The cycling party from Belfast came down the curving road toward the Northport House, their bells ringing merrily. They made a pretty show in the dim evening light, even though they had not lighted their lanterns. The girls went straight to a Belfast cottage, while the boys took their wheels to the Northport House, where they were cared for by attendants. Diamond strolled away by himself. Merriwell went out upon the broad veranda of the hotel and looked away over the bay, where the moon was just rising. On the green in front of the hotel some wandering musicians were playing “Kathleen Mavourneen,” and a hundred people were listening on the benches and the grass. Hodge came out and stopped at Frank’s side. “Jove, Merry!” he exclaimed, “this is fine! I’m glad we came.” “So am I,” said Frank, softly. “Hush!” He was listening to the music. It stirred a responsive chord in his soul. “Beautiful!” he whispered, as the last sweet strains died away. “Come,” said Hodge, brusquely. “Don’t get sentimental, old man. Let’s take a stroll together.” “Wait. They are going to play again.” The musicians played “O Promise Me,” and again Frank was thrilled. As they played, Merry softly sang: “O promise me that some day you and I Will take our love together to some sky——” “Oh, say, come on!” impatiently exclaimed Hodge. “Let’s find the girls.” “What girls?” “Why, Miss Mischief and Miss Hazle, of course.” “I was thinking of some other girls,” said Frank, quietly. “It seems but yesterday that we were at Fardale. Have you forgotten May Blossom, Bart?” “Of course not!” “I didn’t know. You seem greatly interested in these Belfast young ladies.” “What’s struck you? Great Scott! are you preaching—to me? Why, you do not hesitate, when you see a pretty girl, to seek her society. You seem to forget Inza Burrage and Elsie Bellwood for the time. Oh, you can’t preach to me, old man! It won’t go down.” Frank felt the blood rush to his cheeks. “That’s all right, Hodge,” he said. “Perhaps I deserve this calling down from you. But my eyes have been opened somewhat to-day.” “How?” “By Hattie Hazle and Mabel Mischief.” “In what way?” “Those girls divined Jack Diamond’s secret. They discovered that he was in love.” “Well?” “They did not make a success of their attempt.” “No.” “What was the result?” “I don’t know.” “You heard Mabel Mischief express her sentiments. You heard her say how much she respected Jack. Up to that moment I had thought her frothy and thoughtless. Then I discovered that she did think and reason, and she opened my eyes, for she showed me how much respect a fellow commands who is constant to one girl. I met her first, Hodge, but I know that at this minute she thinks far more of Jack Diamond than she does of me.” “What of that? There are others. And I didn’t suppose you were pledged to any girl, Merriwell.” “I am not.”