't imagine any reason why we should ever see each
+other again. Besides, you would do whatever you could for me whether I
+gave you permission or not." Here Sally smiled a second time.
+
+For an instant the French officer stared, nonplussed.
+
+But he was not the first person whom Sally had puzzled. She was so
+matter of fact and so sure of herself one could not tell whether she was
+extremely simple or correspondingly subtle.
+
+Since her companion regarded her as a child, he could have but one
+impression.
+
+When finally he held out his hand, Sally hesitated an instant before
+placing her own inside his. His exhibition of French courtesy and
+gratitude at their last meeting had been slightly embarrassing. But this
+time the lieutenant only held her hand gravely.
+
+"You are right, Miss Ashton, whatever was possible to show my gratitude
+to you I should do, with or without your permission. If I am spared when
+the war is over I may even create the opportunity which you seem to
+doubt my ever having. When the war began I had a sister who was, I think
+perhaps only a few years older than you. If you can ever make up your
+mind to regard me as she would have done, it would mean a great real to
+me."
+
+Sally was beginning to feel bored. She thought her companion was very
+conventional and a little stupid.
+
+She had not the faintest desire to adopt an unknown young man as a
+brother. Sally knew herself sufficiently well to realize that the
+sisterly attitude would make but little appeal to her as long as she
+lived. And she hoped that her interview with the rescued officer might
+be entertaining. Life was dull now at the farm with Mrs. Burton away and
+her own occupation, which had been exciting even if fatiguing,
+withdrawn.
+
+"What happened to your sister?" Sally inquired politely, although
+intending to make her escape as soon as possible should their
+conversation continue on such sentimental lines.
+
+"She was killed in the retreat when the Germans conquered this part of
+France at the outbreak of the war. I had gone to the front to join my
+regiment, so Yvonne and my mother were alone except for my little
+brother and a few women servants. Our chateau was destroyed."
+
+The French officer paused because Sally was looking at him with a
+curious expression as if an idea which she may have had in her mind for
+some time was now slowly crystalizing into a fact.
+
+"Your sister's name was Yvonne Fleury and your chateau was not far from
+here, was it not?" Sally demanded.
+
+The young officer nodded. He did not care to discuss his past history
+with Sally or with any one else in the world. There was nothing to be
+gained by recalling the inevitable tragedies of the war.
+
+Sally did not appear seriously distressed. Unless she happened to be an
+actual witness to suffering it did not touch her deeply. Besides, at the
+present time she was smiling oddly, as if she were pleased and
+displeased at the same time.
+
+"I don't think that you need adopt me as your sister," she remarked.
+
+Until this moment they had both continued standing.
+
+Now Sally made a little motion toward the invalid's chair which Miss
+Patricia had removed from their sitting-room to bestow upon her patient.
+
+"Suppose we both sit down," she suggested, taking the only other chair
+at the same instant.
+
+"There is something else I wish to talk to you about if you feel you are
+strong enough to hear. It may prove to be good news. I suppose it seems
+a strange coincidence, although some people would call it an act of
+Providence, but I am sure I don't understand such things. It is just
+barely possible your sister Yvonne Fleury was not killed. When we were
+crossing to France from the United States we met a girl on shipboard
+named Yvonne Fleury, whose home, the Chateau Yvonne, had been destroyed
+in the early part of the war. As she believed her brother had been
+killed at the front, she had gone to New York City, where she had been
+living with some friends for several years. She told the entire family
+tragedy to our chaperon, Mrs. Burton, who afterwards told the story to
+us, hoping we might be especially kind to Yvonne because of her
+unhappiness. The other girls have been, but Yvonne and I do not like
+each other and she has been very disagreeable to me. Still, if she turns
+out to be your sister, it does not matter. Under the circumstances I
+suppose I ought to say nothing against her.
+
+"I have been thinking of this for some time, ever since you told me your
+name, but of course there may be nothing in it. I only thought if you
+might like to meet this Yvonne Fleury--you see she came here to the farm
+and is living with us--I will speak first to Aunt Patricia and together
+you can decide."
+
+In reality Sally was not so unsympathetic or so childish as at present
+her words and manner suggested. During her long speech she had been
+watching the young officer narrowly. She had arrived at her present
+conclusion by putting certain facts together in a practical and
+commonsense fashion. There was more than a possibility that she might be
+wrong, so there was no reason for working oneself up into a state of
+hysteria or of heroics. Moreover, Sally had been entirely frank. She
+understood that the French officer would be overjoyed if Yvonne should
+prove to be his sister, but Sally herself would have felt no enthusiasm
+over the same discovery. As a matter of fact, she had no particular
+interest in Yvonne's opportunity for happiness through her aid.
+
+She was worried, however, because her former patient suddenly appeared
+so white and shaken by her words, when only a few moments before he had
+looked so remarkably well.
+
+Sally moved slowly backwards toward the door.
+
+"I'll go and find Aunt Patricia; perhaps I should have spoken to her
+first of my idea. Then after you have talked with her if you would like
+me to find Yvonne and ask her to come to you----"
+
+With these words, having managed to reach the half closed door, Sally
+disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE EXPECTED HAPPENS
+
+
+Miss Patricia Lord was on her way to the French village only a few miles
+from their farm house. Unless the call were urgent, rarely did Miss
+Patricia bestow her activities outside the environments of the farm,
+which of course included the house, garden, barns, fields, really a
+sufficient large sphere of activity even for her.
+
+It is true she had been an extremely practical benefactress to the
+entire neighborhood, yet her gifts had been made largely through other
+persons; Mrs. Burton or one of the Camp Fire girls reporting a special
+need among their neighbors, as promptly as possible Miss Patricia had
+seen that need supplied.
+
+So, as she took her walk on this summer afternoon, had she liked she
+might have given a good deal of credit to herself for the change in the
+appearance of the countryside which the past two months had wrought.
+
+A number of the peasants' huts near the road had been either entirely or
+partly rebuilt. But more important than the actual physical shelter,
+Miss Patricia's tractor had plowed its way over many acres which
+otherwise must have remained unproductive until, as far as the eye could
+see, the fields were now being made ready for planting. Even if German
+guns were thundering along the battle line, nevertheless behind that
+line the French peasants toiled on with their patience and their eternal
+industry.
+
+Today Miss Patricia was thinking of life's contrasts, of the peaceful
+scenes through which she was passing which only a few years before had
+been an altar of the world's carnage and which might soon be so
+sacrificed again.
+
+For it would seem as if the last gigantic struggle of the present war
+were now about to take place. Surely humanity would never pass through
+this universal Calvary again!
+
+Not yet had Mrs. Burton returned from her journey into southern France!
+
+A few days before, a letter stating that, having accomplished a portion
+of their mission, she, Mrs. Bishop and Monsieur Duval were preparing to
+start on their homeward way, had arrived for Miss Patricia, although the
+letter had been delayed for a week.
+
+A more important witness of their mission had been the actual return to
+the French village of a number of the refugees in whose welfare Mrs.
+Burton had been especially interested. Among them was the French girl,
+Elise.
+
+At this moment Miss Patricia was intending to pay a call to offer her
+congratulations to Elise and her grandmother and also to learn if Elise
+had seen Mrs. Burton or heard any definite information concerning her.
+The visit was not one to which she looked forward with pleasure, but was
+due to the fact that Mrs. Burton had asked it of her as a favor. Miss
+Patricia's use of the French tongue was so impossible that all
+conversation between her and her French neighbors was an agony.
+Moreover, her unconsciously fierce manner seemed always to disconcert
+the courteous peasants.
+
+Nevertheless, the old men and women and children whom she met on the
+road into the village and later upon the village streets bowed to her
+with more than ordinary friendliness. If they could not comprehend her
+words or her manner, the value of her kindness they could understand.
+
+A child ran out of one of the houses and unexpectedly presented Miss
+Patricia with a little battered image of St. Joseph, and although St.
+Joseph is one of the patron saints of marriage, Miss Patricia accepted
+her gift with warm appreciation.
+
+An hour later, when she received the first intimation of what had
+occurred, Miss Patricia was standing in the little yard in front of
+their hut with Grand'mere and Elise.
+
+There was no restraint about Grand'mere's conversation now that her
+granddaughter was restored to her; indeed, she was pouring forth such a
+flood of rapid speech that Miss Patricia had the sensation of drowning
+in a sea of words of which she could understand about one in fifty.
+
+Nevertheless, it was pleasant to glance now and then toward Elise, who
+was as charmingly pretty as her neighbors and friends had described her.
+From her weeks of enforced imprisonment and something nearly approaching
+starvation, the young French girl was thin and haggard. Yet as nothing
+more terrible had happened, she was too rejoiced over her return not to
+show delight and gratitude in every expression of her vivid face.
+Moreover, after being allowed to cross the borderland from Germany into
+France, she really had a meeting of a few moments with Mrs. Burton, who
+had given her the money and the information necessary for her
+homecoming.
+
+At the moment when one of Elise's friends ran into the yard from an
+unexpected direction, Miss Patricia's first sensation was that of
+relief. At least she could enjoy a short respite from her position of
+exclusive audience to Grand'mere. The woman appeared so excited and so
+full of some story she undoubtedly had come to tell, that immediately
+she became the center of attention. Moreover, a dozen other persons soon
+followed her until in a few seconds the little yard was crowded with
+gesticulating figures.
+
+Miss Patricia was about to withdraw when a single word arrested her
+attention. The word was of course pronounced in French fashion, yet in
+the past few weeks Aunt Patricia had learned to recognize its peculiar
+French intonation. The word was Mrs. Burton's name.
+
+Through guessing, through intuition and also through the united efforts
+of her new friends, soon after Miss Patricia learned as much of the
+woman's tale as it was desirable for her to hear at the present time.
+
+This story had spread through the village. A French ambulance bearing
+the sign of the _croix de rouge_ had just driven through the town
+en route to the farm house on the Aisne, the present home of the Camp
+Fire girls. Returning from her work in southern France, Mrs. Burton had
+been injured and rather than be cared for in a hospital had begged to be
+brought directly to the farm.
+
+As a matter of fact, Miss Patricia arrived at the farm house exactly two
+minutes before the Red Cross ambulance drew up before the front door.
+How she managed this one could only discover from Miss Patricia. The
+village owned a single motor car used in transporting supplies and Miss
+Patricia saw that it traveled faster on this occasion than ever before
+in its history.
+
+Besides, Mrs. Burton, who was so swathed in bandages one could scarcely
+recognize her, the ambulance contained Monsieur Duval, the French
+senator, Mrs. Bishop and a Red Cross nurse.
+
+Ignoring them all, Aunt Patricia lifted Mrs. Burton in her arms and
+carried her upstairs to her room, placing her upon the bed.
+
+An hour later, when the farm house had grown strangely quiet and
+everybody had been sent outdoors except the nurse and a doctor who had
+been hastily summoned, Aunt Patricia stalked down the steps into the
+drawing-room. Here she found Monsieur Duval and Mrs. Bishop waiting to
+explain the situation to her.
+
+They had been motoring toward home and several miles back of the French
+line, when without any reason for such a catastrophe, a shell had
+dropped from a German aeroplane and exploded near their car.
+
+Aside from Mrs. Burton, no member of the party had been hurt, but a
+piece of the shell had imbedded itself inside her chest and was supposed
+to be too near her lungs for an operation.
+
+"Do you mean that Polly Burton has a chance to live without an
+operation?" Miss Patricia demanded in grim tones when her two companions
+had finished their unsatisfying explanation of what had taken place.
+
+Mrs. Bishop shook her head.
+
+"I am afraid not; that is why we took the risk of bringing her home to
+you when she wished so much to come."
+
+"Is there a chance for her to recover through an operation?" Miss
+Patricia next asked without a perceptible change either in her
+expression or manner.
+
+This time, as Mrs. Bishop appeared unable to speak, Monsieur Duval
+answered instead.
+
+"There is one in a hundred, but we dared not accept the responsibility
+without first coming to you."
+
+"Then telegraph at once for the best surgeon in Paris who can be spared
+and also for Captain Richard Burton. I will give you his address. In the
+meantime, if you can find hospitality elsewhere than at our farm I shall
+be grateful. We shall have but little opportunity to make visitors
+comfortable for the next few days."
+
+With this Miss Patricia withdrew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE FIELD OF HONOR
+
+
+Some little time afterwards, late on a March afternoon, the yard in
+front of the farm house on the Aisne, chosen by the Camp Fire girls for
+their temporary home in France, was occupied by a number of persons.
+They had separated into groups and were either walking about the place
+or else were seated in informal attitudes.
+
+On the wooden steps leading directly down from the house two girls moved
+aside to allow a woman and a man to pass them.
+
+The woman was Miss Patricia, who appeared taller and more painfully
+gaunt than ever, and moreover, was laying down the law upon some subject
+in her usual didatic fashion. Yet the man whose arm was slipped through
+hers was regarding her with devoted and amused affection. According to
+Captain Richard Burton and in the opinion of a number of other persons,
+Miss Patricia's good sense and devotion in the past few weeks had saved
+his wife's life.
+
+Miss Patricia was discussing with him the question of increasing the
+number of cows upon the farm until a dairy could be run upon really
+scientific principles. She desired a dairy sufficiently large to supply
+milk to the nearby hospitals as well as to the babies in the villages.
+Up to the present time she had been largely interested in preserving the
+health of the young children who came within her sphere of effort. But
+realizing that milk at present was one of the greatest needs in France
+for the proper feeding of the wounded soldiers and of the convalescents,
+Miss Patricia was arranging for the shipment of a herd of a hundred cows
+from the United States. As a matter of fact, she was supposed to be
+asking Captain Burton's advice upon the subject, though Miss Patricia's
+method of asking advice was merely to announce what she intended doing.
+
+After watching the two older persons disappear toward the barn, which
+had been restored until it presented a very comfortable aspect, Peggy
+Webster glanced up from her knitting to look earnestly at her companion.
+
+"How long do you intend remaining in France to continue with the
+reconstruction work, Vera?" she inquired.
+
+Vera Lagerloff was sewing upon a dress for one of the children in the
+neighborhood, since few of them had clothing enough to keep them warm
+and comfortable in spite of all that was being done for them in the
+reclamation districts by an increasing force of American women and
+girls.
+
+Vera's eyes followed the direction Miss Patricia's tall figure had just
+taken.
+
+"I intend to stay on indefinitely until the war is over and afterwards
+if I feel I can be of more use here than anywhere else. A few days ago
+Miss Patricia told me that she would be very glad to pay my expenses, as
+she believed I was 'a laborer worthy of my hire.' What an extraordinary
+woman she is and how much she seems to get out of life, if not for
+herself, then certainly for other people! I shall never forget our first
+meeting and the way in which she then took hold of the situation. I
+think none of us will forget her recent devotion to Mrs. Burton. Any one
+of us would have been willing to do what she did, only no one would have
+had the courage or the intelligence."
+
+Peggy nodded. "I have written mother pretty much the same thing you have
+just said. Certainly no one of our family can ever pay our debt to Aunt
+Patricia. Not that I should dare make the attempt!" Peggy added, smiling
+and looking a little anxiously at the sock she was about to finish. "But
+I wonder if I am envious of you, Vera, I mean of your planning to remain
+over here so long? Mother and father have written they would like me to
+come home as soon as I feel I am not especially needed and Tante has
+entirely recovered. They wish her to return as well, but I am by no
+means sure she will. There are moments of course when I am homesick and
+feel it my duty to be with my own people, now that Billy is gone and Dan
+has at last been permitted to volunteer. Then on the other hand, I
+naturally want to be in France while Ralph is here fighting. Have I told
+you that after Ralph's visit to us at the farm my family has consented
+to our engagement. We have promised not to consider marrying until the
+war is over. I am not speaking of this to any of the other Camp Fire
+girls, Vera, only to you and Bettina. But I shall always think of you,
+even if the future should separate us for a long time, as if you were
+almost my sister. I suppose if Billy had lived you would have been my
+sister."
+
+In response Vera shook her head with its heavy mass of dark hair.
+
+"I don't know, Peggy. I am not at all sure. I don't believe Billy's
+friendship and mine were like that. Perhaps when he grew older he would
+have wished to marry a prettier and more romantic girl, but always he
+would have come back to me for criticism and praise. Yet I should never
+have wished to marry any one else and now I shall never marry any one."
+
+As there is no real answer to a speech of this character, Peggy Webster
+made no reply. What Vera's future held in store for her was, according
+to an ancient pagan expression, "in the lap of the gods."
+
+But Peggy wrinkled her brows at this moment, making a little motion with
+her hand to attract Vera's attention to the figure of a girl who was
+standing alone about a dozen yards beyond them.
+
+"Sally looks pretty, does she not, with her dark hair and white dress?
+But of course nothing would induce her to confess that there is any
+especial reason why she wishes to look particularly attractive this
+afternoon. She is a funny child," Peggy concluded with the superior
+manner of an engaged person.
+
+This afternoon the Camp Fire girls were enjoying a half holiday and the
+unusual celebration of afternoon tea in honor of Mrs. Burton's recovery
+and also the arrival of the two guests whom they were now waiting out of
+doors to greet.
+
+Almost immediately after the reunion of Yvonne Fleury and her brother
+they left the farm together, returning to the neighborhood of their own
+chateau. Mrs. Burton's dangerous condition had made them feel it wiser
+to add no more responsibility to the household. They also desired to
+look up the old friends whom they might be able to find still living
+near their former home.
+
+Until this afternoon neither one of them had returned to the farm house
+even for a brief visit, although of course many letters had been
+exchanged between Yvonne and the other girls. Now Mary Gilchrist had
+motored over to the nearest railroad station to meet them and Yvonne and
+her brother, Lieutenant Fleury, were expected at any moment.
+
+Ten minutes later, when the motor containing the two guests finally
+arrived, Sally Ashton was the only one of the group of friends who did
+not go forward to welcome the newcomers.
+
+She did not believe that she particularly liked either of them and there
+would be time enough to do her duty later.
+
+As a matter of fact, Sally was about to slip around the side of the
+house toward the kitchen to assist in the preparation of their simple
+tea when Lieutenant Fleury followed her and as he called her by name she
+felt obliged to stop and speak to him.
+
+He looked extremely well as if he had entirely recovered from his
+illness and was better looking than Sally would have dreamed possible.
+
+"You do not seem enthusiastic about seeing me again?" Lieutenant Fleury
+began, smiling at Sally.
+
+"I am very glad to find you so well," Sally announced as she shook
+hands. It was difficult to confuse Sally. She had a great deal of poise
+of her own kind and a little superior air of detachment which was oddly
+amusing.
+
+"Yes, I am very well, thanks to you. Still I insist upon knowing why you
+are not pleased to see me? I remember you snubbed me for suggesting that
+we might develop a sisterly and brotherly affection for each other, but
+now I have discovered Yvonne, won't you be friends? It is hard upon me
+if you refuse to consent because my burden of gratitude to you must then
+be all the heavier. I am going back to join my regiment in a few days.
+Today I also came to warn Miss Lord and Captain Burton that there will
+be danger later this spring if you insist upon remaining here at your
+farm house. I cannot speak plainly, but I have reason to believe the
+German drive will not be long delayed. The Allied line will hold; they
+shall never break through, yet it might be wiser if you were out of the
+range of any possible danger."
+
+Without discussion of the question and disregarding the delightful
+possibility of tea, Sally and Lieutenant Fleury were walking side by
+side away from the farm house yard and toward the old chateau.
+
+"You are very kind, Lieutenant Fleury," Sally answered, speaking more
+gravely and with less childishness than one might have imagined, "but I
+do not believe we will consent to leave our farm house and to give up
+our work unless the war comes almost to our very door. Even then you
+know food might be useful to the soldiers and I am an extremely good
+cook."
+
+Sally's seriousness had disappeared and she was more her accustomed
+self.
+
+"Yet you have not answered my question or promised to be my friend,"
+Lieutenant Fleury argued, looking at his companion with an amused frown.
+Undoubtedly it was difficult to understand any human being who could be
+such a complete child at one moment and so wise the next; but perhaps
+Sally embodied the Biblical idea that true wisdom is only found among
+childish spirits.
+
+As a matter of fact, Sally answered simply, "Why, of course I am your
+friend, Lieutenant Fleury. Now when I am beginning to understand more of
+what soldiers must endure, I feel as if I were a friend to every man in
+our allied armies, although they probably are not aware of the honor,"
+and again Sally dimpled in irresistible fashion.
+
+Moreover, with this general acceptance of his friendship, Lieutenant
+Fleury was obliged to appear content, since Sally would give him no more
+satisfactory reply.
+
+A few weeks later the long-heralded German drive burst with renewed fury
+along a long line in France. How the group of American Camp Fire girls
+met the unexpected dangers and demands upon their courage and resources
+will be the subject of the next Camp Fire book.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campfire Girls on the Field of
+Honor, by Margaret Vandercook
+
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