emoved her hat. "Let's call and see if she
answers us."

So Patty Sands called loudly:

"Mattie Hastings--Mattie--we have seen you--don't hide!"

Someone started to run through the brush. They heard a fall and a
piercing shriek.

"She's tripped," said Ethel. "Let's go and see."

Quickly they picked their way over fallen trees and dead leaves until
they came to the prostrate body of Mattie whom they so disliked.

"What have you done?" asked Patty. "Have you hurt yourself?"

No answer.

"She's fainted!" ejaculated Ethel. "She's been walking in the sun and
exposed to great heat. It's heat exhaustion. See, her face is pale and
she isn't entirely unconscious as in a sunstroke. First we must loosen
her clothing and let her lie down quietly. I wonder if there is any
water about."

"Yes," said Patty, "we passed a watering trough on the road."

While Ethel unbuttoned the girl's waist, Patty ran for water.

"It's lucky I have my drinking cup with me," she called. "I have a long
head. I never take a walk without it."

Ethel made no reply. She unhooked the girl's corset. Then when Patty
returned, together they lifted her to a shady place. Ethel's face was
pale.

"What is the matter?" asked Patty. "You look as though you had seen a
ghost."

Ethel pointed to a chain on Mattie's neck. It was a small silver chain,
and suspended from it were two diamond rings. One was the small cluster
lost by Ethel, while the other was a solitaire. Patty gasped and caught
Ethel by the arm.

"That's your ring."

Ethel nodded.

"And the other belongs to Nora Casey. She lost it a few days ago. She
didn't want to make a fuss about it on account of you having lost yours,
but I think she suspected this girl and determined to get it before she
left camp. Isn't it awful?" and Patty shook her head. "You'd better take
the chain off before she comes to."

Ethel made no reply but lifted Mattie's head and put the drinking cup to
her lips. After a moment the girl took a swallow, then another, until
she had taken it all.

"Don't give her any more now," said Ethel. "'First Aid' says, 'sip
slowly in heat prostrations and give stimulants,' but we have none."

"Take them off, Ethel," said Patty, "she might get up and run." But
Ethel only looked.

Suddenly Mattie Hastings opened her eyes, gazed at the two girls, and at
her shirt waist beside her; then she raised herself and put her hand to
her neck. A scarlet flame surged across her face.

"