girl started running in the
direction of the cabin, so fast that she had opportunity for no other
impulse or impression except forcing herself to keep up the desired
speed.

By a camp fire, which Betty had built for herself, Polly discovered her
friend sitting on a stool with her elbow in her lap and her head
resting on her hand. She did not seem astonished or annoyed by her
friend's entrance. When Polly came forward and kissed her she merely
said, "I am glad you know, Polly. I hope you did not have a very cold
walk. It was not snowing when I came out." Then she began piling more
logs on her fire.

Later the two girls had an intimate talk.

"It is odd, Polly, but I don't feel as wretched as I should have
expected I would," Betty explained, speaking as much to herself as to
her companion. "I think perhaps it is intended for me to have my
illusions shattered earlier in life than other people have them--I
think possibly because I have been vainer and more foolish. At first I
presume I used to have a kind of unconscious satisfaction in our having
more money than other people and in being able to do almost anything
for my friends that I wished. Then when the money went away I thought,
well, perhaps money does not make so much difference if one has an old
family and a name of which one may be proud. But in these last few
hours, sitting here by myself I have begun to appreciate more fully
what our Camp Fire organization is trying so hard to teach us. It is
that all we girls are alike in the essential things, only that some of
us have been given better opportunities and more friends. There is
only one thing that really counts, I suppose, and that is not so much
what other people do for us, as what we are able to do for ourselves,
what kind of women we are able to grow into. So you see that though I
believe I was struggling to save the old Ashton house because all my
distinguished ancestors had been living there for generation after
generation and I wanted to have babies of my own to inherit it some
day, now I am even happier because perhaps I have saved it for Dick and
mother by my plan and maybe it will repay them a little for all they
have done for me."

"I don't think the debt is on your side, dear," Polly returned loyally.

But already Betty had risen from her stool and was looking around for
her cloak and cap.

"Let us hurry home now; we shall have a glorious walk!" she exclaimed.
"I have been away fro