“Then it is plain that we will have to let the matter rest a while. You will say nothing about it to any one, Starbright?”
“I am certain that everything will be cleared up in time, and Inza must never know how you doubted her. I would not have her know it for worlds, for she likes you, Dick, and it would hurt her more than you can dream.”
Starbright felt rebuked, but Merriwell’s words did not alter his conviction that Inza was fickle, and had deceived them both.
Only a short time before Dick had been played with and thrown over by Rosalind Thornton. Before that time he was a big-hearted, trusting boy; but his treatment in that case had awakened his suspicions and shattered his absolute and unswerving faith in all girls. Now he fancied he knew them very well, and his knowledge was not of the kind to lead him to trust them.
Despite his physical perfections, despite his wonderful feats of strength and skill, Starbright was still a very callow youth, greatly given to sudden impressions, and there was much for him to learn before he could develop into a steady, level-headed man. He was to be taught by experience that it is always very foolish, and sometimes decidedly dangerous, to jump at conclusions without clue and careful investigation of all cases.
There was a step at the door, which swung open to admit Jack Diamond, who sauntered in, dressed in the swellest possible manner and carrying a cane.
“Hello!” exclaimed the Virginian, pausing. “Didn’t know you had a caller, Merriwell. Am I intruding?”
“Of course not,” said Frank. “You know Starbright, Jack.”
“Starbright—of course! Why, how are you, Starbright? Glad to see you, my boy.”
“I thought you were on the other side,” said the freshman, trying to appear cool and composed.
“That’s where I would be if I were not a fool,” declared Jack, forcing a short laugh.
Frank gave the Southerner a quick look, observing that Jack’s face was flushed and his eyes filled with a light of joy.
“What’s happened, old man?” asked Merry. “You look as if you had heard good news.”
“I guess not. I made an ass of myself, Merriwell, and I’ve just found it out. To-day I received a letter from Juliet.”
Diamond triumphantly drew it from a pocket near his heart.