CHAPTER V.
THE SURPRISE.
The eastbound express drew up at Bloomfield station. Among thepassengers who got off was a slender, grave-faced young fellow, whocarried a satchel, and whose hand was grasped almost as soon as his footreached the depot platform. It was Frank Merriwell's old friend, BerlinCarson.
"How are you, Berlin, old boy!" cried Frank, shaking that hand warmly."Here's Hodge."
Bart Hodge followed Frank in giving the traveler a handshake.
"By George, I'm glad to see you, Carson," he said.
The young man's grave face brightened and a look of seeming sadnessvanished from his eyes as he surveyed Merry and Hodge.
"Glad doesn't express it with me," he said. "I can't find words,fellows. By Jove! you're both looking fine and happy as lords."
"Hodge ought to look happy." chuckled Merriwell. "Just married, youknow."
"Elsie Bellwood----"
"You've named her," nodded Frank. "She's the bride."
"Congratulations, Bart, old boy!" said Carson, again wringing the handof Hodge.
"But hasn't Frank put you onto the other event?" asked Bart. "There's anew Merriwell in Bloomfield."
"A new Merriwell?"
"Three weeks old."
"And you never sent me word, Frank!" said Berlin, with a slightlyinjured air.
"How could I? Didn't know your address. Last I knew you were not on theranch."
"No, I haven't stayed on the ranch much since father's death andsince----"
Carson broke off abruptly, as if his lips had nearly uttered somethinghe did not care to speak about.
"You were en route when I received your wire, Berlin," explained Merry."You couldn't expect me to answer it, you know."
"Of course not. It's all right, Merry."
Merriwell led Carson toward the waiting surrey. Toots was standing onthe platform, holding the horses.
"I believe you've met Toots, Berlin," said Frank.
"How'd do, Mist' Carson--how'd do, sah?" bowed Toots, his cap promptlycoming off his kinky head. "Long time since Ah've seen yo', sah, an' Ahdon' beliebe Ah'd known yo'. Yo's monstrous changed--monstrous changed."
"I suppose I have changed, Toots," said Berlin.
It was true, and both Frank and Bart had taken note of it. Carson wasmuch thinner, and there was a certain wan and weary look about him.
Merriwell had arranged that his assistants, Browning and Diamond, whowere also old schoolfellows of Carson's, should be at Merry Home whenBerlin reached there. And there was a great handshaking and muchexclaiming over his appearance.
"I salute the little mother!" said the Westerner, as he bent over Inza'shand and kissed it. "And the bride, too!" he exclaimed, as he greetedElsie. "Merriwell, Hodge, let me shake hands with you again! My gripmust say the things my lips cannot."
"Where's the baby?" questioned Frank.
"Lizette has taken him in," answered Inza. "He's asleep now. Oh, thiswas a surprise, Frank! I'm still angry at you, and yet I'm glad youdidn't tell me."
"And that's like a woman, too," smiled Merry. "Come, Carson, I'll showyou your room. You look pegged out, but a wash-up and something to eatwill brace you. Later on we'll have a royal chat over old times. ThenI'll show you through Farnham Hall and around the grounds."
Berlin was left in his room, off which there was a bath. Instead ofhastening to wash up when Merry was gone, Carson sat down on a chair,and the expression of weariness crept back into his sad eyes.
"And I might have been as happy myself!" he murmured. "I suppose it wasnot to be. I know I'm a fool, but I can't forget--I can't forget!"
After a few moments he arose and made preparations to descend.
At the head of the stairs he came face to face with Lizette, who wascoming up. He gave her a glance, then stopped as if turned to stone.Like a flash he seized her arm.
"Bessie!" he exclaimed; "Bessie, you here?"
Lizette fell back against the wall, her face gone white and her lipsparted. Her free hand fluttered up to her heart, and for a few momentsshe was speechless. Finally she forced a little laugh.
"Oh, how you frighten me, monsieur!" she exclaimed. "You catch me soqueek by ze arm, and your feengaires hurt!"
Carson released his hold, but blocked her path.
"Bessie?" he repeated, but this time there was a note of inquiry in hisvoice.
The girl seemed bewildered, but she shook her head.
"Zat is not my name, monsieur. It is Lizette. I am ze nurse."
"That face! Those eyes!" breathed the agitated young man. "That voice,also! Bessie, you cannot deceive me!"
"You gif me ze fear," said the nurse, shrinking away. "You look so verystrange. Why you glare at me wiz ze eye? Why you keep calling meBess-ee?"
"Are you not Bessie--my Bessie?"
"You haf ze very strange idea in your mind, saire. I nevaire saw youbefore."
Berlin Carson was like one dazed and utterly bewildered. To allappearances he had badly alarmed the girl. As he faltered in seekingfurther words, she suddenly brushed past him and fled, her soft-fallingfeet making no sound.
For fully three minutes Carson stood there without speaking. Finally,with his hand on the banister, he started to descend the stairs.
"Am I deceived?" he whispered huskily. "No, by Heaven, it is she!"