At last the boat started, and soon Vanceborough was left behind. Frank strolled about restlessly, but finally settled down aft, finding the minister and the girl had gone inside. He enjoyed the magnificent scenery as the boat ran up one of the most beautiful of the Maine lakes. So absorbed was he that he scarcely noticed the return of the couple that had interested him so much.
His attention was called to them by a ringing laugh from the girl. He looked up to discover that she was gazing straight at him. Their eyes met, and, after one brief glance, her dark lashes drooped.
There was something about that glance that caused Frank’s heart to give a thump, for there was deep meaning in it. The drooping of the eyelashes was the most artistic coquetry. It was apparent that this handsome girl was inclined to flirt, and she had been attracted by the manly-looking stranger.
But Frank was not the only one who had seen the glance and understood its meaning. The girl’s companion intercepted it, and he glanced round at Frank in a sour manner, after which he said something to the girl in a low tone. His words brought a rebellious curl to her lips, and then, as if in defiance of her companion, she gave Merriwell a pronounced smile.
Then the minister was angry, for his thin face flushed, and he looked as if he longed to do something to Merriwell. He got up and started to go away, but seemed to change his mind, for he sat down again, which brought another laugh from the girl.
Merry was amused, but he felt that he was certain to cause trouble if he remained. Still he would not rise and leave at once, as that would seem as if he had run away. He resolved to remain a short time, but he would give his entire attention to the scenery. With one last look at the girl, who was caressing the little dog, which she still held in her arms, he turned away.
It was plain enough after that that the girl made several attempts to attract Merry’s eyes. She had a laugh that was not exactly “cultivated,” but there was something alluring about it, and it made Frank feel more and more that he wanted to know her.
But it was plain enough that the minister was in love with her himself, or was watching over her as he believed to be his duty; and so, although the society of a bright, pretty girl would have been very pleasant on the trip up the lake, Merry gave her no further attention.
After a time the girl seemed piqued by her non-success with the attractive stranger. She began to tease her companion. Before long it seemed that a quarrel was taking place between them. She turned her back to him and caressed the little dog.
Suddenly there was a scream, and the girl jumped up, wildly crying: