“Whatever you do,” said Frank, with deep earnestness, “don’t forget your mother! When you are having a good time, as you call it, think of your mother. When you are gay, think of your mother, who may be praying for you at that moment. That is all, Miss Blaney. Good-by! I would like to know that some day—very soon—you go back to your mother.”
She was not laughing now. All the false merriment had gone out of her face, leaving it very sober. Something like tears seemed to fill her eyes.
“Good-by,” said Frank, once more.
Without a word, the girl turned swiftly and hurried away, almost running.
“Too bad!” he muttered, as he hurried on to the theater.
CHAPTER XI.
FRANK SPEAKS HIS MIND.
At the stage door he saw Douglas Dunton talking to a very pretty, blue-eyed girl, who started and blushed when she beheld Frank, quickly exclaiming in a low tone:
“Oh, there is Mr. Merriwell!”
“Never mind him,” laughed Dunton. “He’s not the only pebble on the beach.”
Frank said not a word, but entered the theater, apparently to the disappointment of the girl.