“I have loved you all the years since I left Fardale. In all my wanderings I have never found another like you, Inza!” “Call me Miss Burrage, if you please, sir!” “You can’t hold me in check that way! You do not know Roy Swift, else you would not try. I have seen you again, and I find you far handsomer than you were in the old days. My heart is torn with love, and I have sworn that you shall be mine!” He was shaking with the intensity of his feelings. In his bronzed cheeks there was a wild flush, while his eyes gleamed with a burning light. Inza was alarmed, but she did not show it. “You had better withdraw your oath,” she calmly said; “for I shall never be yours. You have fancied something that is quite impossible.” “You must—you shall!” he cried. “I will not give you up to Frank Merriwell! He shall not have you! Inza, when my grandfather dies I shall be a rich man. I did not have to enter the army. I did that of my own accord. I shall be able to give you anything you want if you will marry me.” “Mr. Swift, I would not marry you if you had all the wealth of Rockefeller!” “I swear you shall never marry him! I am desperate, Inza! Think of your brother! With a word, I can send him to prison!” “And prove yourself a dastard!” “A man in love will do anything to win the object of his passions. If you would save your brother, you must marry me!” “You coward!” She took a step toward him, her hands clenched, and hissed the words through her white teeth. He actually fell back a step before her intense scorn and contempt. “Then you are willing to see him branded as a criminal—willing to see him suffer? His arrest will be the death-blow of your old father! Think of that! Are you not willing to sacrifice yourself to save both your brother and your father? Have you not that much love for them?” “You coward!” she repeated, withering scorn in her dark eyes. “If my brother were here now——” “But he is not! Nor is Frank Merriwell here! You do not know the passion you have awakened in the heart of Roy Swift! If Merriwell were out of the way———— By Heaven! he may be out of the way!” “Would you——” “Let him keep away from me! I go armed, and I will not hold myself responsible! If Merriwell were here now——” “He is!” Frank himself strode into the room. He had come to the house with young Jim Brander, who had let him in without ringing. In the hall Merry had heard what was passing in the parlor, and there was a terrible look on his face as he strode toward the soldier. Swift leaped backward, his right hand jerking out a pistol. With a spring, Frank was on him, grasped his wrist and wrenched the weapon from his hand. “I think you have been drinking this morning, sir,” he cried grimly, as he held the other helpless and turned toward the door. “Jim, fling open the front door.” Jim Brander, who had been peering into the room, hastened to obey. Merry quickly carried the resisting fellow from the parlor, saying as he did so: