ot fair. I do not believe
that people's natures ever entirely change, even if circumstances do
affect one for a time. So I shall have to behold the miracle of a
transformed Gerry before I am convinced of the change I am told has
taken place in her."

At this instant Bettina suddenly ceased speaking because a faint knock
had just sounded on their bedroom door.

When Vera opened the door another girl stood outside. She was small and
dark and had an upward tilt to her nose and indeed to her entire face.

"I know this is the hour for confidences and so I won't interrupt you
long," she began. "Only I thought it might be just as well if I present
you with a short outline of my history. Miss Graham was kind enough to
allow me to travel to Washington with her after meeting me at the home
of a mutual friend. She does not know much about me, so I think she is
especially kind. But perhaps we girls are beginning to take one another
more for granted! As a matter of fact, my name is Mary Gilchrist,
although I am usually called 'Gill' by my friends, because my father
insists I am so small I represent the smallest possible measure. I have
no mother and have spent all my life with my father on our big Wheat
ranch in Kansas. I suppose I should have been a boy, because I adore
machinery and have been driving a car for years, even before the law
would have permitted me to drive one. Of course I only motored over our
ranch at first. Now I am hoping I can be useful in France. For the last
few years I have been able to manage a tractor for the plowing and
harvesting of our fields. My father has given me my own motor to take to
France. He said he could do nothing less, since he had no son to devote
to his country's service and, as he was too old to fight himself, felt
he could do his best work in increasing our output of wheat. But I did
not intend saying so much about myself, only to thank you and Mrs.
Burton for agreeing to allow me to make the crossing with you. I shall
try not to be a nuisance. Good-night."

Then actually before Vera or Bettina could reply the other girl
vanished. Yet she left behind her an affect of energy and warmth, her
glowing, piquant face, the red lights in her brown hair, even the
freckles on her clear, lightly tanned skin gave one the impression that
courage and action were essential traits of her character.

After she had gone Vera smiled.

"Well Bettina, I believe your new friend is original, whatever else