, she considered
whether after all it were worth while to remain out of doors. Even if
the afternoon were enchanting, walking through the heavy upturned soil
was unpleasant.

Then by accident Sally chanced to observe the ruins of the old French
chateau shining under the rays of the winter sun.

It was not far away and suddenly she made up her mind to go upon an
exploring tour. Half a dozen times in the past few weeks the Camp Fire
girls had discussed paying a visit to the chateau to see what
interesting discoveries they might unearth among the ruins. But no one
of them had so far had the opportunity.

Ordinarily Sally Ashton was the least experimental of the entire group
of girls. Instinctively, as a type of the feminine, home-staying woman,
she disliked the many adventurous members of her own sisterhood. With
not a great deal of imagination, Sally's views of romance were practical
and matter of fact. Young men fell in love with one and she had no idea
of how many lovers one might have and no thought of limiting the number
so far as she was personally concerned. Then among the number one
selected the man who would make the most comfortable and agreeable
husband, married him, had children and was happy ever afterwards. So you
see, a romance which might bring sorrow as well as happiness had no
place in Sally Ashton's practical scheme of life.

Therefore the fates must have driven her to the old French chateau on
this winter afternoon.

The walk itself occupied about half an hour. Around the chateau in times
past there had been a moat. For their own convenience the German troops
quartered at the old place had left the bridge over the moat
undisturbed, else Sally would never have hazarded a dangerous crossing.

The house had been built of gray stone and it was difficult to imagine
how the enemy had managed so completely to reduce it to ruins. An
explosion of dynamite must have been employed, for the chateau appeared
to have fallen as if it had been destroyed by an earthquake. Certain
portions of the outer walls remained standing, but the towers in the
center had caved in upon the interior of the house.

[Illustration: The Figure Was that of a Young Soldier.]

As Sally drew near she felt a little desolate and yet she was not
frightened, although a proverbial coward.

The place appeared too abandoned to fear that any living thing could be
in its vicinity. It was only that one felt the pity of the destruction
of thi