Ethel Hollisters Second Summer as a Campfire Girl | Page 5

"Some day," she said, "I
may make good."
Ethel wrote and got Aunt Susan interested in little Mollie. Being a
manager of a Cripples School that lady at once placed her free of
charge in one of the wards as a boarder and pupil. The resident
physician said that in a year's time he should send her out cured. Poor
Mr. and Mrs. Hastings were overjoyed, while Mattie's gratitude knew
no way to express itself. She simply regarded Ethel and Patty with
looks of adoration, while in time they overcame their prejudice, Ethel
even kissing her goodbye.
There had been wrought in Ethel Hollister a great change. Much of her
pride and worldliness had dropped from her. She had gradually become
an earnest believer in truth despising all subterfuges and shams.
Upon her arrival home, Mrs. Hollister, while noting her new and
splendid health, was appalled at the change. From an obedient child,
easily convinced that no matter what her mother said was right, she had
become a girl of great character with ideas of her own. Mrs. Hollister
angrily denounced her mother-in-law and Aunt Susan, saying that it

was their work and that her child, for whom she had slaved all of her
life, had become wilful, stubborn and disobedient. "She even refuses to
go into Society this winter. She talks of taking up low down settlement
work. She'll end in becoming a suffragette, and standing on a soap box
she'll address the street rabble, perhaps wearing a large bonnet and
standing beside a kettle holiday time ringing a bell and holding out a
tambourine,--a Salvation Army woman. Oh! what a fool I was to let her
go away from my influence," and she sobbed,--"to toil and save for her
to make a brilliant match. See the way she rewards me. Why did I bring
into this world such an ungrateful child! It's all that wretched Camp
Fire business."
Then Ethel gently put her arm around her mother and told her that only
since she had been a Camp Fire girl had she appreciated how hard she
had worked for her. "I know, Mamma," she said, "how you and Papa,
and even Grandmamma, have sacrificed for me. I see myself as I have
been, (not as I am now)--a selfish, wicked girl, not even appreciating
what you have done for me, and I am appalled. I am going to do for
you now. I am going to see the roses come back into your cheeks and
the wrinkles leave your pretty face. Uncle John is Papa's senior by ten
years but he looks much younger--why? Because Papa is bent and worn
getting money for me--for us to make a show on. Everything is sham,
Mamma, and let us give it up--let us keep only friends who care for us
ourselves and we shall be happier. I shall take you up to camp next
summer. You can help us so much; you are so clever and can teach the
girls. And as for a grand marriage for me, I'll promise never to marry at
all unless you approve of the man, and I may make a better marriage
than you dream of. So just let us be happy and natural and live within
our means," and she took her sobbing mother in her arms.

Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Camp Fire Girl
CHAPTER I
ETHEL'S PLANS

The morning after Ethel had declared herself her mother came up to her
room. She could see that Mrs. Hollister had not slept and her eyes were
red from weeping. Ethel kissed her, saying:
"Mamma, we are going to be very happy together--you and I. I don't
want to disappoint you, dear, nor would I do so willingly; but I simply
can not live as I've been living. Sit down and let us talk."
Then she told of Aunt Susan,--of her kindness, unselfishness and
self-sacrifice. She told of Mattie and how they had helped her, and of
her Uncle John; of Patty and Judge Sands; and lastly of Kate and what
a wonderful character she was.
"Wait, dear, I want to show you my ceremonial gown," and she quickly
slipped it on. The girl's hair was still hanging unbound, having slept in
it that way, and she hooked about it her coronation band. Said her
mother:
"Well, I must say it is becoming. What a Pocahontas you would make
in private theatricals!" she exclaimed with maternal pride; "But then,
why should I speak of theatricals? You've given up all such things."
"Why, Mamma," laughed Ethel, "I'm not going into a convent. I have
given up nothing but the unreal part of life."
"I suppose you'll tell everyone how poor we are, and how I have put
you forward under false colors. Then people will