"It's hard to say. Estelle is acting more and more queerly every day, I think."
"So do I. Though I am quite in love with her. She has such a sweet disposition."
"Yes, she is a lovely girl. I only wish there wasn't that bit of mystery about her."
"And it is a mystery," went on Alice. "Every once in a while I catch Lieutenant Varley looking at her, when he thinks he isn't observed, and he shakes his head as though he could not understand it at all."
"Then you think he still feels sure she is the girl he met in Portland?"
"I'm positive he does, and he isn't doing it to further his own ends and force an acquaintance with her, either. He honestly believes he has met her before."
"Well, it is very strange. But she doesn't seem to want to talk about anything connected with her past."
"No, and I suppose we should not try to force matters."
The man who was shot was soon out of danger, and, meanwhile, the taking of the war scenes went on with some one else in his place. A number of sham engagements had been fought, all working up to the big final battle, in which Ruth would play her part as an army nurse, and Alice would act as the spy. Estelle, too, had been given a rather important part, much to the annoyance of Miss Dixon, who had been expecting it.
The vaudeville actress made sneering and cutting remarks about "extra players butting in," and there were veiled insinuations concerning the missing ring, but Estelle took no notice, and Alice, Ruth and her other friends stood loyally by her.