"

"Partly; but there's something else, too."

"Don't you want to tell me about it?" This softly, without curiosity.

"I'm dying to, Lil; but I'm so afraid it won't come true, I just don't
dare. It's too wonderful!"

"It's about Frieda."

"Lily Andrews!" cried Marjorie, aghast. "How did you ever guess it?"

"From your expression. I know you pretty well now, Marj!"

But Marjorie would not permit herself to tell even Lily; she had given
her word to Frieda that she would keep it a secret, and she meant to
keep her promise.

Saturday came with weather clear, warm, and beautiful. The operetta,
which was really a spring festival, was to be given in the open-air
amphitheater of the school, with the natural scenery of the woods and
the lake for a background. The Scouts, in their filmy white and green
costumes and flowing hair, looked like the fairy and wood-people they
were to represent. Ethel Todd had the leading part; Ruth and Marjorie
were merely in the chorus.

Marjorie dressed early, and, slipping a cape over her costume, went to
meet each train. Finally, on the last one to arrive before the play was
to begin, she was rewarded. A neat-looking Girl Scout in khaki uniform
stepped from the train and hurried towards her.

It was Frieda Hammer!

The girls kissed each other and went up the walk arm in arm. Marjorie
knew that Miss Phillips and most of the Scouts would be behind the
scenes at that time, so she took Frieda straight to her mother and
father. She merely introduced her as a "Girl Scout from Trenton," placed
her beside her mother and Jack, and went back of the scenes.

"May we have a little meeting after the play?" she begged Miss Phillips.
"Right here--it will only take a second! Oh, please!"

The Captain consented, for she was too busy to argue.

The operetta was charming, and splendidly performed; it was pronounced
the prettiest thing ever given at Miss Allen's. During the intermission
the Principal told the audience about the Scout canoe trip, stating that
the proceeds from this play would be used to buy food, and that an
anonymous friend had offered to supply the canoes.

After the final chorus was over, Marjorie appeared immediately--almost
miraculously, it seemed to Frieda--among the audience, and sought her
family. She was delighted to find Jack and Frieda laughing and chatting
pleasantly, quite as if they had known each other all their lives. Could
this be the same girl who had uttered such h