as Tom Harper, Uncle John, and Judge Sands.

Ethel almost wept on Tom's shoulder, and she was well hugged by Uncle
John.

That was the day that they had their great Camp Fire dinner--when they
soaked the corn for an hour in water before roasting it. Then tying a
string to each ear they laid it in the glowing fire and ate it with
melted butter and salt. The Judge and Uncle John ate three ears apiece,
besides the potatoes, chicken, and steamed berry pudding made by Patty,
his daughter.

"Say, John and Tom," he said, "we'd better come up here and board. No
wonder these girls like to get away from town."

And Mattie was introduced to the Judge by Patty.

"Papa," she said, "this is Mattie Hastings, and when I was ill she sat
up the entire night taking care of me and putting fresh flax-seed
poultices on my chest."

And the Judge thanked her so sincerely that she nearly burst into tears.

"And your father?" he asked, "how is he? I need a man just like him in
my office. I've met him, and Miss Mattie, there's one thing I've always
liked about him,--he has a face that anyone could trust. I shall go and
see him on my return."

Then Mattie was not afraid to weep with joy as she clasped the Judge's
hand and thanked him sincerely.

"Well, girls," said Uncle John, "we'll be looking for you next
week--hey?"

"Yes," replied Kate, "and, Father, I'd like to have Aunt Susan come up
before we leave. She'd enjoy it."

"Oh! yes," fairly shouted Ethel. "Do bring her, Tom."

CHAPTER XXX

AUNT SUSAN COMES

So the day Aunt Susan came, everyone was on the qui vive, and a warmer
welcome was never extended to an old lady. She was shown everything. She
had a real Camp Fire dinner and enjoyed it.

She took Mattie one side and told her of the wonderful improvement in
little Mollie, which made Mattie's heart beat high with joy.

When she was introduced to Honora the girl made such quaint remarks that
Aunt Susan laughed merrily.

"Isn't it funny?" said Ethel; "that's the only girl in Camp that I don't
care for."

"Ethel," replied her aunt, "perhaps, you don't know her as she really
is."

"Perhaps," responded Ethel slowly, thinking of Mattie.

The evening that Aunt Susan stayed, Ethel was advanced from a Wood
Gatherer to a Fire Maker. She stood up in her ceremonial dress with her
pretty hair hanging, and bound with a band of beads called her
"ceremonial band," and she repeated the Fire Maker's song.

New honors were aw