As Ruth gazed she saw a spark of light on the island, high up from the shore, but evidently among the trees, for it was intermittent. Now it was visible and again only a red glow showed there. She was still gazing upon this puzzling light when Helen opened the door.
"Hello, Ruthie!" she cried. "All in the dark? Oh! isn't the outside world beautiful to-night?"
She came to the window and put her arm about Ruth's waist.
"See how solemnly the snow is falling—and the whole world is white," murmured the black-eyed girl. "'Oft in the stilly night'——Or is it 'Oft in the silly night'?" and she laughed, for it was not often nor for long that the sentiment that lay deep in Helen's heart rose to the surface. "Oh! What's that light over there, Ruth?" she added, with quick apprehension.
"That is what I have been looking at," Ruth said.
"But you don't tell me what it is!" cried Helen.
"Because I don't know. But I suspect."
"Suspect what?"
"That it is a campfire," said Ruth. "Yes. It seems to be in one spot. Only the wind makes the flames leap, and at one time they are plainly visible while again they are partly obscured."
"Who ever would camp over on Bliss Island on a night like this?" gasped Helen.