mosphere of expectancy. It was
the still atmosphere before the storm when the fall of a knife or a fork
caused nearly every girl at the tables to start nervously. Just before
darkness descended four Fire Makers had piled wood on the Council Fire
until it blazed brightly throwing out considerable heat and a light that
reached far in among the trees.

One by one the girls began to appear from their tents, clad in their
ceremonial costumes. These were of khaki colored galatea cloth. They were
trimmed with fringes of genuine leather, shells and beads. About her neck
each girl wore a string of gayly colored beads. Some of the strings
contained more beads than others, for each bead represented an "honor"
fairly earned by the girl who wore it. On the sleeve of each Camp Girl's
costume was worked an emblem. On those of the Wood Gatherers were the
crossed logs; on the arms of the Fire Makers might be seen the orange and
gold colors representing fire. On the sleeves of the Torch Bearers, the
third grade, a dash of white was added, representing smoke from the
flames.

The Meadow-Brook Girls, however, could not appear in ceremonial costume,
at the Council Fire. Hazel, Margery and Tommy had been measured for their
costumes and were now awaiting them. Harriet had ordered the goods for
hers at a cost of a dollar. Upon the arrival of the goods she intended to
make her own costume. Harriet was an accomplished little needle woman. Not
having their ceremonial dresses ready for the occasion was a keen
disappointment to the Meadow-Brook Girls.

As the other Camp Girls emerged from their tents they stood about in
groups awaiting the arrival of the Chief Torch Bearer.

"There she comes!" cried a voice.

Glancing down the camp street Harriet saw a young woman slowly advancing
toward her. As she passed the tents the girls in the ceremonial dress
fell in behind. The leader held above her head a blazing torch and as she
moved slowly forward she chanted:

"Blazing torch on high now lifted
Flame with magic power now gifted
Flicker, flicker, flicker, flame;
Burn, fire burn!"

It was a weird, but interesting scene. Harriet was so engrossed in
watching it that she forgot to fall in with the procession when it came
her turn to do so. Some one tugged at her skirt, bringing her to an
understanding of what she should do.

[Illustration: The Chief Torch Bearer Led the Way.]

The Torch Bearer led the way to the end of the camp