ched, what was there to do save trust in a higher power?

Actually at this moment Mrs. Burton, while presumably listening, was
deciding that she was enjoying the very crossing to France she had so
much dreaded.

It would never do to shock Aunt Patricia, yet in a number of years she
had not met so agreeable a man as the French senator. Moreover, she was
entertained by the opportunity to form a new and stimulating intimacy
with a clever woman. Mrs. Bishop, known to her public as Georgianna
Bishop, having written several successful novels, was at present
traveling to Europe to write of the American soldiers life in the
trenches.

In spite of the fact that Miss Patricia seemed also to regard Mrs.
Bishop with disfavor, Mrs. Burton had invited her to spend a part of her
time in France with them, if it could possibly be arranged.

At this moment, if Miss Patricia would only stop talking, Mrs. Burton
believed that she would like to have Mrs. Bishop sit beside her during
the hour of afternoon tea.

Tea would be served in a few moments. Perhaps, if Miss Patricia would
decide to move, one of the Camp Fire girls would appear to act as
messenger and find Mrs. Bishop.

With this thought in mind, glancing carelessly up and down the deck,
Mrs. Burton discovered Vera Lagerloff and Bettina Graham coming
hurriedly toward her. What was more surprising, they were accompanied by
the new friend with whom she had been talking a few moments before.

Both girls looked so white and frightened that Mrs. Burton, making a
hasty movement in attempting to jump up from her chair, found herself
entangled in her steamer rug.

As Monsieur Duval endeavored to extricate her, he said quietly:

"I hope we have not alarmed you, but a most unfortunate accident has
just occurred on board ship, which I hope may not develop into a
tragedy. A young French girl, traveling with the American Red Cross
unit, is supposed to have attempted to take her own life. I am by no
means sure of this, she may be ill and have fainted from some cause. I
was sent for, I presume because of my nationality, then some one
suggested you."

But before Monsieur Duval had more than finished speaking, Mrs. Burton
was hurrying away, accompanied by Bettina and Vera.

"I really do not know how to explain what has happened," Bettina
continued. "You remember the French girl we have noticed because she
appeared so much younger than the other members of her Red Cross unit?
It seems tha