“I think it will be great for all of us,” Nora conceded.  “You know, Rose, they’re all a jolly lot, but they don’t have a great deal of fun.  They can laugh at almost anything, but that’s because they’re so healthy and good natured.  I often lend them books.  Father has a lot of them, and I do believe our club will be just the thing for all of us,” and the girl called Irish, but who was really a solid little American, emphasized her statement by kicking over the only loose stone in the well-tended driveway that bordered the “big house” at Oak Corners.

“Yes, I think it will be fine,” agreed Rose.  “But I hope I will be able to—­to be a wise leader,” she qualified.

“That’s why Captain Cosgrove selected you,” said Nora.  “We are to be self-governing, and every member must be a business girl.  That’s better than being just mill girls,” Nora declared.  “But it’s lots nicer to have a leader who just knows all about us.  It will give the girls more courage and all that!  Don’t you worry about being wise enough.  If there is anything to be learned you can count on a double quick education from us, Rosie.  Good-night.  Tell Mrs. Cosgrove we can smell the doughnuts all ready!” and Nora skipped off in the direction of a gentle light that shone from the reading lamp of Thomas Noon, one time caretaker of a famous Celtic estate, but now plain worker as gateman in Franklin Silk Mills.

Alone for the few moments occupied in reaching the Cosgrove’s home, Rose turned the problem of Tessie over and over in her troubled mind.  She felt keenly the need of confidence, but could not bring herself to tell this story now to Molly Cosgrove.

“How could I make her understand why I delayed all this time?” she reflected.  “No, I must wait for another letter.  Perhaps I’ll get one to-morrow.  Anyhow our new troop is just fine, and I mean to be a real patrol leader,” decided the girl, imbued with the same enthusiasm that seemed to permeate the entire girl-scout movement.

Have you ever been called upon to lead others?

Do you know the joy of using your own personal power in a well-organized and carefully directed plan?

If so, you may share the enthusiasm of Rose Dixon, the young patrol leader of Venture Troop of Girl Scouts.

Back once more with her own congenial companions, she almost wished she had not so altered her name.  True, Rose Dixon was not far removed from Dagmar Rosika Brodix.  Rose was Rosika, and Dixon from the last syllable of Brodix with the usual suffix “on” did not really seem so far from the original, and in the sensational days, when the two towns were stirred up with the gossip of the runaway girls, the change seemed the only plan, but now Rose felt a shadow of deceit in the use of the American name.

“At the same time,” she decided finally, “lots of people change to more simple-sounding names, and it was better to start out without that mistake following me.  I suppose Tessie has changed her name as often as she does her sleeping places.  Poor girl!  I do wish she could come back and get a start such as I have.”