lored, one of them Mrs. Bishop and the other Monsieur Duval,
both of them ship acquaintances. Mrs. Bishop was in France to represent
an American magazine and was at present intending to write a series of
articles on the reclamation work along the Aisne and the Marne.

Monsieur Duval had given no explanation for his appearance save to
announce that he had some especial work on hand for his government in
the southern districts of France.

In spite of the fact that fuel was of such tremendous value in France at
the present time, the Camp Fire girls had permitted themselves the
extravagance of a fire to inaugurate their first outdoor Camp Fire
ceremony. The boxes in which Miss Patricia's various purchases had come
to the farm had proved useful for more than one service.

In a circle near the camp fire were eight young French girls who this
afternoon were to receive the wood-gatherers' rings. Just beyond them
the American girls were seated.

Peggy had been chosen to present the rings.

Possibly they were waiting for Yvonne's arrival, for no sooner had she
slipped silently into her place than Peggy Webster arose and recited the
Wood-gatherer's Desire.

"As fagots are brought from the forest,
Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters
Wherever, whenever I find them.

"I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree,
To be pure in my deepest desire;
To be true to the truth that is in me
And follow the Law of the Fire."

Then she offered each one of the French girls a silver ring. When she
came to Yvonne, clasping the Fire Maker's bracelet about her wrist, she
whispered:

"We feel, Yvonne, that you have a right to a higher order in our new
Camp Fire group than the other members because of the help you have
given us in whatever work we have attempted since our arrival in France.
In fact, you are the leading French Camp Fire girl!"

A moment later, in answer to a signal, Mrs. Burton walked over and stood
just beyond the two circles of girls and the camp fire and close to the
Allied flags.

"There is not much I feel able to say to you," she began, speaking in a
simple and friendly fashion. "I think perhaps you are already beginning
to understand how intensely the people of the United States desire to
render to France a part of the debt we owe her. It is France who has
saved our liberty and the liberty of the entire world.

"Now I hope tha