e that no one in the
vicinity remembered its origin. Finding the location an ideal one for
their camp, the little house had been restored, the chimney to the
single fireplace made over, the glass added to the window frames, open
spaces between the logs replastered.

The log house formed the center of the camp.

On each side at irregular distances were three tents, one row
advancing from the forest, the other receding into it.

To-day there was an unusual stillness about the camp itself at an hour
of the morning ordinarily a busy and active one.

Now and then some one appeared, hastily accomplished whatever the task
and vanished.

Even the little group on the shore of the lake continued unusually
quiet. When any one did speak it was with a lowered voice.

Five of the six girls were occupied. Only Tory Drew's hands were idle.
They moved frequently with unconscious gestures characteristic of her
temperament and the fact that she had lived a number of years in the
Latin countries where the hands are used to communicate one's meaning
as well as speech.

She made a sweeping movement of her hand at this instant, appearing to
include the lake, forest, hillside and the small group of tents about
the evergreen cabin.

"You have not yet said, Don, that you consider our camp superior to
yours, when I am perfectly convinced that it is, without having laid
eyes on yours. Lance has given me the impression that he agrees with
me. He has not exactly said so in any words I can recall, but he can
be tactful when he likes. You are always so tiresomely silent, Don,
whether you think a thing true or not true. I always know when you are
most silent your opinion is the strongest one way or the other."

Don was silent. Yet he knew the group of girls were awaiting his reply
with almost as great interest as Tory.

Finally he smiled in a handsome, good-humored fashion.

"Don't see why you should object to my not talking a great deal, Tory,
when it gives you and Dorothy and Lance more opportunity."

He turned around, however, studying the little camp in the shadow of
the old forest with careful scrutiny. Donald McClain did not think
quickly nor could he express his point of view until he had given a
subject serious consideration.

"I don't see any comparison between your Girl Scout camp and our own,
Tory," he returned at length. "The two camps are not in the least
alike. In the first place, you tell me that you have only fourteen
G