Captain Burton was to arrive before any other member of the house party. Instead of trusting to an automobile or a sleigh that might be had at Saranac, the nearest village, old David drove over to meet his train, due at about five o’clock in the afternoon. At six o’clock every light in Tahawus cabin was burning brightly, a fire in the living-room roared and crackled like imprisoned music, dinner was in fullest preparation. In the drawing-room Mrs. Burton, Mrs. Graham and Miss Patricia were dressed and waiting with every now and then one of the Camp Fire girls flitting in and out with a question or a piece of information. A few days later and the cabin would be overflowing with guests. For this reason the Camp Fire guardian had wished her husband to appear before any one else. Between half-past six and seven he could be looked for at the cabin, as the drive from Saranac occupied something more than an hour. But at seven o’clock Captain Burton had not come; at half-past seven Miss Patricia insisted that dinner be served and Captain Burton’s set aside. At eight o’clock she demanded that Mrs. Burton go to her room and lie down. Undoubtedly Captain Burton’s train had been delayed. Evidently David was still awaiting him. After half an hour of protest, as Miss Patricia remained firm and Mrs. Graham added her persuasions to Aunt Patricia’s commands, the Camp Fire guardian finally did retire, appreciating that she would be in a better state to receive her husband and wishing him to see at once how much she had improved. A little after nine it chanced that the half dozen Camp Fire girls were in the living-room alone, Bettina playing softly on the piano and Chitty imitating the notes with her flute-like voice, when they heard the noise of David and the sleigh approaching. Fearing that their Camp Fire guardian might be disappointed in case something had prevented Captain Burton’s arrival, Bettina and Alice Ashton ran into the hall opening the door before there was an outside noise. The next moment Captain Burton strode in. He was not alone; accompanying him was a girl wrapped in a shabby gray cloak and with a warm scarf tied about her head partly concealing her face. “Where is Polly? I must see her at once. We had a wreck on the road and a storm also delayed us. Bettina, will you and Alice please look after Miss Temple, Juliet Temple, and persuade her to eat dinner and go to bed. I’ll introduce you to each other more satisfactorily in the morning.” If Bettina and Alice were startled and none too pleased by an unexpected guest under the present conditions, they were too kind to show their attitude, observing that the strange girl looked completely exhausted. CHAPTER XI Juliet Temple “But, my dear, do you think this the proper time to introduce a stranger into our household?”