Inza

“ Dick Starbright knew that Frank and Inza were fast friends, he knew they were almost sweethearts, he knew Inza would not be there but for Merry; yet since the day he first saw this dark-eyed, black-haired radiant queen of a girl something he could not hold in check had been growing in his breast—growing, growing, growing. He sought to tell himself that it was no more than mere admiration for an unusually handsome young lady, and he sought to believe that he could readily and easily forget her ”

“ We have heard from you indirectly since Inza received your last letter, and so we knew of your wonderful experiences as king of a cannibal island and in search of the ‘missing link’ in the wilds of Africa.”
“Heard from me?” exclaimed Frank, in surprise. “How?”
“Through Elsie Bellwood,” said Inza, quietly. “She wrote me.”
Frank started, overwhelmed by a sudden thought. Just what had Elsie written Inza? The girls had been warm friends, and, after being rescued from the island of cannibals, Frank had been much with Elsie on Captain Bellwood’s trading vessel. ”

“ A second later Gage came in violent contact with the ground.
"Frank!" exclaimed Inza, as he supported her.
Wat Snell and the two girls with whom he had been talking had witnessed the entire affair. They now came hurrying toward the spot.
"The miserable cur!" cried Frank. "I will——"
"Don't touch him again!" urged Inza. "Oh, you struck him an awful blow!"
In truth Frank had given Gage a heavy blow, and it was some seconds before the fellow made a move. Snell helped him sit up. Leslie put his hand to his head, and stared in a dazed way at Frank.
"Are you hurt much, old man?" ”

“ He longed to hasten after the stranger, but felt Inza clinging to him in weakness, which prevented such a move.
And now their friends, having discovered for the first time that something was wrong, came hurrying to the spot, asking many questions.
It was some time before Inza recovered, but in the end she flung off her weakness with a sudden show of resolution, forced a laugh, and declared that she was all right.
"Where is the chundering old bump—I mean the blundering old chump?" spluttered Harry Rattleton. "Didn't stop to say a word? Well, somebody ought to say something to him! ”

“ When Carver strolled on, Frank and Inza turned about and retraced their steps toward the Pueblo. As they departed, the unseen Indian heard Inza say:
“I will not believe John Swiftwing is a bad Indian! He has a noble face, and you told me, Frank, that you thought him a fine fellow.”
“I did,” said Merry, “but I know very little of him. Physically, he is a marvel, which is rather strange, as he is a Pueblo Indian, and they are not remarkable for their physical development. ”

“ You always see the good in everybody.”
“That’s right, and, therefore, something tells me that when I see the bad in a person that person must be very, very bad. Inza, I can’t help it, but in spite of the polish of Porfias del Norte, in spite of his politeness, his education, his entertaining manners, I feel that he is a snake, and a poisonous snake at that.” ”

“ But Elsie was human, and all who are human make mistakes. Inza was no less human, and her spirit and pride had led her into blunders as great—perhaps greater—than those of Elsie. Was that a reason why Frank should not love her? Rather, was it not a reason why he should love her more?
It seemed that his love had been pent-up and suppressed all these years; but now, in a single moment, Dick Starbright, by a few simple words, had torn away the dam, and it came rolling down upon Frank’s heart in a tide that was overwhelming and irresistible. ”

“ He did so, telling of Inza first. She listened, seeming to hush her breathing, so eager was she. When he had finished describing Inza’s striking beauty and spirited ways, a sigh escaped the listener’s lips—a sight of relief.
“Ah!” she said, with a faint smile; “you cared for her because she was so handsome.”
“No, no!” cried Frank, quickly. “Inza is a splendid girl. She is a girl of whom any fellow would be proud.”
“I believe that, but still—— Tell me of Elsie.”
Frank hesitated.
“I don’t know how to describe her,” he declared. “She is so different from Inza.” ”

“ The following Saturday was fine, and that afternoon large numbers of the boys from the academy sought the village pond, where the skating was excellent.
By mid-afternoon there were between two and three hundred skaters on the long pond, while half as many spectators were gathered on the shore.
It was a lively and pleasant scene. Inza Burrage was there, with her chosen companion, May Blossom. Inza was a beautiful skater, and so was much sought as a companion by the boys. Three times did Frank approach her to ask her to skate with him, and each time he saw her carried off by some one else. ”

“ How dare you talk to me in such a way of Inza Burrage? I have known her since she was a girl in short dresses, and she is as pure as the stars. Man, you cannot speak of her thus before me! You are my friend—at least, you have been. I will not listen to such words from the lips of anybody. She is not treacherous, and she does not take delight in deceiving men.”
Dick Starbright was appalled by the terrible earnestness of Frank Merriwell. He sat there, staring up at Merry in wonderment, while in his heart he was saying:
“You told me you did not care for her, but you love her—you love her! ”

“ Keep away from Inza Burrage if you value your life!”
“Bah! You speak boldly now, for you have conquered by your brute strength. It’s not the strength of the brute that wins in the end; it’s the brains of the wise man. You think you’re wise and crafty, but in the end you shall know that Porfias del Norte is a thousand times your superior.”
With an exclamation of scorn and disdain, Frank rose to his feet.
He turned to move away, but as he did so Del Norte, who had risen to his knees, suddenly clutched Merry by both legs and once more sought to hurl him over the cliff. ”

“ Besides that, I'm tired."
"The same old complaint," laughed Frank. "What do you think about it, Elsie?" [Pg 27]
"If Inza wishes to go, I'm ready," answered Elsie. "We might have a good time."
Hodge expressed a willingness to go along, and then Frank cried:
"It's a go, my children! Let's enter into this thing in earnest and have a high old time. Bruce, you ought to be ashamed of your laziness."
"Don't begin that old song!" said the big fellow. "There's not enough laziness in this world. Everybody howls about strenuousness and hustle, and people wear themselves out and die before they should. ”

“ Paula Benjamin was startled.
"Oh, you musn't be too hard on him!" she said. "You know how much Jack loves Harvard, and how crazy he is for Harvard to beat Yale in this game. I was almost as crazy myself, and that is why I wanted you to ask Mr. Merriwell not to play."
"I shall never trust him again," whispered Inza, hoarsely—"never! He has broken his promise to me."
"It is certain he loves Yale as dearly as Jack loves Harvard. He may think it is his duty to break his word for the sake of Yale."
"I don't care! I don't care! I do hope Harvard will beat!" ”

“ The dead seldom rise, and I am dead, you know." [Pg 34]
"It's the greatest wonder in the world that you are not."
The music stopped. Frank escorted Inza to one of the great, open windows, through which came a grateful breath of the cool, still night. Through the trees outside they could see the lake, with the silver moonlight shimmering on its bosom.
"It's a beautiful spot here," said the girl. "See how peaceful everything is out there, Frank."
After a few moments they strolled out together beneath the trees, where the shadows were heavy. ”

“ One glance at his eyes was enough for Dade, who knew instantly that they were the same eyes he had seen peering through the transom of the Bowery hotel.
This was Frank Merriwell's deadly enemy, a monster who would hesitate at no crime in order to injure the youth he so bitterly hated. This was the man who had twice attempted to destroy the life of Inza Burrage. This was the man who had poisoned Watson Scott at the Waldorf and had nearly brought about the death of Warren Hatch in an automobile smash-up. ”

“ They sat by the window and chatted a long time, while Mr. Burrage dozed in his chair.
Finally there came the sound of a stir in the hall and on the stairs. Excited voices were heard; a man’s and a woman’s.
“It is the landlady,” said Inza. “She seems to be having trouble with somebody. I never heard anything like that in this house before.”
“I tell you I knows the gent,” asserted the voice of a man; a voice which sounded familiar to Frank. “It is a matter of business, and I will see ’im. I hobserved ’im a-settin’ at the window.” ”

“ There was something about Merriwell's look and bearing that seemed to warn them against attacking him. To Wat Snell it suddenly seemed quite probable that Frank would prove more than a match for both of them.
"There are ladies present," he said, hastily. "We cannot fight in the presence of ladies."
"Very thoughtful!" came scornfully from Frank's lips. "Possibly the ladies will step aside long enough for us to settle this little matter."
"Oh, don't fight with them, Frank!" pleaded Inza. ”

“ He may without woman’s influence become a miser, a Shylock, a money magnate, and a wrecker of human lives; but he seldom becomes noble, honored, loved, and cherished in the hearts of his fellow men unless behind him is the influence of a good, true woman urging him on to the splendid deeds which uplift him.
At times Merry had seemed to realize the presence of that subtle influence, and then had risen vague visions of the many girls he had known, with Elsie and Inza the most prominent. ”

“ Again Del Norte rushed, but this time his wrist was seized and given a wrench that brought him, with a gasping groan of pain, to his knees.
"Fight done now!" muttered Red Ben, as he saw Merriwell lift his blood-stained blade.
"You're at my mercy, Del Norte," said Merry. "I [Pg 81] can kill you with a single stroke. I'll spare you if you speak the truth. Where is Inza Bur——"
Out of the shadows behind Merriwell darted a figure. A heavy club crashed on Frank's head.
Thus treacherously struck down, the brave youth dropped his knife and fell senseless to the ground. ”

“ At a certain point in the pond there was a dangerous bit of ice, where some springs deep down at the bottom continually bubbled up and kept the water alive, so the ice did not form solidly. It was supposed that every one knew where this dangerous spot was, so no sign had been placed there.
Now, however, two girls had ventured upon it, and broken through.
"Who are they?"
"Inza Burrage and May Blossom!"
"Save them! save them!"
Several started toward the imperiled girls, but two forms darted out ahead of the rest, and another race between Paul Rains and Frank Merriwell had begun. ”

“ My strength is gone—I am well-nigh spent: will you help me to-night? They will not miss him to-morrow, and none will know till all is at rest! Señora, will you come with me?"
"Tell me first, Inez, if it is he who brought you here; who acted so nobly to me, and bade adieu to you but two days since?"
"Yes, the same! will you refuse to assist me now?"
"No, by our blessed Virgin! I will do all an old woman like me can do; yet united, Inez, we shall be strong."
Wrapping their mantillas about them, they noiselessly proceeded to the Plaza. ”

“ Beautiful she looked, with the feverish glow on her cheek, and her large Spanish eyes, restless and piercing, flashing out at times the thoughts of her inmost soul. She threw the mantilla round her head, and turned toward the church. The step was firm yet hasty. She seemed endeavoring to escape from herself.
The streets were silent and the Plaza deserted, and naught seemed stirring save the swallows that twittered and circled round and round the belfry of the church. There was something soothing in the deep stillness that reigned on that balmy morning, and Inez felt its influence. ”

“ They stood up, and the old dame pointed to the earth piled on either side. Inez shuddered and closed her eyes a moment, as if unequal to the task.
Her companion stooped, and was in the act of tossing forward a mass of earth; but Inez interposed: "Señora, softly! I will do this: remember there is no coffin."
Fearfully calm was her tone as she slowly pushed in the earth. There was no hollow echo, such as ofttimes rends the heart of the mourner, but a heavy, dull sound of earth crushing earth. Gradually she filled the opening even with the surface, then carefully scattered the remaining sod. ”

“ Again, Inez, I solicit your love. Say that you will be mine, all but that which the idle ceremony of wedlock can make you, and there is not a pleasure which gold can purchase, or this world supply, which you shall not have at your command. We will hasten far from hence, and in a place where we are unknown, forget that there are others than ourselves in existence.’
Inez shuddered with horror at the coolness and effrontery with which the libertine uttered these expressions, and she could scarcely believe that she was standing in the presence of a human being. ”

“ It will profit you little that we have many men, if some strong arm tells your length on the sward."
"Never fear, Inez—never fear. We must not stop till every American turns his back on the Alamo, and his face to the East."
"But you will not harm those that live here in peace with all men?"
"The Padre told our General, yesterday, that we must fight till all submitted, or the last American child was driven to the far bank of the Sabine."
Inez laid her hand on his arm, and looking him full in the face, asked, in a low tone—"Mañuel, would you help to drive Mary from her home among us? ”