The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World

e. On her way to the dressing room she shivered a little, missing the coat that her friend was in the habit of

was no sign of Esther. What could have become of her? She was not apt to be talking with any of the members

her teeth fairly chattering and those ridiculous little chills chasing themselves all over her. Wouldn't it be too absurd to take cold at this particular time and so make a failure of her

ero temperature in her dressing room and not in the least from the momentary fright she had received from her supposed recognition of a face in the audience. Undoubtedly she had been mistaken. Y

h five, ten minutes passed, Esther did not appear in the dressing room. Nor was she anywhe

t Polly's mind was made up, and taking such wonderful care of her, guarding her so closely! If ever there came a time when her mother, or Mollie, or Betty should attempt to blame Esther for her part in this escapade, Polly had determine

ing room Polly ran directly into E

have been uneasy enough about you. Do come back into your room for a mo

r. "Don't mind if anybody has said anything rude or been horrid, please," she whispe

e that. It is about you,"

arming that Esther felt herself suddenly willing to champion her cause against any opposition. Of course Pol

illy Webster was in the audience just now and recognized you. He

urry home, Esther. It is almost ten o'clock and though we can take the st

what you are doing unless you promise to return home tomorrow. He says that if you won't promise he ma

ount on Polly's doing what might be expected of her. She had had the boldness of defy opposition and to act success

me a chance to confess, she will never forgive me. Neither will Mollie nor Betty nor any of the people I care about. Rose and Miss McMurtry will never speak to me. I shall be turned out of our Camp Fire Club. Of course I kn

Esther insisted quietly. "Perhaps we can persuade him n

looked very white and frail as t

e under his country tan. His blue eyes, that sometimes were charmingly humorous, showed no sign of humor now

bravely to maint

t wasting any time by an enforced greeting. "I presume Mis

him in almost any way. After all, what right had he to take this lofty tone with Polly? He was not a member of her family, not even her friend. J

ekness of manner and tone was t

ignoring his use of the "Miss." Frequently in times past they had called each o

explained sullenly. "And Mollie had been telling me that she was kind of uneasy about you and that sh

" Polly announced in the cool, even tones that ma

een disobedient and audacious beyond his wildest conception, even of her. And

to hear about your Woodford friends. So as Mollie gave me your address, I went out to your house at about eight o'clock. The maid told me that you had gone to the theater, told me which one. Of course I just supposed that you had gone to see a show. And that was pretty bad for t

one it already, why, think of me in any way that you please. Only don't tell on me for another week. The play is to last only t

And of course, though Polly deserved her puni

stood the impression that this scene might make. The man was the leading actor of the company, Richard Hunt, who in a quiet way had shown an interest and an attitude of p

e could guess at Billy Webster's scornful disregard of a man who was an actor. Billy was a country fel

lace in it, and his present intention of bringing retribution upon them. She knew there was but little time for her story; for Mr. Hunt might be compelled to

ch older woman to look after her. But I believe I can appreciate everybody's point of view in this matter. So why wouldn't it be well to have Miss O'Neill telegraph her mother herself and ask that she com

is suggestion a bell sounded and the

thed a sigh

ut?" she asked. "Surely, Billy, you can't object to a

f course that is

you,

e confessed. And then, slipping out of the stage door, she left Esther and Bi