CHAPTER XIV BALKED AMBITION
The surprise of meeting Mary Mears so suddenly almost took Gloria’s breath away.
“Oh, excuse me, Mary,” she faltered. “Glad you weren’t a lamp post.”
“So am I,” said Mary. “But, Gloria, can I speak to you a moment?”
“Mercy me! More plots!” Gloria was cynical in her despair. “Certainly you can talk to me. I need sympathy. Have you any to spare?”
But Mary was not in Gloria’s mood. Quietly she led her into her own room—a rare thing for Mary to do.
“You know, of course,” she began, “Jack is worse?”
“Just the expected reaction, I thought. Isn’t it?”
“I hope that is all. And—is—her stepmother coming?” It seemed actually difficult for Mary to ask the question.
“I believe so. That is, if I can’t flag her away,” said Gloria, a little bitterly.
“It is a queer
