“I hadn’t intended that. I think you ought to be the one to tell her, but not now. Wait until you go home from the reunion, then go to her frankly. If she still objects to your fiancé, it is your duty to break your engagement. Undoubtedly she knows what is wisest for you. If you wrote her about it now, it would upset her dreadfully. She would be likely to send for you to come home. I’d rather you’d stay and be one of us, share our good times, and win a lot of Camp Fire honors.”
Ruth had a shrewd idea that once cut off from association with the youth Blanche claimed engagement to, her interest in him would soon wane. She guessed that the engagement was a sentimental schoolgirl and boy affair, which had risen out of pure defiance of Mrs. Shirly’s wishes. Blanche was far too selfish to be in love with anyone except Blanche. Then and there Ruth resolved that before they left the Heights, she would somehow win Blanche over to be as she had advocated, “a Camp Fire Girl in earnest.”
“I’ll write to Donald to-night.” The promise came most reluctantly.
“I’m glad of that.” Ruth breathed a little relieved sigh. “Let’s shake hands and forget the disagreeable part.” Although quite aware that the promise had been unwillingly given, and the reference to Mrs. Shirly and the Camp Fire baldly ignored, she thought it best to make no further allusion to either. She would bide her time.
Very half-heartedly, Blanche laid a limp hand in Ruth’s. “Remember, you’ve promised not to tell,” she muttered.
“I shall keep my word,” Ruth gravely assured. She refrained from adding that she hoped Blanche would also stick to her agreement. She was fairly sure of it, however. She knew that Blanche stood in wholesome fear of exposure. “I must go,” she said, turning abruptly toward the door. She was sincerely glad to conclude the unpleasant interview.
Mutely, Blanche watched the door close on her accuser. Though she would not have admitted it to Ruth, she was not entirely sorry at the way things had turned out. Ever selfish of her own comfort, the day’s deception had entailed altogether too much trouble and worry to suit her. During her frantic dash for shelter, she had half resolved not to repeat it. Had the stubborn stand she had at first taken with Ruth been wholly genuine, she would not have yielded so tamely. Nevertheless, she was furious with Ruth for having interfered in her personal affairs. “I suppose she thinks she’s done something wonderful,” was her scornful comment as she seated herself before her mirror and moodily viewed her reflection. “She’s a snippy little goody-goody. A Camp Fire Girl in earnest!” she mimicked. “She’ll wait a long time for that to happen!”
CHAPTER XIII
THE ARRIVAL OF BLUE WOLF
During the busy week that followed, Blanche Shirly showed small enthusiasm for the joyous outdoor life in which the Equitable Eight reveled. She moped about the cottage, stolidly refusing to join the gay bathing parties that usually heralded the beginning of the long pleasure-filled days. She accompanied the Equitable Eight and Miss Drexal on the several excursions into the woods, but exerted little effort to gain the honors she still lacked to make her a Wood Gatherer. It had not taken her companions long to realize that, for some unknown reason, Blanche was sulking. Not daring to exhibit her open dislike toward Ruth, she entered the seven others in her black books and treated them all with a lofty indifference bordering on disdain.