Something told him that it would be a terrible blow if she were to repulse him now. And it was possible she still cared for Starbright—or thought she cared.
“Go slow, Frank Merriwell!” something seemed to whisper in his ear. “You have given this girl every reason to think you cared more for another, now be careful not to make a break that may cause her to doubt your sincerity.”
And so, by his own good sense, he was restrained.
“Why should you be thinking of Fardale?” she asked, her girlish curiosity aroused.
“Why—why, I don’t know, exactly. Something—some talk brought it to my mind.”
She was surprised to note that he, usually so direct and straightforward, seemed rather confused and faltered somewhat.
“Those were happy days,” she murmured softly.
“In truth, they were!” he exclaimed. “We did not dream how happy at the time.”
“Nor did we dream of the strange things to happen in the future. I often think, Frank, that I can never again be quite as happy as I was back there.”
“I have thought the same, Inza.”