MARJORIE'S TRIUMPH
When Mrs. Hadley afterwards spoke of Marjorie Wilkinson, she called her
"the girl with the shining eyes." For when the machine stopped in front
of the house in Trenton where she was visiting, and the young people ran
up the steps to greet her, Marjorie was still radiant from her great
discovery. For a time John's mother, who immediately took a tremendous
liking to the girl, attributed her joy to anticipation of the pleasure
that awaited her. But later she realized that the cause for it was
something deeper, something within Marjorie's heart.
John, too, admitted reluctantly to himself that he was not a part of her
happiness. It had, he realized, something to do with the Girl Scouts,
and especially with her brief visit at that factory. But what it could
possibly be, he had not the slightest idea.
The girls soon became entirely at home in their hostess's house, singing
and playing the piano until it was time to dress for dinner.
When Marjorie came downstairs again, dressed in the pale blue georgette
which she had worn at the sophomore reception, John Hadley thought he
had never seen anyone so beautiful. Suddenly he realized, although he
was only nineteen years of age, how tremendously he cared for this girl.
Working hard all year, partially earning his way through college, he had
little time to write to her; again he wondered what she had been doing,
and whether any of the other Boy Scouts had claimed her attention. With
a pang of jealousy, he became aware of the fact that she did not care
for him as he did for her--to the exclusion of all others of the
opposite sex. But John Hadley forgot that Marjorie was only
sixteen--three years younger than himself.
Neither of the girls had ever attended a college function of any kind
before, and they were thrilled with the experience. In spite of the fact
that many of the other girls wore bobbed hair, and all had short skirts,
they felt exceptionally youthful. Marjorie felt shy, too, and at the end
of almost every dance she brought her partner over to Mrs. Hadley's
corner, as if seeking her protection. The woman was subtly flattered; if
Marjorie had tried to win her affection, she could not have chosen a
more direct method. But she was all unconscious of the impression she
was making.
Although the affair was not to be over until twelve, the boys had not
filled out the girls' programs for the last dances. So, in accordance
with Mrs. Wilkinson's wishes, they started for home in the machine by
half eleven. To her surprise, Marjorie found that she was sleepy; and
making no attempt at conversation, she leaned back against the cushions.
In a few minutes she was fast asleep, her head resting against Mrs.
Hadley's shoulder.
Sunday passed quickly for the girls, for they were both tired out, and
their parents let them sleep late. At three o'clock they took the train
for school.
"Nothing but rehearsals!" yawned Ruth. "Don't you wish the operetta were
over?"
"Yes--and no," replied Marjorie, thinking of Frieda's promise. "I don't
mind rehearsing much. But, then, I haven't a big part."
"No; neither you nor I can sing wonderfully, can we? But didn't it make
you feel the least bit badly, Marj, after being heroine last year, to
have to take a back seat this time?"
Marjorie regarded Ruth with curiosity. This, in a nutshell, summed up
Ruth's character. She could never bear to "take a back seat."
"Not a bit! With basket-ball and everything, I was glad not to have to
work so hard. And then I've got my canoe again, you know!"
"Thanks to me!" said Ruth, proudly.
"Thanks to father!" returned Marjorie, a little sharply. It was tiresome
the way Ruth was always fishing for compliments.
"I say, though," observed Ruth, "I wish I could earn that medal for
locating Frieda Hammer. It would be the first medal of merit in the
troop!"
"Medal!" exclaimed Marjorie. "Goodness, I had forgotten all about it!"
"And had you forgotten all about her, too?"
"No, indeed," replied Marjorie, warmly. "She'll turn up some day. And if
she does, Ruth, you've got to forget that she ever stole anything. For
she's made it up, you know!"
Marjorie looked straight into Ruth's eyes, and seemed to pierce into the
hidden motives of her life. Ruth lowered her lids under the penetrating
gaze, and answered, somewhat doggedly,
"All right! Whatever you say!"
"Thanks, Ruth!"
The train arrived just on time and the girls went directly to their
rooms. Marjorie proceeded to tell Lily all about the dance.
"Is that what makes you look so happy, Marj?"
"Partly; but there's something else, too."
"Don't you want to tell me about it?" This softly, without curiosity.
"I'm dying to, Lil; but I'm so afraid it won't come true, I just don't
dare. It's too wonderful!"
"It's about Frieda."
"Lily Andrews!" cried Marjorie, aghast. "How did you ever guess it?"
"From your expression. I know you pretty well now, Marj!"
But Marjorie would not permit herself to tell even Lily; she had given
her word to Frieda that she would keep it a secret, and she meant to
keep her promise.
Saturday came with weather clear, warm, and beautiful. The operetta,
which was really a spring festival, was to be given in the open-air
amphitheater of the school, with the natural scenery of the woods and
the lake for a background. The Scouts, in their filmy white and green
costumes and flowing hair, looked like the fairy and wood-people they
were to represent. Ethel Todd had the leading part; Ruth and Marjorie
were merely in the chorus.
Marjorie dressed early, and, slipping a cape over her costume, went to
meet each train. Finally, on the last one to arrive before the play was
to begin, she was rewarded. A neat-looking Girl Scout in khaki uniform
stepped from the train and hurried towards her.
It was Frieda Hammer!
The girls kissed each other and went up the walk arm in arm. Marjorie
knew that Miss Phillips and most of the Scouts would be behind the
scenes at that time, so she took Frieda straight to her mother and
father. She merely introduced her as a "Girl Scout from Trenton," placed
her beside her mother and Jack, and went back of the scenes.
"May we have a little meeting after the play?" she begged Miss Phillips.
"Right here--it will only take a second! Oh, please!"
The Captain consented, for she was too busy to argue.
The operetta was charming, and splendidly performed; it was pronounced
the prettiest thing ever given at Miss Allen's. During the intermission
the Principal told the audience about the Scout canoe trip, stating that
the proceeds from this play would be used to buy food, and that an
anonymous friend had offered to supply the canoes.
After the final chorus was over, Marjorie appeared immediately--almost
miraculously, it seemed to Frieda--among the audience, and sought her
family. She was delighted to find Jack and Frieda laughing and chatting
pleasantly, quite as if they had known each other all their lives. Could
this be the same girl who had uttered such harsh words to Mrs. Johnson
last fall, and slammed the door in their faces? She had changed utterly;
suffering, responsibility, kindness, work, and the influence of the Girl
Scout principles in her life had all helped to accomplish it.
"I want you to come back and meet the members of our troop," she said,
taking Frieda's hand. "They are waiting--but they won't wait long."
She found the girls gathered around Miss Phillips, intoxicated with
their success, but impatient of the delay that kept them from joining
their friends in the audience.
"Captain! Girls!" interrupted Marjorie, out of breath from her haste and
excitement. "I want to introduce a Girl Scout from Pine Cone troop of
Trenton. But," she added,--"first of all she belongs to Pansy troop.
Miss Frieda Hammer!"
The girls could only gasp at these words; for it was not until after a
second look that they recognized the country girl their troop had tried
to adopt. The transformation was wonderful, the triumph complete! And
they all realized that it was Marjorie's!
"And you're a second-class Scout!" cried Ethel, noticing the clover on
her sleeve.
"And--own--a--pioneer--badge!" said Ruth, in amazement. "Why, you can go
on the canoe trip!"
"I only won it last Saturday," said Frieda. "Oh, I should love to go on
your canoe trip--but--I don't belong to Pansy troop!"
"You certainly do!" protested Lily.
"I tell you what I could do!" cried Frieda, with a flash of inspiration.
"Do you need a cook?"
"Indeed we do," answered Miss Phillips. "I said only yesterday that we
must get some one. Can you cook?"
"I think so!"
"Then you're hired!"
"Hurray for our new Scout!" they all cried, linking arms in a great
chain.
"And for our 'Good Turn!'" exclaimed Ruth. "It's done at last."
"By Marjorie Wilkinson!" added Miss Phillips. Then, under her breath,
"The Truest Girl Scout!"
The next volume in this series will tell of the Girl Scouts' Canoe Trip.
THE END
The Girl Scouts Series
BY EDITH LAVELL
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THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN'S SCHOOL
THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP
THE GIRL SCOUTS' GOOD TURN
THE GIRL SCOUTS' CANOE TRIP
THE GIRL SCOUTS' RIVALS
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End of Project Gutenberg's The Girl Scouts' Good Turn, by Edith Lavell