Frank Merriwell's Cruise Part 2

This caused them all to laugh, and, as the street was crowded, they strolled on together.

"Oh, Frank!" exclaimed Inza; "you can't guess what we are going to do!"

"Then I will give it up without trying. What is it?"

"Paula and I are going to Bar Harbor."

"What?"

"It's true."

"I am astonished!"

"I knew you would be. We've been talking about it, you know--saying we'd like to go. Yesterday Paula had a letter from her cousin, who is spending the summer down there. Her cousin urged her to come. Paula's mother said it was impossible, as two girls like us should not be traveling about alone. Then Aunt Abigail said she'd like to spend a week or two in Bar Harbor herself, and she volunteered to chaperone us. After a while, Paula obtained her mother's consent, and we take the Bangor boat for Rockland to-morrow night."

"By Jove, this is interesting! We'll have to run in to Bar Harbor and see you on our cruise. I didn't suppose we would see much of each other after leaving Fardale."

"I didn't know as you would care about that," said Inza, carelessly.

"Care!" exclaimed Frank. "You should know I would care. How can you say anything like that! What made you imagine I wouldn't care?"

"Oh, something!"

"Something! What was it? Tell me, Inza."

"Sometime--perhaps."

"Tell me now," urged Frank, in his masterful way. "During the last of my stay in Fardale I noticed a change in your treatment of me, Inza."

"Did you?" she murmured, lifting her eyebrows.

"Yes. You were cold toward me, and you seemed to shun me. If I tried to be friendly, as in the old days, you would not give me the opportunity.

I did not understand it."

"That is singular. The reason was plain enough."

"If so, I must have been thick-witted."

"Elsie Bellwood was there."

"Yes."

"I read your secret. You made your choice between us."

Frank was astounded.

"Choice? What can you mean, Inza? I did not make any choice."

"Oh, but you did!"

"If you say so--but I--really----"

"You made your choice that time when the boat upset, and we were struggling in the water, Elsie and I. You plunged in to her rescue. I was quite as near to you as was Elsie--nearer, if anything."

Frank caught his breath, beginning to realize what she meant. Inza went on:

"You swam to Elsie's rescue--you saved her. That was the test. I brought it about, for I upset the boat intentionally to settle the point. I wanted to know which one of us you cared the most for--and I found out!"

It was like her, Frank realized that. He knew she was telling the truth when she said she upset the boat intentionally.

"But you--you could swim some, Inza. I knew it."

"Did you know Elsie could not swim?"

"N--no."

"She is the daughter of a sea captain, and she has been with him on many voyages. There was every reason to suppose that she could swim quite as well as I--or better. No, Frank, you made your choice between us that day. It's all right," and she forced a laugh that was not very musical.

"I don't deny that, at one time, I did think more of you than any other fellow. There was every reason why I should. You saved me from a mad dog, saved me from death beneath a railroad engine, saved me from drowning. But I am not a fool, if I am a girl! I have not been taking stock in all the pa.s.sionate love stories I have read. I got out of the way. I remained Elsie's friend, for she is the sweetest girl I know. I don't blame you for thinking more of her than you do of me."

"Inza!"

Frank uttered the word in protest; it was all he could say.

"You can't deny it, so don't try," came almost harshly from the girl.

"It's all right. We're still friends. We'll always be friends--nothing more. Sometime I'll be bridesmaid at the wedding, and----"

But Frank had heard enough, and he stopped her.

"I am not likely to marry anyone very soon," he said. "Elsie knows that.

Let's talk about something else. How did it happen we met you?"

Inza seemed willing enough to permit the conversation to be turned into another channel.

"We were out shopping, you know--making our last purchases before starting for Bar Harbor. You must take us out on your yacht after we all get down there."

"I'll do it. Your aunt----"

"Oh, she will not object. You know she thinks you the finest fellow in all the world. She will come along."

At last the boys were forced to part from the girls, but Jack had made such progress with Paula that she offered him her hand at parting, saying laughingly:

"Next fall you will not pick the winner if you pick Yale, even if Mr.

Merriwell is on that eleven. If you want to keep your record for wisdom, be careful."

"Jove!" exclaimed Jack, after they had seen the girls on board a car.

"She's a way-upper, Merry!"

"She's a good sample of the Boston girl."