"Marta," she said quickly, as she met the young girl, "come upstairs with me." She locked the door as soon as they were in her room. "Now tell me all about yourself and everything that has happened since I last saw you." Beaming with the excitement that comes from narrative of self, the newcomer talked animatedly for some time. "And," she concluded, "Mrs. Kingdon said you told her all about me, and she sent me a ticket to come here. And it's lovely up here, isn't it? She told me I'd better keep to the name of Bobbie Burr for the present, until she came anyway." "I should say!" agreed Pen. "Marta Sills might land you in most unpleasant places. But, Marta, that man you told me about, whose name you didn't mention?" "Yes, Miss Lamont. I try not to think of him." "Marta, why did you tell him that you stole. You could have married him. He'd never have known. And you and he could both have been happy." In the girl's wondering eyes, Pen read a mute rebuke. "I'd rather lose him forever than deceive him!" "Marta," said Pen impressively, "Diogenes should have known you." "Who is he, Miss Lamont?" "Never mind, Marta. I thought I knew what love meant, but I see I didn't until now. If I loved a man as you do yours, I would stop stealing if I had to cut my hands off to do it." "I have stopped. I know now that I could have stopped long ago, if any one had given me the right boost, or made me want to stop." Just then Pen's eyes caught sight of a trunk in the corner of her room. "What's that here for?" she asked. "Oh, please, Miss Lamont, I brought it to you. I never touched anything in it. I earned enough to buy what I am wearing and a few things in my suitcase, besides what I had on that day--" "Marta, that's sweet in you. I am beginning to feel I'd like to tog once more. I shall reward you. But first, will you do something for me?" "You know I will be glad to do anything." "I want a note delivered. I'll write it now." Hastily she wrote a few lines at her desk. "Come with me, Marta. We'll have to go to a certain vine-clad pergola by devious routes to avoid three wise children and one suspicious and formidable foreman." By much circumambulation the two girls reached the pergola unseen. "You sit here for a few moments, Marta, and the person to whom you are to give the note will come to you." Pen walked on to the barracks where she met Jo. "Will you do something for me, Jo? Right away, quick?" "Sure thing, Miss Penny Ante. What did his nibs want?" "Never mind, now. Go to the pergola and receive a note from me. Now don't be stupid. Do as you are told,--like a good soldier does." With a laugh Jo started in swinging gait for the place indicated, but he was halted several times by some of the men who wanted directions for their work. After waiting patiently, Marta concluded Pen's plans had miscarried, so she started for the house, but becoming confused as to turns, she went toward the barracks.