 Chapter 15 of The Campfire Girls Amid the Snows Chapter 15. A Boomerang Two weeks later Polly received a note at the cabin, asking that she come into Woodford on the following Friday afternoon for an interview with a friend of Miss Margaret Adams, who happened by chance to be in Woodford for a few days and wanted an opportunity to talk with her about her future. For whatever resulted from this interview Polly had herself chiefly to blame. She most certainly should never have replied to a note signed by a name which was unfamiliar without consulting the guardian of the Sunrise Club. But Polly knew perfectly well that Rose would never have permitted her to have any such conference. She knew also that their guardian and her mother's friend was almost as much opposed as her sister Molly to her ambition, and considered that she was behaving most unwisely in letting her mind dwell on a possibility which in any case was very indefinite and far away. Indeed Rose had had a quiet talk with Polly, asking her not to discuss the subject of the stage with the other girls and to try and give her own energy and attention solely to their campfire work. Polly had agreed and was apparently keeping her promise since she felt so assured that the campfire ideals must help every woman in whatever work she undertook later in life. Nevertheless, when the first temptation came Polly fell. One night she spent in indecision, wondering why Miss Margaret Adams had not written to her about her friend or why Miss Adams, their elocution teacher, had said nothing. These questions however Polly finally answered satisfactorily to herself since it is usually easy to find answers that accord with one's own desires. By morning she had made up her mind that she would go and see the stranger and have a talk with him since no harm could come of one small visit. The appointment was to take place at the home of Meg, whose professor father was one of the most prominent men in the village, and Polly was told to bring a chaperone. So from the standpoint of propriety she was committing no offence. She had not seen Meg for a week and so could ask her no questions, and as Betty was the only person who could be relied upon in the emergency, to Betty she confided the whole situation, not in the least, asking her advice, since this was not the way with Miss Polly, but begging Betty to be present with her during the call. If Betty demured at first, suggesting Miss Dyer, Miss McCurtry, Miss Mary Adams as more suitable chaperones, she did finally agree. So early on Friday afternoon the two girls started into town in their best clothes, saying that they were going on an errand. Betty was driving Firestar and Polly carrying a volume of Romeo and Juliet and Paul Graves' Golden Treasury. The note had suggested that since Miss Margaret Adams had had no opportunity to hear Miss O'Neill recite, the writer would be interested to know what she could do. Polly was cold with nervous excitement all the way into town. She was not in the least sure whether she did not dread the coming interview more than anything that had ever happened to her in her life, and she also had very uncomfortable twinges of conscience since this venture of hers had no grown-up sanction. There had been no time as yet to write her mother about it, and she had not confided in Molly, who once had known all her secrets. Indeed, had she not even felt glad that Molly had decided not to return to the cabin after school that day, but to remain in town with a friend so that no uncomfortable family questions could be raised. By special request, Betty was invited not to talk on the journey in, so that Polly could have the opportunity for repeating to herself the poems she had made up her mind to recite and go once more over Juliet's famous lament. The hall at the professors was unusually dark when Meg herself, to the girl's delight, opened the front door. Polly was, by this time, in too agitated a condition to stop for asking questions. But although Betty was not, Meg did not seem willing to answer them. Instead, she kept shaking her head and pointing mysteriously toward their drawing-room door. The stranger was already in there, yes, her father knew him. Polly must not mind that the visitor had his wife with him. She was also an actress upon whose judgment he placed the greatest reliance, but the girls were not to do more than bow to her as it bored her to meet people. If the hall was dark, the drawing-room was even darker, but then before joining the campfire club, Meg had been proverbially poor housekeeper, so she probably had neglected to open the drawing-room shutters and, as it was a dark February afternoon, the light that came through the slats was not sufficient. Betty felt most distinctly that she was not going to enjoy the approaching interview and that there was already something odd and uncomfortable about it, but she had no opportunity for confiding her views and Polly was not in a critical humor. As for the darkness, Polly was decidedly grateful for it. If she had to get up and recite before Meg and Betty and the two strangers, it would be far easier to be in the half-shadow than to have their critical glances full upon her. This drawing-room recitation before so small an audience did not appeal to Polly anyhow. Certainly it held none of the glamour of the stage, the music, the footlights, the feeling that you were no longer your real self, but a performer in some other drama in some different world. Betty sat down at once in a far corner, as she saw no notice was to be taken of her. But Polly felt herself having her hands shaken coldly by a tall, broad-shouldered, middle-aged man wearing glasses, with an iron-grey pointed beard and iron-grey hair pulled low down over his forehead. He seemed, however, not to have the least desire for conversation. For waving Polly toward the center of the room, he at once asked her to show what she could do without introducing his wife nor making the least satisfactory explanation of his own presence in Woodford, his acquaintance with Miss Margaret Adams, nor his right to have solicited this meeting with Polly. However, none of these points weighed upon the girl's mind at the time. The man looked just as she expected an actor-manager might look, and as for his wife, she could see nothing of her but a figure dressed in a long traveling coat and wearing a hat and heavy veil, who had not even deigned to glance in her direction. What shall I begin with? Polly inquired anxiously. Miss Adams, our teacher of Elocution at the High School, says that young girls should try simple recitations, that it is absurd for us to attempt to reveal the great emotions such as one finds in Shakespeare's plays, or Ibsen's, or metterlinks, that we must wait until we know something more of life for them. I did not feel sure what you would think about it, but I know some English poems, very famous and very beautiful. Perhaps you would like me to begin with one of them? There was a slight hesitation in Polly's voice, because personally she found the simple poems much more difficult than the big ones, and her taste did not incline toward Whitcombe Riley or Eugene Field, toward any of the simple character work, which would have been the best possible training for her at the present time. But the critic, fortunately agreeing with Polly's point of view, shook his head gravely over her suggestion of English verses. No, he said pompously, it must be confessed. Try the most difficult thing you know, and even if you do not make an entire success of it, I will be better able to judge what you can do. The man spoke in a hoarse, strained voice, to which Betty's ears sounded forced and peculiar. Would you think it very foolish if I tried Juliet's speech before she takes the poison? Polly then asked timidly. I know I can't do it very well. It is one of the greatest speeches in the whole world of acting, but perhaps for that very reason I like to attempt it. Polly had thrown off her red coat and hat in the hall, but she was wearing her best frock, a simple cashmere made in a single piece, with a crushed velvet belt of a darker shade and a collar and cuffs of real Irish lace, which her mother had sent as a Christmas gift from Ireland. Her hair was very dark and her coloring vivid, so perhaps she did not look so utterly unlike the Italian Juliet, whom it is difficult for us to believe was only fourteen at the time of her tragic love story. Farewell, and God knows when we shall meet again, Polly began, in a far less melodramatic fashion than one might have expected. Indeed, Betty thought her voice exquisitely pathetic and appealing and even meg, who had not the slightest sympathy with Polly's dramatic aspirations, was subtly impressed. I have a faint cold fear, thrills through my veins, that almost freezes up the heat of life. I'll call them back again to comfort me. Nurse, what should she do here? My dismal scene I need must act alone. Come, file, what if this mixture do not work at all? Shall I be married then, tomorrow morning? No, no, this shall forbid it. Lie thou there. And here Polly is being carried away by the thrill of her own performance. Almost, she believes, she holds a slight suggestion of admiration in the blue eyes of the critic, who most assuredly is watching her efforts with a great deal of interest. Unhappily, however, in her preparation for this great occasion, Polly has forgotten the necessary stage equipment, and now, at this instant, remembers that Juliet requires a dagger to make this moment properly realistic. The girl is in a delicious state of excitement. For the time being, actually, she is feeling herself the terrified and yet superbly courageous Juliet, and there, on the parlor table, as though by direct inspiration, is reposing a steel paper cutter of the professors. With a quick movement of her hand, Polly seizes the desired dagger, but also she seizes something else along with it, for the table cover comes off at the same instant, almost overwhelming Juliet in a rain of papers, ornaments, and books. Polly feels as though she would faint with chagrin and mortification, so suddenly and so uncomfortably as she brought back into the hard realities. I am so dreadfully sorry, she starts to say, but before she has finished, her attention is arrested by the behavior of the mysterious veiled lady. She had given a hysterical giggle, first one, then another, as though she were never going to be able to stop. Meg's face is also crimson with the effort to control her laughter, although she is looking nervously, almost imploringly, toward her strange visitor. The solitary man in the room has simply turned his back upon the whole situation and is gazing steadfastly at the closed windows. Polly thinks perhaps she is losing her senses, for there had been something familiar in that excited laughter which is now turning almost into a sob, and yet, of course, the idea was ridiculous. Polly then turned intriguingly toward Betty Ashton, as her one sure rock of salvation in a vanishing world, and Betty never forgot the expression in her friend's eyes, the look of wounded dignity, of disappointed affection, of almost resentful disbelief. For, in Betty's returning glance, she found a confirmation of her worst fears. The truth of the matter was that Betty had been suspicious of the little group of spectators of her friend's recitation almost as soon as Polly began her speech. She was not under the opportunity of pressure, of so much excitement, and had time and opportunity to look about and examine people and things more closely. The woman in the long cloak, evidently her clothes were of the ready-made variety, for they certainly did not fit. Also, she seemed very slender for a full-grown woman, and in spite of her intention to remain unobserved was curiously nervous. And the man? He was trying to keep his face in the shadow, but from Betty's point of observation, a ray of afternoon sunlight fell directly across his face. The line where his beard began was extremely distinct, and his cheeks above it brown and boyish. Besides, though he did wear glasses, his eyes showed fear, amusement, and Polly was right in a way, for they did show a certain amount of admiration, although they were certainly never the eyes of a sensorious dramatic critic. For several moments, Betty hadn't been longing to interrupt Polly's speechmaking, but had not known exactly how, and indeed, had hardly dared. Perhaps if she could get Polly away before she ever found things out, it would be best. Polly's temper was never very good, and this would hurt her in all the ways in which she was most sensitive. The girl's face was white as chalk, as she now ceased gazing at Betty, and walked quietly across the room toward the supposedly strange woman who had risen at her approach and was trembling violently. It's a joke, Polly. Don't be angry. We thought, if you could just see how silly play-acting seemed to other people, you would give it up. The voice shook a little. For Polly was ominously pale and quiet as she gently untied the veil and lifted off the stranger's hat. So you wanted to see how much of a fool you could make of me, didn't you, Molly? Well, you have succeeded splendidly, dear. I can't imagine how you could have had any greater success, and Polly shut her lips tight together and clenched her hands. If only Betty and Meg and Molly knew how furiously, suffocatingly angry she was, they would probably be afraid to have anything to do with her. But Meg was approaching her with her usually happy face somewhat clouded. I am afraid you must think pretty poorly of us all, Polly. Really, it just looked funny to us at first. We only meant to tease you. But now, I am willing to confess, it does seem rather hateful of us, and I want to apologize to you for my part in this whole proceeding. Still Polly made no answer. Only when Molly rather timidly put her arms about her saying, Please do, Polly dear, forgive us, and don't take the whole thing so seriously. You are fond enough of a joke yourself. She quietly pushed Molly aside and turned toward Betty. Please take me home then, Betty, for I am afraid I have furnished all the amusement this afternoon that I feel equal to. But when Betty's arms went about her, Polly trembled so violently that when she had to hide her head on her friend's shoulder and just for an instant a choked sob shook her. Both girls, however, were moving toward the closed drawing-room door. But before they could leave the room, a tall form barred their way. You can't go until I've spoken to you, Billy Webster said, almost rudely, in his determination to be obeyed. He had taken off his beard, wig, and glasses, and his face showed almost as white as Polly's. But Polly looked directly at him with eyes that apparently did not see him. I never wished to have to speak to you again so long as I live, Mr. Webster, she said quietly, and you can be quite happy because whatever old scores you may think you owe me, you have paid me back this afternoon with interest. CHAPTER XVI of THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS AMID THE SNOWS This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen, Vancouver, B.C. THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS AMID THE SNOWS by Margaret Vander Cook. CHAPTER XVI THE APOLOGY But—but I didn't do it, in that spirit, in the least, Miss Polly. The young man pleaded, still refusing to let the girls pass him until they actually forced their way. It was all a joke, a horribly poor one. I agree with Miss Meg, but it began by accident, and then grew until none of us realized how foolish and worse than that it was. Oh, if you only knew what it is like to feel like a cat and to hate yourself through and through, and yet to know that whatever you do you can never change things, we never dreamed you would take it all so seriously or be so completely deceived. We thought you would see through us pretty soon, and then scold us for a while and afterwards laugh along with the rest of us. But Polly's ambition is not a joke to her, Betty returned, saying that Polly either couldn't or wouldn't speak. She takes it as seriously as you can take the most serious ambition of your life. And to come here and do her best in order that all of you might make fun of her, really it is so cruel and in such bad taste that I don't feel I can, like any of you for a long time, not even Meg and Molly. Betty's gray eyes were so full of high-bred reproach, her face betrayed such a spiritual distaste that if Belly Webster could have felt more humbled, which was quite impossible, he would have at this moment. But I was not making fun, at least not after Miss Polly began her recitation, he returned. I thought it quite remarkable, and I would have given a very great deal if that accident had not happened, so that I might have heard her straight through. I confess I don't approve of well-bred girls even thinking of going on the stage, and I do sincerely hope Miss Polly will give up the idea before she is much older. But if it's a question of talent, well, I don't think there can be much doubt of her having talent enough. Polly said this so earnestly and with such evident sincerity that at any other time it might have slightly appeased Polly. Now, however, her feelings were too badly wounded for any outside balm. Molly was crying so that she could hardly do or say anything, but Meg walked up quietly to Belly Webster, taking him by the sleeve. Girls go now, Billy, please. It is not the time to detain them. Perhaps when Polly has thought things over a little, she will realize we did not intend to wound her so deeply and will remember that she has probably made mistakes with people sometimes herself. I expect Molly had better stay all night with me so that she won't have to discuss this question any more tonight. And at this Polly and Betty both looking a little relieved, retired into the hall where they found their coats and hats and put them on with Meg's assistance, saying goodbye to her politely enough as they started toward home. It was not necessary, however, for Polly to have to ask Betty not to talk to her on the way to the cabin, for Betty's gift of sympathy and understanding was one of her surest charms. She even explained to Rose and the other girls on their arrival that Polly had developed a headache on the trip back from town and asked to be left alone for the rest of the evening to sleep it off. However, when supper was over, by Polly's request she asked that Rose would give her a few quiet moments and in those moments she made her friends and her own confessions. Rose was not quite so angry or so wholly on Polly's side as Betty believed she would be. For in the first place Miss Dyer was vexed with the two girls for not having told her of their intentions and suggested that their interview having developed into a joke was perhaps the best way out of it. It was rather an unkind joke, but then Polly took herself far too seriously and in her heart of hearts Rose hoped the young lady might learn a useful lesson through her uncomfortable experience. And in a measure Rose's wish was gratified for Polly did not soon recover from her hurt and shame and did not refer a gain either to Miss Adams or her own future ambition. Apparently so far as anyone knew she had given up a thought of it for she settled down more seriously to the work of the campfire gaining each month additional honors and was also working to acquire a prize at school. Of course she had to forgive Polly her part in the discomfiture. Polly was so truly repentant when she discovered how deep was her sister's hurt and Polly with all her faults was not one to cherish anger. Then by and by she also made up with Meg though it was a good many years before she had actually the same intimate feeling with her as she had had with the other campfire girls. In future years it was always Molly and Meg who were particularly intimate but there was one person who Polly could not bring herself to pardon. For the rest of that winter she never again spoke to Billy Webster. He and Molly remained good friends and sometimes with another girl he used to take walks together so that Polly saw him now and then at the cabin and often times when she was walking or driving through his father's woods. However though he never failed to raise his hat to her she always behaved as though he were made of thin air and so impossible for her to behold. However Polly had not given up her ambition in spite of her altered behavior. Nevertheless the shock to her pride had though she did not herself realize it been extremely good for her making her realize how silly her pretensions must seem to other people and so through this and by watching Esther Clark go quietly ahead with her music working steadily without asking either for reward or admiration she learned several valuable lessons. Besides Polly was so truly happy in the thought that her beloved mother was to return home early in the spring. Mrs. O'Neill had written her daughters that she was coming home in April and that she had a wonderful secret to tell them which she hoped they would rejoice in for her sake. She also said that an old Irish uncle had died during her stay abroad and had left to Molly and Polly a legacy of two thousand dollars each so that they need have no worry about their education. If it were possible Mrs. O'Neill hoped to see Mrs. Ashton before coming back to America so that she could bring Betty and Dick a better report of their father's exact condition than letters had yet been able to give them. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Elizabeth Holland The Campfire Girls Amid the Snows by Margaret Vander Cook Chapter 17 General News The final winter months passed peacefully and fairly uneventfully at the Sunrise Cabin with the girls following a regular routine of school and campfire work and receiving new honors at each monthly meeting of their council fire. So far Esther Clark, Molly O'Neill, and strangely enough Nan Graham had earned the greatest number of honor beads. For since Nan's unpleasant day at home a new incentive seemed to have been added to her first ambition to make herself an attractive and capable woman. While this incentive was she confided only to her two most admired friends, Rose Dyer and Polly. But by a Polly Channel the news also reached Betty Ashton's ears. Nan's former Good for Nothing brother Anthony had disappeared but had written his sister two letters declaring that he was hard at work, keeping straight and though he did not wish anyone to know where he was, some day when he could feel that Nan might be proud instead of ashamed of him meant to come home. In the meantime he urged Nan to stick close to her campfire friends and to work. Therefore there was only one wood gatherer now within the Sunrise Club Circle and this the small Abbey whom Dr. Barton and Sylvia had introduced with such an amazing lack of tact on Christmas Eve. For several weeks after her arrival the girls had simply permitted her to live on at the cabin enjoying their outdoor life, their healthy diet and watching the faint roses bloom in her cheeks but without the faintest idea of ever asking her to become a member of the Sunrise Club. In the first place the child was too impossibly young, a bear thirteen. When most of the other girls were now approaching seventeen and grown upness and it was an unwritten campfire law that the girls in a single group should be as nearly as possible of the same age. If Abbey had only been as old as her years but she was not even that and yet somehow this very babyishness and oddity finally won her admittance to the magic circle paradoxical as it may seem. Perchance the club may have needed a baby now that little brother had returned to live in his own home. Anyhow Abbey almost before anyone was aware of it was occupying this position. Before her arrival Sylvia Wharton had been the youngest member of the Sunrise Club. But there had never been anything particularly youthful or clinging about Sylvia. Indeed she had been about the most independent and self-reliant of the girls and therefore she found it very difficult to understand her own special protege. Abbey's name wasn't Abbey at all but Abigail Faith Abbott and once the romantic Polly made this discovery Faith the little girl became to the entire club. Faith had lived a curiously solitary life apart from all other children. It was true her mother kept borders in a downtown house in Old Boston that had once belonged to her great-grandfather but Faith had been kept away from them as much as possible and because of her ill health had never been allowed to go to school. It was because of her many illnesses that young Dr. Barton took an interest in the child. Her father was dead and her mother too busy and he cares to see much of her. So most of the young girl's life had been spent in a small room at the top of an old house which had an ever-closed window through which she could look out upon miles of chimney tops with every now and then a more aspiring steeple. So was it much of a wonder that the little lonely girl lived with fancies instead of realities and that as a result of all these things she now looked as though a harsh New Hampshire wind might easily blow her away. The children Faith had played with had never been real children at all but two little spirit sisters whom she had imagined in her own mind for so long now that she could not remember when first she had thought of them. Nevertheless it was with them that she constantly played and if left alone occasionally she spoke to them aloud. Of course Faith was old enough now to understand the absurdity of this and had made up her mind never to betray herself at the cabin. Yet within a short time after her arrival and because of her dreadful homesickness Miss Dyer made the discovery. Unfortunately Sylvia who had taken the little visitors physical training sternly in hand also found out the fancy. Faith did not go into town to school with the other girls for by the doctors and Sylvia's advice she was to spend all her time outdoors on the cabin front porch wrapped up in rugs. It was rather cold and dull with only the sunrise hill before her the now frozen lake where the girls skated in the late afternoons and the long dark avenue of pines. However in the beginning of her experience Faith confessed to herself that she liked the loneliness far better than so many and such amazingly enterprising girls. With an almost desperate shyness she clung to Rose Dyer as the one grown up person who faintly suggested her own mother to Sylvia's ministration she yielded herself without protesting but for some weeks she never spoke one word to any of the older girls except in answering a question addressed to her. Indeed when evening came and the others gathered about their log fire to talk the little stranger used to slip away to be cuddled like a baby in old mammy's arms until Sylvia who wished her to retire an hour before anyone else and have a special late supper of milk and eggs would come and bear her off to be put to bed. One morning Rose had been feeling worried at having been compelled to leave Faith so long outdoors alone without even going to the door to speak to her. The guardian's hands had been unusually full that morning with mammy who ordinarily helped a little with the work while the girls were away laid up with rheumatism. Also Rose knew that Max the late Bernard dog who had arrived almost at the same time with Faith spent most of his time with the little girl and so she let the whole matter slip her mind until it was time to carry out her midday lunch. Then she smiled a little ruefully as she paused for a moment before opening the front door wondering if Dr. Barton could guess just how much this child had added to her responsibilities and whether he would care seriously if he did. With his own devotion looking after the sick really he seemed totally indifferent to people who were well. Doubtless he would take everything as a matter of course. In his visits to the cabin since Christmas certainly nothing more had been said on the subject. Rose laughed and then sighed pausing with the door to the porch half open and listening. Faith was evidently not alone for she could distinctly hear her talking to someone although unable to catch any answers. I think perhaps I can keep on bearing it Anastasia. Faith said in a voice that was only fairly brave. If only you will stay with me and not let all those strange girls drive you and Gloria away. When they talk so much it seems as though I can't remember you and it makes me want to go home. Her voice broke and Rose peering out was deeply mystified. The little half-sick girl plainly alone and plainly dreadfully homesick. But with whom could she be talking? I don't mind the Rose one so much Gloria she continued. But Dr. Ned said she was as nice as my mother even nicer I believe he thought her yet he does not even look at her and hardly speaks to her when he comes to visit me. And here Faith dropped her pale face into her small gloved hands and began to cry just as Rose appeared with her lunch. Nevertheless by the exercise of as much tact and patience as Miss Dyer had ever used in her society days to charm the coldest and most obdurate of her critics finally she managed to persuade Faith to explain to her with whom she had been talking and just who were the mysterious persons Gloria and Anastasia. Of course with many blushes Faith made her confession understanding that she was now far too old for any such fanciful nonsense. Yet she did tell Rose with a good deal of pleasure toward the last that the two names represented two older sisters with whom she had been pretending to play ever since she was a baby and who were really dearer to her and more actual than real people. Naturally the new camp fire guardian was puzzled over this wholly new problem with this so much younger girl and after thinking it over for a long time made up her mind to consult with Dr. Barton. For if ever the little girl were to recover her normal health under their camp fire rules she must certainly put away her morbid fancies. But the consultation gave the new guardian no satisfaction appearing to estrange her more than ever from the young physician. For he and Rose disagreed about the method of Faith's cure completely and it was ever the young man's obstinacy that Rose had found it hardest to forgive. Actually Dr. Barton had the stupidity to lecture Faith about her cherished secret and even to betray her to Sylvia who tried reasoning with her every night while putting her to bed. Fortunately however Rose Dyer had not had a colored mammy for nothing having grown up on splendid fairy and folklore stories she managed to interest little Faith the things outside her own mind in real campfire games and work and finally in the girls themselves until growing less afraid Faith found Molly, Polly and Betty better substitutes than the sisters of her dreams and by and by through their guardians advice the little girl was permitted to enter the Sunrise Club as a wood gatherer. There she grew to be more and more faithful to its rules and ideals until after a while her too vivid imagination seemed to be fairly well under her control. If later in life however her fancy was to lead her into strange experiences soon no one would have guessed it for March found Faith stronger than ever before in her life and utterly attached to Rose Dyer. Still looking like her little golden-haired Christmas Angel Polly once remarked Angel after she had eaten the Christmas dinner. Nevertheless though Sylvia fully understood that all Faith's devotion was now bestowed on their campfire guardian now and then she used to wonder why Faith did not show any liking for her. Certainly she had given her the tenderest physical care making her follow faithfully every campfire help through live outdoors sleep and eat all she should. Also puzzling to Sylvia just as it had often been to older persons why after a few weeks every girl in the sunrise camp seemed to feel of special affection for little Faith. She never appeared to do anything to try to deserve it except to be pretty and have curly light hair big gentle blue eyes and a timid and appealing manner while Sylvia who spent most of her time making herself as useful as possible to her friends particularly loved not even by Polly. And for Polly O'Neill Sylvia Wharton's devotion has never for a single instant wavered and never will even when the future puts it to many difficult tests. For faithfulness to an idea a conviction or a person will ever be Sylvia's predominant trait of character and while it may not make her appear on the surface as loving or lovable as some of her companions it would be well if she could now know that it would be to her the other girls will always turn in after years when they stand in need of sensible advice or even of real practical assistance. And this was to be particularly true of Polly O'Neill in her not very peaceful life so it was unfortunate that poor Sylvia had now to fight down many pangs of foolish jealousy through seeing that Polly as well as the other girls made a special threat and plaything of the newest commer. But if Faith had unconsciously made Sylvia suffer now and then, she also accomplished another result. Just at first Betty Ashton had imagined that there might be some unknown bond of interest between Rose Dyer and young Dr. Barton cemented before Rose's entrance into their club as guardian. But now she gave up the impression believing thoroughly that Rose found the cold, puritanical young man actually distasteful in spite of his many acts of kindness to the sunrise campfire girls. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of the Campfire Girls Amid the Snows This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Elizabeth Holland The Campfire Girls Amid the Snows by Margaret Vander Cook Chapter 18 Donna and Her Dawn However, if none of the campfire girls thought of a possible romance between their new guardian and the young physician, now established as the regular visiting doctor at the Sunrise Cabin when the month of March was passing and the new Hampshire snows beginning to show every now and then a tendency toward melting, indicating the return of the ever-romantic spring. There was a good deal of carefully whispered discussion about the chief campfire guardian, Miss Martha McMurtry. Their guardian of the preceding summer liked best that the girl should call her by her campfire title, the Madonna of the Hill shortened for use into the Italian Donna. In the first weeks at camp, the summer before, Miss McMurtry had seemed to some of the campfire girls unappointed old maid, a regular born and bred one, as she had lived and worked through the outdoor months with such a variety of girls. Gradually this old maidish appearance had worn off until now there were actually self-evident reasons for believing that Donna had a real bona fide admirer in the person of the poor German gentleman who had rescued Betty and Esther on that memorable December evening in the snow and through their acquaintance had since come to know every member of the club. It is but natural to suppose that the first breath of this suggestion may have been introduced by Esther Clark since she had best opportunities for making observations. Yet actually it was Betty Ashton who first whispered it to Esther next to Polly and afterward it traveled very naturally about the select campfire circle. Esther had been continuing her lessons with the German professor once every week since before Christmas. Not that he was a singing master but he proved to be a thoroughly trained musician who understood the piano almost as well as the violin so that he was able to give Esther splendid assistance with her piano training so necessary to the singing later on. And this he insisted on doing without payment in spite of his poverty, showing a very decided interest in Esther's possible future. In spite of her own seriously reduced income however, Betty had it first suggested that she be allowed to contribute a small sum for the lessons but Esther had positively refused to accept anything more than her singing lessons from her friend. She explained that Heracrypin said she rendered him sufficient aid in his other work to pay for what he was doing for her and closing with the more truthful statement that for a reason he could not now set forth, he felt particularly hopeful for Daz and Nadiga for a line. And yet, notwithstanding the fact that Betty was extremely grateful to him for his kindness to Esther, from their first acquaintance she had never been able to resist the inclination to make fun of the poor gentleman on every possible occasion in the face of Esther's open protests, that is when it could be done without hurting his feelings. Under most circumstances, Esther felt that Betty could do no wrong, but her jokes at the hair professor's expense made Esther suffer a variety of emotions which she could not exactly explain even to herself. The poor man was so shabby and shy, such an apparent failure in life. Without money, position, friends, or family, none of the things which Betty still considered absolutely essential. Though she never thought she had betrayed herself, in a way it is just possible that Hare Crippen was all that winter guessing what was going on in regard to him in the back of Betty Ashton's mind. He had a pleading almost apologetic expression as he gazed into her lovely face as though vaguely asking her not to be too hard in her judgment and to be kind to him if she could. Once or twice it is just possible that he asked Ms. McMurtry questions about her semi-weekly visits to the older Campfire Guardian. But of this Betty, of course, had no knowledge. It was on one Saturday night when Ms. McMurtry happened to be staying at the cabin to afford Rose Dyer a holiday in town that Betty's suspicions of a possible romance were first aroused. Promptly at eight o'clock that evening the hair professor dressed in his best clothes made his appearance at the front door, with a collar considerably frayed at the ends, and a flowing black silk necktie. By chance there happened to be but a few of the sunrise girls at home that evening, for Molly O'Neill was staying all night with Meg. Eleanor Mead was to remain over Sunday with her mother, and Nan had gone home to take her father to church the next day as he had solemnly promised to be her companion. So as Edith had not come out for her regular day, there were only the five girls in camp. However, Sylvia was so busily engaged in seeing Faith to Bed that when the professor arrived there were only Betty, Polly, and Esther about to be in the way. Yet half an hour or so after his arrival, and in the midst of quite an interesting general conversation, hair-crippin' seemed to be overwhelmed with emotion. Suddenly asked Ms. McMurtry to take a walk outside with him, not even a particularly warm or agreeable late March evening. Betty was a little vexed, for they had just been talking of the old-time history of Woodford, of the names of some of the old families in the town and the immediate neighborhood. This was always a subject of keen interest to Betty, as her own family, the Ashtons, had been among the first settlers in the village, and through each generation had furnished some of Betty's grandfather who had built the orphan asylum where Esther had lived as a child. Consequently she felt an interest in it for her own as well as Esther's sake when hair-crippin' asked Ms. McMurtry if she had not once taught some of the children at the asylum as a kind of practice work before graduating at the normal school. And directly after this question, when Ms. McMurtry had quietly answered Professor, had disappeared out into the moonlight. Then immediately after this, Esther had slipped over to the piano and presently began playing over a new campfire song, which Frank Wharton had just sent his sister from headquarters in New York, hearing that the girls were particularly anxious for the latest campfire music. Polly, who had been rather annoyed at the interruption of a visitor, returned once more to the reading of her book, up to Betty, who was in an idle mood, to wander over casually to the window, and there without the least intention of spying, behold what certainly looked like a very interesting scene. Instead of walking up and down outside as the Professor had suggested, Hair Crippin's hands were clasped imploringly together, and his face were a strangely beseeching expression. Indeed, if Betty had been near enough she might feel tears in his eyes, as there had been on the Christmas Eve when he had his conversation with Esther. The very next instant Betty had, of course, turned hurriedly away, feeling ashamed of herself for having even innocently seen what was so plainly not intended for her eyes, and yet at the same moment she could not restrain a giggle, a giggle which grew later on into a confession of what she had witnessed. Still, as she explained, it was merely a suspicion, nothing more, for Betty had not seen how Donna had received the Professor's suit, nor did she really know what kind of a question he had asked. However, when a few days later Miss McMurtry actually asked for a leave of absence from school, in order to have a quiet talk along with Rose Dyer at the cabin, what had been an idle suspicion now looked as though it might be a reality. Notwithstanding, the girls had to suffer for some time with ungratified curiosity since Rose made no mention even of having had an unexpected visit from the older woman. Indeed, she tried to go about her regular campfire work from day to day, as though nothing had happened, as though there were nothing of special interest or importance on her mind. But this she did not quite succeed in doing, at least not to the watchful eyes of Esther and Polly, who were the most interested of the girls. For Rose's face when she supposed that no one was looking, wore an expression of surprise, of uncertainty and even of worry and uneasiness. It was odd, Betty thought, why Rose should take Miss McMurtry's love affair so seriously, and what could there be in it to trouble over anyhow. Either Miss Martha did, or did not care for a German, who must have been 15 years or senior, and who certainly was not a desirable catch from a worldly point of view. It never occurred to Betty that there could be any possibility of love not running smoothly with two such elderly persons. However, as Rose made no confidences, after a week had passed, the whole subject vanished into the background of everybody's minds, and most of the girls believed that the whole idea had been the beginning. And then one afternoon in the early part of April, Rose called Betty aside and asked her if on the following afternoon she and Esther could meet Miss McMurtry, Hair Crippen, and herself in the drawing room at the Ashton House in Woodford. There was a question which had to be discussed, and it was not possible to have any privacy at the cabin. Miss Dyer's own house was closed, but a caretaker had been left in charge of the Ashton as it was too beautiful a place to remain for so many months unguarded. End of Chapter 18 Chapter 19 of The Campfire Girls Amid the Snows This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Diana Schmidt The Campfire Girls Amid the Snows by Margaret Vander Cook Chapter 19 Memories Betty arrived at her home before her visitors. Esther was engaged for another half-hour with a music lesson and besides, Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors. It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps. For Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later while her husband was working in the yard. Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation as though she were a kind of a ghost. First she went straight to her mother's room but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down and the tables and mantles so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting-room across the hall. Would her father and mother never be back? Surely they would both be returning in the early summer when the weather would be less severe upon her father's health and the great house would be reopened as it had always been. At the cabin with the other girls Betty had not seemed so long to Betty nearly ten months now since their sailing but here at home why it seemed the years might have passed. A sudden fear clutched the girls heart. Would things ever be quite the same again? Did life ever repeat itself in exactly the same old way? And yet Betty had no regrets, only pleasure that she had been the moving spirit in the first organization of the Sunrise Camp Fire Club. How much they had learned in their summer and winter together and though she might count herself as having learned least of all yet surely she would never be quite so spoiled and selfish as on that May day when she had accidentally discovered Esther Clark singing the campfire hymn in their formerly deserted back room. When her mother returned she would relieve her by taking care of the housekeeping upon her own shoulders and certainly she would be able to cut down expenses. Now that her father's income was so reduced this would be a great assistance to him as Mrs. Ashton had no idea of possible household economies. Betty smiled not in the least mournfully. There was no thought of any real poverty to be grappled with in her mind. And considering in what an unexpected fashion she was going to be able to show her mother and father the benefits of her campfire training for which she had pled so earnestly not quite a year before. The young girl was in her own room at the time of these reflections seated in her own blue rocking chair with her feet tucked up under her and her chin resting in her hand looking out her open window in the opposite garden for this April afternoon was just as cold and uninspiring as that other May afternoon and there was also no fire in her grate although downstairs a big blaze had been lighted for the expected company. That Betty had changed in the past year her parents would be able to see readily. Really she was prettier than ever from her outdoor life her lips a more vivid scarlet and the selfish sometimes discontented lines about her mouth and forehead had wholly disappeared. Now thinking of her parents' return of how she would be able to prove her love for them by greater devotion to her father in his ill health that perhaps he would even teach her something of his business cares and responsibilities since Dick would be so long away completing his medical studies her expression was very thoughtful and charming and her gray eyes unusually serious yet the next instant with a gay laugh Betty jumped to her feet my goodness I must hurry downstairs and see how the drawing-room looks she exclaimed aloud I have been forgetting what an interesting interview we are going to have this afternoon Dear me, I wonder what the trouble is and why S. Theroni should be privileged to attend this romantic meeting perhaps there's going to be some kind of marriage contract arranged in German fashion and Esther, Rose and I are wanted as witnesses it matters not just so I am allowed in the secret and Betty started running down the hall however before arriving at the front steps a moment's hesitation overtook her and she paused the next second she had gone to the end of the passage and stood with her hand on the doorknob of the very room where she had once surprised Esther but today she could hear no sounds of singing on the inside I am going to peep into Esther's old room I wonder if she will wish this same one when she comes back to live with us again somehow it must affect me what chamber did bluebeard's wife there isn't the least reason why I should be peering into this empty place today the door opened quickly and Betty gave a sudden scream of terror the room was not unoccupied someone was kneeling over in a corner by a closed window the figure rose slowly to its feet I am sorry Betty I didn't mean to frighten you really dear I didn't dream of your coming in here it was Esther Clarke in the half light Betty was now able to distinguish her perfectly Esther's face was extremely white and there were tears in her large pale blue eyes and her lids were red and swollen her big hands worked nervously as they had on that former occasion when Betty had thought her so plain and unattractive looking it's you Esther Betty exclaimed in relieved tones gracious how you startled me but I thought you were taking your music lesson what in the world is troubling you child and how did you get into this house and upstairs without my knowing I came in through the kitchen and crept upstairs as quietly as possible since I wanted to be alone here for a few minutes Esther explained will you please leave me for a little while most certainly not replied Betty in her most autocratic tones if you have anything on your mind that is worrying you come on downstairs and tell me what it is you have a dreadful tiresome fashion Esther of just hugging your grievances to yourself when if you just told outright what they were there would probably be nothing for you to fret about Betty was annoyed and her tone was far more irritable than usual nevertheless Esther crossed the short space between them and taking Betty's lovely face between her hands kissed her two or three times in succession do as I tell you princess please she spoke in unusual tones of authority I will join you downstairs in a very little while but I must get back myself control first so there seemed to be nothing left for Betty but obedience so plainly did Esther appear to know what she wanted very slowly the younger girl walked down to the drawing room Esther did find it difficult to confide things to people but usually she was willing to tell them to her Betty thought well perhaps her shyness and reticence came from having been raised in an orphan asylum where no one was really deeply interested in her or her personal affairs nothing very serious could have happened however since Esther had left school only about an hour before in the drawing room everything was far more cheerful the fire was burning the window blinds were drawn up the grand piano was open and on it rested a vase of white roses perfectly impossible for Betty Ashton to learn to be economical all at once and with the thought of a possible betrothal in the house that afternoon she had stopped at a florist and brought the flowers in with her now she could not help feeling a little glow of pride over the beauty of their old drawing room especially noticeable after the simplicity of the living room at the cabin feeling rather nervous over the idea that Esther might probably be continuing with her crying upstairs and so unable to take part in the coming interview Betty walked slowly around the great room studying the portraits of her ancestors a favorite amusement with her so long as she could remember they were stern persons most of them Betty did not believe that she could ever have such strict views of the difference between right and wrong so harsh in her judgments as they had been but then the world had moved on to a wider vision since those days one of her great great uncles had assisted in the burning of witches Betty turned from the self-righteous looking portrait to the picture of the aunt whom she had always believed herself to resemble the young woman in the white dress with the big picture hat then the girl smiled at her own vanity how absurd to think that she could look like anyone so lovely and yet here was the auburn hair only a shade more golden than her own big eyes that were blue instead of gray in a kind of proud fashion of tilting her chin very probably Betty had always held her own head in this fashion because she had always so wished to be thought like this special great aunt well it was a good thing to feel a certain pride of ancestry the young girl thought in spite of all of Polly's teasing surely the possession of a great name ought to keep one away from littleness or meanness make one's drive to fill an honorable position in the world if she had not the ability to be a great woman certainly she intended to be a good one and then the recollection of came to her again poor Esther who had not even a name of her own for this very reason had she not always been more ambitious for her friend than Esther had seemed for herself if she had no position no money and no family Esther did have a real talent and must make a place for herself someday but there sounded the first ring at the doorbell it was not Air Crippen arriving first since with Esther still upstairs how could she ever hope to keep him entertained until the arrival of the others but probably the elderly violinist had never seen anything quite so handsome as their drawing room Betty had the grace to laugh and then blush over her own foolishness snobbishness Polly might call it what did she know of Air Crippen passed what he had seen where he had traveled in the 45 years or more of his life with a smile of welcome and her hand extended Betty then moved forward toward the door to receive her first guest End of Chapter 19 Cumpfire girls amid the snooze this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Chad Horner from Ballyclair the Cumpfire girls amid the snooze about Margaret Bandercook Chapter 20 The Explanation however it only turned out to be Rose Dire looking unusually flushed and excited who kissed Betty rather tremendously and then sat down as though she were out of breath I was afraid I would be late was her explanation and instant later there was another ring at the bell and on the second occasion Miss McCurtry and her Crippen entered together Betty considered that Miss McCurtry looked a little bit agitated but not remarkably so just enough if she were really about to announce her engagement but her Crippen unhappy man was this the way that love affected the emotional German temperament his face which was ordinarily pale enough was today like chalk his red hair was moist upon his high forehead and his big hands gold as he shook hands with his hostess then the little company arranged himself in chairs before the glowing fire and remained perfectly silent why on earth didn't someone speak it was her own home she felt that upon herself devolved the duties of a hostess and yet so plainly in the present instance did it seem to her to be her place to say nothing until her older guests offered some explanation for their presence where as Esther Miss McCurtry finally asked and feeling grateful at having something to do which permitted even an instant to escape from the frozen stillness of the room Betty jumped up announcing hurriedly I will get her myself Esther isn't feeling very well or she would have been down before she is upstairs in her own room then before she could get away there was an unmistakable sound of someone approaching and the next moment Esther Clarke joined her friends she had washed her face and smoothed her hair but there were still plain traces of recent tears about her she appeared surprised when Betty had taken her place before the fire again Esther sat down on a still near her and not seeming to care in the least about the near presence of other people took one of Betty's hands in hers as though she were clinging to it for encouragement and support will you please tell the whole story as slowly and as clearly as you can her crepin Esther then asked Miss McCurtry and Miss Dyer both understand about it in a measure but it will be an entire surprise to Miss Ashton in utter amazement Betty entirely forgetting her manners and I proceeded to stare from one face to the other of her guests was this the way to announce a betrothal and besides what could Esther know of the relation between her music teacher and their first campfire guardian had she not been as much mystified as the rest of them her crepin clearing his throat jumped up from his chair and began striding rapidly up and down the length of the great room talking so rapidly and under the pressure of such great excitement that Betty had almost to strain her ears to catch the real drift of what he was saying I have told you before I have lived one other time in Woodford 14-15 years ago but I have not said for how long I am here nor why I went away he began hastily I have a beautiful wife an American woman she was not well and we came here to your crystal held country with our babies that she might recover but she recovered not instead she was ill so long a time until at last she was told dead he corrected himself wiping the moisture from his brow with a big pocket hunger chief then I am very poor I have spent so much time nursing her and have two babies left who must be looked after I try then to get music pupils but I have not much heart besides are not the babies always there to be kept out of mischief so where is the time I can work I must go away there is nothing else and how can I carry the little ones one under each arm no I must leave my children behind Esther's blue eyes were gazing step-fastly down at the oriental rug at her feet but Betty's cheeks were burning with interest and her gray eyes followed the speaker as eagerly as her ears heard him there is a great house here for little ones I am told an orphans home they call it orphans with no mother and a father that is not even food to give them in a flash Betty's arms were about Esther's neck and she was drawing her toward her with an affectionate understanding she had verly ever before shown her you need not explain any more her crepin if the others already know Betty Ashton interrupted for I think I understand what you are intending to tell me you left your children at Woodford orphan asylum and Esther is your daughter so after all these years have passed you come back to find her it is very very strange I can't quite realise it all yet and here is Esther not looking in the least like a German but inheriting your musical talent although with her it has taken the form of a wonderful voice Betty stopped talking at last to gaze into the fire to overcome with the surprising mysteries of life to say anything more for the present and apparent relief showed itself in the faces of everybody present her crepin sat down again and Esther left her place for a chair next his aren't we going to have some tea Betty dear now our surprise party is over Rose Dyer inquired so that Betty came back to herself with a start and crossing the room rang the bell the next instant she paused in front of Esther and her father it was odd that no one had ever thought of it but there was a kind of likeness between the man and girl the same red hair and paleness the same nervous manner although Esther was far more attractive looking and had learned a great deal more self control this afternoon there was an added dignity about Esther even an ability which showed itself in her quiet pose of her head in the firm lines about her looking at her friend Betty Ashton's eyes filled suddenly with tears for in this moment she was feeling a deeper a sincere affection for her than at any time since her acquaintance but she won't be taking Esther away from me her crepin Betty suddenly pleaded she has been a kind of foster sister to me for almost a year and I should be so dreadfully lonely here in this big house without her after the closing of our camp she has already taught me such a number of things I don't suppose she can even dream how many can't you just let her live on with me and come and see her whenever you like which question showed that Betty Ashton did not realise the circumstances ever could seriously interfere with her dearest wishes but the German violinist while he held his daughter's hand clashed tight in his head for a little while yes he agreed but after that my Esther she must go away from Woodford she has I closer talent than you her friends who do not understand music canoe she must study much she must do all that I have failed to do I have a little money it is enough for the start after that but I shall not wish ever to leave Betty or you Esther interrupt it quietly I am not ambitious I can learn all I shall need to know to earn my living here at Woodford it was hardly the time for argument as each member of the little company realised unfortunately at this moment the tea tray made its arrival so that Betty and Esther were both busy in supplying the wants of their few guests however when Betty had secured her own cup of tea she brought up a tiny table and placed it between the German professor and herself there had not be much time for thought but in a vague way Betty felt that she wanted to make reparation both to her friend and air crippling for any foolish joking which she had done at the man's expense really he was not so bad now one realised how many misfortunes he had pastory although he could not have had much strength of character or he would never have let anything persuade him to desert his children you would go with Esther when she has to leave Woodford Betty inquired softly not wishing that anyone else should over here of course when the time comes it wouldn't be fair for me to stand in her way no matter how much we care for one another but Esther would be far too timid to go alone her crippling shook his head violently I cannot leave this neighbourhood nothing can make me until I have accomplished all my purpose no objections, no arguments he spoke with such anger that Betty stared in a complete state of mystification her crippling's voice was not lowered he gazed with apparent farseness at Miss McCurtry who Betty had supposed until very recently to be the object of his ardent affections I tell you I leave behind two children he went on the one I have found the other the superintendent of the asylum my friends no one will tell me where my older child is adopted they tell me taken away from here I have no more a legal right I should only make unhappiness should I demand my little baby back again you promised me when your father Esther began in a pleading tone you promised me that if I would forget all your past neglect you would find your happiness in me but Betty had risen to your feet and stood frowning with unconscious earnestness of the tall man if your son has been adopted by people who love him and him he loves and thinks or his parents then I don't think you have the least right to enter fear today and left him when he was a little baby to almost any kind of fate now you expect him to give up everything and everybody and come back to you a perfect stranger I am sure if I were in his place I should love my adopted parents whom I had always believed to be my own far better than I could ever care for you the big German dropped his head on his chest and Miss McCurtry got up quickly come girls we must be getting back home to the cabin or the other girls will believe we are lost run away Betty you and Esther and get your coats and hats but when the five people were leaving the big house together Betty waited behind for a moment I hope I didn't hurt your feelings about your son, her professor she apologized I didn't intend to be rude and I should think just finding a wonderful daughter like Esther might make one happy enough her crippling opened his mouth and tended to say something but evidently changed his mind as to what it should be you are a very good little lady who might have heard your friend's call princess and I have no doubt that what you before said to me is most true End of Chapter 20 Recording by Chad Horner from Bolly Claire Chapter 21 Miss Fortune Several days later Dick Ashton walking out to the sunrise cabin from Woodford unexpectedly caught up with Esther making the same journey he came up to her side very quickly and with one look in his face the girl gave a cry of dismay Dick was always serious and yet in spite of his seriousness there was no one with a keener appreciation of humor situations and people but today his face was drawn and there was a set look about his lips I didn't mean to startle you Esther, Dick said quietly but I am very glad it is you I have met rather than any one of the other girls I have bad news for Betty did Esther's face for a fleeting instant show surprise and almost alarm it has nothing to do with me has it she asked but Dick shaking his head and hardly heeding her question went on I have just received news of my father's death and must break it to Betty it is going to be very hard Betty has never known anything but happiness and in spite of in spite of everything I believe my father loved her almost better than either my mother or me after her first exclamation of sympathy Esther continued silent feeling advisor to let Dick talk himself out to a sympathetic listener than to pour forth her own regrets it isn't only the loss of my father that Betty and mother will have to endure continued but the entire loss of my father's fortune the trouble has been brewing for some time but a few weeks ago the crash came and it must have hastened the end you don't mean to say they will have nothing Esther inquired in a frightened voice the thought of Betty whom her friends had always called princess because of her careless generosity difference her absolute ignorance of the whole money question now to face poverty without any training or preparation for it the thought fairly made Esther gasp and Dick who had some idea of what was passing in her mind added yes it is pretty rough to bring a girl up to live like a princess and then suddenly to leave her upon her I have always been afraid we have not been quite fair with Betty maybe it would have been easier for her to have known the truth about things from the beginning still it can't help now the worst of it is that I know nothing about business either I have never cared for anything but my profession and it takes a long time for a man to be able to support even himself in medicine until he has had several years of experience at least I must give it up Dick's face went wider than ever at this and Esther who in spite of a certain shyness and nervousness when she found himself the center of observation had a really good judgment and self control now reply quietly I wouldn't think too much of this now Mr. Ashton thinks are pretty sure to turn out a little better than you feel they can at present and in any case I am sure something will be arranged so that you can go on with your profession it would be too great a pity when you have studied so long and are now so near your graduation to have to give it up. Dick Ashton looked at Esther gratefully thinking of how their positions had been reversed in a little less than a year had he not when first he came upon the shy, homely girl among his sister's group of friends done his best to make her more comfortable less of a stranger and an outsider and now he felt strangely strengthened by her presence and advice he too saw that there were times when Esther's self-forgetfulness gave her a kind of beauty which was more important than mere lines and color since it was a beauty that would last far longer so the young people walked on for a little time in silence until Dick Ashton colored and then hesitated I hope you won't think me rude, Miss Esther that in my own trouble I have forgotten to congratulate you on having found your father Betty has written me all about it and I certainly hope it may add to your happiness I used to wonder even when I was a little boy if you felt very lonely at the asylum without a a single relative you wondered about me then you knew about me Esther asked quietly and turned stopping short in the path to give Dick Ashton a long quiet look something passed between them without words one of those subtle and silent communications of thought for which there has been no satisfactory explanation yet in the instant each one of them knew that the other had guessed his and her secret or if not quite guessing it at least had very reasonable foundations for their suspicion Dick's formerly pale face crimsoned and he looked down at the ground beginning to walk slowly on we thought it best this way Miss Esther and still think so it has been hard upon you perhaps but isn't it better that one person should suffer than that a number should be made unhappy there was almost in treaty in Dick Ashton's voice and at the same time he meant to make no betrayal if Esther did not know what he supposed she might possibly have learned within the past few weeks Esther's reply left no room for it is best this way now she answered slowly I can't say that I think it altogether fair or just at the beginning but so far I am concerned why you need never worry I wish there was some way in which we could make it up to you but we have nothing now to be of any assistance to anybody it is what my mother meant in a measure when Esther nodded I understand and there is no need of talking about repaying me Betty has already done more than that and there is nothing in the world I would not do or give up for her sake I care for her more than she might ever know his companions voice trembled so that Dick feared she might be losing her self control and knew that they had very hard enough tasks before them they were not very far from Sunrise Camp and now and feared that at any moment Betty Ashton might come out to meet them since Dick had telegraphed that he was coming to see her on important business in order that she might be a little bit prepared for what was to follow it is a pretty dark road for all of us just now Esther but some day perhaps without our having to make the decision things will write themselves somehow he returned kindly and at this instant the young man and girl discovered Betty flying along the path in their direction it was a fairly warm April afternoon and she wore her blue cape the cape which Esther remembered so well during the spring of her own coming to the big Ashton house she had on no hat and her hair was tied back in a loose bunch of red brown curls evidently Betty had suspected no trouble from Dick's telegram Betty and trouble were so far apart these days for she laughed and waved both hands in joyous welcome at her brother's approach where did you two people go on another I believe it was all arranged beforehand and Dick Ashton's visits to our cabin are quite as much to see Miss Esther, Clark, Crippen I meant to say as they are to see poor little me Betty had always enjoyed teasing Esther and now she expected this silly remark of hers to make her friend blush and scold Esther saying not to have paid the least attention not even to have heard her and in the same instant Betty guessed that something serious had occurred her expression changed instantly Betty looks suddenly older and unlike anyone had ever seen her look before she took her brother's hand never mind Dick I think I know already she whispered and unexpectedly it seemed to be Dick who was having to be upheld and consoled Esther slipped silently away leaving the brother and sister together in their sorrow and somehow in her loneliness she felt almost envious of them in the closeness of their grief End of Chapter 21 Recording by Linda Vancouver BC For my part announced Polly O'Neill I am not so heartbroken as I expected having to say farewell to Sunrise Cabin it is so different for us all with the princess not here and having to think of her back home in her big house with only her mother and one little maid of all work to think that I used to tell the princess I thought she ought to be poor a little while just to find out what it felt like I could grab my eyes out now when I realised that it has actually come true it was the May meeting of the Sunrise Council Fire and because it was to be the last meeting for some time which might be held on her old camping grounds the girls in their guardian had decided that it should take place outdoors and that at the close of their regular programme there should be a general talk over the history of the past year Esther rose quietly at this speech of Polly's partly because she seemed to wish to find relief in action and then because the May night was cold and put several fresh pine logs on their already glowing fire you must not think I am ungrateful rose dear Polly continued this winter has been to me the most wonderful one sometimes I think the turning point of my whole life but if Betty is going to be trying to take borders in that big Ashton house to support herself and her mother and let Dick finish his medical studies why I think Molly and mother and I had better be back in our own tiny cottage to give her our valuable advice but Betty won't be keeping borders herself will she I thought it was Mrs Ashton who was to look after things with Betty to help Na and Graham spoke in a kind of odd tone still it wouldn't seem very nice of us to keep on living here in our cabin which Betty did a great deal more toward building than the rest of us if she were not here to share it Molly shook her head decidedly so that the feathers of her Indian headdress made fantastic small shadows on the ground I don't think that would matter in the least and certainly not to Betty she said in her sensible far-seeing fashion Betty would love to think of our being here and she would come and visit us whenever it were possible the circumstances seem to have changed for all of us here is mother coming home from Ireland and Polly and I will want to keep house for her and look after things while she is at work just as we have always done and then Mrs Mead says she isn't willing for Eleanor to be away from her any longer and Nan feels she ought to go home and help her mother with the younger children and Esther going away after a while to New York to study dear me what changes a few months can bring I am glad they have not brought such big ones to us Polly Sylvia Wharton have been in the act of wrapping a white woolen shawl about the small faith who was cuddled close to Rose Dyer but now she stopped and started hard at Molly and then at Polly with an apparently wooden expression of face what makes you feel things won't be different for you and that your mother will go back to work she stammered feeling gave a little warning tug at her dress but unable to change the form of her question once it had taken a start in that way in her mind however both the sisters only laughed Polly exclaiming in an amused tone of course we don't know anything definitely oh Sylvia in this world of surprises but Mary that present indications point the way Molly as just mentioned fortunately Polly who was usually quick as a flash to follow up any suggestion had her mind on other than her own affairs tonight Esther she continued the next moment this is a kind of confessional tonight or at least it may be if we girls decide that we are willing to confide in one another autobiography is so much more interesting than history anyhow so I wonder if you would mind telling us why you changed your mind so suddenly about going away from Woodford to study at first you said nothing in the world would persuade you to go and then all of a sudden after Betty's misfortune when it looked as though you might be a help to her you determined to leave don't answer me if you don't like Esther I know you have a perfectly good reason of course I changed my mind without a reason but you don't Esther and I felt that the eyes of all the members of the campfire circle were fixed upon her and that many of them held the same question that Polly had just so frankly asked for a moment she hesitated looking a little appealingly at Miss McCurtry and then at Rose Dyer Rose nodded her head and I would tell just what I felt Esther as far as you can Rose recommend it it is only fair to you that Betty's dearest friends should understand your position even though you would rather that Betty herself should not know I feel you can trust them to keep your secret Esther wind the seven beats of string into a single chain before she spoke it sounds rather absurd of me and pretentious I know she began slowly of course I have a great many reasons in my mind why I feel it best for me to go away from Woodford right now and the most important one I cannot tell but there is another which perhaps I have the right to let you try to understand I am not discerning Betty just when she seems to need me most it is because Betty now is and someday I may be able to help her if I do go away and succeed with my music that I am willing to go you see Betty has done such a lot for me and has wanted to do so much more and and Esther could not continue with her confession but it was hardly necessary for rising from her place Polly marched solemnly around their circle and sitting down by Esther put her arm about her neck by Esther though I want you to believe that no one of us has ever died at you you are too unselfish and too unworthy to care to make a big success in the world with your talent if it is only for yourself but the thought that maybe you can someday bring back wealth and happiness again to the princess makes most any effort worthwhile Esther bowed her head too full of emotion to answer Polly's question I suppose I cared for Betty a lot I have known her so much longer than you have Polly went on thoughtfully but I don't half love her as you do Esther even in this little while I suppose it is because you haven't any relatives of your own and your father is still so new to you but didn't you have a baby brother or someone long years ago Polly's remark was never finished because Miss Dyer now got up quickly because the evenings were so cool the May Council Fire had started early and though it was well now over there was still a faint reflection of daylight I thought I heard the wheels of a wagon several moments ago she explained and now I think I can see Dr Barton's buggy being driven this way I wonder what in the world he can want us at this time of the evening Polly will you come back to the cabin with me to see? the Council Fire was being held at no great distance from the sunrise cabin but perhaps it was Rose Dyer's purpose at this moment to separate Polly and Esther of course Polly followed with entire willingness but a few feet from their door seeing Dr Barton's buggy draw near and that it held two occupants instead of one her face crimsoned her lips to control her fixation she was returning to join the girls when Dr Barton's voice called after her don't go away Miss O'Neill please or call us upon your sister and yee I was driving through the woods and found Mr Webster with a telegram which had been telephoned to the farm in which he was bringing out to you and I offered to give him a lift although neither of the two young men had received any invitation to your light they both got out of the buggy and both wearing somewhat crestfallen expressions stood gazing at the two young women I will call Molly Polly declared stiffly drawing back from Billy's hand which held a square of paper in it you need not speak to me Miss O'Neill simply because I happened to be your messenger boy the young man said as hotly as Polly could have spoken and you need not feel any contamination at accepting this message from me the telegram was telephoned out of our farm and my mother wrote it down so I haven't the faintest idea what the paper contains without showing any further signs of recognising the speaker Polly reached for the paper but the next instant her frightening cry from Molly brought her sister Sylvia Wharton a half a dozen other persons to your side you must have read it wrong it is so dark or your mother must have made some mistake Polly cried for getting her policy of silence in her agitation and then standing with a white face and clenched teeth she watched Molly read the message Molly did not betray any great grief of anger only a considerable amount of surprise so that Polly for an instant believed her own eyes must have deceived her why I can't quite understand it Molly said aloud saying the puzzled group of faces around her mother telegraphs that she and Mr Wharton Sylvia's father had been engaged to be married for the past few months and that she was coming home to tell us about it and to ask us if we were willing but something has happened or else Mr Wharton has just persuaded her for they are married already and she is very happy and hopes we will forgive her and be almost as overjoyed as she is in coming home to us at least that is what I think the cablegram means Billy was mistaken in thinking it a telegram how do you feel Polly dear I am too dazed to take it all in I feel said Polly with a return to your old passionate manner that I shall never be happy again as long as I live and then observing a slow, hurt look in Sylvia's usually unmoved face she turned for an instant toward her I don't mean to hurt your feelings Sylvia or to say anything against your father but it just isn't possible for you to understand what this means to me and with this thorough Polly like point of view she ran away and hit herself inside Billy Webster walked off with Molly and the other campfire girls to talk things over giving Dr Barton a chance to linger for a few moments with Rose dire I don't know why you seem so offended with me these days Miss Rose that young man was soon saying in rather unhumble voice for so stern and upright a judge of other people's duties but may I say that I think your work among the campfire girls this winter has been quite wonderful and that I never dreamed you could or would be interested in anything outside of society oh Rose, Rose of the world Rose dire finished in a slightly mocking tone which did not show whether or not she had forgiven the young man's former opinion of her however he was obstinate and so would not be interrupted oh Rose of a thousand leaves he ended for himself and of Chapter 22 recording by Chad Horner from Bolly Claire Chapter 23 of the campfire girls amid the snows this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver BC the campfire girls amid the snows by Margaret Vander Cook Chapter 23 Future Plans it was Sylvia who really arranged things for me Polly explained confidently the girls were in Betty Ashton's own blue room having said goodbye to Sunrise Cabin and turned their backs upon it for a time at least but the cabin had been left ready to receive its owners at any time when they might be able to come back to it and weekend parties and council fire meetings were often to take place there besides more important events which the girls could not well anticipate now but today was Betty Ashton's birthday and although she was in too deep morning for any kind of gaiety her campfire friends had planned to stop by her house during the afternoon to leave little gifts for her along with their best wishes and Molly and Polly O'Neill had arrived first I shall miss you terribly Polly Betty returned wistfully her bright color had gone in the last few weeks and there were slight shadows under her grey eyes still I feel sure that under the circumstances it is best for you to go you are too restless anyhow to have wanted to stay in Woodford and the new life with the new people and sights will make you much happier you will probably have a good deal of liberty at a New York boarding school and you'll be able to go to the theater now and then and do many of the things you will like but Molly and I hope you will come back for Christmas and will write us pretty often Polly looked thoughtfully from her friend to her sister I know I am an absolutely selfish person and I would rather neither one of you would even attempt to deny it I am leaving my home though simply because I am restless the truth is I simply can't get used to mothers being married to Mr. Wharton and to living in their great ugly house instead of our own beloved cottage I don't like Frank Wharton and although Mr. Wharton is very kind and wants to do everything from Molly and me he is one of those dreadfully cruel persons so I am afraid we will never understand one another but you used to say Polly that you were tired of our small house and that you wanted to live in a big one with lots of money and servants and now you have it you are dying to get away and Molly sighed for the thought of being parted from her sister even as far away as the next fall it would be hard to bear and yet she would not leave her mother since for both of her daughters to go away would look like a reflection upon her marriage hey ho laugh Polly perhaps I have made some such statement in the past but I suppose I wanted to get rich in my own little way like I wish to do everything else and I am sure that the pregnancy which is not a jewel is certainly Polly O'Neill but don't let us talk about me anymore it's Betty's birthday however I would like to register this statement Sylvia Wharton is the most extraordinary person I ever met and what Sylvia starts out to do in this world she'll do home Sylvia who talked things over first to me and then suggested my departure to mother and her father and though our parents were both horribly opposed to the idea at first Sylvia brought them around without any arguments or excitement simply by continuing to make plain statements of the facts well the wheel of fortune we hear so much has truly turned dear and you're rich and I'm poor and now we must wait to see what will happen next Betty remarked hearing a faint knock at her bedroom door and moving forward to open it but in passing she stopped and kissed Polly lightly on the forehead don't look as though you were the wheel Polly child and had made the changes I am not going to be half so miserable being poor as you girls think I will just think of how much more self-respecting I am going to feel if when I go to bed some night I can say to myself Betty Ashton has earned her salt today Betty now opened her door and there on the threshold stood Rose Dyer with a bunch of pink roses and faith with a pot of lemon verbena in her hand faith was not yet well enough to go home to the boarding house in Boston so Miss Dyer had brought her to her own home in Woodford where she and Mammy were still to look after the odd child on the arrival of Polly and Molly a few moments before Betty had not been in the least surprised the two girls usually ran in to see her every afternoon now and had been giving her birthday presents for nearly as many years as she could remember but when Rose and Faith also appeared she realized that the members of the Sunrise Club might all be coming in to see her during the afternoon in just the same quiet fashion and the next instance she was convinced when Sylvia summonly appeared with a box of candy which she thrust awkwardly at her it's against our campfire rolls to eat candy Betty and I don't approve of it or like it very much myself but I couldn't think of anything else to bring when Polly and Molly went off without me and there won't be enough to make so many people sick during the laughter over Sylvia's remark Nan Graham walked shyly in through the now open door bearing a loaf of cake I couldn't bring a real present Betty she explained with far more grace and sweetness than one could have dreamed possible of so rough and untrained a girl the year before but this is the kind of cake you used to like when I made it at the cabin and I thought you wouldn't mind eating a piece on your birthday for old time's sake feeling a sudden rush of emotion Betty gave Nan a swift embrace and then excusing herself from her friends for a moment slipped out of the room for two purposes she wanted to find her mother and make her join her friends and she wanted to prepare a great picture of lemonade for her guests for Betty was neither foolish nor selfish in her sorrow and if her friends had come to her to bring their good wishes she desired that the afternoon might pass as pleasantly as possible things had not gone quite so badly with the Ashton fortune as Dick Ashton had originally feared although conditions were surely bad enough for Mrs. Ashton still had the house and Betty a small income settled on her by Mr. Ashton years before as address allowance which now had to cover many other needs for the completion of Dick's medical course there were several thousand dollars that an aunt had left him as a legacy when he was only a small boy and to use the capital in this way now seem the wisest investment he could make to keep the big Ashton house and try and make it yield an income was perhaps not quite so wise but this had been Betty's dearest desire and her mother and brother had agreed to it for her sake to give up the home of her ancestors to see the beloved old portrait stored away in some one's attic or stuck in a small room where they would seem absurdly out of place Betty felt that she could bear everything do anything if only their old home remained and so she was allowed at least to try the experiment of renting rooms or taking borders whichever might turn out the simpler plan but when Mrs. Ashton was finally persuaded to join her friends it was fairly plain that the greater part of the planning and work for the future must fall upon Betty and not her mother for Mrs. Ashton looked dazed by misfortune and was already a semi-invalid quarrelous and rebellious against more evil fortune than she had character or health to withstand it was no wonder therefore that even Betty's best friends whether she would be able to meet the responsibilities that had so unexpectedly come upon her although rejoicing that a year of campfire training found her far better prepared than most girls of her age and position Esther had been sitting in the room with Mrs. Ashton when Betty found them as the older woman seemed to enjoy the society of her daughter's companion more than anyone else these days so the two girls soon brought the lemonade back to Betty's room in her absence Betty found that her writing table had been cleared and was now decorated with roses flowers Nan's cake and Sylvia's candy with sandwiches which Meg had brought in and which little brother was rapidly devouring and with a little pile of gifts at the head Betty's eyes filled with tears but instinctively her hands flew toward a small square of canvas that stood facing her leaning against one of her candlesticks it was a painting of the sunrise cabin which Eleanor had made after Betty had returned home and quite the best piece of work was ever done the painting had been made in the dawn and the colors of the sunrise flooded the log cabin touching the tops of the tall pine standing a little in the foreground and making a crown of light for the high peak of the sunrise hill it is too lovely I ought not to have it Betty exclaimed for she and Edith Norton had at this moment joined the party but seeing that their first campfire guardian shook her head Betty then turned to rose dire oughtn't you to have it then rose and let the sunrise campfire girls just come in and look at it now and then but at this Eleanor Mead laughed look here princess we all know your passion for giving away your possessions but do you think you ought to thrust my gift upon someone else while I am standing here watching you I would like humbly to mention that I painted that picture of the sunrise cabin for your particular birthday gift and that I would prefer to have you keep it and I would like to add said Miss Merty with an affectionate even admiring glance toward the Betty for whom she had once felt so keen a disapproval that amongst us there is no one with quite the same claim upon whatever has to do with our sunrise club as Betty Ashton for though she may have forgotten we have not that it was to Betty's enthusiasm and a great deal to her efforts that we owe the organization of our club the chief guardian now leaned over lighting three candles on Betty's tea table work health love we wish you all the good things that follow the law of the campfire may bring you Betty dear she whispered sake beauty give service pursue knowledge be trustworthy hold on to health glorify work be happy while the older woman was speaking Esther had slipped quietly over to Betty's own piano which had been brought home from the cabin to her room and now in order to relieve the atmosphere of emotion which was making ordinary conversation impossible at this moment she commenced singing her own and Betty's favorite campfire song the other girls joining in an instant later they me to sleep in sheltering flame oh master of the hidden fire wash pure my heart and cleanse for me my soul's desire in flame of sunrise bathe my mind oh master of the hidden fire that when I wake clear I'd may be my soul's here and before the song had ended half a dozen of the girls in the room at least were wondering whether they were any nearer to the all important knowledge of what their soul's desire might be end of chapter twenty three recording by Linda re Nielsen Vancouver BC end of the campfire girls amid the snows from our grit vendor cook