During all this Tessie was not the one least surprised.  In fact, she was so astonished she could no longer keep her place on the rock, and she now whispered to Jacqueline she would like to speak to a friend in the troop.

At almost the same time Rose had discovered Tessie, and she, too, stepped aside when the girl left the rock, and the next moment the two girls were clasped in each other’s arms.

“Dagmar!”

“Tessie!”

Girls looking on knew nothing of the story of this reunion, but it was plain the captains were in the secret, and they did not call the stranger and the patrol leader back to their places.  The emotion these girls were experiencing surely deserved consideration, and so they were left almost to themselves, a little distance from the troops.

“And now we have some True Tred awards to make,” again announced the captain.  “Venture Troop will make theirs later.”

“To Cleo Harris goes the first Bronze Cross awarded our troop!”

There was a shout, cheers, then questions!

“Not only did she save a human life by stopping a runaway horse a few feet from a railway crossing, down the tracks of which was dashing an express, but she thought she had entirely succeeded in hiding her identity.  She did not want the world to know of her deed, but we have discovered it!”

Then, completely dumfounded, Cleo was urged forward, and she acted as she felt, like a girl in a dream, when Captain Clark pinned on her blouse the highest award, the Bronze Cross hanging from its bright red ribbon.

She had won the first B. C.!

Scarcely had the confusion subsided when Grace was called up to receive the merit badge for “successfully spreading scout influence and bringing joy into the life of a disabled child.”

Jacqueline had insisted mention be made of the “joy” the woods play had brought to her.  So the award was made in that way.

Madaline was admiring Cleo’s cross when she heard her name called.  Captain Clark announced:  “A tiny four-leaf clover picked and bestowed in love as a nature gift is not too small to be recognized, and when Madaline Mower hurried after the wheel-chair of this little queen she touched a secret spring.  An honor badge’ must mark the result,” and the much-astonished Madaline also received an award from the queen.

“And who in this troop lost a merit badge?” joyously asked the queen, as soon as her words could be heard through the growing excitement.

“Oh, I did!” almost shouted Margaret Slowden, rushing forward without waiting to be called.

There was the much-prized merit badge!  The one originally bestowed upon her on such an auspicious occasion.

When Captain Clark again pinned it on Margaret’s breast it seemed like a blessing that had grown greater by reason of its loss.  And how delighted the girls were!  It was a clear case of “No questions asked.”