Frank Merriwell's Athletes; Or, The Boys Who Won

by Burt L. Standish

  CHAPTER XXXII--INSOLENCE OF BILLY CORNMEAL

  Frank was the hero of Rodney's ranch. He had caused two greatsensations, one by his encounter with Indian Charlie, and the other byhis skill in riding the broncho.

  Sadie Rodney congratulated him, offering him her hand.

  Inza fancied Sadie held to Frank's hand in a manner that was extremelysignificant, and she did not like it at all.

  From a distance Indian Charlie saw this, and again he ground his teeth.

  "She is stuck on that fellow!" he thought. "I can see that. She thinkshim something wonderful, and I stand no show with her now. Wait! I amnot done with him. My opportunity may come before the tournament isover."

  Then he withdrew to think up some manner in which he could "do up"Frank.

  Frank was dripping with perspiration, and the party of "tenderfeet"withdrew to the shelter of the veranda, where they sat in hammocks andeasy-chairs, while they refreshed themselves with cooling drinks.

  With the next party that arrived at the ranch was a mother and her twodaughters, and one or more females continued to come in with every partythat appeared after that.

  By eleven o'clock in the forenoon several hundred people had assembled,and the "tenderfeet" were not backward in entertaining the prettiest ofthe girls who were there.

  A big picnic dinner was served, and all the guests received something toeat.

  The sports were to begin immediately after dinner, but the cowboys hadamused themselves during the forenoon by numerous tricks and games oftheir own, besides telling stories and discussing the remarkableyoungster from the East who had ridden Firebrand.

  Indian Charlie held aloof. He was still angry and had not given over hisdetermination to "fix" Frank.

  "He will take a hand in the sports this afternoon," thought Charlie."Then my time will come. He had better look out!"

  He did not wish to injure Frank in an underhand way, but he had foundthe boy from the East could more than take care of himself when given afair show.

  "If I had not seen that Sadie Rodney is stuck on him, I don't know as Ishould care so much," thought Charlie.

  He tried to chat with Sadie, but she shunned him, which simply added tohis rage. Then he watched for his chance to find her alone.

  He found it.

  "I wish to speak with you, Sadie," he said, hurrying to her side.

  "Miss Rodney, if you please," she said, rather sharply.

  "Oh, all right!" grated Charlie. "You have permitted me to call you byyour given name at times in the past."

  "I may have permitted it without being at all pleased by suchfamiliarity."

  Charlie's face flushed.

  "Something has happened to change you," he grated, "and I know what itis."

  "Indeed!"

  "You used to think I was not such a bad fellow."

  "Perhaps I did not know you as well as I know you now."

  "It was not that. You did not know some one else."

  "Ah?"

  "Yes, you did not know this tenderfoot with the swelled head."

  "Who is the tenderfoot with the swelled head?"

  "Frank Merriwell."

  "Oh, I don't know! He seems to be all right."

  Charlie twisted one end of his black mustache into his mouth and beganto chew it in a savage manner.

  "Frank Merriwell is something surprising for a tenderfoot," he admitted;"but you had better keep away from him."

  "Oh, really!"

  "Yes, really. It will be better for him."

  "It strikes me that your words are insulting, sir!"

  "Wait!" he exclaimed, putting out one hand and barring her way as shesought to pass him. "Please don't go so soon, Sadie! Listen! FrankMerriwell has a sweetheart, and she is your friend. It would not be justfor you to try to cut her out. You know that, and I do not believe youwould think of such a thing."

  "Thank you for your good opinion of me!" laughed the girl in a way thatcaused him to scowl and shrink a bit.

  "I am in earnest," he went on, quickly. "Am I right in thinking so. Iknow you can win him from her if you try, but you shall not do it!"

  He hissed the words through his teeth, and she started back, anexpression of fear flitting across her face. Then she became angry tothink that he should speak to her in such a manner.

  "Stand aside!" she exclaimed. "You are not my master! It is well for youthat Frank Merriwell is not here."

  "It is well for him that he is not here," declared Charlie, his facepale and his lips cold and blue, while there was a deadly glitter in hiseyes. "I see you care for him! That is enough! You shall be mine! I havesworn it a thousand times and I swear it again!"