Her sudden ascent from the depths of woe caused a swift, unbidden suspicion to flit across Ruth’s brain. What if Emmy were right in her conviction? Immediately she discarded the thought as unworthy. Still, she could not help wishing that Blanche had brought pride to her aid and declined to allow her to lay the matter before her chums. On the other hand, she could not forget that Blanche’s own mother was, to all appearances, uninterested in her daughter’s welfare.
“Of course, Ruth, if you’d rather not—” Blanche broke off with an ominous quaver in her voice. Reaching for her handkerchief she brought it into pathetic play.
“I’ll speak to the girls this evening,” promised Ruth without enthusiasm, “provided you will let me explain everything.” She was firm on this one point, and intended to make sure of it before tackling a task which she did not in the least relish.
“Tell them whatever you please,” agreed Blanche with a readiness that was not wholly pleasing to Ruth. Her eyes meeting the latter’s searching gaze, she hastily amended: “I mean, I wish you to tell them everything.”
“Very well, I will. Now I must go. If I don’t do my studying before dinner, it won’t be done at all.” Ruth was halfway to the door as she spoke. She had no desire to prolong her call. Already she was nervously imagining the dire effect of the verbal bombshell she was preparing to drop in the camp of the Equitable Eight.
“When will you let me know about it?” was Blanche’s eager question, as Ruth opened the door.
“As soon as I can,” Ruth replied briefly and was gone.
Left to herself, Blanche strolled to her dressing table, complacently viewing herself in the oval mirror. “I ought to go on the stage,” she confided to her smiling reflection. “I can act all around that snippy Betty Wyndham. Ruth Garnier is a simpleton. She believed everything I said. She’ll have a lovely time making those girls believe it, though. Still, I’m not afraid she can’t do it. Miss Shirly, you may consider yourself as already invited to that wonderful reunion!”
CHAPTER III
ALL FOR THE SAKE OF RUTH