“Yes, there was a reason. May I tell you what it was before you decide to allow me to stay with you even a short time?” The girl’s colorless face flushed warmly and her listless manner so altered that Miss Patricia stared at her in surprise. In another moment she became convinced that the newcomer had taken a sudden intense fancy to Mrs. Burton. She had seen this same thing occur before. Moreover, she doubtless had some romantic story that it pleased her to think of confiding to so famous a woman as Mrs. Burton. Miss Patricia straightway left the room. The instant after Juliet Temple stood facing her companion. “Mrs. Burton, allow me to tell you at once, while I have the courage. I could not explain to Captain Burton, I did not feel I could to any human being until I met you. I was accused of having stolen a small sum of money from the department at which I was at work in Washington. It was not true and yet I have only my word to give you. My father was an army man and a distinguished officer during the Spanish war, so for his sake and because the sum was small I was dismissed from my position instead of being prosecuted. You can see now why I did not wish to appeal to friends to whom I would have felt I must make this same confession.” The girl’s expression scarcely altered save that she became a shade paler and the lines about her mouth deepened. “Why would it not have been wiser to have remained in Washington and proved your innocence?” Mrs. Burton inquired, frowning a trifle and wondering why her antagonism toward the girl had lessened rather than been increased by her story. Juliet Temple gave a despairing shrug to her shoulders. “It would have been useless, I would not have been permitted to continue at my work. I could not have lived on in Washington without money. I have but little hope that I shall ever be cleared, yet if you think I am guilty, and you have no reason to believe otherwise, you must let me go away at once, this afternoon.” Mrs. Burton shook her head. “No, I really wish you to stay, and I did not until this moment. At least you must remain for a time until we learn to know whether we like and trust each other.” Mrs. Burton held out her hand a second time and Juliet Temple touched her lips to it without replying. CHAPTER XII Friends That Were Toward noon the next day the half dozen other guests arrived, leaving only Ralph Merritt to follow later. He was not expected until Christmas eve, so affording Peggy Webster a few days with her family and friends. Immediately upon her arrival the Camp Fire girls formed a circle about her and as soon as possible bore her off to a room in one of the smaller cabins devoted exclusively to their use.