devastated everything. But the effects of the flood might have been
overcome in time had not a terrible sea-monster like unto a dragon been
swept up with it. This dragon went about destroying every one that came
in his pathway. It had been Nereid's order to the dragon to seek for
and devour Andromeda.
"Finally the king sought Ammon for advice. The oracle declared that the
dragon would not go until Andromeda had been offered as a sacrifice.
The king, broken-hearted, told his wife and daughter of the dreadful
verdict, but Andromeda willingly gave her life for the safety of the
land and people.
"She was carried to some rocks and there chained to await the coming
of the monster. Instead, however, a gallant youth named Perseus passed
that way and saw the princess. Her marvellous beauty enlisted his arm
and sword and when the dragon came up from the green water to claim
his victim, Perseus fought with and killed the beast. He then carried
Andromeda back to her home and was given her as bride for his valour.
"The story of the sacrifice and valour reached the ears of the goddess
Athena and she gave Perseus and his bride a place in the heavens, while
the king and queen were not far off. As a reminder to mortals of the
inevitable result of envy, malice, and hatred, Athena placed the dragon
in the sky also, although he can never touch or harm any of Cepheus'
family again."
The girls sought again the different constellations mentioned with
new interest. Miss Miller waited until they had thoroughly satisfied
themselves before she continued.
"You will have to use the glasses to find the three little stars called
'The Kids.' Then, too, the bright stars known as Capena extend somewhat
to the left of Perseus. To the right of Perseus, but farther away, is a
group of stars called Seven Sisters--they are also known by the name of
The Pleiades.
"Now turn your gaze to the right of Perseus, on a line with him, and
you will see a glaring star that goes by the name of Demon's Eye. This
star fades and brightens alternatively, so that the Arabs, a most
superstitious race, felt the Demon's Eye approved or disapproved of
their plans and wars."
Miss Miller got up from the blanket which had been spread out for the
Band to sit upon, and said, "Now we must go to bed. There are many,
many other interesting legends and stars to tell about but it is too
late to review more to-night. In the Fall and Winter when we meet in
our Councils we can take up the ones that appear in those months.
Orion is one of these beautiful constellations; Canis Major and Canis
Minor are two more. The bull, Taurus, which Orion fought, seems to be
charging directly upon him; the two bright stars watching the conflict
are called 'Giant's Eyes.' At home we will study about the Lion, the
Sickle and Berenice's Hair, to say nothing of the Crown, the Ox-driver,
and the Northern Cross, and I know some of you girls will get the Star
Gazing coup. But now, bed for every one of us!"
CHAPTER TWELVE
NITA'S ESCAPADE AND REFORMATION
The following morning the campers were awakened by Wickee, who jumped
about, barking at the birds that sat on the boughs of the trees near
by. Doubtless, the denizens of the forest wondered what strange
creatures were reclining on the spruce beds on the plateau.
As one girl after the other sat up and rubbed her eyes, she looked
about in bewilderment at first, then smiled as the novelty of the
night's experience appealed to her.
"My! I slept like a log!" ventured Elena.
"I never slept so fine in my life," added Jane.
"I'll never want to sleep in a city house again, after this summer,"
affirmed Zan, as she rolled out on the grass.
"All I can say is that I've no kick coming about these beds. I wish we
could lug them back to the Bluff to use every night," came from Hilda.
"There goes some more slang! I haven't my pad here but I won't forget
it," reminded the Tally Keeper.
"Oh, bother your pad on such a wonderful morning! Better look for
breakfast instead of corrections over my slang!" retorted Hilda, a
trifle peeved at being caught napping in her manner of speech.
"Come, girls--we have to have water from the spring," called Miss
Miller at this juncture, from the small fire-place she had built.
At that, the girls jumped up and hurried to attend to their several
duties; soon after, breakfast was ready.
The top of the mountain was so delightful that the Band delayed their
return to Camp until nearly noon. Meantime, Nita grew nervous and
wanted to start back before the others were inclined to go. Several
times she asked Miss Miller the time, and was irritable and impatient.
The Guide kept close watch of her peculiar actions and waited to see
the outcome.
At last Cheokee was started on the homeward road and Nita calmed
down. She was very quiet but when the girls took the road that led to
the house instead of the one that passed Bill Sherwood's house, Nita
objected.
"Well, then let me get out here and walk to the Bluff," she said,
pettishly, when Zan reminded her that Cheokee had to be put up in his
shed and some vegetables gathered for dinner.
Miss Miller did not want to compel the girl to do anything she really
did not want to do, so she suggested that Nita get out at the Little
Bridge and stop at Mrs. Sherwood's for the meat that Miss Miller had
asked the farmer's wife to buy for them.
Nita eagerly consented to this, and jumped out, running down the road
that went past Sherwood's.
The girls, puzzled, watched her for a moment or two, then Zan drove on
to the barn.
Nita was nowhere in sight when the girls reached the Bluff although she
had had quite half an hour in which to get the meat and carry it to
camp.
"She must be down at the cottage being entertained by Mrs. Sherwood.
Shall I run down and see if the meat is heavy?" said Zan to the Guide.
"We'll wait a few minutes longer, then you may start and offer your
assistance in carrying the packages up," replied Miss Miller, wondering
if it would be wise to have Zan go after Nita. Then, realising that her
concern over the girl made her magnify everything, she decided to stop
worrying about it.
Shortly after this, Mrs. Sherwood came up the slope puffing rapidly at
the ascent. She had a large brown paper parcel that she deposited as
soon as she reached the Bluff.
"That meat don't feel heavy when you hold it at the wagon, but it grows
heavier every step you take comin' up the hill," declared she, sitting
down on a stone and wiping her brow with a large handkerchief.
"Why didn't Nita carry it up--she offered to do so," asked Zan,
impatient at the girl's avoidance of a task.
"That yaller-haired miss! Oh, she was too busy keepin' an eye on Jack
Everton's horses to bother about the butcher. The young scape-grace had
a tandem this mornin' an' the girl looked just a bit fearsome from the
way she hung to the side of the seat."
"Why, Mrs. Sherwood, you don't mean----" Zan started to say, when the
Guide, who was standing directly back of her, gave her a warning pinch.
"Yes, I mean that good-for-nothing! What his grandmother ever has him
down here for I'm sure I don't know! She's a nice quiet sort of a lady,
but that rascal! Well!" said Mrs. Sherwood, misunderstanding Zan's
half-completed speech.
Their visitor turned to Miss Miller and continued, "If I had a girl to
take care of I'm mighty sure I wouldn't let her go gallivantin' 'round
the country with that young sport! But I s'pose you know best. Did her
mother say anything in her letter about her?"
"Whose mother?" asked Miss Miller, amazed.
"Isn't that girl's name Brampton?" asked Mrs. Sherwood.
"Yes,--Anita Brampton. Why?"
"Then that letter yesterday mornin' what had Mrs. Brampton's name and
address up in the left corner was her mother!" returned the visitor,
with a look that said, "You can't fool me!"
"Oh, that letter Nita received was from her mother, Zan, not as you
thought, from a post-office nearby!" exclaimed Miss Miller with relief.
"No, it wasn't! I read the post-mark as plain as day! And I know Mrs.
Brampton's hand-writing well enough to recognise it! That writing was a
school-boy's hand--most likely from this Jack!" retorted Zan.
"An' that letter was addressed to you, Miss Miller--not for the girl!"
added Mrs. Sherwood.
"Why, I never got any letter, except from the doctor!"
"And I don't remember bringing one up, either, Mrs. Sherwood. Maybe you
left it down in your house," added Zan.
"No, ma'am, I didn't 'cause I never took them _in_ the house. When I
went to the mail-box to get the mail I had Bill toot for you immejitly.
And you come runnin'!"
Every one looked perplexed and Miss Miller added, "Zan, it may be
possible that it was dropped when you took them from Mrs. Sherwood,
or on your way up the slope. Run down and look carefully along the
pathway."
"It hain't anywhere about where I gave them to Miss Zan, an' I should
think some of you or me would have seen it if it had dropped along the
way," explained Mrs. Sherwood.
"We've been up and down, you know, Miss Miller, and Nita has been over
the ground yesterday noon, and nothing was found!"
Suddenly, the Guide remembered her suspicion of Nita and how she
watched her take a letter down to post in the box. She remembered the
girl's stooping and picking something up from the pathway, looking back
to see if anybody saw the action.
"I think I can find it--we won't say anything more about it at present,
but you're _quite_ sure the letter was addressed to me, Mrs. Sherwood?"
said Miss Miller, calmly.
"Sure I do! I looked over every one good, an' I says to Bill, Miss
Miller's goin' to have plenty of letter writin' to do this summer if
she answers all them things these mothers and fathers of the girls will
be wantin' to know about their children! And Bill knows the doctor's
writin' at a glance--he gets so many from him, and the other had the
name, as I said afore!"
Mrs. Sherwood returned home shortly after her valuable information had
been given, and the Guide continued a lesson on cookery just as if Nita
were present and most obedient. But that didn't prevent the girls from
thinking and wondering what would happen to Nita!
Immediately after dinner the Guide said, "Girls, I am going to the
house alone, for I have an important matter to attend to; you can sew
on your Woodcraft costumes during my absence."
Zan stood in deep thought for a moment after the Guide left them, then
ran after her and called. Miss Miller turned about and waited for the
girl to reach her.
"Miss Miller, our telephone number is 2345 Hudson Park, and Dad will be
in his office from two to three."
The Guide could not control a flash of admiration at the rapidity with
which Zan used her thought and common sense. She looked at her watch
and remarked, "Thank you, Zan; I'll walk slowly and just about reach
the house by two."
The cost of the long-distance telephone never entered the Guide's head,
for it was well worth the money to have the doctor advise her in this
most deplorable incident.
She was so relieved at the doctor's suggestions that she felt like
singing on the way back to camp. She would have hesitated to keep Nita
at camp on her own initiative but having Dr. Baker's permission to risk
his girl's morals by association with the girl for the sake of winning
her over eventually, was like a tonic.
"I don't know but that Nita's very behaviour will have a salutary
effect on the other girls, for they will see how despicable a thing it
is, and surely they will not care to emulate Nita's manners!" said the
Guide to herself.
The girls left alone to work, sewed industriously for a short time,
each avoiding the subject that was uppermost in their thoughts.
Finally, Jane tried to change her thoughts from the disagreeable idea
of Nita's escapade and shared the secret Elena and she cherished.
"Girls, you all wondered what came in that package from the city,
didn't you? Well, it was a birthday present for Miss Miller!"
"Oh, Jane! When is her birthday?" cried Hilda.
"I forgot all about it--it is the last of this month, isn't it?" asked
Zan, turning to Jane.
"Huh, huh! Now try and guess what Elena and I are making," smiled Jane,
exultantly.
Many were the wild guesses made but not one came near the reality. So,
Elena, taking pity, told the others.
Zan looked amazed at the lovely plan and immediately turned to Hilda
and said, "We can't afford to let them get the best of us--now let's
try and think of something novel, too!"
Many, many ideas were suggested only to be refused by one or the
other. Suddenly, Hilda noticed the bead-trimming she was sewing on her
costume. It gave her an inspiration.
"Zan, let's build her a bead-loom and after it is sand-papered smooth
we will decorate it with pyrography work!"
"Great! But, Hilda, who's got any pyrography tools?" asked Zan.
"I have a complete set at home, Zan--let's write a note to mother and
have them expressed down at once!" cried Elena.
So the letter was written and sent down to the box before the Guide
returned. From that time on there seemed to be much pleasant secrecy
among the girls but Miss Miller never dreamed it concerned her
birthday, though convinced it boded no ill.
When the Guide joined the circle of busy workers on the Bluff, she
said, "I never saw a place where there were so many bees! I have been
watching a swarm over by the buckwheat field and an idea came to me.
What do you say to our using some of the money in our treasury for
bee-hives?"
"Bee-hives! Mercy me, Miss Miller, what for?" laughed Jane.
"We may just as well keep bees as any one else! And just think of all
the fun we will have watching and caring for them. Wickee and Cheokee
were valuable additions to our Band, but I believe bees will add just
as much value."
"Well, if you say so, I'm perfectly willing to get stung!" laughed Zan,
making a perfectly legitimate use of slang.
"Bees won't sting if you don't annoy them! We won't tease them, and
after we have some swarms in our hives the bees will get to know each
one of us by sound and smell," explained the Guide.
"Why, I never knew a bee recognised any one!" cried Elena.
"Indeed they do! Some bees are so intelligent that their owners wait
for them to advise about harvesting and haying," said Miss Miller.
"Now, Miss Miller! Stop stringing us!" Zan said, in a doubtful tone.
"But I'm not, Zan. I am in earnest!" replied Miss Miller, laughing at
the quizzical faces about her.
"Then let's order the hives at once. Maybe we can have honey before we
go back home!" exclaimed Jane.
"Hardly! But we will be well on the way there," returned the Guide, as
she went to the tent for pen and paper.
The letter was written and Zan shouted for the postman to wait as she
saw him driving up to Sherwoods' mail-box. She ran down with it and,
just as she handed it up to the man, a tandem turned from the main-road
that went over the Big Bridge and stopped at the side road that went
past the farm. Nita jumped out and stood talking to the young man who
drove, so Zan ran swiftly back to the Bluff, for she did not wish Nita
to think any one had been spying on her.
Miss Miller was called to one side and hurriedly informed of the
culprit's return. The Guide looked at her watch and found that the girl
had been absent more than three hours!
She walked away from the girls pondering what would be the best step to
take with the mistaken child. She hesitated to do any rash thing that
might spoil all the impressions that may have caused the girl to think
seriously now and then. At the same time, Miss Miller realised that
the time had come for stern and definite action on her part, or create
a sense of incompetency in the minds of her charges. That would never
do, as she would lose any control she had held in school or at camp.
She decided finally to have it out with Nita, but alone with her. She
returned to the group on the Bluff just as Nita turned in from the road
that went past the cottage.
"Girls, would you mind taking a tramp up the ravine? Here's my watch,
Zan, do not return for half an hour, or more."
The Guide anxiously waited until they were out of sight on the trail
leading to the Indian cave, then turned and waited for Nita.
"Where's everybody?" called Nita, with an air of bravado.
"On a tramp. I waited to have a talk with you, Nita."
"Well, talk doesn't hurt any one, so talk away!" said the girl,
insultingly.
"Did you never hear that any one wantonly tampering with the United
States mail was considered a criminal and the offence merited a State's
Prison Sentence?" said Miss Miller, severely.
The air of braggadocio suddenly left Nita's eyes and her face blanched.
She stood looking like a trapped thief. After a long silence, Miss
Miller continued.
"I returned from the telephone a short time ago. I was speaking over a
long-distance wire concerning you. I had received word previously that
a letter to me from your mother was not delivered, and I believe you
can explain the cause."
"Me! I didn't get the mail!" retorted Nan, trying to regain her nerve
by showing a false front in speaking.
"No, but you went down over the path after Zan brought the mail here.
I _saw_ you stoop and pick up what evidently did not belong to you--if
actions are to be considered."
Nita pondered and said nothing.
"Nita, I am not reviewing these matters for the sake of humiliating
you, but I want, with all my heart, to lift you above temptation. You
never had a fair start in life, but I want to prove to you that there
are many, many better and far more interesting pleasures for you to
enjoy than corresponding with or clandestinely meeting a young man who
is not fit to associate with Woodcraft girls. If you will but trust me,
you will find what a friend I can be! Even your mother says she can
feel perfectly at ease knowing that you are with me!"
"Mother, pooh! What does she know about me! She never takes the time
to talk with me about anything but clothes, beauty and company! It's
true, she has nagged this past year about my always telling stories and
making excuses, but doesn't she do the same with father? Why should I
be different when I see it succeed every day in avoiding a scene about
bridge games or women he doesn't want coming to his home?"
Miss Miller felt still deeper sympathy for the poor misguided girl and
her voice was more loving as she said, "Where is my letter, Nita?"
"How should I know?" shrilled Nita.
"I am not your mother, Nita, and you do not have to make excuses to
get out of a scene. The truth will be the only way with me to end an
unpleasant interview."
Nita looked seriously at the Guide for a few moments. Evidently what
she saw had a softening effect. She stood with her fingers twisting a
handkerchief for a time, then said, "I buried it!"
"Can you find it readily?"
"If I want to. I know the spot well enough!"
"Then you will go for it when we are through with our talk, but I think
it is time to tell you a few things that I am quite sure you never
heard before. From all I hear, your mother would avoid speaking to you
on this subject, but I have always maintained that it is a mother's
sacred duty and privilege to advise a daughter so that she cannot
possibly take a wrong step during her years of character-forming."
Nita looked about nervously as if she wished to run away, but the Guide
drew her down to a log and sat with an arm over her shoulder. She began
in an interesting way to tell the girl about her own maidenhood and
what a wonderful mother she was blessed with. She attributed all of her
present success and happiness to the warnings and advice of that fine
woman. Then, she said, "I have no idea of marrying or having children
of my own, so I consider it my privilege to help other girls who do not
have the homes where they can seek knowledge for future guidance.
"Nita, dear, I know more than you think I do, of your need of just such
knowledge, and a friend who is eager to help. You have been travelling
the wrong trail all of your life, and it may be that you are now
selected by the Great Spirit to show the mistakes in your home life,
and introduce a new order of things."
After a long talk of past errors, her present misunderstanding of the
life of a Woodcraft girl, and the bright future open to her for mere
acceptance, the Guide concluded, saying, "Nita, you must not rebel at
what I am now going to say."
The girl had listened with surprise at the Guide's first sentences,
which showed that she was acquainted with certain conditions of the
Brampton's home habits. But the poor child had never had any one
explain so simply and conclusively the awful evil finally resulting
from a life such as she was beginning. She saw the entire mistaken
view her parents took and wondered that they could be so blinded to
her well-being. She heard with trembling, of the results of indulgence
in wine and promiscuous fellowship. And Nita wept and was thoroughly
shaken as the kind voice continued showing pictures of what is sure to
come to one who is irregardless of morals and the conscience within us
given by the Great Spirit for the leading along the pathway from earth
to heaven.
When Miss Miller made her final request, Nita was so plastic that she
could mould her into any future.
"Would you mind telling me how this meeting took place to-day?"
"He wrote a letter yesterday asking me to meet him again on the Big
Bridge this morning. When I heard you were all going to night-camp I
knew I wouldn't be back in time, so I sent a letter to say I would
meet him at noon. That's why I was in such a hurry to get back to
camp," sobbed Nita.
"Is he all you would choose in a friend or brother?"
"Mercy, no! Oh, Miss Miller, he is horrid, but he seems to make me do
just as he says when he looks at me with a queer glint in his eyes. He
has money, and when his grand-mother dies he will inherit all of her
fortune, too. Mother says I must marry a rich man when I grow up--she
says it will never do for me to be as poor as father is. And I don't
want to be poor, either!" cried Nita.
Miss Miller gasped at the revelation of the foolish mother's advice.
"Why, Nita, dear, you are only fourteen! You mustn't even think of a
husband yet!"
"But every one says I _seem_ much older; even this Jack Everton looked
surprised when he asked me my age."
"Poor, poor child! What a joy and blessing you have missed by being so
old while still so young! Now, we will remedy this loss and show you
how to really enjoy youth!" Miss Miller had tears in her eyes as she
spoke.
Nita looked at her for a moment, then obeyed the impulse to hug the
woman who had been fearless enough to show her the light on the way.
They sat quietly holding each other for a short time, until the voices
of merry girls reached them from the ravine.
"There, dear, run down and find the letter for me. When you return
your face will be cool and natural again."
Nita hurried away and Miss Miller ran into her tent and threw herself
beside her cot. "Oh, thank you, God! thank you, thank you! I am so
happy over this one lamb found on the steep mountain-side! Safe in the
fold, she will grow to love purity and truth better than evil."
The girls were bubbling with delight over their walk--the bugs, the
birds, and even a snake, had been watched and admired.
"Didn't Nita come back yet?" asked Zan, after a short interval, and no
sign of the girl was to be seen.
"Oh, yes, Nita and I have had a long talk and we are going to be the
best of pals after this," replied Miss Miller. But her tone gave the
girls to understand that not a word of the girl's escapade would ever
be mentioned again.
Nita returned and took the dirty letter to the Guide's tent, leaving it
on the cot.
Later in the afternoon, Miss Miller took the letter and read it with
deepest pity for the girl.
"To think that she read this! No wonder the girl cried that day!"
The letter said that Mrs. Brampton had had her whole life filled with
worry and disappointment over her only child's waywardness. That she
intended trying a different method of training. She knew how Nita
continually lied to her, and that the past year she feared that she was
actually meeting young men slyly when she should be visiting friends,
or at home practising music and studying school lessons.
Mrs. Brampton said she herself had so many social engagements to
keep that she could not be expected to stay home to watch a wayward
daughter. But she had at last decided to do something her dearest
friend had suggested. Nita would be sent to a reform school--a very
select and expensive place, but a reform school, all the same. Of
course, she would have to meet other girls there, perhaps much worse
than she, but at least Mrs. Brampton would not have to bother about her
child's running about the streets.