The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World

n dying to for the past hour, but didn't think I could afford it without company," Betty confided, blowing at th

re forest of trees and lay it as a thank offering before her. Of course his sister Nan had written him of Mr. Ashton's death and of the change in the family fortunes, but to associate real poverty with his conceptio

r hair and a portion of her face. But now the three Camp Fire candles were once more burning, forming a kind of shining background for the girl's figure. Her hair was a deep red b

ged again. "I want to

thony managed to drag two comf

d I didn't stop, either, until I was too dead tired to go on. But by that time I had come to another town and it must have been pretty late, because the main street was empty. I was passing along close to the wall of a building when I saw that an office door had been

t anything

y detail. It sounds just l

d then I found some sticks and coals and built a fresh fire." Anthony flashed a glance at Betty out of his shy, almost frightened blue eyes. "I guess I was feeling kind of well disposed toward fires just then, camp fires anyhow. Then I was thinking that I would like to pay for my night's lod

belonged to a young man unless you waited t

ntil I came home to Woodford the day before yesterday. Of course I meant to clear out as soon as I had finis

s?" Betty asked impatiently, too i

you have just done me one. I slept all night in your office,' I answered. He didn't seem surprised and I thought that rather funny. But afterwards I learned that he had been a poor boy himself

iosity. Actually her visitor was becoming so much in earnes

ou and your succe

his chair, as though yearning to get away from

all. Mr. Andrews let me continue sleeping in his office after I told him my story and cleaning it to pay for my lodging. Then by

ehow in their half hour's talk together she had seen something in Anthony Graham that made her guess that th

more awkward and self-conscious. "I read the law books, as there wasn't anything else to read. And I was determine

visitor and yet at the same time longed to rush upstairs and commence a letter to Polly O'Neill at once. Wouldn't Polly be interested? For she had predicted on the day of their first me

ws was befriending you and giving you a chance?" she inq

n did not re

collection of the expression which she had seen on

d the girl were once more facing each other, Betty could se

n the face of temptations isn't worth being trusted. I'm going back to Mr. Andrews later, perhaps, but this winter I am to stick right here in Woodford and live down my bad name if I can. Judge Maynard says he wi

emotion openly, but so pleased was she with Anthony's reply that she coul

mp Fire club," Betty protested. "Nan is studying domestic science at the High School

eamed I would be brave enough to ask you to shake hands with me

ising and putting out both hands with a friendly gest

here in the evenings for the night school. I've got to find a room somewhere. I oughtn't to kick because nobody seems crazy to let me stay in their house. I did

elling his acquaintances of his reformation before having the chance to prove it. Then an almost appealing expression crept into her face, making her cheeks flush hotly and her lashes

old house and now mother and I are here alone, we really would like to have you for protection. And if you don't like to

ll one even if he should finally succeed. Among the first things he meant to learn was not to show his emotions too easily, to hide his feelings whenever he could, so that he might learn to take without apparent flinching the hard knocks that life was sure to send. He had been preparing himself for the unkindnesses. Now at Betty's words he felt a lu

in so grand a house as this. I coul

ver the degree of her poverty, could never fail in generosity, since generosity is a matter not of the pocketbook but of the sp

and me," she returned more humbly than any

ul. Maybe you haven't so man

n had changed so completely. Of course

ace. "It is only that I had forgotten for the moment that we are not going to be able to stay in our house much longer. We can't afford to keep it for ou

his time clasped her hand until the

ing that ever happened for me to be a

laughed. "

e outside. He was almost as unexpected as Anthony Graham. For it

believed that she had a real affection for Esther, she had never been able to recover from her first prejudice for this shabby, hesitating man. Then his manner tow

ushered him into the drawing room. For pe