on lay a broad piece of open
ground. Over it tonight poured the unbroken radiance of the moon. In
time long past this ground had been devoted to the use of the Indians
who were being taught Christianity and the habits of civilization by the
Spanish fathers. In those days this ground was encircled by a row of
Indian huts. One part was set apart for the Indian women and girls, and
here the Indian maiden remained in seclusion until her wedding day.

But tonight, in some mysterious fashion, the past seemed to have came
back, for a group of Indian maidens had returned to their former
dwelling place.

"The picture is too lovely to disturb," Mrs. Burton whispered
irresolutely.

In the moonlight one could not discern the differences in the costumes
of the Camp Fire girls, nor their fairer coloring.

Bettina, Marta, Peggy and Alice Ashton were seated upon the ground,
forming a square, with Dan standing apparently hovering like a guardian
angel above them.

As usual, Billy Webster was lying gazing up at the sky and Vera
Lagerloff was sitting beside him.

A little apart from the others Gerry Williams and Sally Ashton were
strolling up and down with their arms intertwined.

"Do you think we should speak of our plan immediately?" Bettina Graham
was inquiring of the other three girls. "Unless we can carry it out I
don't feel that we have the right to our Camp Fire summer together."

In the moonlight her yellow brown hair had turned a bright gold.

Peggy, who was ever a direct and sensible person, shook her head.

"We must wait until we have found the location for our camp and are
fairly well settled," she replied. "At present our own ideas as to what
we can do to help with the war work are much too vague. But I suppose we
shall be near the great National Guard war training camp, and that in
itself ought to be an inspiration. Have you ever heard from your wounded
lieutenant, Bettina? It was amusing to have him and his friend to tea in
so unexpected a fashion. I shall never forget how amazed the family was
on discovering us with soldier guests. I am sorry we have never seen
either of them again."

"I have had one note from Lieutenant Carson, saying that he was all
right," Bettina answered. "He will probably be stationed at the
cantonment near here. I wish for your sake Ralph Marshall was to be
there instead."

There was no engagement existing between Peggy Webster and Ralph
Marshall. But Peggy was too transparent a perso