It is possible that an inkling of the thoughts passing through Bart’s mind came to Merry then.
The dark-eyed lad knew nothing of what had taken place while Frank was away from college. He knew only that he cared for Elsie Bellwood with all the intensity of his passionate nature and that she had repeatedly told him she would never marry at all.
Why had she made that assertion? Was it not because she still loved Frank Merriwell? Bart believed so, and it was his conviction that in the end Frank must win her, for had not he a way of winning anything he greatly desired!
Still, he would not give up. He had told Frank squarely and honestly that he would never cease his efforts to obtain Elsie till he knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that there was no hope for him.
Then, what? Who could tell? For Bart had a peculiar disposition, and a disappointment of this sort might wreak havoc with his sensitive organization.
Merriwell’s hand had lifted him from the path of temptation and ruin in the past and set his feet upon the highway leading to splendid achievements, but this disappointment might undo all the good that had been done and turn him back along the downward course.
Frank thought of this, and he was eager to let his friend know what had happened, revealing to him that the road to Elsie’s heart was open and undisputed.
Frank spoke Bart’s name and started toward him. Then one of his many friends caught hold of him and asked him a question, which he paused to answer.
When he looked for Bart again he looked in vain, for Hodge had hastened away.
Bart Hodge sat alone in his room. The curtains were drawn at the windows and a lighted student’s lamp was on the table, over which books and papers were scattered. In Bart’s hand he held the photograph of a pretty, sweet-faced girl, at which he was gazing with earnest intentness, the light in his dark eyes being one of unspeakable admiration.
It was the picture of Elsie Bellwood. Bart had been trying to study, but his mind would revert to Elsie, try as he might to fix it on other matters, till at last he gave up, brought out her picture and sat there musing over it.
His love for her had seemed to take possession of him full blown in a moment, but cooler afterthought had revealed to him that he had always admired her intensely since that wild night when he had aided Frank to save her from the wreck on Tiger Tooth Ledge, near Fardale.