Frank Merriwells Cruise | Page 4

he said you weren't half the fool
he took you for."
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 passionate 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