CHAPTER XXVIII—A CHANGE OF SCENE
With the death of Wade, the paid tool of Stephen Fenton, the latter took alarm and disappeared from Springbrook Farm, leaving a clear field to Harry Harden.
Before leaving Springbrook, Frank was forced to repeat the story of the hunt so many times that he became heartily tired of it. He was also tired of being regarded as a hero, and hearing compliments from all sides. A less level-headed lad might have become inflated with his own importance, but “swelled head” was a disease that never secured a hold on Frank Merriwell.
But the boys all voted that they had enjoyed themselves hugely at Springbrook, and each and every one of them was forced to promise that it would not be the last visit to the place.
They might have remained longer, as it was, but the fall term of college was at hand, and several of them were impatient to return to dear Old Yale.
“I want to get back and take a rest,” said Browning. “A big, long rest. I think I need it.”
“Did you ever see the time you didn’t rest a need—I mean, need a rest?” cried Harry.
“Are we to go right straight through to New York?” questioned Jack.
“I thought so at first,” answered Frank. “But I have received a letter which may change our plans—if you agree.”
“What letter?” asked several.
“A letter from Charlie Creighton, of Philadelphia. He urges us to stop off and pay him a visit.”
“Creighton, eh?” said Jack. “I remember him. He was a good chap at Yale.”
“Can we have some sport in Philadelphia?” questioned Harry.
“I think so. But not such sport as we have had here or in the mountains.”
“Dot vos all right alretty,” put in Hans. “I peen villing to take it easy for you, you bet mine life! No more vild adventures py me alretty!”
“By gum, it’s time we quieted deown,” snorted Ephraim. “Ef we don’t we’ll be as wild ez hawks when we git ter hum!”
The matter was talked over for quite a while, after which a vote was taken by which it was unanimously resolved to move on to Philadelphia, pay a short visit to the college youth mentioned, and see “how the land lay,” as Harry expressed it.
Two days later found them on the way. They picked out the best bicycle road, and took their time, so that even Bruce did no growling.
A telegram was sent ahead to Charlie Creighton, and he met them at the Continental Hotel, at which place they decided to put up for the time being, for they knew Creighton could not very well accommodate the whole crowd, and they were unwilling to separate.
“You must stay over, at least a few days,” said Charlie Creighton. “And some of you must stay up to our house too. It’s up on Chestnut Hill, and I know you will like it. My sister has a number of girl friends up there, and all of us will do what we can to make you comfortable.” And so it was settled.
Frank found the Creightons very nice people, and soon felt at home with them. Mabel Creighton was a girl who reminded him slightly of Elsie Bellwood, although he did not think her quite so pretty as his old-time sweetheart.
Mabel had several girl chums, and soon Frank and the other boys were on good terms all around.
The girls loved to play tennis, and it was not long before they induced Frank and the others to play.
What one of these games led to will be told in the chapter to follow.