SOMETHING STRUCK EPHRAIM IN THE EYES, BLINDING HIM AND BURNING LIKE FIRE.

 
 

 
   
  
    
   

Mr. Standish Has a Letter to You in This Issue.

 

“AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH.”

Tire Tor WEEKLY.

gasued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class \atter at the N, Y, Post Office. STREET & SMITH, 81 Filton
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Price Five Cents.

No. 150. NEW TORK, nee: a6: ee

 

 

; ee : “Contents a This Neuter: |

j . ; . Page.

FRANK MERRIWELL WINS ;

A HAZY TIME (- = % =
A LETTER FROM MR, STANDISH - - ~
APPLAUSE - - - - - = m
CORRESPONDENCE ~ - - > e

CHAPTER

A NEWSPAPER NOTICE.

Pp Yesterday afternoon, through the cour-
mea tesy of Manager Frank Merriwell, an in-
vited audience of at least five hundred
persons witnessed the first performance of
Mr. Merriwell’s revised
oo play at the Orpheum Theatre, and the
= verdict of that atidience, which represent-

of Denver society, was that the sprightly,

succéss in The play, which
is now |
nally christened ‘‘For Old Eli,’’ and,

every way.

 

or, The Success of “True Blue”? = = «© -= = = |,

Frank Merriwell Wins

THE SUCCESS OF “TRUE BLUE.”

os

By BURT L. STANDISH

_ points. *

aud. re-written.

ed the highest and most cultured element |
sensational four-act comedy drama was. a~
named ‘‘T'rue Blue,’’? was origi-.

_ after a single performance Mr. Merriwell | Naney Noodle... ee ee cee Miss Agres Kak

   
 
 
 
  
   
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
    
       
         
     

e : s « - - - - 35,

withdrew it for the purpose of re-writing
it, correcting certain faults he had discov-
ered, and strengthening one or two weak
As he wrote the piece, he was
able to do this work of re-construction
quickly and thoroughly, and the result in —
a play of which he, as author, manager
and star performer, may well be proud.

The following is the cast: |

DICK TRUEHEART.......... FRANK MERRIWFLL

CET ATO TNOEE <p. sass acy Fd Soe ae a Douglas Du: ton |
Spruce Downing... -..3. a Spee ee eee Rufus Su.all = 4
Canck Hiern Si, 5 eure ge tle Bartley Hodge
Reubew- VTA 2. x sis’ ote eee Ephraim Gallup
Manny Sizzwell....... Peete rh eae William Wynne
Professor Gash........ Pr erage ... Roscoe Havener ©
Edwin Treadwell.......... William Shakespeare Burns —
Jarius Dif@ad. ofc. oa eo Granville Garland

  
  

Spike Dubad.. ibe ic ahs oka orgs MIRE Vance : :
Millie Blossom. ee Se Regt ea eS Miss Cassie Lee —
Ines Dalton Se ee. ee ag Miss Stella Stanley

   
 
 
 

 

  

College life is the principal theme of
“True Blue,’? and Mr. Merriwell, having
studied at Yale, is quite capable of catch-
ing the air and spirit of ‘‘Old Eli,’ and
reproducing it on the stage. This he has
done with a deftness and fidelity that
niakes the play remarkable inits class, or,
_ possibly with greater accuracy, lifts it
- out of its class, for, up to the production
- of this piece, ail college plays have been
feeble attempts to catch the spirit of the
life they represent, or have descended into
the realm of farce or burlesque.

While the author of ‘‘’True Blue’’ has

| written a play to suit the popular fancy,
he has uot considered it necessary to write
down to the general public, and, for all
of the college slang, which of a necessity
is tsed by several of the characters, there
is nothing offensive in the eutire piece—
nothing to shock the sensibilities of the
most refined. The comedy in places isa
trifle boisterous, but that was to be ex-
pected, and it does not descend to mere
buffoonery. It is the kind of comedy at
which the spectator must laugh, even
though he may resolve that he will not,
and, when it is all over, he feels better
for his laughter, instead of feeling fool-
ish, as he does in many cases after wit-
“nessing other ‘‘popular plays.”?

The patios strikes the right chord, and
the strongest situations aud climaxes are
stirring enough to thrill the most slug-
gish blood. In some respects the story of
the play is rather conventional, but it is
handled in a manner that makes it seem
-alinost new. Through the four acts ‘‘ Dick
Trueheart,’’? the hero, is pursued by lis

enemies, ‘‘Carius Dabad”’ and his worthy
son ‘‘Spike,’’? and, on various occasions
they succeed in making things extremely
unpleasant for the popular young athlete.
— Old **Dubad’’ begins lis machinations in
the fitst act, when he tries to obtain pos-

session of ‘‘Trueheart’s’’ home and drag

the hero into the meshes of a ‘ret that
a shall entangle and ruin him. The cause

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of the villain’s hatred for “*Trueheart”? is
a fancied wrong done him by the father
of the hero. At the outset he is foiled
and held up to scorn and ridicule by
‘“'Trueheart,’’? which causes him to vow
that he will disgrace the youth in the end.
The shipwreck at the end of the first act,
whien ‘‘Millie Blossom’’ is rescued froim
the sea by ‘‘Dick,’’ is a telling climax,
and thoroughly whetted tlie appetite of
the audience for what was to follow.

The second act took place in the room
of ‘*T'rueheart’’ at Yale, whither he had
gone. He was a freshman and the leader
of the freshinen, although ‘‘Spike Du-
bad,’’ the son of old ‘‘Carius,’’
there and aspired to bea leader. In this
act the audience was given a fine repre-
setitation of the real life at the great New
Haven college, and the pranks, plots,
schemes, scrapes, rackets and rascalities
of the lively students proved very divert-
Of course ‘‘Dick’’ led tlie
sopho-

ing for all.
freshmen to victory against thie
mores, for all of the dastardly “Spike,”
who sought to betray him, and who played
the traitor ou his dwn, class. In this act
the ‘‘Yaie Quartette,’? Merriwell, Dun.
tou, Small and Hodge, sang coilege songs
in a manner that captivated the house.
The climax of the third act was the
great sensational feature of the play. In
this act ‘‘Dick’’ escapes from his enemies
aud all sorts of crafty snares, and is barely
in time to take his place inthe Yale boat,
which is to race against Harvard and
Cornell. ‘‘Carius Dubad’’ has appeared
ou the scene, and, at the last moment, in
order to break ‘‘Dick’s’’ spirit, he reveals
that ‘‘Dick’s’’ guardian has squandered
his fortune, so that, the hero is penniless
aud will be forced to Ieave college. For
all of this revelation, ‘’T'rueheart’’ enters
the boat and aids in winning the race
against Harvard and Cornell, greatly to
the discomfiture of the villainous father
and son, who have bet heavily against

Yale. Of course Mr. Merriwell made Yale

¥

was also

ys

Sain eT .
ORigede sais

  

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Sil inact
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win in his play, despite the fact that Cor-
nell defeated her last season. Thie mecli-
anism that showed tle boat race on thie
distant river, the moving observation
train the swaying crowds with waving
flags, hats, and handkerchiefs, was truly a
most wonderful arrangement, for it seenied
true to life, and it filled the spectators
with admiration and astonishment. A
quick ‘*‘dark shift’? followed and then the
boats actually appeared with Yale the
winner, and ‘‘Trueheart’?’ was brought
onto the stage in the arms of his adiuir-
ing fellow collegians, while the curtains
descended amid a burst of genuine en-
thusiastic applause such as is seldom
heard in any theatre. Mr. Merriwell was
called before the curtain, and he madea
brief speech, which seemed miodest and
characteristic of this young actor aud
playwright, who is certain to follow a
brilliant career on the American stage.

In the final act the lrero was in straight-
ened circumstances, but all ends well, with
the discomfiture of old $‘Dubad’’ and his
worthy son, and the final settlement of all
jealousies between the other characters.
‘Taken all in all, it was a delightful piece,
capably performed by a_ well-selected
company of players. Although Merriwell
was the star and hero, it is worthy of
note that in many instances his triumphs
and successes were brought about through
the constancy of his friends, who are al-
ways true as steel. By the way, ‘‘True as
Steel’? would not bea bad title for the
piece.

Not only as author of the play, but as
the star does Frank Merriwell merit a full
mead of credit and praise. Although he
is young and impulsive, and his acting
might not meet the approval of certain
critics, there was a breeziness and fresh-
ness about him that captivated and. car-

ried the audience. Itis said that he has

never attended a school of acting, and

this may readily be believed, for there is

nothing affected, nothing stiff, nothing

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stilted and mechanical about his work on
the stage. In his case, at least, it has been
greatly to his advantage not to attend a
dramatic school. He isa born actor, aud
he must work out his own methods with-
out being hampered by convention aud
instruction froin those who believe in do-
ing everything by rule. He isa handsome
young man, and his stage presence is both
striking and effective. Worthy of note
was it that he enunciated every word dis-
tinctly and pronounced them correctly, in
great contrast to iany other stars, who
sometimes imangle speech in a most dis-
tressful manner. He has a voice that
seems in perfect keeping with his splen-
did figure, being clear asa mellow bell,
full of force, and delightful to hear.

The work of Douglas Dunton as ‘‘ Barry
Hattleman’’ was good, although Mr. Dun-
ton seemed rather out of his element in his
efforts to represent the excitable young
collegian who so often switched his words
and sentences around so that they came
back end foremost. Mr. Small, who isa
very large man, faithfully portrayed
‘Spruce Downing,’’ the lazy student,
who was too tired on most occasions to
draw his breath, but who could wake up
occasionally and throw ordinary people
around as if they were wooden. .duinib
bells.

“Crack Hyerman,’’ the hot-blooded
Southerner, as represented by Bartley
Hodge, whio inade the Southerner a thor-
ough fire-eater, who would fight for his
‘honor’ at the drop of the hat. The
character was very interesting, but scme-
what overdrawn, as such Southerners are
oftener found in fictjon than in real life,

As ‘Reuben Grass,” Ephraim Gallup
literally convulsed the audience. With-
out doubt his delineation of the Down- |
East Yaukee was the best ever seen in
Denver. It seeimed natural as native ite
self, and his song was one of the musical ©
hits of the piece. Z

William Wynne made an acceptable

- ‘ ee

   
    
 
 
   
    
    
    
  
   
      
    
  
   
  
   
   
 
     
   
    
  
    
   
   
      
   
  
   
   

   

-Treadwell,’’ the

 

& TIP TOP WEEKLY.

/

“Manny. Sizzwell,’’? full of
at everybody in a

jokes and
puns, which he fired
most reckless manner, and the ‘‘ Professor

Gash’?

Granville

of Roscoe Havener was satisfactory.
Lester Vance
represented the two rascals, ‘‘Carius Du-
bad’? and his son ‘‘Spike,’’? and were

Garland and

sufficiently villainous to satisfy anybody

Cassie Lee played the sweet and win-

soine ‘‘Millie Blossom,’’ and her singing

aud dancing met approval. ‘The ‘‘Inez
Dalton”? Miss Stanley

with great skill, and she was jealous, pas-

of was handled

sionate, resentful, and loving in turn and
in a manner that seemed true to life. As
*fNancy Doodle,’’ an old maid in love

with ‘‘Professor Gash,’’ Miss Agnes Kirk

was acceptable
mention-

And now comes the duty of

ing ainan who was the surprise of the

evening. His naine was given on the pro-
gramme as William Shakespeare Burus,

aud, as he represented a burlesque trage-
dian, it was supposed that the naine was
assumed. It has been |
that this is the
sal life.

peated in the second

earned, however,
ich

3urus first

name by wh he was
Mr.

act, and, as ‘‘Kdwin

known in r ap-

frayed, back-number tra-
gedian, he literally caused many of the
aud‘ence to choke in the effort to repress
their laughter. At the
close of the third act, a local theatrical
mau declared that W. S. Burns ‘far
celled as a comedian anybody he had ever

uncontrollable
ex-
seen essay a similar part. But the-sensa-
tion fourth act, when the ae-—
tor started to parody Hamlet’s soliloquy,
the
“parody together and swung into the orig-
inal William Shakespeare.
‘died out, the audience sat spell-bound,
scarcely breathing. Theeyes of every per-
son were fixed on the actor, who went

‘ane in thre

but seemed to forget himself aid

The laughter

a throtgh the soliloquy to the end, giving ,
it with all the

power of a Forrest or a

Booth. As the actor retired, the audience z

ee awoke, FERED it had seen and nae a

ings of weak

ouce with

but areal trage-
dian, and the applause was long and loud.

William Shakespeare
on the stage of that theatre;
He
But few particulars have, been
that this
was his first attempt to play comedy—and

man who was no clown,

Burius did not ap-
pear again
he will not appear again on any stage.
is dead!
learned about him, but it seems
his last. He regarded limslf as the equal
of any interpreter of Shakespeare, living
or dead, but inisfortune and hisown weak-
ness had never permitted him to rise to
the heights to which he aspired. Grim
necessity had compelled lim to accept
Mr. offer ‘*T rue
Blue’? the part of the burlesque tragedian.
His heart and soul
doing so, and often at rehearsals he had

Merriwell’s to play in

had rebelled against

wept with mortification after going
through with his part. His body was

weakened, aud it is certain that there was ~~

He declared last

A few minutes

trouble with his heart.

night that it was broken.
after the stage the
expired in one of the dressing-rooms of
a life that might

leaving last time he

the theatre. “hus ended

‘have been a grand success but for the fail- -

human nature.
1] will
True Blue.

Mr.. the road at

He has engaged

Merriwe
Cor

gO On
)
nade

His
booked, and
for Puleob,
The play, the

a competent man to fill the place
death of Mr.
route for some little time is
he
where he opens to-1orrow.

vacaiit by the 3urns.

leaves Deuver to-day

star, and the courpany inerit success, and

we hope Mr. Merriwell will find it’ con-
venient to play a regular engage ment in
this city before long. It is certain, if he

_does, he will be greeted by packed houses.
Report fro a Leading Denver Newspaper.

; CHAPTER NH.
THE VEILED WOMAN.

All the Denver papers contained ese

of tle:performance, but the one quoted i in

the previous chapter was tlie long gest and —

BIOS 2 35

BAS WO Rats

as a,

be af

Wy Ate.
Tr

ae a
stant

 

 

 

    

 

   
   

    
      
     

 

 

 

 

  
 
  
  
 
  
     
   

4sed a wr

complained. She was not at all *
_by the notices she obtained.
Frank immediately secured a su; ply of.

DON'T FAIL TO READ MR. STANDISH’ Ss LETTER.

Not one of the no-
They were enough

the inost elaborate.
tices was unfavorable.
to indke the heart of any manager glad,
aud it was not strange that Frank felt
well satisfied.

y saddened by

the sudden and tragic death of William
Burns, for he had recognized the mis-

But he was inexpressibly

directed genius in the old actor, who had
been dragged down froin a high road to
prosperity and fame by the hands of thie
relentless demon that has destroyed so
inauy men of genius, drink.

Frank
could not remain in Denver to attend the
funeral of the veteratiwatragedian, but he

On account.of his bookings,

resolved that Burns should be buried with
}

~all honors, and he made ariangements tor

the funeral at a certain cozy little church.
Of course the papers announced the fu-
neral, and, the story of Burns’ remark-
able death ane become familiar to all,
that chureh was packed to the doors.
The man whose wretched life had prom-
etched death and a nameless
grave was buried without pomp, but with
such honors as might have been given to
one well known ‘and highly esteemed.
Above his grave a modest marble was
placed, and chiseled on it wasa single line

»? whom he

from the ‘‘Immortal Bard,
loved aud understood and interpreted with
the faithfulness and fire of genius:

‘““After life’s fitful fever,
well.’ .

lie sleeps
¥

And every expense Frank Merriwell

provided for. © Nothing . was neglected ;

everything was done that good tate and

a good heart demanded.

“As may be understood, the members of ©

Frank’s company were individually and

collectivel y délighted with the! apparent

-giiccess. of the play. aud their. efforts. Pere

haps Agues Kirk was the only one who

pleased
: <

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

6

 

Denver papers and, marking the notices, .
mailed thein to the managers of tlieatres
aud the editors of papers along the route
CC ryt

‘True Blue’’ wasto foll

tpyewritten copies made

Then he had
of extracts from these notices, which he
added to his collection of press notices al-—
ready manufactured for advertising pur-
poses, and sent them on to his advance
agent, who had been out.on the road sev-
eral days.

Frank knew how to work every point
to the best advantage, and he did not lose
anything. He was tireless in his efforts,
and it was wonderful what an inmeuse

amount of work heaccomplished. No oue

knows how much ke can do till he make

the test.
Hodge aided him as far as possible, and

Frank found Bart a- valuable assistant:

Hodge was fully as eager as Merriwel ll for
the play to be a great success.

Frank had opened with the piece under
its original name in Puleob, and. it had
met disaster there. He had vowed that he
would return to that place with the play
and make a success of his engagement.
He had engaged the leading theatre in
the city for three nights, being obliged to

me

pay in advance for it, as the manager hac
no confidence in the revised play.

Frank had been working tlhe papers of
the city. One of them was edited by a re-
matkably genial gentleman by the name
of Osgood, and this editor had seen in
the original play material for a strong
piece. Headmired Merry’s pluck in open-—
ing the second time in that city, and he
literally opened the ¢o 6luimns of his paper
to Frank, who telegraphed down extracts
from the Deuver papers as soon as the no-
tices appeared.
The house in Puleob was ta be well
‘tpapered”’ the first night, but was -to de-
pend entitely on the drawing qualities of

the play for the audience on the follow-

ing two nights. |
 

  

Frank was making a great hustle to
get away from Denver, and he was re-
turning from the theatre to his hotel,
after seeing the last of the special scenery
moved to the railroad station, when a
heavily-veiled woian stopped directly in
his path.
nearly ran against her.

**T beg your pardon, madam
Frank, lifting his hat. ‘‘Very awkward

As he was walking hastily, he

! exclaimed

of tiie..’”’

*‘Not at all,’’ she said, in alow voice
that was not unpleasant nor unimusical.
‘fYou were hurrying, and I stopped di-
rectly in your way. Iam the one who
should beg to be excused.”’

‘*Not at all,’’ he hastened to say. ‘I
assure you that it was entirely on account
of my awkwardness.”’

He was about to pass on, but her
gloved hand fell on his arm, and she
said:

‘‘T wish to speak with you, Mr. Merri-
well.’’

“You know me?’’ exclaimed Frank,
surprised.

*“Indeed I do.
Denver knows you to-day

‘“Am I so famous as that??? smiled
Merry. ‘‘I fear you flatter, inadam.’’

“It is not flattery. You inust not doubt
my sincerity.’

**Very well, I will not; but you must
speak hastily, for I have a train to catch

in an hour and thirty minutes, and that
will not give me any too much time to at-
tend to all I have to do,”’

‘But you must give me a little of your
time—you really must,’’ she said, per-
suasively, putting her handon his arm
again. ‘‘If you will come with me—
please do!”’

‘Where? :

‘Oh, I know a nice quiet place where
we can talk.”’ 5

~Somehow Frank did not like her words
or manner. A feeling that there was some-
thing wrong about her came over him.

»

Why should I not? All

y>?

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

}

 

**Really you must excuse me,’’ he said.
‘7 have not the time to go anwyhere to
talk.
you can say it here.”’

*“Now, don’t be obstinate.
regret it if you come.’’

‘*But I do not even know who you are.
That veil——’’

‘<Tf you come, I inay remove the veil,’’

If you have anything to say to me,

You'll not

she murmured.

Frank drew back, so that her hand fell
from his arm.

‘‘Madam,’’ he said, ‘‘you have placed

I do not
>)

ine in a very awkward position.
like to appear rude to a lady, but——

“‘Of course yodo not, and so you will
grant my request. It is a small matter.”?

‘“‘But not to me, for my time is valu-
able just now: Jam ready to hear any-
thing you have to say, but you must say
it here.” ,

‘“*Would you keepa lady standing on
the street ?”’ she exclaimed, with a slight
show of resentment. ‘‘I cannot say all I
have to tell you in a minute.’

‘‘And I have explained that I cannot
spare time to talk over anything for more
than a few moments. I think you will
have to excuse me. Good-day.”’

‘He lifted his hat and started to pass on,
but again she placed herself squarely in
front of him, to his great annoyance.

‘“Mr. Merriwell,’’? she said, ‘‘I. have
seen you on the stage, and I admire you
greatly. You will not be rude to one of
your admirers, I know.
gallaut for that.?”

It was plain she sought to. cajole him
by flattery, and that was the surest way
to repulse hii. ie

‘Is it possible she is one of those. fool-

ish women who get mashed on actors?’ -

j

Frank asked himself. f 5 Oo

Somehow she did not seem like that.
There was nothing of the giddy, gushing
girl about her. He could not see her face,

but her figure was that of a matured wo- _~
man, and he judged that she must be |

 

ar

 

You are far too,

“-
“a

 

 

 

   
 

 

     
     
 

 

Coe ey eRe pPeey

  

 

 
   
  

 

 
    
   
   
  
   
   

twenty-five years old, at least. It seemed,
too, that there was a purpose in her words
and moveuients.

But Frank resolved on action, for he
had found that it was useless to waste
He inadea quick
niove to one side and_ passed her, intend-

words talking to her.

ing to hasten away.

3arely had he done so when she flung
her arms about his neck and screamed
loudly!

CHAPTER III.
FRANK IN TROUBLE.

Frank was astounded by this unexpect-
ed move of the veiled woman.

“She’s crazy !”?

That was the thought that flashed
through Merry’s mind.

He realized that he was in an awkward
predicament, and he attempted to whirl
about.

The woman was very strong, and, hav-
ing taken hin by surprise, she nearly
threw him down. To save himself, he
caught hold of her.

**Help!’’ she cried.

Some men came running up.

**Madam,’’ said Frank, hurriedly, ‘‘are
you demented? What is the meaning of
this?’

‘You wretch!’ sie blazed. ‘‘Oh, you
cowardly scoundrel, to assault a lady on
the public street in broad daylight!”

“Surely you are——”’
 “T saw him do it!’’ declared a little
ynan with red whiskers. ‘I saw him as-
sault you, madain.’?

‘Call an officer!’’ palpitated the wo-
man. “Quick, before he gets away !”’

“He shall not get away,’ declared a
big man with acrooked eye, glowering
at Frank. ‘‘If he tries it, I’]l attend to
him!” x aa
“Looks like a would-be masher,” piped

7

-aslim man, with a very long neck, duck-

.

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

    

q

ing and nodding his head in an odd. man-
ner. ‘‘He should be taught a Jesson.”?

One or two others expressed tliemselves
in a sitiilar manner.

Frank had thought of making a break
‘and hastening away, but now. he saw it
would not do, for he would have a howl-
ing mob at his heels the instant he at-
He realized it
would seein cowardly to run away in such
a manner and would look like a confes-

tempted such a move.

sion of guilt, which caused him to decide
to stay and face it out, even though thie
predicament was most embarrassing.

‘““Gentlemen,’’ he said, Jooking squarely
at them, and seeming to* pay very little
attention to the mystetious wolnan, even
though he was perfectly on his guard, not
knowing what move she might make
next, “‘I trust you will, give me a chauce
to explain what has happened.’

“Explain it in the police court,’’
growled the big man with a crooked eye.
‘“That’s the proper place for you to make
your explanations.”?

““The judge will listen to you,’’ shrilled
the slim man, his head bobbing on his
long neck, like the head of a crane that
‘is walking along the edge of a marsh.

‘*Don’t attempt to escape by meaus of
-falselhoods, you rascal!’’ almost shouted
the little man with the red whiskers,
bristling up in a savage matner, but
dodging back the moment Frank turned
on him.

*‘Gentlemen, I have been insulted by
this fellow!’ came from behind the baf-
fling veil worn by the woman. ‘‘He isa
low wretch, who attacked me in a most
brutal manner. ’’

‘‘We will see that you are protected,
madam,’’ assured the little man, his red
whiskers seeming to. bristle like porcu-
pine quills, as he dodged round Frank
and placed himself on the opposite side
of the veiled unknown, ‘‘Madam,’’ he
repeated, ‘‘I will see that you are pro-
tected—I will!’’ :

1
e ‘

 

     
 

  

  

‘*You

*‘but where is the officer? The re-action—
the shock—the weakness!”’
_ “Permit me to offer’ you any assistance
possible,’’ gallantly spoke a man in a
sack coat anda silk hat, stepping forward,
and raising the latter piece of wearing
apparel, thereby disclosing a shining bald
spot on the top of his head, whieh he cov-
ered as quickly as possible, evidently
hoping it had escaped the woman’s no-
tice. ‘‘You are ina city, my dear lady,
where insults to the fair sex never go un-
punisked.”’

He attempted to smile on her in a
pleasant manner, but there was a sort of
leer in his eyes and around his sensttal
mouth that betrayed his true character
plainly enough.

The woman did not accept his arm,
which was half-tendered, but she made a
great show of agitation and distress, which
affected the various witnesses.

“It’s ashame!’’ piped the man with
the long neck and the bobbing head.

“It’s an outrage!’’ blustered the little
man with the bristling whiskers and sav-
age manner.

‘It’s most unfortunate!’’ murmured
the gallant man with, the silk lat and
sack coat.

‘It’s a bad break for Mr. Masher!”’
ejaculated the big man with the crooked
eye and glowering look.

' Frank smiled; he could not help it, for
he was impressed by the comedy of the
affair, despite the unpleasantness of the
situation he was in at that moment. ’

‘This would be good stuff for a scene
in a play,’’ he thought, and he made a
inental note of it. ;

Then he turned to the woman. a

‘*Madain,’’ he said, ‘‘what have I ever

_ done to you that you should attempt to
“injure me in this manner??? ,
“Don’t let him speak to me, the scoun-

_ * drei!’ she entreated, appealing to the

men.

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

ate very kind,’’ she fluttered:
9 7

‘*But it is no more than fair that you
should answer me,’’ persisted Merry. ‘‘I

do not know you; I have not even seen
your‘face. Will you not lift your veil and
permit me to see your face, so that I may
know who has brought me into this un-
pleasant. position ?”’ .

‘*He adds to his insults by requesting
mie to expose my identity on the street
after such an affair as this!’’ she almost
sobbed. ‘‘He would disgrace me! He
would have my name in all the news-
papers !”’

‘‘Reprehensible!’’? purred the gallant
man.

**Terrible!’’ cackled the man with the
bobbing head.

‘*Dastardly!’’? exploded ithe individual
with the red whiskers.

“‘Criminal!’’ grated the giant with the
crooked eye.

And they all glared at Frank—at least,
all of them but the one with the crooked
eye. It is possible that lie, also, glared at
the supposed offender, but he seemed to
be glaring at a white horse on the oppo-
site side of the street.

Repressing his laughter with difficulty,

_ Merry said:

‘*I assure you, gentlemen, J never saw
‘
this lady, to iy knowledge, before a few

minutes ago, when she stopped me on the

9

street, and——

Again the woman screamed.

‘*Will you listen to his base false-
hoods??? she cried, with a show of the
greatest indignation and distress.
trying to disgrace me still further by as-
serting that I stopped him on the street—
stopped him! As if a lady would do such
a thing!” = .

‘“The idea!’’ squawked’ the man with

the long neck, his head seeming to bob

faster than ever, as if it sought to exprest

by its excited movements the indignans

eiotions his*tongue could not utter.
‘*My dear lady,

**He-is

I would not remain
here to. be thus insulted,’ declared~ the

   

  

ZN
me Teen ee

4

OPP eT

 

 

 
   

 
 

 

 

a ree

Ie

 

   
  
 
  
   
  
 

here, I’d like ter know ?’’

gallant man, bending toward her, and en-
deavoring to sumimona look of concern
to his treacherous countenance.

*‘He should be placed in irons!’’ blurt-
ed th

whiskers seeming

e flerce-appearing little man, his red
to work squirm
with intense excitement aud anger,

‘He ought to ead broken!’
man, his crooked eye still
white

and

have his h
roared the big
seeming to glare at the horse ina
most terrible and awesome manner.

Others of the assembled crowd

indignant

miuit-
mured to theniselves in a most
manner, all seeming to regard Frank ‘as
the offetider.
Frank took
at it.
““Gracious!’’ he mentally exclaimed,
“time is flying. If this keeps up much
longer, I?ll not reacly Puleob to-day.”’
“Now he and con-
said a voice in the crowd.
be frightened,”

out his watch and looked

shows ‘his anxiety
cern,’’

““He’s beginning to

_said another voice:

»” said a

‘“He’s anxious to get away,
third.

““But he can’t get away,’’ said a fourth.

‘“This is all very interesting,’’ thought
Frank; ‘‘but it is ‘decidedly Oe eee i

‘Wal, whut in time’s sake is goin’ on
cried a voice
that was familiar to Frank, and a tall,
lank, countrified-appearing youth came
up to the outskirts of the crowd, stood on
his tiptoes and peered over.

It was Ephraim Gallup, and he saw
Frank.

‘Wall, darned it ain’t——”’

Merry made a swift movement, clap-
ping a finger to his lips, and Gallup, usu-
ally rather slow to tumble to anything,.
understood him at once, relapsing into
silence.

“‘Let me git in here where I kin see

the fun,’’? he said, and he elbowed the
‘people aside as he forced his way sneeeEk

the crowd.

flourished his -fists in the air ina. most

(SEE WHAT MR. STANDISH BAS Eo and. am You

   

VIP TOP WEEKLY. 9

It did not take him long to reach the
centre of the throng, although: a number
of persons were indignant at his manner
of tlirusting them aside or stepping on
their feet.

“‘Whut’s up?’’ he asked. ‘‘Ef there’s
anything goin’ on, I kainder want to see
it.??

‘‘*This yourg

masher has insulted this

lady i’? explained the man with the bob-,
bing head.
‘*Sho!”? exclaimed Gallup. ‘*Yeou

don’t say so, mister! Wal, I ams’prised !””

‘He has treated her in an outrageous
manner !’’ added the man with. the
tated and fiery whiskers.

“IT do declare!’’ ejaculated

tlfought

agi-

‘phraim.
“I'd never it of him, by thut-
ter!’

“The lady

clared the gallant mau with the mismated

reqtires protection,’’ de-

wearing apparel.

““Yeou don’t tell me!’’ gasped the. Ver-
monter, his surprise seeming to increase.
“*Ain’t it awful!” .

‘But the fellow needs a lesson !’’ rasped
the man with the eye that persisted in
looking in the wrong direction. ‘‘I think
I'l] hit him once or twice.”’

‘*My gracious!’’ fluttered Gallup. ‘‘Hev
ye gotter hit him real hard? Don’t yeou
s’pose he might hit back ?”’

“‘Let him try it!’’? came fiercely from
the giant.

““Be yeou goin’ to hit where ye’re
lookin’®’’? asked the country youth.
“Cause ef yeou be, I’d advise that man
with the wart on his nose to move.”’

At this the man who owned the wart
dodged with a suddenness that provoked

a titter of laughter from several witnesses.

Ephraim was adding to the comedy of —
the affair, and Frank bit his lips to keep *
from laughing outright, despite his an-
noyance over being thus detained.

The big man with the crooked eye |

   

 
        
  

       
     

  

10

belligerent fashion, and instantly Merri-
well gazed at him sternly, saying:

**Be careful, sir! You are imperilling
the lives of every one near you, and you
may strain yourself.’

‘“That’s right, by gum!’ nodded Gal-
lup, whimsically. ‘‘Yeou may warp one
of them air arms flingin’ it araound so gol-
darn permiscuous-like,’?

“Here comes an officer !’?

Somebody uttered the ery.

“It is high time!’ exclaimed the little
man, trying to soothe his agitated whisk-
ets by pulling at them.

“It surely is,’’ croaked the Jank indi-
vidual, his head bobbing with renewed
excitement.

**Madaim,

dress,

the law will give you re-

” bowed the

gallant man, again
taking off his silk hat and again clapping
it ou suddenly, as if a breatlr of cool air
on his shining pate had warned him of
the exposure he was making.

“Oh, why didn’t the officer stay away
a miutite longer, so I might have thumped
him!’ regretfully grunted the fighting
man with the misdirected eye.

The policeman came up and forced his
way through the crowd, demanding:

‘‘What does this mean? What is hap-
pening here?”? 3

**A lady is in trouble,’’ the bobbing
man hastened to explain.

“In serious trouble,’ chirped the be-
whiskered man.

**She las been insulted,’’? declared the
gallant man.

“By a mashier,’’ finished the nan with
the errant eye.

“Where is the lady?” asked the officer.

“There!”

All bowed politely toward the masked °

wollan.

‘Where is the masher?’ was the next
question. ge

eMhere |?

Their scornful fingers were leveled
straight at Frank Merriwell.

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

CHAPTER IV.

ARRESTED.

“Oh, sir!’ exclaimed the woman, ‘‘I
beg you to protect me from his insults!’

The officer wasa gallant fellow. He
touched his hat and bowed witli extreme
politeness. Then he frowned on Merry,
and that frown was terribleto behold. He
getipped Frank by the collar, gruffly say-
ing:

‘VYou’ll have to come with me.’

Merry knew it was useless to attempt
to explain under such circumstances,
Every one of tlie assembled crowd would
be a witness against him,

**Very well,’’ lie said, quietly. ‘I am
quite willing to do so. Please do not twist
my necktie off.”’

‘“Don’t worry about your. necktie!’
advised the policeman, giving ita. still
harder twist. ‘‘I know how to deal with
chaps of your calibre,’’

Now, of a sudden, Ephraim Gallup be-
gan to grow angry. He did not fancy sce-
ing his idol treated in such a manner, and
his fists were clenched, while he glared at
the officer as if contemplating hitting that
worthy.

‘It’s a gol dern shame!’’ he grated.
“This jest makes my blood bile!”?

“‘T don’t wonder a bit,’ piped the long-
necked man, misunderstanding the Ver-
monter; “‘but the officer will take care of
him now. He’ll get what ‘he deserves.”’

“Oh, will he!’? exploded Gallup.
‘*Wal, ef I was yeou, I’d hire myself aout
to some dime museum as the human bob-
ber. Yeou teeter jest like a certun bird
that I won’t name.’

‘“Wh-a-at?’’ squealed the individual
addressed in great excitement. “This to
me. Why, ?’]i——

Cy wish ter great goshfry ace would! rH : ; Pc
hissed Ephraim, glaring at him. ‘“I’d jest

 

 

 
ht a

 

 

 

  

like to hev yeou try it! I’d give yeoua
jolt that’d knock yeou clean inter the
middle of next week !”?

““Why, who is this fellow that seeks to
create a disturbance ?’’ blustered the little
mau, his fiery whiskers beginning to bris.
tle and squirm again. ‘‘He should be sat
upon.’”’

The country youth turned on him.

*‘T wish yeou’d tackle the job, yeou
condemned little red-whiskered ruut!’’ he
shot at the blusterer with such sudden-
ness that the little man staggered back
and put up his hands, as if he had been
struck. ‘‘Yeou are another meddler! I'd
eat yeou, an’ I’d never know I’d hed a
bite!”

“This is very unfortunate, madam,’
purred the gallant man, at the veiled wo-
man’s side. ‘‘I am extreinely sorry that
you have had such an unpleasant experi-
ence. Now, if that creature——’’

He designated Ephraim by the final
word, and Gallup cut him short right
there.

**Veou’re the cheapest one of the hull
lot, old oil-smirk!’ he flung at the speak-
er. ‘‘Such fellers as yeou are more dan-
gerus to real ladies than all the young
mashers goin’, fer yeou area _ liyprocrite
who pretends to be virtuous.”’

The man gasped and tried to say some.
thing, but seemed stricken speecliless,

Now the cock-eyed inan was aroused
once more. He seemed on the point of
making a swing at somebody or some-
thing. He pushed his face up close to
Ephraim, but still his rebellious eye
seemed looking in quite another direction.

Ulf you want any trouble here,’’ he
said, hoarsely, ‘‘l’ll attend to you. I can
do that very well.’

Ephraim looked at him, Giese to smile,
broke into a grin and burst into a shout
of laughter. |
“Haw! haw! haw!’’ he roared. ‘I
couldn’t fight with yeou ef I wanter to,

fer Pdthink yeou didn’t mean me all

    
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
    
    
     
  
  
   
   
   
 
    
  
  
 
   
  
  
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. ad

the time, but that yeou really ought to be
fightin’ was
lookin’ at. Yeour’e the funniest toad in
the hull puddle!’ 3

“‘P’]l arrest the whole lot of you!’
“Quit that
Coine along to the police sta-

with some other feller yeou

threatened the policeman.
business !
tion if you want to make any complaints. ’
Then he turned to the woman, saying:
‘‘Madam, I presume you will makea
complaint against this fellow,’’ indicating
Frank.
ae ee slall,’’ she promptly an-

swered; ‘‘for it is my duty to teach him
a coe?

‘*Will you come to the station ?’’

‘(Ves ”?

‘‘Permit me to accompany you,’’ urged
the gallant man.

‘*You are very kind,’ she said; ‘‘but

? d

I think I can get along. I will follow at
a distance.’’

_“All right,’ nodded the officer,
more gripping Merriwell’s collar
agely. ‘*March, sir.’’

And then they started toward the sta-
tion.

The bobbing man, the little man, the
cock-eyed and the gallant man
formed behind. Then the crowd fell in,
and away they went, with the msyterious
veiled woman following at a distance.

Ephraim placed himself at Frank’s
side.

*‘This is a gol darn outrage!’ fumed
the Vermouter, speaking to Merry.
‘‘Whut be yeou goin’ to do abaout it ?”’

‘*T shall have to do the best I can,”’ an-
swered the unfortunate youth, quietly.

‘But yeou won’t be able to start for
Puleob with the rest of the people.”?

‘Tt doesn’t look that way now.’’

““That’s tough!”’

‘It is decidedly unfortunate, but I hope
to get off in time to join the company be-

o1uce
sav-

man

fore the first ae to-inorrow

night.’’ |
‘‘Haow did it happen???” :

  

 
    
      
       
     
 
  

 

12

  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
 
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
     
  
    
    
  
  
   
  
     
 
  
 
  
  

“*T hardly know. The woman stopped
me and insisted that I should
where to talk with her. I explained that
my time was limited, but that seemed to
When I tried

e flung herarins around me
a

go somme-

make no impression on her.
to get away shi
and screamed. That brought a crowdto-
gether, and = she declared I had» as-
saulted her.’

The policeman on the other side of

Frank laughed in ridicule. Although he
said nothing, it was plain he took no

stock in Frank’s story.
‘‘Larf!’’? grated Gallup, under his
breath. ‘‘Yeou think yeou know so -gol

~ darned much that——”’
‘Hush !’? warned Frank. ‘I do -not
wisli you to get intotrouble. You. must

“inform the others what has happened to
mie.’

“It?s purty gol darn hard to keep still,”’

declared Ephraim. ‘‘I see, sich a

set of natteral born fools in all my life!

How many of the craowd saw what hap.

never

pened ’tween yeou an’ the woman ?”’

"No one, I think.’

‘An’ Dll bet a squash they’ll all go
up an’ swear to any kind of a story she’ ll
tell. Who is she?”

‘*T don’t know.”’

‘“That’s queer. Wut was her little
game??? tee

‘Don’t know that.’

“By gum! it’s some kind of a put-up
job!” i

‘tT have a fancy there is something be-
hind it more than appears on the surface.
It is an attempt to make trouble for me.”’

‘eThat’s right.’

‘tT hope.to see the woman’s face at the
police station.”’

**Yeou won’t!’’

“Why. not?” .

“She won’t show it.’

«© ‘Perhaps the judge will request her to
“lift her veil.”?

_ Not by.a gol- darned sight!
oe 366. big fools over women.

Men are

  

 

  

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

They’il take

  

any old thing she’ll say abaout yeou, an’

lock yeou up fer it. She’ll give some

kind of name and address, an’ they’ll let

her go at that.”’ | ’
‘Well, unless I can get bail right away {

I shall be ina bad fix. If Kent Carson , 7

were in town, he would pull me out of

it; as he did before.”’
The officer pricked tp his ears. 4
‘Ha!’ he exclaimed. ‘Then you have. a

been arrested in Denver before? This is a
I rather think you’ll not

get off as easy as you did the first time.”’
VF.

secoud offense!

“Oh, yeou are enough to——
“Ephraim |? EF

With that word Frank cut Galup
short. :
In a short .time they approached the
police station. oo Se

CHAPTER V.

AT THE POLICE STATION.

”)

“*T have been here. before,’’ said Merry, {
quietly. ‘‘This is the station to which I 4
was taken when Leslie Lawrence made |
his false charge against me.’? . 4
Entering, he was’ taken before the desk -
of the sergeant, the bobbing man, the lit-
tle man, the cock-eyed man, and the gal-
lant man following closely, while others 3
also came in. ns ne
The sergeant looked up. ge ore
“Ah, Brandon,’ he said to the officer, eer
“another one ?”’ aR.
‘Ves, sir,’’ answered the policeman. |
‘‘What isthe charge ?”? .
“Insulting a lady on the street.” ‘
“Who was the lady?” 2a
‘She is coming. She will be here di- ;
ee to make the complaint eat
ag 4
Then the sergeant took a good look at oo
the accused. He started, bent forward and
looked closér. = Lee
“Mr. Merriwell!’’ he exclaimed ; pak See
it you?’?
antes og res u: bowed ae with a

 

 

       
         
   

      
 

 

 

do such a thing.

 

‘made a desperate attempt to look the ser-

smile. ‘‘It seems to be my luck to cause
you trouble once imore.’’

“Trouble!” ejaculated the man behind
the desk.
And you areaccused of insulting a lady ?”’

“Why, this is very surprising!

‘*T am,’’ was the quiet answer.

“Well! well! well! It hardly seems pos-
sible. I fail to understand why you should
It was very kind of you
to send me tickets for your performance
yesterday, and I was fortunate to be’ able
to attend. I was.greatly pleased, both
with your play and yourself, tosay nothing
of your supporting company. I see -the
papers have given you a great send-off,
but it is no better than you merit.”

‘Thank you, sir,’’ said Frank, simply.

The policeman began to look dis-
turbed, while the bobbing man, tle little
inan, the gallant man, and the cock-eyed
man all stared at Frank and the sergeant
inl surprise.

‘*You seem to recognize the offender,
sir,’’? said the officer who had arrested
Frank.

‘‘T recognize the gentleman, Brandon,”’

said the sergeant, putting particular em-

phasis on the word ‘‘gentleman.”’
‘*He said he had been arrested before.’’
‘(He was, on 4 truinped-up charge, and
he was promptly dismissed by me.”’
The officer looked still more disturbed.
“But this ismo trumped-up charge,’
he declared. § ‘‘I have witnesses.”
‘‘Where are they ?”’
~ “Bere.” ¢

He motioned toward the men who had

followed closely on entering the station,

whereupon the little man drew himself

‘up stiffly, as if he imagined he must be

six feet tali, at least; the bobbing man
bobbed in.a reckless manner, as if he had
quite lost control of himself; the gallant

“man lifted his hat and mopped the shiny
spot on the top of his head with a silk
handkerchief, attempting to appear per-

fectly at ease; ang the cock-eyed man

@IP TOP WEEKLY. 12

_train now.’’

on the street?” invited the sergeant. -

crowd over, ee w=

sa

      
   
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
 
   
  
   
    
 
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 

geant straight in the eye, but came no
nearer than the upper corner of the sta-
tion window, which was several yards
away to thie left.

‘And where is the lady who makes the
charge?’ demanded the man behind the
desk.

Where, indeed!
appear, but all looked for her in vain.

It was time for her to

he

““She must be here direetly,¥ said t
sergeant, ‘‘

“Oh, she is coming!’’ hastily answered

if she is coming at all.’

the officer,

‘“She may be waiting outside, hesitat-
ing about coming in,’’ said the sergeant.
Sioa lay go out ae bring her in, Bran-
don.’

The policeman hesitated an instant as
if he feared to leave Frank.

“It is all right,’ asserted the sergeant.
“*T will guarantee that Mr. Merriwell is
quite safe.’’ *

Then Brandon hurried out.

““T believe you are going onthe road
with your play, Mr. Merriwell??’ said the
sergeant in a most friendly and affable
manner.

*‘T am,’’ answered Frank, ‘‘if I succeed
in getting started.’

‘*How is that???

‘“‘Well,’’ smiled Merry, ‘*I was due to
take a train in one hour and thirty min-
utes when I was accosted by the unknown
woman whom it is said I insulted. I.
hardly think I shall be able to catch that

md

The sergeant logked at his wstch.

‘“How much time have you now?’’ he
asked.

Frank consulted his time-piece.

‘“‘Tust forty-one minutes,’ he said.

Will you kindly tell me what occurred

      
    

“But wait —first I wish to know who wit-—
nessed this assault.’? ae 7

There was some hesitation, as -the offi-
cial behind the desk kepeed the assembled

wat

 
      
 

  
  
  

 

  
   

14 TIP TOP WEEKLY

**Come,’? he cried sharply. ‘‘Who
knows anything about this affair?”

“I do,’’ asserted the man with the
cock-eye, summoning courage to step for-
ward a bit. ‘‘And here are others.”’

‘Which ones?”

§*Him, and him, and him,’’

answered
the crooked-eyed man, jabbing a pudgy
and none too clean forefinger at the gal-
lant man, the little man and the bobbing
man, although he seemed to look at three
entirely different persons from those he
named.

The gallant man was perspiring, and
| looked as if he longed to escape. He also
seemed auxious over the non-appearance
of the veiled lady.

The bobbing man took a step back-
ward, but somebody pushed lim from be-
hind, and he hobbed himself nearly
- double.’

The little man tugged at lis fluttering
whiskers, looking to the right and left,
as if thinking of dodging and attempting
to escape in a hurry.

"And these are the witnesses?’’ said
the sergeant, his eyes seeming to pierce
them through and through. ‘* Their testi-

mony against you shall be carefully heard,

Mr. Merriwell, and it will be well for
them to be careful about giving it.”

“If I understand what is proper,’’ said
the cock-eyed man, who seemed the only
one who dared speak outright, ‘‘this is
not the court, and you are not the
judge.”’

But he subsided before:the piercing eves
of the sergeant, so that his final words
were scarcely more thana gurgle in his
throat.

“Now, Mr. Merriwell,’’ said the ser-
-geant, “‘I will listen to your story. Off-
| cer at the door, take care that none of the

witnesses depart until they are given per-
“mission.” a

Frank told his story briefly, concisely,
and convincingly. Barely had he fin-
ished when the officer who made the ar-

rest came in, looking crestfallen and dis-
gusted.

‘*Where is the lady, Brandon?’ asked
the sergeant.

“Tl can't find her, sir,’’ confessed thie
policeman. ‘‘She is nowhere in the vicin-
ity.”?

‘““Then it seems you have been very
careless in permitting her to slip away.
Now there is no one to make a charge
against the prisoner.’’

‘‘The witnesses—perhaps some of them
will do so.”?

The sergeant turned sharply on the lit-
tle man, to whom he fired the. question:

‘‘Did you witness this assault on the
unknown lady, sir?’

The little man jumped.

‘*No, sus-sus-sir,’’ he stammered ; ‘‘but
Jeg!

‘’That will do!’ came sternly from the
man behind the desk. ‘‘Step aside.”’

The little man didso with alacrity,
plainly relieved.

Then the sergeant came at the gallant
ian with: the same question:

“Did you witness the assault on the

lady, sir?”’
‘‘] was. not present when it took place,
but I——”’ 3
‘“That willdo! Step aside.’’
The gallant man closed up and stepped.
Next the bobbing man was questioned :
*‘Did you witness the assault on the
lady, sir?’
‘‘T arrived just after it was coimnitted,
but I can tell you——"
‘Nothing! That willdo! Step aside.”
The cock-eyed man folded his aris

across his breast and glared fiercely at the’

window whiich seemed to offend hin.
‘*VYou are next,’’ said the sergeant.
‘*What did you see ?’’
‘*T saw quite enough to convince ime

that the assault had been committed be-

fore I reached the spot, but——”’
‘Another ‘but.’ ‘Rut. me no buts.’

There seems to be no one present who
S . + /

 

|
1

tis eter lett oa tine peer taebommmenne

  

 

  
   
  
   
   
  
   
 
 

              
 

up and git.

-others,”’

wituessed the assault, and so:10 one cai
prefer a charge against Mr. Merriwell.
Mr. Merriwell, vou have now exactly
thirty minutes in which to catch your
train. Don’t stop to say a word, but git
You are at liberty.”’

And Frank took the sergeant’s advice,
followed closely by Ephraim.

CHAPTER VI.
AT THE LAST MOMENT,

Frank Merriwell’s company had gath-
ered at the railway station to take the
train for Puleob, All] but Merriwell and
Gallup were on liand. MHavener had pur-
chased the tickets. 2

Hodge restlessly paced up and down
the platform, his face dark and disturbed.

There were inquiries for Frank. Stella
Stanley came to Havener and asked:

‘*Where is Mr. Merriwell?”’

‘‘T do not know,’’ confessed the stage
gianager, who had been deputized: for the
occasion by Frank to look out for tickets
and make necessary arrangements.

‘‘He hasn’t come?’

‘No; but he’ll be here before the train
pulls out. You know he has a way of al-
ways appearing on tiine.”’

Hodge stopped in his walk and stared
at Haveiier.

“Id like to know when he left the ho-
tel,** said Bart. “‘T called for him several
tines before coming here, but each time
I found he was not in ix room, aud no
one knew anything about him. His bill
was not settled, either.’’

“But his baggage came down with the
said Haveuner.

‘*Because the hotel people perniitted it,
as he was vouched for by Mr. Carson,
whio seeins to be well known toevery body
in this city.’?

‘Yo don’t nDEes anything has. hap-
pened to detain him, do you?” anxiously
asked the actress. CT do hope we shall
not make another bad start, same as we
did before, Agnes Kirk says she knows
something will “happen, for Mr. Merriwell
gave away the cat Mascot.’’

“ones Kirk is forever prophesying

~ someth hing dismal,’’ said Hodge. ‘‘She’s
a seguiar croaker. If she didn’t have

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

       
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
   
    
   
  
    
  
 
    
    
 

15

something to croak about, she wouldn’t
know what to do. She declared the cata
hoodoo in the first place, but now she
says we’ll have bad luck because Frank
let it go. She makes me a trifle weary!’

Hodge was not in a pleaasnt humor.

Granville Garlaud and Lester Vance
cae up. :

‘It’s almost train time,’’ said » Gar-
land. ‘‘Whiere is our energetic young
manager???’

‘*He will be along,’’ Havener again as-
setted.

‘*T hope so,’’ said Vance. ‘I sincerely
hope this second venture will not prove
such a miserable fizzle as the first one.
Everything depends on Frank Merriwell.”’

“Something depends on you!’ flashed
Hodge, who seemed easily nettled.
“Frank, Merriwell’s company did all it
could to make the first venture a fizzle.
Now they should do all they can to make
this one a success.’

“Hello, Thundercloud is lowering!’
exclaimed Garland.

‘‘Save your epithets!’’ exclaimed Bart.
“*My name is Hodge,”’

*‘My dear Hodge,’ said Garland, with
mock politeness, ‘‘yow must know it is |
but natural that we should feel a bit anx-
ious.’?

**T may feel as anxious as any of you,
but I do not go round croaking about
at

“But our first failure——”’

‘There it is again! I’m tired of hear-
ing about that! You and Vance are dead
lucky ts be in this second company, for |
you both joined in the attempted assault —
on Merriwell when Folansbee skipped 4
and the company seemed to be stranded |
in Puleob. If I’d been Frank Merriwell, —
I’d sent you flying, and you can bet I ]
would not have taken you back,’’

“Then it’s fortunate for us that you —
were not Frank Merriwell,’? Garland half |
sneered. oe

‘It is,’? agreed Hodge. ‘‘Some people ©
do not know when they are treated well.’”

‘That will do!’’ came sharply from
Havener. ‘‘This is no time to quarrel.
By Jove! it’s time for that train, and Mer-
riwell’s not here.’ |

“Perhaps he’s eee out at the last ©
minute and decided not to take the piece
out,’? said Vance. ‘‘It may be a. his"
conmage has ane ao Br eee :

     
 

  

 
     
   
       
    
        
       
     
   
       
     
   
   
    
      
      
   
  

   
 

     
 
 

   
  

    
    

16

“Now that kind of talk makes me
sick!’ exploded Hodge. ‘‘If you had any
sense you wouldn’t make ey

“*T like that!” snapped Vance, his face
flushing.

(Dim elad you do!”’ flung back Bart.
**Didn’t think you ,would. Hoped you
wouldn’t. Only a fool would suppose
that, after all this trouble and expense,
any mman with an ounce of brains in his
head would back out without giving a
single performance of the play.”’

‘*Well, where is Merriwell ?”’

Again Havener declared:

“He'll be here.’’

‘But here comes the train !’?

The train was coming. There was ac-
tivity and bustle at the station. The plat-
form was alive with moving human_ be-
ings. Agnes Kirk and Cassie Lee. came
- out. of the ladies’ waiting-room. Ihe male
members of the company got together

quickly.

‘‘He has not come!’’ exclaimed Agnes
Kirk, her keen eyes failing to discover
Frank. ‘‘I feared it! I knew it?

Hodge half turned away, grumbling
somethig deep in his throat.

The actors looked at. each
doubt and dismay.

With a rush and a roar, the train came
in aud drew up at the station. Passengers
began to get off.

A heavily veiled woinan in black came
out of the ladies’ room and started for the
train. As she passed the group of actors
some of their conversation seeiied to at-
tract ler notice. She paused an instant
and locked thesi-over, and then she
turned toward the steps of a car.

“Excuse ine, madam,’’ said Hodge,
quickly. ‘‘You have dropped your hand-
-kerchief.”?

- He picked it up and passed it to her.
As he did so, he noticed the letters ‘‘L.
FE.’ on one coruer.

“Thank you,’ she said, in a low voice.

At that moinent, for the last time,
Havener was reiterating:

“T believe Frank Merriwell will be
here. All get ontothe train. He never
gets left.”’

Then the woman ‘eae her head a bit
and laughed. It was.a scornful laugh, and
AE attracted the attention of several of the
group. She turned quickly os stepped
into the nearest Sati

other in

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Up to the

-

  

‘‘Something tells me he will not ar-
rive,’? declared Agnes Kirk. ‘The hoo-
doo is stil] on. This company will meet
the saine fate the other did.”’ ~

“Don’t talk so much about it,’’ ad-
vised Havener, rather rudely. ‘‘Get onto
the train—everybody !”’

Hodge was staring after the veiled wo-
man.

‘“Wonder what made her laugh like
that??? he muttered. ‘‘Seems to me I’ve
heard that laugh before. It seemed full
of scornful triumph. - I wonder——’’

He did not express his second wonder.

‘““Come, Hodge,’’ said Havener, ‘‘get
aboard. Follow the othiers.”’

‘*T’]1 be the last one,’’ said Hodge.
waiting for Frank,.”’

‘I’m _ afraid,’’ confessed Havener, be-
giyning to weaken.

‘*Afraid of what???
hissed.

‘*It begins to look bad,’’ admitted the
stage manager. ‘‘I’m afraid something
lias happened to Frank. If he doesn’t
come——’?

**} dort go,’ déclared- Batt.-4‘F shall
stay afid- find out what has happened to
him. You must go. You must sit on those
croakers. Your place is with the com-
pany; mine is with Frank Merriwell.’’

** All aboard.’?

The conductor gave the warning.

Se Wiret’s thas)

Rattle-te-bang, on thedead jump, a cab
was coming along the street. The cab-
man was putting the whip to lis foaming
horses. |

‘*He’s coming,’’ said Hodge,
cool triumph, putting his hands into his

Sieh

Hodge almost

trousers pockets and waiting the approach.

of the cab.

Something made him feel certain of it.
platform dashed the cab, the
driver flinging the horses back and fling-
ing himself to the platform to fling open
the door.

Dong-dong!

The train was starting.

Out of the cab leaped Frank Merriwell,
gtip in hand. At his heels Ephraim Gal-
lup came sprawling. ;

Bart was satisfied,
lighted.

the train. Across the platform dashed

Frank and the Vermont youth, and AER, :
= also ponieee ae ae cars. ee ae

«als

with °

 

 

Havener was de-
Both of thein sprang on board

 

    
  
       
     
      

  
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 17

Well,’ laughed Merry, easily, ‘‘that
‘was whiat I call a close call. ‘‘Ten dollars
to the cabby did it, and he earned his
sawbuck.”’

**T congratulate you!’’ cried Havener.
“‘T confess I had given you up. But what
happened to detain you?”?

“Nothing but a little adventure,’ an-
swered Merry, coolly. ‘‘I’ll tell you

about it.’’
They followed him into the car.

CHAPTER VII.
ON THE TRAIN.

Several members of the company had
been looking from the car window, and
the arrival of Frank had been witnessed.
They gave a shout as he entered tlie car,
and all were on their feet.

““Welcome!’’ cried Douglas Dunton,
drainatically—‘‘ welcome, most noble one!
Methinks thou couldst not do it better in
aplay. It was great stuff—flying cab,
foaming horses, moving train and all that.
Make a note of it.”’

“‘T believe lie did it on purpose,’’ de-
clared Agnes Kirk, speaking to Vance,
with whom she had taken a seat.

*“Verv likely,’’  adinitted Lester.
“‘Wanted to do something to attract at-
tention.’

“Tl think it was mean! He fooled us.’’

But several members of the company
shook hands with Frank and congratulated
him.

“T told you he would not get left,’’
said Havener, with triumph.

At the rear end of the car was a veiled
woman whio seemed to sink down behind
those in front of her, as if she sought to
avoid detection. Somelow, although her
face could not be seen, there was in her
appearance something that betokened dis-
appointinent and chagrin.

Of course Frank was pressed for ex-
planations, but he told them that busi-
ness had detained him. He did not say
~ what kind of business.
At length, however, with Hodge, Have-
ner and Gallup for listeners, all seated on
two facing seats, he told the story of his
adventure with the veiled woman and his

race to the hotel, get his grip, pay his
bill, and dash to the station in time to
catch the train.

As the story progressed Hodge showed
sings of increasing excitement. When
Merry finished Bart exclaimed:

‘How did the woman look?’

“I did not see her face.’’

‘‘How was she dressed? Describe her.’’

**Don’t know as I can.”’

*‘Do the best you can.”?

Frank did so, and Bart cried:

**T’ve seen her!”

““What?”’

Merry was astonished.

‘‘T am sure of it,’’? asserted Bart.
have seen that very same woiman!”’

**Whien ?”’

‘“ To-day.’

‘*How long ago?”’

‘fA yery short time.’’

‘Where ?”?

‘*At the station while we were waiting
for you to appear.’’
‘*Ts it possible ?

was her?”’

Then Bart told of the strange woman
who had dropped her handkerchief, of
the initials he had seen when he picked
it up, and of her singularly scornful laugh
when. she heard Havener declare that
Merriwell never got left.

All this interested Frank very much.
Bart concluded by saying:

‘That woman is on this very train!’

‘“‘Wal, may I be tickled to death by
grasshoppers!’’ ejaculated the youth from
Vermont. ‘‘Whut in thunder do yeou
sp’ose she’s up to?”’

‘‘Tt may be the same one,’’ said Frank.
“Tt would be remarkable if it should
prove to be the same one. Two woinen
might Jook so much alike that the de-
scription of one would exactly fit the
other—especially if both were heavily
veiled.’

Bart shook his head.

‘‘Something tells me it is the same
woinan,’’ he persisted.

‘But why should she be on this train ?”’

‘‘Who can answer that? Why did she
try such a trick on the street ?”’

“Don’t know,’’ admitted Merry. ‘‘Once
I thought it might be that she was mashed
on me, but it didn’t prove that way.”’

“Oh, I dunno,’’ drawled Gallup, with

ccy

How do you know it

 
 

18 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

a queer grin. ‘‘Yeou turned her daown,
au’ that made hersore. Ef she’d bin
mashed on ye, perhaps slie’d done jest as
she did to git revenge fer bein’ turned
daown.”’

**No, something tells ine this was more
than a simple case of mash,’ said Frank.

‘‘What do you make of it?’’ asked
Havener.

‘‘An attempt to bother ime.’’

**Ror what?’

‘‘Who knows? Haven’t I had enough
troubles!’’

‘*T should say so! But I thought your
troubles of this sort were over when you
got rid of Lawrence. You left two of the
assistants who saw him try to fire the
tlieatre to appear as witnesses against
him.’’

“Oh, I hardly think Lawrence was in
this affair in any way or manner. I con-
fess I do not know just what to make of
it. Heretofore my enemies have been
men, but now there seems to be a woman
in thie case.’

“Tf this woman follows you, what will
you do?”

‘TY shall endeavor to find out whio she
is aud bring her to time, so she will drop
the game.’?

‘See that you do,’’ advised Hodge.
“*And don’t be soft with lier because she
is a woman.’’

*‘Go look through the train and _ see if
you can find the woman you saw,’’ di-
rected Frank. ‘‘If you find her, come
back here and tell me where she is.’’

“Pll do it!’ exclaimed Bart, getting
up at once.

‘That fellow is faithful to you,’’ said
Havener, when Bart had walked down
the aisle; ‘‘but he is awfully disagreeable
at times. It’s nothing but his loyalty that
makes me take any stock in him.’?

‘(His heart is in the right place,’’ as-
serted Merry.

‘‘Nothing makes him doubt you. Why,
I believe he wanted to fight the while
company when you failed to appear.’’

*fAn’ he’s a fighter, b’gosh! when he
gits started,’’ declared Gallup. ‘‘I’ve seen
him plunk some critters, an’ he plunked
them in great style.’’

Hodge was gone some little time, but
there was a grim look of triumph when
he returned.

**Find her?’’ asked Merry.

y)

‘*Sure,’’? nodded Bart.

‘‘Where?”?

‘Last car, She did not get onto this
one, but I rather think she moved after
you came on board. ‘That makes me all
the more certain that itis the woman.
She’s near the rear end of the car, on the
left side as you go down thie aisle. ”’

‘‘Well,’’ said Frank, rising, ‘‘I think
I’ll go take a look at her. Is shealone?’’

66Ves,)?

‘“That’s good. And she cannot escape
from the train till it stops, if it should
happen to be the right woman, which I
hope it is.”’

Bart wished to accompany Frank to
point the woman out, but Merry objected.

**No,’’ he said, ‘‘let me go alone.’’

‘‘T can show her to you.”’

“If the woman I am looking for is in
the car 1’]] find her.”’

Of course Bart would not suggest that
Frank needed a companion, for was he
not going to meet a woman.

Merry passed slowly through the train,

scanning each passenger as lhe went
along. He entered the last car. In a few

moments he would know if the mysteri-
ous veiled woman really were on that
train. If he found her, he would be cer-
tain the strange encounter on the street
had a meaning that had not appeared on
the surface at first.

The train was flying along swiftly, tak-
ing curves without seeming to slacken
speed in the least. Frank’s progress
through the car was rather slow, as thie
swaying motion made it difficult for him
to get along.

3ut when he had reached the rear of
the car he was filled with disappointment.

Not a sign of a veiled woman had he
seen in the car.

More than that, there was no woian
in black who resembled the woman whio
had stopped him on the street in Denver.

Could it be Hodge had been mistaken ?

No! Something told him Bart had
inade no mistake in the matter of seeing
a woman who answered the description
given by Frank. He had said she was in
the last car. She was not there when
Frank passed through the car, Then she
had moved. .

Whiy?

Was the woman aware that she was be-

Were,

~~.

ip
Beg,

ep

TIP TOP WEPKLY. 19

ing watched?
observation ?

Frank stopped by the door at the rear
end of the car. Jie looked out through
the glass in the door.

Some one was on the platform at one
side of the door. Frank opened the door
aud looked out.

The person on the platform was a wo-
man in black, and she worea veil!

Had she moved to escape

CHAPTER VIII.
THE STRUGGLE ON THE REAR PLATFORM.

A feeling of exultant satisfaction flashed
over Merriwell, and he quickly stepped
out onto the platform, closing the door
beliind lim.

The woman turned and looked toward
him.

The train was reeling along swiftly,
the track seeming to fly away from be-
neath the last car.

It was a strange place for a woman to
be out there on the rear platform, and
Merry’s first thought had been that it
must be the woman he sought, for had
she not come out there to escape him?
She had fancied he would Jook through
the car, fail to find her, and decide that
she was not on the train. It must be that
she had seen Hodge come in, and had
realized at once why he liad eutered thie
ear. Whien he departed to carry the in-
formation to Frank, the desperate woman
had fled to the rear platform.

Inmediately on stepping out onto the
platform, however, Frank decided that
his reasoning was at fault.

It was a veiled woman, and she was in
biack, but it was not the woman hie
sought. It was not the woman who had
caused his arrest in Denver!

Merry was disappointed.

The unknown looked at him and_ said
nothing. He looked at her and wondered.
The veil was thick and baffling.

‘“Madam,’’ he said, ‘‘this is a danger-
ous place.”’

She said nothing.

“You are liable to become dizzy out
here and meet with an accident,’’ he pur-
sued. “If you should fall—well, you

know what that would mean. It is re-
wmarkable that you should conie out here.’
““The air,’’? she murmured, in a hoarse,
husky voice. ‘‘The car was: stifling, and
I needed the air. Jj felt ill in there.’’
‘‘All the more reason why you should
not come out here,’’ declared Frank, so-

licitously. ‘‘You could have had a win-
dow opened, and that would have given

you air.”’

‘The window stuck.”’

“It must be some of them would open.
If you will return, I’]] endeavor to find
you a seat by an open window.’’

‘‘Very kind of you,’’ she said, in the
sane peculiar, husky voice. ‘‘Think 11
stay out here. Don’t mind me.”’

“Then I trust you will permit me to re-
inain and see that you do not meet with
any misfortune ?”?

‘No. Go! Leave ime! Iliad rather
remain alone.’?

She seemed like a middle-aged lady.
He obserevd that her clothes fitted her
ill, and her hands were large and awk-
ward. Shie attempted to hide them.

All at once, with a suddenness that
staggered iin, the truth burst on Frank.

The woman was no woman at all! It
Was a ian in disguise!

Merry literally gasped for a single in-
stant, but he recovered at once.

Through his head flashed a thought:

‘““This must be some criminal who is
seeking to escape justice!”’

Iinmediately Frank resolved to remaim
on the platform at any hazard. He would
talk to the disguised unknown.

‘The motion of the train is rather try-
ing to one who is not accustomed to it,”?
he said. ‘‘Some people feel it quite as
much as if they were ona vessel. Car-
sickness and sea-sickness are practically
the same thing.’’

She looked at him through the con-
cealing veil, but did not speak.

‘‘T have traveled considerable,’’ he
pursued, ‘‘but, fortunately, I have been
troubled very little with sickness, either
on sea or Jand,.”?

“Will you be kind enough to leave
me!’’ caine from behind the veil, in ac-
cents of mingled imploration and anger.

“T could not think of such a thing,
madain !’’ he bowed, as gallantly as possi-
ble. ‘‘Itisimy duty to remain and see
that you come to no harm.”’

 
 

20 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

You are al-
kindness is

‘*T shall come to no harm.
tugether too kind! Your
offensive !’?

“Tam very sorry you regard
but I know my duty.’’

“If you knew half as muchas you
think, you would go.”’

‘IT beg your pardon; it is because I do
know as much asI think that I do not
Tg

The unknown was losing patience.

*“Go!’’? he commanded, and now his
voice was masculine enough to betray
him, if Frank had not dropped to the
trick before.

. “*No,’? smiled Merry, really beginning
to enjoy it, ‘‘not till you goin yourself,
madaim.”’

The train lurched round a curve, caus-
ing the disguised, unknown to swing
against the iron gate. Frank sprang for-
ward, as if to catch aud save the person
from going over, but his real object was
to apparently make a mistake and snatch
off the veil.

The man seemed to understand all this,
for he warded off Frank’s clutch, crying:

**T shall call for aid! I shall seek pro-
tection !”’

“It would not be tie first time to-day
that a veiled woman has done such a
thing,’’ laughed Frank.

The disguised man stared at him again.
Merry fairly itched to snatch away the
veil.

‘If you are seeking air, madain,’’ he
suggested, ‘‘you had better remove your
veil. It must be very smothering, for it
seems to be quite thick.’’

‘Vou are far too anxious about me!’’
snapped the disguised man. ‘‘I would
advise you to mind your own business!”’

This amused Merry still more. The
situation was remarkably agreeable to
him.

‘Tn some instances,’’ he said, politely,
‘‘your advice would be worth taking, but
an insane person should be carefully
watched, and that is why Iam minding
your business just now.’?

**An insane person ?”’

“Hxactly.”’

““Do you mean that I am insane ?’’

“Well, I trust you will excuse me, but
from your appearance and your remark-
able behavior, it seems tome that you
gliould be closely guarded.”’

it thus,

That seemed to make the unknown
still more angry, but it was plain he
found difficulty in comnianding words to
express himself,

‘*You’re a fool!’ he finally snapped.

“Thank you!’’ smiled Frank.

**You’re an idiot!’’

‘*Thank you again.”’

‘*You are the one who is crazy !’’

“Still more thanks.”’

‘*How have I acted to make you fancy
me demented ?”’

‘““You are out here, and you may be
contemplating committing self-destruction
by throwing yourself from this train.’’

**Don’t worry about that. I am con-
templating nothing of the sort.”’

‘*But there are other evidences of your
insanity.”?

“Oh, there are?”’

CVes.)?

As the disguised unknown did not
speak, Merry went on:

‘“The strongest evidence of your un-
balanced state of mind is the ill-chssen
attire you are wearing.”’

‘“What do you mean ?’’

‘“Why are you not dressed in the gar-
ments of your sex ?”’

Sr Rete Low

“You are not a woman,’’ declared
Frank, coolly; ‘‘but a man in the gar-
ments of a woman. Your disguise is al-
together too thin. It would not deceive
anybody who looked you over closely.
You are——’’

Frank got no further. With acry of
anger, the disguised unknown sprang at
him, grappled with him, panted in his
ear:

‘*Vou are altogether too sharp, Frank
Merriwell! ‘This time you have overshot
yourself! This ends you!’’

Then he tried to fling Merry from the
swiftly-moving train.

Frank instantly realized that it was to
be a struggle for life, and he met the as-
sault as quickly and stiffly as he could;
but the-disguised man seemed, of a truth,
to have the strength of an insane person.
In his quick move, the fellow had forced
Frank back against the gate, and over
this he tried to lift and hurl him.

“‘Not hardly!’ came from Merry’s lips.

*‘Curse you!’’ panted the fellow. ‘‘I
will do it!’?

**Ves, you will—I don’t think!’

’

+

< re

—aa
5 es

< eer

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 21

In the desperate struggle, both seemed
to hang over the gate for a moment.
Then Frank slid back, securing a firm
grip, and felt safe.

Just then, however, the car of the door
flew open, and out sprang Hodge. Bart
saw what was happening in a moment,
and he leaped to Merry’s aid.

Out ona high trestle that spanned a
toaring, torrent-like river rumbled the
train.

Bart clutched Frank, gave the dis-
guised man a shove, and-——

Just how it happened ‘neither of them
could tell afterwards, but over the gate
whirled the nan, and down toward the
seething torrent he shot!

CHAPTER: EX.

A DOUBLE MYSTERY.

e

Up from that falling figure came a wild
cry of horror that was heard above the
rumbling roar of the train on the trestle-
bridge.

Over and over the figure turned, the
skirts fluttering, and then headlong it
plunged into the white foain of the tor-
rent, disappearing from view.

On the rear platforin of the last car two
white-faced, horrified young men_ had
watched the terrible fall. They stared
down at the swirling river, looking for
the unfortunate wretch to re-appear. Off
the bridge flew the train, and no longer
were they able to see thie river.

‘‘He’s gone!’’ came hoarsely from
Bart.

“Then you saw—you knew it was a
man ?’’ cried Frank.

‘“Ves, Isaw his trousers beneath the
skirts as I caine out by the door.”’

‘“This is terrible!’’? muttered Frank.

‘*He was trying to throw you over?”’

‘*Yes; attempted to take me off my
guard and hurl me from the train.”

“Then the wretch has meta just fate,’’
declared Bart.

But now it seemed that the struggle on
the platform had been noticed by some
one within the car. There were excited
faces at the glass in the door, and a train-
man caine out, demanding:

‘What is all this? Why are you out

here? They tell me a woman came out.
Where is she?”’

With unusual readiness, Bart quickly
answered :

‘'She’s gone—jumped from the train.’?

*¢ Jumped ?””

‘‘VYes. We both tried to save her. Just
as I reached the door I saw my friend
struggling to lold her, but she was deter-
uiined to fling lerself over.’’

**Well, this is a fine piece of business!’
came angrily from the trainman. ‘‘Whiat
ailed her?”’

‘She must liave been insane,’’ asserted
Bart. ‘‘She attacked my friend here, and
then tried to jump off. He could not hold
her. I did not get hold of her in time.’’

‘*What was he doing out here?”’

‘Watching her. You willadmit it was
rather queer fora woinan to come out
here on the platform and stand. He
thought so, and so he came out to watch
her.’’

‘Well, you can both come in off this
platform!’ growled the trainman, in any-.
thing but a civil manner.

They did so. The passengers swarmed
round them when they entered the car,
literally flinging questions at thei.

‘Who was the woman???’

‘What ailed her???

*“Why did she go out there?’’

‘What did she do?”

‘Tell us about it!’’

Again Bart made the explanation, and
then there arose a babel.

‘*T noticed her,’’ declared one. ‘‘I saw
she looked queer.’’

‘*T noticed her,’’ asserted another. ‘‘I
saw she acted queer.’’

‘‘T saw her when she went out,’ put
ina third, ‘‘and.I thought it was a crazy
thing to do.’’

“Without doubt the woman was in-
sane,’’ declared a pompous fat man.

‘*She must have been instantly killed.’”

“She jumped into the river.’?

“Then she was drowned.’’

‘*Who knows her?’

“*She was all alone.’’

Frank had been thinking swiftly all
the while. He regretted that Bart had
been so hasty in making his explanation,
and now he resolved to tellas near the
truth as possible without contradicting
Hodge.

“Gentlemen and ladies,’’ he said, ‘I

)

 
 

22 IP: TOP

have every reason for believing that the
person was a man.,”’

Then there were cries of astonishiment
and incredulity.

‘CA man ?”?

‘Tin possible !”?

*“Never !”’

‘Ridiculous !”?

But an elderly lady, who wore gold-
bowed spectacles, calinly said:

“The young geutleman is correct, I
aim quite sure, ‘The person in question sat
directly in front of me, and I discovered
there was something wrong. I felt almost
certain it was a man before he got up and
went out on the platform.’”’

Then there was excitement in the car.
A perfect torrent of questions was poured
on Frank.

Merry explained that he had thought it
rather remarkable that a woman should
be standing all alone on the rear plat-
form, and, after going out and speaking
to the person, he became convinced that
it was a man in disguise. ‘hen he told
how the man, on being accused, liad at-
tacked him furiously, and - finally had
seemed to fling himself over theiron gate.

It was a great sensation, but 10 one ac-
cused either Merry or Bart of throwing
the unknown over, not a little to Frank’s
relief.

At last, they got away and went for-
ward into the car where the company was
gathered. Havener and Gallup had been
holding the double seat, and Frank and
Bart sat down tliere.

“Well, I fancy you failed to find the
lady you were looking for,’’ said Have-
ner. ‘But what’s the matter? You look
as if something has happened.”’

“Something has,’’ said Frank, grimly.

“(Gol darned ef I don’t b’lieve it!’’ ex-
clained Ephraim. ‘‘Both yeou an’ Hodge
show it. ‘Tell us abaout it.”’

Frank did so in a very few words, as-
tonishing both Ephraim and the stage
inanager.

‘‘Wal,’’ said the Vermonter, ‘‘the gal
who tackled yeou in Denver warn’t no
man.’

“Not much,’? said Frank, ‘‘and it is
remarakble that Hodge should have mis-
taken a man for sucha woman as I de-
scribed.”’

‘Aid t,;*’said Bart.

WEEKLY.

“But you have acknowledged that you
believed this was a man.”’

‘Ves, but this man was not the veiled
woian I saw.”’

‘Wasn't ?””
“Not much!’
‘Ry Jove!’’ exclaimed Frank. ‘‘The

niystery deepens!’

“Did you mistake this person for the
veiled woman I meant ?”’

“Sure thing.’?

‘And did not find another ?”’

‘“‘Not a sign of one. Ido not believe
there is another on the train.’’

‘‘Well, this is a msytery!’’ confessed
Hodge. ‘‘I saw nothing of the one I
meant when I went to look for you.”’

‘Tt must be you saw no one but that
nian in the first place.”’

Bart shook his head, flushing some-
whiat.

‘Do you think I would take that man
for a woman with a perfect figure, such
as you described? What in the world do
you fancy is the matter with my eyes?”’

“By gum!’ drawled Gallup.

‘This air business is gittin’ too thick
ferme. Idon’t like so much iiystery a
danged bit.’’ .

“Tf that man was not theone you
meant, Hodge,’’ said Merry, ‘‘then the
niysterious woman is still on this train.’?

‘“’Mhat’s so,’’? nodded Bart.

“Rind her,’? urged Frank. ‘‘I want to
eet my eyes on her more than ever.
Surely you should be able to find her.’’

**7]1 do it!’ cried Bart, juinping up.

Away he went.

Frank remained with Havener and Gal-
lup, talking over the exciting and thrill-
ing adventure and the mystery of it all
till Hodge returned. Ata glance Merry
saw that his college friend lad not been
successful.

‘Well,’ he said, ‘‘did you find her?’

‘‘No,’? confessed Bart, looking crest-
fallen. ‘‘I went through the entire train,
and I looked every passenger over. Thie
wouan I meant is not on this train.’?

‘’Phen it must be that your woman was
the man who met his death in the river.
There is no other explanation of her dis-
appearance. You must give up now,
Hodge.’’

But Hodge would not give up, although
he could offer no explanation, and the
mystery remained unsolved.
  

 

iia iit ie

There were numerous stops between
Denver and Puleob, and it was nightfall
before the train brought them to their
destination. The sun had dropped behind
the distant Rockies, and the soft shades

of a perfect spring evening were gatlhier-
‘ing when they drew up at the station in

Puleob.

Lights were beginning to twinkle in
widows, and the streets were lighted.
‘*Props’”’ had gone to look after the bag-
gage, and the company was gathered on
the platform. Cabnien were seeking to
attract fares.

Of a sudden, acry broke from the lips
of Bart Hodge:

‘“There she is!”?

All were startled by his sudden cry.
They saw him start from the others,
pointing toward a woman who was speak-
ing toacabinan. That woman had left
the train and crossed the platform, and
she was dressed in black and heavily
veiled.

Frauk saw her—recognized her.

‘‘By heavens! it is the woman,’ he
exclaimed,

CHAPTER X.
MAN OR WOMAN.

Into the cab sprang the woman. Slam!
the door closed behind her. Crack !—
the whip of the driver fell on the horses,
and away went the cab.

‘*Stop!’’ shouted Hodge.

Cabby did not heed the command.

Frank made a rush for another cab.

‘Follow!’ he cried, pointing toward
the disappearing vehicle. ‘‘I will give
you five dollars—ten doiars—if you do
not lose sight of that cab!”’

“Tn! shouted the driver. ‘I?ll earn
that ten!”’

In Frank plunged, jerking the door to
behind him. ‘The cab whirled from the
platform with a jerk. Away it flew.

‘Tt will be worth twenty dollars to get
a peep beneath that veil!’’? muttered
Frank Merriwell.

The windows were open. He looked
out on one side. He could see nothing of
the cab they were pursuing. Back he
dodged, and out he popped his head on
the other side.

°s There it i9|?’

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY, 23

He felt that he was not mistaken. The
fugitive cab was turning a corner at that
moment. ‘They were after it closely.

Frank wondered where tle woman
could have been hidden on the train so
that she had escaped observation. He de-
cided that she must have been in one of
the toilet rooms.

But what about the veiled man who
was disguised as a woman? Thatiman had
known Frank—had spoken his name.

It was a double mystery.

The pursuit of the cab continued some
distance. At last the cab in advance
drew up in front of a hotel, anda man
got out!

Merriwell had leaped tothe ground,
and cabby was down quite as swiftly, say-
ing:

‘““There, sir, I followed ’em. ‘Ten
plunks, please.’’

The door of the other cab had been
closed, and the man was paying the
driver. He wore no overcoat, and carried
no baggage.

‘‘Rooled!’’ exclaimed Frank, in disap-
pointinent. ‘‘You have followed the
wrong cab, driver!’’

‘IT followed the one you told me to fol-
low,’’ declared the driver.

‘No; you made a mistake.’

‘‘Now, don’t try that game on me!’?
growled the man. ‘‘It’s your way of at-
tempting to get out of paying the tener
you promised. ’”’ ‘

‘‘No; I shall pay you, for you did the
pest you could. It was not your fault that
you made a mistake in the mass of car-
tiages at the depot.’’

‘Didu’t make no -mistake,’’ asserted
the cabby, sullenly.

‘Well, it’s useless to argue over it,’’
said Merry, as he gave the man the prom-
ised ten dollars. ‘‘I am sure you made a
niistake.’?

“Think I couldn’t follow Bill Dover
aud his spotted nigh hawse?’’ exploded
the driver. ‘‘I couldn’t have missed that
hawse if I’d tried.’’

Frank saw one of the horses attached
to the other cab was spotted. He had no-
ticed that peculiarity about one of the
horses attached to the cab the mysterious
woman had entered.

‘It’s the same horse!’’ exclaimed
Merry. .

‘* *Course it is,’? nodded the driver.

  
Zs TIP TOP
The man had paid his fare and was

carelessly sauntering into the hotel. As

he disappeared through the doorway,

Frank sprang tothe door of the other cab,

flung it wide open, and looked in, more

than half expecting to discover the wo-

mani still inside.

No woman was there!

Frank caught his breath in
ment, and stood there, staring
empty cab.

*“Hi, there! wot cher doin’?’’
the man on the box.

Frank did not answer. He reachied in-
to the cab and felt on the floor. He found
something, brought it forth, looked at it
amazed,

It was a woman’s dress!

But where was the woman ?

Garment after garment Frank lifted,
discovering that all a woman’s outer
wearing apparel lay on the floor of that
cab.

*‘Vanished!’’ he muttered. ‘‘Disap-
peared—gone? What does it mean ?”’

Then he thought of the man who had
left the cab and entered the hotel, and he
almost reeled.

*“That was the woman!’

He had seen one woman change intoa
man on the train, and here was another
and no less startling metamorphosis.

**Driver,’’ he cried, ‘‘didu’t you take
a person on in woman’s clothes at the
station and let one off in man’s clothes
just now ?”’

‘fNone of yer business!’’ came the
coatse reply. ‘‘I knows enough not ter
auswer questions when I’m paid ter keep
still.’

That was quite enough;
might as well have answered,
satisfied Merriwell.

Frank was astonished by the remark-
able change that the woman had made
while within the cab, but now hie be-
lieved he understood whiy she had not
-been detected while on the train. She

astonish-
into the

called

the driver
for he had

| had been able to make a change of dis-

- guises in the toilet room, and lrad passed
_ herself off as aman. Hodge had looked

fora veiled woman, and he had looked
_ for a veiled woman; it was not strange
that both of them had failed to notice a
person in masculine attire who must have
ooked like a woman,

Up the hotel 403 Frank Pee ae He

who believes the

WrEXTy, .

entered the office, he searched and in-
quired. At last, he found out that a beard-
less nan had entered by the frout door,
but had simply passed through and left
by a side door.

‘‘Slipped ime,’’ decided Frank.
realized that lie had encountered a
markably clever wouan.

And the mystery was deeper than ever.

Frank went to the hotel at which the
company was to stop, and found all save
Wynne had arrived. Hodge was on the
watch for him and eagerly inquired con-
cerning his success in following the wo-
man.
tricked.

‘‘Well, it’s plain this unknown female
is mighty slippery,’’ said Bart. ‘‘You
have not seen thie last of her.’’

‘“‘Tam afraid there are some things
about this double mystery which will
never be solved,’’ admitted Frank. ‘‘For
instance, the identity of the man who fell
into the river.”’

‘We'll be dead lucky if we do nxot
have trouble over that affair,’’ said Hodge.

‘How do you mean???’ .

“‘Some foolis liable to swear out a
warrant charging us with throwing the
unknown overboard.’’

‘T thought of that,’? nodded Frank,
‘fand that is why I took occasion on the
train to straighten out your story some-
what. It is always best, Bart, to stick to.
the straight truth.”

Hodge flushed and looked resentful,
but plainly sought to repress his feelings,
as he said:

‘Tam not the only person in the world
truth should not be
spoken at all times.’

‘Tf one cannot speak the truth,’’ said
Merry, quietly, ‘She had better remain
silent and say nothing at all, particularly
in a case like this. There is an old say-
ing that ‘the truth can afford to travel
slowly, but a lie must be on the jump as
the time, or it will get caught. ie

“Well, I don’t think this is any time
to moralize,” caine a bit sharply from
Bart. ‘‘If we were to go into an argu-
ment, I rather think I could show logi-
cally that a white lie is sometimes more
commendable than the truth.’’

‘In shielding another, possibly,’’ ad- —
nace Merry cane never in 0 NN

He

Te-

Frank explained how he had been

 

 
 

 

 

 

  
  

 

 

  
  
 
  
 
   
    
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 

  
 
 

the one who tells it. The more a person
lies, the more he has to lie, for it becomes
necessary to tell one falsehood tocover up
another, and, after a while, the unfortu-
nate individual finds himself so eusnared
in a network of fabrications that it is im-
possible for-him to clear himself. Then
disaster comes.’’

‘Oh, don’t preach!’’ snapped
*‘Tet’s go to vour room and talk this
inatter of the veiled woman over. ‘There
is trouble brewing for you, and you must
be prepared to meet it. Havener has reg-
istered for the company, and ail you have
to do is call for your key.”’

So Frank and Bart went to the room of
the former.

Bart.

CHAPTER XI.
“HOT BLOOD AND COOL BRAINS.

Puleob had been well ‘‘papered.’’ The
wotk was done thoroughly, and every
boad, every dead wall, and every available
window flaunted the paper of ‘‘True
Blue.”’

The failure of ‘‘For Old Eli’’ was still
fresh in the minds of the people of the
city, but neither had they forgotten Frank
Merriwell’s plucky promise to bring the
play back to that place and perform it
successfully there.

The newspapers of the place had givei
him their support, but Frank was deter-
mined that extracts from the notices 1.
the Denver papers should reach the eyes
of those who did not read Puleob papers
closely. With this end in view, he had

the extracts printed on flyers, as small '

bills are called, and the flyers were headed
in startling tpye:

‘500.00 FINE!”?
To this he added:

“Fach and every person who reads the
following clippifigs from Denver news-
papers will be fined Five Hundred Dol-

a

It is needless to say that nearly every

one who could read were careful to read
~» the clippings through to the end.

    
   

Mr. ee Speaks to You pen | in This. ae

   

TIP TOP WEEKLY, 25

This manner of attracting attention was
effective, even though it may seem rather
boyish in its conception.

His printing was done on the very
night that he arrived in Puleob, and the
flyers were scattered broadcast the follow-
ing day.

He obtained the naines of a large nui-
ber of prominent citizens, to whom he
sent complimentary tickets, good for the
first night’s performance.

Frank was determined to have a house,
even if it was made up principally of
deadheads.

On the occasion of his foriner visit to
Puléob he had received some free -adver-
tising through Leslie Lawrence, who had
circulated printed accusations against him.
He scarcely expected anything of the sort
on this occasion, aud he was rather star-
tled wlien, on the morning following his
attival, le discovered that a circular had
been scattered broadcast, which seemed
to be even mote malicious than the for-
mer attempt upon him.

In this circular he was’ plainly charged
with the murder of an unknown woman
shortly after leaving Denver, and it was
said that he had been aided in the crime
by Bartley Hodge. ae

Frank was calinly reading this bold ac-
cusation when Hodge came bursting into
the room in a manner that. reminded
Merry of his entrance under similar cir-
cumstances on the former occasion.

ceeing the paper in Merry’s hand, Bart
hoarsely cried:

“So you’ve got it! Then you know
about it! Well, now, sir, what do you

think of that?”

**Sit down, Hodge,’’ said
calmly. ‘‘You. seem all out of
You are excited.” :

‘Excited!? shouted the dark-faced
youth. ‘‘Well, isn’t that enough to ex-
cite a man of stone!”’

‘Do you mean this???

‘Ves, that! What in the name of crea-
tion do you suppose I meant ?”? .

‘*] wasn’t certain.”’

‘“Wasn’t cert Oh, say;
much! What do you think?
you made of, anyway ?”’

“Now, my dear fellow, you must Pe bs

Frank,
breath,

 

that’s too

What. are,

  
  

 

26 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

going on like this. You'll bring on heart
disease if you keep it up.’’
Hodge dropped down on
stared at Merry.
“Well—Vll—be—blowed !’’ he gasped.
“You are nearly blowed now,’’ seid
Frank. ‘‘You seem quite out of breath.’’
‘Is it possible you have read that pa-
per you hold iu your liand?”? asked Bart,
with forced calmuess.

a chair and

‘*Ves, I have read it.”
‘Well, I do not understand you yet! I
thought I did, but I’m willing to confess

that I don’t.”’

Then he jumped up, almot shouting:

‘““Why, man alive, don’t you under-
stand that we are charged with murder—
with murder?’

*CVes,’? said Frank, still unruffled, ‘‘it
séeins so by this.”

‘And you take it like that!”

‘What is the use to take it. differ-
ently?’
““Use? Use? Sometimes I think you

haven’t a drop of good hot blood in your
body.”’

“Ifa person has plenty of good hot
blood, it is-a good thing for him to cool
it off witl good cool brains, Hot blood is
all righty but it should. be controlled; it
should not control the man.”?

**T don’t see how you can talk that
way under such circuimstauces.. Why, we
may be arrested for murder any moment!’

‘“We shali now.’

**Shall not???

“No. ?

‘Why not???

‘*Because our unknown enemy does not
dare come out into the open and make the
charge against us.”’

‘What makes you think so?”’

PE ASG he

Frank held up the accusing er

Saar

Ves.

‘Why should that make you
Soe

think

‘If our enemy had intended to come

out and make the charge against us
openly, this would not have appeared. It
is simply an attempt to hurt us from un-
der cover, or to arouse others against us
—against me, in particular.”

Bart could see there was logic in
_ Merry’s reasoning, but still he was fear-
ful of what might happen

“Well, even you must acknowledge
that the unknown enemy may succeed in
his purpose,’’ said Hodge. ‘‘T'here were
a number of persons who saw something
of the struggle on the train. This may
arouse some of them, or one of them, at
least, to do something.’

Et may

‘*You confess that.’

Ves. >

“*Didn’t think you would.”?

“Tl dont’ believe it will. Hodge, I have
a fancy that, in this case, sane asin the
other, my enemy will overshoot the
mark,”?

‘“How?”?

“Something tells me that this warning,
intended to turn suspicion against me,
wil] serve as an advertisement. Of course,
it will be a most unpleasant notoriety” to
have, but it may serve to bring people
out to see me.

Bart looked thoughtful.

a1 -mever thought of that,’’
fessed, hesitatingly.

‘‘J had far rather not had the notori.
ety,’’? admitted Frank; ‘‘but that can’t
be helped now. Let the people turn out
to see ‘True Blue.’ Perhaps Vll get a
chance at my enemy later.’’

‘*The veiled woman——’’

“Is in it, I fancy. I believe there was
some connection between the veiled wo-
man and the veiled man—the one who
nlunged from the train into the river.’’

“‘T have thought of that, but Ive

hoon
WOU

. unable to figure. out what the connection

could be. Why was the man veiled and
disguised thus???’

**So that I would not recognize him.”’

“Then it nust be that you would know
lim if you saw him face to face.”’

*fAs he knew me. He called me by
name as he sprang upon me. :

‘Well, he’s done for, but I believe the
wonian will prove the most dangerous.
Something tells me she was the real
niover in this business.’ i

“T fancy you are right,
first, in Denver, I thought she had been
piqued by the manner in which I re-
pulsed her,

than a case of pique.)

“When you make a woman your en- —

 

emy, she is far more dangeorus than a

he con.

Hodge. At ,

but since all these strange
things have happened, I knowit wasmore

   

 

   
    
    
  

 

 

 
        
 
    
 

      
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

     
   
  
 

 

 

 
  
  

 

  

  

 
 
  

%

man, for women are more reckless—less
fearful of consequences. ’’

“That's right,’? nodded Frank. ‘‘Wo-
men kuow they will ‘not be punished to
the full extent of the law, no matter what
they do. Juries are easily hypnotized by
pretty women. Where a woman aud a
man are-connected in committing a crime,
and the wouian is shown to be the prime
niover, a jury will give the man the limit
of the law and let the woman off as easily
as possible. A jury always hesitates about
coudenmning a woman to death, no imat-
ter if she has committed a most fiendish
murder. In the East, women adventur-
esses play their nefarious arts and work
upon the sympathies of the juries so'that,
when called to the bar, they are aliost
always acquitted. It is remarakble that
men should be sosoft. Itis not gallantiy;
it is softness. ‘The very man who would

. ery the loudest if he had been hit by an
adventuress is the most eager to acquit the
woman in case he happens to be on the
jury to pronounce the verdict in her
pane. 2?

‘‘Well,’’ said Hodge, ‘‘you are sound
and level in that statement, Frank. it’s
plain you do not think true chivalry con-
sists of acquitting female blackmailers
and assassins.’’

‘Don’t let this. little attempt to injure
us frighten you, Hodge,”’ advised Frank,
rising. ‘‘I think it will miscarry entirely.
We’ve got plenty of work for to-day, and
to-night I believe I shall be able to tell
beyond a doubt whether ‘True Blue’ is a
success or a failure. I think the test will
come right here in Puleob, where we met
disaster before.’’

pd
CHAPTER XII.
GALLUP MEETS THE MYSTERIOUS
WOMAN.

The mechanical arrangements and spe-
ejal scenery had arrived and was moved
into the theatre. Supers had been engaged
to attend relearsalin the afternoon, so
that they might know their business when
evening came.
Frank attended to the details of imuch
of the work of making ready, although

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

     

27

he had full confidence in Havener and
Hodge, who assisted him, He saw that
the mechanical effect representing thre
boat race was ptt up and tested, making
stire it worked perfectly. He was anxious
about this, for anv hitch in that scene
was certain to ruin the whole play.

Gallup proved valuable. He worked
about the stage, and he was of great as-
sistance to Havener, who declared that
Merriwell should appoint him assistasit
stage manager.

Of course, everybody was anxious about
the result, but the majority of the coim-
pauy had confidence in Merriwell and his
play. Cassie Lee, perliaps, was the only
one who was never assailed by a doubt
concerning the outcome.

*‘T shall do iny best to-night—at any
cost,’’ she told Fyank.

At that ‘moment lie did not pause to
cousider the real meaning of her words.
Afterwards he knew whatshe uieant. She
still carried a tiny needle syringe and a
phial that contained a certain dangerous
drug that had so nearly wrought her ruin.

The various members of the company
drifted intc the theatre by the stage en-
trance, looked over their dressing-roonis
and the stage and drifted out again. They
had been engaged to act, and they did not
propose to work when it was not neces-
sary.

Gallup whistled as he hustled about the

work Havener directed him to do. He
made his loug legs carry him about

swiftly, although he sometimes tripped
over his own feet.

Ephraim was arranging a mass of scen-
ery in order so that every piece would be
handy for use that nigitt when the- time
came to use it. While doing this, he was
surpirsed to see one of the dressing-room
doors cautiously open anda person peer
out.

‘Gosh!’ exclaimed the Verimonter,
stepping back out of sight. ‘‘Who’s
that ?”?

Again the person peered out of the
dressing-rooin, as if to make sure the
coast was clear.

“Tmust be dreamin thought the
Vermont vouth, rubbing lris eves. ‘‘I’ve
got ’em jest from hearin’ Frank an’
Hodge talk so much about her.”’

A moment later he changed his mind. |

‘‘No, by ginger!’ he hissed, as the

»19)

- “

0) 4

    
  

person slipped out of the dressing-room.
rSTts her!’

It was ‘“‘lrer,’? and that means that it

was the inysterious veiled woman!

Recovering instantly from the sliock of
his surprise, Gallup sprang out from be-
hind the sceuery and made a tush for the
unknown.

‘““Holdon!’’ hecried, ‘‘B’gosh! yeou’ve
gotter give a count of yerself, an’ don’t
yeoti fergit it!’

She started, turned on him, dodged.
He flung out+lis hand and clutched at
her, catching hold of the chain that en-
circled her neck and suspended her
purse.

“T want yeou !’»palpitated the Yankee
youth.  “‘Yeou’re jest the——’’

Flirt !—the woman made a quick mo-
tion toward him. Something struck Eph-
rai in his eyes, burning ‘like fire. He
was neatly knocked down by the shock,
and a yell of pain escaped his lips.

*‘l’m blinded!’ he groaned.

It was true; he could not see.

With something like a scornful laugh,
the woman flitted away and disappeared,
leaving poor Ephraim bellowing with
pain and clawiyg at his eyes, as if he
would dig them out of his head.

“Murder!” he howled. “OR. 17m
dyin’! Somebody come quick! My eyes
hev been put aout! Oh, wow-wow! Oh,
I wisht I’d staid to hum on the farm!’

Down on the floor he fell, and.over and
over he rolled in the greatest agony.

Havener and some of: the reoular the-
atre hands heard his wild cries and came
rushing to the spot. They found him on
the floor, kicking and thrashing about.
‘““What’s the matter???’ demanded the
~  gtage manager.

Gallup did not hear him. ~
“Pin dyin?!’ he blubbered. ‘‘Oh, it’s
an awful way ter die! My eyes are gone!
Ow-yow!”?
‘(What is the matter’? Havener again
. cried, getting hold of the thrashing
youth. ~‘‘What has happened ?’’
e ‘Stop her!’ roared Ephraim, realizing
that some person had cone and, thinking

tained. ‘‘Don’t let her git erway !”’
**Don’t let who get away ?”’
The woman! Ow-wow! Bring a pail

 

‘tried to ketch her!

eyes!”

instantly that the woman must be de-

 

of warter an’ let me git my head inter it!

   
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
 

a8 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

I must do somethin’ ter put aout the fire!
Oh, my eyes! my eyes!”’

co hat is the matter with your eyes?’’

‘*Slre threw somethin’ inter *em.”’

“She?”

6 Ves. +)

‘“Who?’?

“The woman.’

‘*What woman?’ _

‘The veiled woman—the one that has
made all the trouble fer Merry! Ohr, this
is jest awful!’

‘What are you
manded Havener,
is no veiled woman here!
your senses ?’’

Then, realizing that they were doing
nothing to’ prevent her from making her
escape, Gallup sat up and howled:

‘‘She was here! {I saw her comin’ aout
of adressin’-room. Oh, dear! Yow! I
Oh, my eyes! She

inter my face an’ put
%

talking about?’’ de-
impatiently.  ‘*There
Have you lost

flung somethin’
both my eyes out!”’

‘“‘Something has been thrown into his
exclaimed Havener. ‘‘It’s red
pepper! He is telling the truth! Some-
body get some water! Somebody run to a
drug store and get something for hii to
use on lis ey es!”

‘Darn it all!’? shouted Gallup. ‘‘Let
me die, ef I’ve gotter! but don’t let that
infar ial woman git erway !”’

“T will try to see to that,’’ said Have-
ner, rushing see -

He dashed d down to the stage door, but
he was too late, for the door: keeper told
him*the veiled woman had gone out.

“Why in the world did you let her in?”
angrily denianded the irate stage man-~
ager. .

“She said she belonged to the com-
pany.’

**She lied!
the company !’’

‘‘T heard the shouts,’’ said the door-
keeper, ‘‘and I thought somebody was
hurt. But it wasn’t my fault.”’ ‘

‘Tf she tries-to come in here again,
seize and hold her. I’ll« .— you five dol-
lars if you hold her till Iecan reach her!
She is a female tiger!’’

Then Havener rhea back to see what

could be done for Gallup.

Groaning and crying, Gallup was eade
ing the pepper from his eyes, which: were

fearfully inflamed and swollen. He could

She has half killed one of

 

    
      
    
   
      
      
     
     
     
      
     

 

    
     
     
      
    
       
      
      
        
 
     
   
   
    
     
      
           
    
    
   
   
    
    
   
     
    
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 29

not see Havener, but heard his voice, and
eagerly asked:

“Tid ye ketch the dratted critter?”’

‘‘No; she got out before I reached the
door.’’

“Darn her!’’ grated Ephraim. ‘I say
darn her! Never said ennything as bad as
that about a female woman before, but I
jest can’t help it this time! I won’t be
able to see fer a week !”’

‘Oh, yes, you will,’’ assured Havener.
“But I rather think your eyes will look
bad for soine time to coine.”’

‘“‘Here is something he had in his
hand,’’ said one of the supers. ‘It’s her
purse, I reckon; but there ain’t no money
in it..”?

Havener took it.

‘fAre you sure there wasn’t any money
in it when you examined it?’’ he asked,
sharply.

The super seemed to feel insulted, and
_ heangrily protested that he would not
‘ have touched a cent if there had been five
hundred dollars in it.

‘‘But Imotice you had curiosty enough
to examine the contents of it,’’ came
dryly froin the stage manager. ‘“‘I’li just
keep this. It may prove to be a valuable
clew to the woman’s identity.”’

e

CHAPTER XIII.

FRANK CHECKS CASSIE.

Everything possibl e was done for Eph-
‘raim’s eyes, but it was a long time before
he was much relieved froin the agony he
was suffering. Then he was taken to the
hotel, with a*bandage over his eyes, and
“a doctor came to attend ‘him.

The physician said he would do every-
thing possible to get Ephraim into shape
to play that evening, but he did not give

a positive asstrauce that he would be: able. :

todo so. As soon as Frank heard of the
misfortune which had befallen the Ver-
mont youth, he hastened to the hotel and
to the room where Ephraim was lying on
the bed.

Gallup heard his step and recognized it
when he entered.
Gee in -slappin’: “olad
Frank! 1” he exclaimed.

veou’ve

come,

ie Mand I Iam mn sersably sca you have met ?

‘into

with such a misfortune, Ephraim,’’ de-
clared Merry.

‘So be J, Frank—so be I! But. I’m
goin’ ter play my part ter-11 ght ur bu’st
a suspender tryin’! I ain’t goin’ to knock
aout the show ef I kin help it.”

‘“That was not what 1 meant. I was
sorry because of the pain you must -have
suffered.’

‘*Wal, it was ruther tough,’’ the faith-
ful country lad confessed. ‘‘By gum! it
was jest as ef somebody’d chucked a hull
lot of coals right inter my lookers. It
jest knocked me silly, same ez if I’d bin
hit with a club.’

*‘How did it happen? Tell meall abous
lie

Hphraim told the story of his adven-
ture, finishing with:

“YT *kainder guess that red pepper
warn’t meant fer me, Frank. That was
ineant. fer yeou. That woman was in
there ter fix-yeou so yeou couldn’t Babi
ter-night.”’

‘TPs quite likely you niay be Hight:
Ephraim; but she had togive it to you in
order to escape. But where is this purse
“you snatched off her ?’’ ss

““On the stand there. Havener tuck
possession of it, but I got him to leave it
here, so yeou might see it right ass
whien yeou came.

Frank found the purse and opened it.
From it he drew forth a crumpled,and
torn telegram. Smoothing this out, he
saw it was dated at Castle Rock the pre-
vious day. It read as follows:

Cohn
Fell from train
drowning, : but —
Will be along on.
Keep track of the
PH

Frank jumped when he read that
age Jove!” he cried.
‘Whit is it??? Ephraim eagerly asked.
**T believe I understand this.”
=e yes
“Sure! This was from the man ied
fell from the train into the river—the
man discuised as a woman, who attacked
me on the rear platform !”’

‘Looks zif yeou might be right, ” |
. “Tam sure of it! The fellow escaped .
with lis life! It is marvelous!”

a sh ee ee oe 3

“Mrs. Hay ward Grace, Puleob,

‘CAl] right. Close call.
tiver. Came near
managed to swim out.
first train to-morrow.
game,

»

 
part.

  
   

   

89 TIP TOP

‘‘Hle dispatched his accoimplice, the
woinan, to let her know that he was liv-
ing,”?

“Veou’ve struck it, Frank!’

**And she was the one who got out the
accusing flyers, charging me with the
crime of murder!’’

“i bet'l*

‘The man is in this city now,
ate working together again.’’

**T dunno’d I see whut they’re goin’ to
make aout of it, but inebbe yeou do.”’

“Not yet. They must be enemies I
have made.”?

‘“Who’s Mrs. Hayward Grace ?”’

‘“Never heard the name before.”’

‘Wal, he didn’t sign his name Hay-
ward Grace, so it seems he ain’t her hus-
band; don’t it, Frank ?’?

‘‘He signed ‘P. F.’?. Now, I wonder
what one of my enemies can be fitted to
those initials ?”’

‘*T dunno.”?

‘‘Nor dol. But this telegram has giyen
me a feeling of relief, for I am glad to
know the man was not drowned.’

“Drownin’s too good fer him! He
oughter be hung!”’

Although my conscience was clear/in
the matter, I am glad to know that I was
in no way connected with his death.
Hodge wili not be so pleased, for he will
not stop to reason that the chances of a
charge of murder being brought against
us are about blotted out. Ephraim, I am
very sorry you were hurt, but I’m ex-
tremely glad you snatched this purse and
_ brought me this telegram. 1 shall take
eare of it. I shali use it to trace my en-
emies, if possible.’

“Wal, I’m glad I done somethin’,
though I'd bin a ’tarnal sight gladder if
I hed ketched that woman.

Frank carefully placed the purse and
the telegram in his pocket, where he
knew it would be safe.

Assuring Ephraim that everything pos-
sible should be done for him, he hastened
out.

That afternoon the rehearsal took place
-with another person reading Epliraiin’s
It was feared that Gallup would not
be able to see to play when it caime

night, but Frank hoped that he could,
_and the eres youth vowed he'd do it
some way.

and they

 

WEEKLY.

\

The rehearsal passed off fairly well,
although there were some hitches. Have-
net looked satisfied.

“‘I’d rather it would go off this way
than to have it go perfectly smooth,’’ he
declared. ‘‘I’ve noticed it aliost always
happeus that a good sinootli rehearsal just
before a first performance means that the
performance will go bad, and vice versa.”’

Frank had not been long in the busi-
ness, but he, also, had observed that it
often happened as Havener had said,

The theatre orchestra rehearsed with
thein, getting all the ‘‘cue music’? ar-
ranged and having everything in readi-
ness for the specialties.

The night came at last, and the coi.
pany*gathered at the theatre, wondering
what the outcome would be.

Gallup was on hand, but he still had
the bandage over his eyes. He was wear-
ing it up to the last minute, so that he
would give them as much rest as possible.

‘‘Somebody’ll hev ter make me up ter-
night,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t believe I kin see
well enotigh ter do that.’? -

Havener agreed to look after that.

While the various members were put-
ting the finishing touches on their toilets
and make-up, word came that people
were pouring into the theatre in a most
satisfactory manner. ‘The orchestra turned
up for the overture.

Frank went routid to see that every-
body was prepared. He had fallen into
that habit, not feeling like lepending on
some one else to do it.

The most of the men were entirely
ready. A few were making the last
touches, Stella Stanley and Agnes Kirk

were all’ ready to vo on.
‘*Where is Cassie?” asekd Merry.

‘In the dressing-room,’’ said Stella,
‘‘She told us not to wait for her. Said
she would be right out.”’

Frank went to the dressing-room. The

door was slightly open, and, through the
opening, he saw Cassie. She had thrust
back the sleeve of her left arm, and he
saw a tiny instrument in her right hand.
He knew in a twinkling what she was
about to do.

With a leap, Frank went into that room

and caught her by the wrist.

‘*Cassie!’’ he cried, guardedly. **Vou
told me you had given it up! You told
me you’d never use morphine again!’ _

attends

 

 

   
    
  
   
    
    
    
  
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
    
     
  
  
 

 

 

   
   
 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

-goes the overture.

 

 

 

“FPrank!’? she whispered, looking
abashed. ‘fI know Itold you so! Jimeant
it, but I must use it just once niore—just
to-night. Iam not feeling at my _ best.
Vm dull and heavy. You know how
much depends on me. If I don’t do well
I shall ruin everything. It won’t hurt me
to use it just this once. The success of
‘True Blue’ may depend on it!”?

“Tf the success of ‘True Blue’ depended
on it beyond the’ shadow of a doubt, I
would not let. you use it, Cassie! Great
heavens! girl, you are mad! If you fall
again into the clutches of that fiend noth-
ing can save you!’

**But the play——

“Do you think I would -win success
with my play at tle price‘of your soul!
No, Cassie Lee! If I knew it meant fail-
ure I would forbid you to use the stuff in
that syringe. Here, give it to me!’

He took it from her and put it into his
pocket.

‘“‘Now,’’ he saic, ‘Sit is out-of your
reach. You must play without it. Tliere
Tlie curtain will go
up in a few minutes. All I ask of you is
to do your best, Cassie, let it mean suc-

”

cess or failtire.’’

CHAPTER XIV.
THE END OF THE ROPE.

The theatre was packed. Under no cir-
cumstances had Frank anticipated such
an audience on the opening night. He
felt sure that the advertising given him
through the effort of his enemies to injure
him had done much to bring people out.
Another thing had brought them there.
Curiosity led many of them to the theatre.
They remembered Merriwell’s. first ap-
pearance in Puleob and its outcome, and
they had not forgotten how, in a speech
from the stage, he had vowed that he
would bring the play back there and give
a successful performance. He had re-
written the piece, and it had been played
in Denver to an invited audience that
went away highly pleased. The Denver

_ papers had pronounced iu favor of it.
_ Puleob people admired pluck and deter-

person in the great audience.

   

TIP TOP WEEKLY, 31

mination. They could not help feeling
admiration for the dogged persistency of
Frank Merriwell. And they really hoped
he would make good his promise to give
a successful performance.

Frank’s first entrance was carefully
wotked up to in the play, and he was as-
tounded when he came laughing and
singing onto the stage to be greeted by
a perfect whirlwind of applause. Nor did
the applause cease tiJl he had recognized
it by bowing.

NCES as everything quieted down and
the play was about to move on again,
there came a terrible cry that rang through
the house:

“Rirel y>)

Frank understood in a twinkling that
it was a false alarm, given for the pur-
pose of producing a stampede and ruin-
ing the performance.

After that cry for a moment everybody
sat as if turned to stone. It was the calm
before the. panic.

Then Frank’s voice rang out clear as
a bell: .

‘“There isno fire! Keep your seats!’

Some had sprung up, but his clear
voice reached every part of the house, and
it checked the movement.

““Fire! fire!’

Shrill and piercing was the ‘cry, in the
voice of a woman.

‘‘Arrest that woman! cried Frank,
**She is trying to ruin this performance] -
Slie is the one who circulated a lying and
malicious circular charging me with the
crime of murder. It is a part of a plot to
ruin me!’ :

Frank confessed afterwards that he did
not understand why the audience remained
without stampeding after that second
alarin. It must have been that there was
a magic something in his voice and man-
ner that convinced them and held them.
At any rate, there was no rugfh for the
doots.

All at once there was a commotion in
the first balcony, from which the cries
had come. Two policemen had seized a
man aud a woman, and the arrested pa
were taken froin the theatre. ;

Quiet was restored, and Frank made a
few soothing remarks to the auidiewoe,
after which the play flowed on. 2

And now he had the sympathy of every
When an

 

   
     
38 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

SY Hipauty
of suc-

actor has once fairly won the
of his audience, he is almost'sure
cess.

The first act went off beautifully. The
storm and shipwreck at tle close of the
act took with the spectators. ‘There was
good and hearty applause when. the cur-
tain fell.

Frank had artanged that things should
~ be rushed in making ready for the second
act. He wanted no long waits between
acts, for long waits weary the patience of
the best audiences.

The second act seemed to. go even bet-
ter than the first, if such a thing were
possible. The singing of the ‘Yale Quar-
. tette’’ proved a great hit, and they were
- obliged to respond to encore after encore.
Cassie’s dancing and singing were well
appreciated, and Frank, who was watch-
ing her, decided that she could not have
done better under any circumstances. He
did not know how hard she was wotking
for success. He did not ‘know that she
had actually prayed that she might do
better than she had ever done before in
all her life

The discomfiture of “Spike Dubad”? at
the close of the second act w was relished
by all.

At last the curtain rose.on the thitd act,
tound which the whole plot-of the play
revolved. Now the interest of the audi-
ence was keyed up to the right pitch, and
the anxiety of the actors was intense.

The first scene went off all tight, and
then came the change to the scene whiere
the boat race -was shown on. the river.
Everything worked pérfectly, and there
was atumult in that theatre when the
stage suddenly grew dark, just as the
Yale boat was seen to forge into the lead.

And then, ina few moments, the dis-
tant sounds of cheering and thescreaming
of steam, whistles seemed to burst, out
— close at hand, filling the theatre with an

uproar of sound. | “Then up flashed the
jights, and the open boat-house was
shown, with the river beyond.
flashed in at the finish, the Vale cheer
drowned everything else, and Frank Mer-
 riwell was brought onto the stage in the
aris of his college friends.
‘The curtain caine down, but the audi-
- ence was standing and cheering like mad,

as if it had cuss witnessed the success at

rhe

‘play; ‘“T'rue Blue’’ was a success.

The boats

curtain went up for the tableau again and
again, but that audience would not be
Merriweli caine out

satisfied till Frank
and said something,

Frank came at last, and such an ova-
tion as he received! It brought a happy
mlist to his eyes.

“Mere he is!” somebody cried.
said he would come back here with
play and do the trick !”’

‘““Well, he has done it!’’ seiéd another.
“And heis the real Frank Merriwell,
who has shown us the kind of never-say-
die pluck that has made Yale famous the
world over. Tiree cheers fot Frank Mer-
riwell!?

They were given. Then all Frank
could say was a few choking words:

‘““My friends, I thank you from the bot-:
tom of my heart! You canont know how’
much-was depending on the success or
failure of this play. Perhaps alliny fu-
ture career depended on it. I vowed I
would win——”’ |

‘‘And you, have!’’ shouted a voice.

“Tt seems so. Again I thank you. I
ain too happy to say more. Words are
idle naw.’

He retired.

‘tHe
his

with his
In his
happiness he forgot his enemies, he for-.
got that two persons had been-arrested in
the balcony. It was not till the next
morning when he was invited bya de-
tective to comme round tothe jail to see
the prisoners that he thought of them.

The detective accompanied him,

‘‘T have been on this fellow’s track for
along time,’’ he explained. ‘‘Spotted

Frank Merriwell had won

.him in the theatre last night, but was not

goilg to arrest him till Hie show was over.
The woman with him created tle disturb-—

-ance, aud two policemen took them both

in. I don’t want her for anything, but I
shall take the man back to Chicago to
auswer to the charge of forgery. I shall

hold him here for requisition papers.”? \

The jail was reached, and first Frank |
took a look at the woman. He felt that

she would prove to be the msyterious wo-

man of the veil, and he was. tight. She
looked up at him and laughed.

““Good-morning, Mr. Merriwell,”” .

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

said. ‘*Pres and I have made things ar-
ther warm for you, you must confess. I
reckon we made a mistake last night.
We’d both been looking on the wine
when it was red, or we’d not attempted
to stampede the audience.”’

“Why, it isthe woman who claimed to
be Havener’s wife!’ cried Frank. ‘‘Here
is the nran,’’ said the detective.

Frank turned to another cell.

He was face to face with Philip Scud-
der, who had reached the end of his
rope at last!

[THE FND. |

The next number (151) of the Tip Top
Weekly will contain ‘‘Frank Merriwell
Betrayed; or, The Downfall of Hodge.’

 

A HAZY ‘TIME.

oe

BY BURT LL. STANDISH.

———

I knew when Billings gave me the
wink that something was ‘‘on the docket, ’’
and I lost no time in covertly making in-

quiry. :

““Wiiat’s- the Jay?” I-askeds*‘Any
sport???

‘‘Vou bet!’’ was my fat classmate’s cau-
tious reply. ‘‘Thereisa haze over the
nioon.’?

I knew what that meant. Although

hazing was supposed to be a thing ef the

_- past at Brighton, it broke out occasion-

x

ally, like an epidemic that has been sub-
dued but not fully eradicated.

I was a sophomore, and was, naturally,
decidedly intolerant toward any freshiman
who had presumed to seek a college edu-

cation. Like my compayions, 1 had for-
gotten I was ever a fresliman myself, or

else I felt a desire to get square on others
for the rough. row I had been forced to
shoe during iny earlier college days.

‘‘A hazé over the moon’ meant that
soine unlucky freshinan was to be given
particular fits that night. I
who had been selected for the torture,
and I found opportunity to ask.

‘It’s that bean-pole from New Haimp-
shire,’’ responded Billings. ‘‘We’re go-
ing to.:make him ride the trained buck-
aroo.”’ .

*

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

wondered ©

  

33

*“Good!’ I exclaimed, with intense sat-
isfaction. ‘‘I will be on hand.’’

‘“The trained buckaroo’’ was an
rangement peculiar to Brighton. It was a
saddle of wood fastened to a pole that
could be carried on the shoulders of sev-
eral students. Short boards were so ar-
ranged in the saddle that they made the
seat decidedly uncomfortable without ren-
dering it positively unendurable.

I had encountered the ‘‘aniinal’’ in iny
early college days, and a vivid memory of
the experience was retained.

The New Hampshire man was gener-
ally known as ‘‘Lanky,’’ and he had a
way of minding his own business and
keeping to himself that had aroused the
ire of some of the boys. We thought he
was ‘“‘stuck up,’’ and nothing could be
more utterly ridiculous and offensive ina
freshman.

Lanky had endured the chaffing of the
gang without making any show of resent-
ment, for which reason we fancied he
would prove a ‘‘pluin’’? when we came to
take him out for an airing.

Whenever Lanky passed the boys would
ask him when he had trimmed the North-
ern Lights last, what kind of a key he
used to wind up the moon, how the
weatlrer was above the clouds, and all
such stuff as that. It must have been pro-
voking, but he never seemed to hear the
chaff.

‘‘Just you lay low for the signal,’ said
Billings. ‘‘Todd and Burkett will see that
the animal is on hand and well fed with
oats. Shaw, Dunton, Snell and thie rest
will be with us, and, without doubt, we
will fresco a wide carmnine ring around the
lunar luminary.’’

Just then Lanky brushed past us. We
had not noticed him before, and we woun-
dered if he had heard. But he teetered
straight ahead, dangling his long arms
after his awkward fashion, never looking
to the right or left, and we decided he
had not ‘‘tumbled.”’

ar-

   

‘Oh, won’t it be fun to see those pipe- —

stem legs waving in the air!’ I chuckled.

‘‘Fun!? and a smile spread over Bill-
ings’ fat face. ‘It will give a fellow a
new lease of life. Fun! Well, just be on
hand and see!”? .

I was on hand, and I saw. It was cer-

tainly fun, but I have laughed over it~

xe
rs

      

 
     
 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

  

34
sice a great deal more than I did at the
tine.

The lights had been out for nearly an
hour when IJ heard a rat squeaking soume-
where, and I recognized the signal. I
,arose quietly and made my way to the
“door of niy roo, not having removed my
clothing when I lay down. “On iny feet I
wore rubber-bottomed shoes, or ‘‘sneaks,’”’
as they were universally called. They
made 110 noise.

Cautiously opening the door, I slipped
out into the corridor. In a moment I
found inyself surrounded by dark figures,
aud the well-known
asked :

hay We eee bo

“Vou bet!’ was my whispered reply.

‘‘Yere areall the lads,’’ assured iny
corpulent classmate. ‘‘We’ll give that
greenhorn from New Hampshire the

greatest jolly he ever encountered.”?

In a short time our plans were perfect-
ed, and we stole along the corridor to
Lanky’s room. Shaw, who was a sort of
ainateur locksmith, had filed out a key
that would fit the freshinan’s lock, and
the door was opened without difficulty.
Into the room we filed, Billings first,
Shaw next, and [ third, while the others
strung along after us.

It was a moonlight night and the bed
lay\so that the'light from the window fell
across it. We could plainly see the figure
of our victim huddled under the clothes,
even though it was a comfortably warm
night.

Straight up to the bed walked Billings,
extending a hand to grasp the slumbering

figure. -

“Just then something happened.

Billings was struck in the neck by a
hard substance, which he afterward de-
clared was a boot, and he tumbled over
on the floor with a crash that seemed to
shake the whole building.

Then, Shaw gave a howl and doubled
up like a jack- ‘knife, clasping his hands
over his stomach.

_ Before I could ask a question I got it.
Something struck mea terrible swipe on
the jaw, and I saw more stars and comets
and sky-rockets than a few.

About this time the other boys became
aware that there was a dark figure in the
-,room that had seemed to rise out of the
very floor beside the bed. And that dark

TIP, TOP WEEKLY.

voice of Billings”

figure was altogether too lively for coim-
fort. The way it danced aboutand kicked
usin the ribs, and punched us on the
noses, aud butted us in the stomaclis, was
really awe-inspiring.

“‘Gi-gi-give it to him, boys!’ gurgled
Shaw, while Billings, attempting to strug-
gle to his feet, was struck heavily astern
and sent forward with his head under the
bed, where he stuck fast.

It seemed as if we had encountered a
fiend and there were ten ora dozen of
him. The way he moved about in that
room aid slugged us was a caution. We
were tripped up and tangled up, and I
have no doubt we punclred each otlier
vigorously in the eager endeavor to get at
our assailant. /

His fists seemed like battering rams,
and his toes must have heen mac le of iron.
And that infernal room seemed filled
with furniture. We fell over chairs and
scraped the skin off our shins, and we
were knocked over by chairs which flew
around through the air in au amazingly
careless manuier.

We began to get frightened, for we
were badly used up, and I don’t believe
one of us hit the individual wlio was hav-
ing such a frolic with us. ‘He not only
knocked us down, but he jumped on us
after we were down. He utterly demoral-
ized us. a
_ I don’t know who took to flight first,
but I remember heariug Billings begging
somebedy to get him by the heels and
pull him out from beneath the bed. I
grabbed one foot and Snell got hold of
the other. We didn’t stop pulling until
we had dragged Billings half way down
the corridor.

It was a sorry crowd that gathered to-
determine the extent of our damages.
Every one of us bore some mark of the
racket, and we felt that we had received
a great deal more than we bargained for.

‘‘Rellows,’’? said Dunton, in a sad and
puzzled tone, {did you notice the indi-—
vidual who was snoozing in that bed
seemed tosleep right through the racket ?’’

Oh, yes, we had noticed “it!

“That was a dummy,’’ observed Todd.
‘‘Lanky rigged it up to fool us, while he
waited to get in his work. He’sa holy

terror!’’

‘“Vou’re dead wrong,’’ asserted Burk-
ett. ‘‘I’ve always noticed Lanky was

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

  

LEP SO:

uyed him. I

hard of hearing when we gu
igh the whole

think he slept right throu

aie

‘““Then who thumped us inthis fash-
jon???

‘‘He must havea baboon that stands

guard over him nights,’’ sighed Burkett.
“There is no other explanation for it.’’

Lanky escaped bemg hazed at Brigliton.
And he never seemed ‘to know an attempt
had been made to give hima ride on thie
“trained buckaroo.’’

a Ore

A Letter from Mr. Standish.

—

Dear Friends:

It is my pleasure to call every reader of
the Tip Top my friend, and I doubt: if
there is a person inthe world who can
boast of a larger number of friends than the
writer of these lines, for the stories of Frank
Merriwell’s adventures have traveled to al-
most every part of the English-speaking
world, and are perused regularly week after
week by tens of thousands of readers. You
must understand that itis a pleasure—an
unbounded pleasure—for me to know that I
have so many friends and well-wishers every-
where, and you must also understand that
your encouraging letters constantly spur me
on to renewed efforts to entertain and amuse
you. Perhaps the word ‘‘efforts’’ is not well
chosen in this case, for I assure you it is
seldom an effort to write of the adventures,
struggles, ambitions, disappointments and

triumphs of Frank Merriwell, who, to me,
is a creature of flesh and blood, living,
breathing, a part of my very self. I have
come to know him as I know no other crea-
ture on earth. I have probed the depths of
his nature; I have explored all the secret
chambers of his heart; I have stood face to
face with his very soul! Knowing him as I
do, I am never at fault to understand exactly
what he will do under any circumstances, so
the stories flow on and on, seeming to write
themselves at times, and coming easier and
easier as the weeks of my comradeship with
Frank grow to months and years.

I read all your letters—be sure of that. I
cannot answer them all, and soI write this
to be printed where all may see it. I thank
you, my dear friends, for your ,kind words
and your good wishes. Let me say that it is
not my object to make Frank perfect, for if
I did so, I should rob him of that human in-

terest that attracts you all to him. I try to

picture him as a healthy, honest, manly,

courageous American youth, as nearly typi-
4

P WEEKLY.

 

He

has his faults, and I confess to you that it is

cal of what he represents as possible.

almost a satisfaction to me when at times
some minor failing of his is made apparent
by his behavior. Like every human being,
he is often tempted, and is forced to strug-
gle to resist temptation. He is not made of
wood, but of good flesh and blood.

Before you is the result of the efferts of
Messrs. Street & Smith to give the youth of
America an ideal up-to-date publication.
For years these gentlemen have studied the
problem of the juvenile periodicals, and the

Tip Top Weekly is the outcome of their
studies and experiments. No matter what

their politics may be, it is plain they are
**expansionists.’’ If you do not believe it,
look at the size of this issue of the Tip Top.
Hight pages have been added, and. the length
of the stories has been increased, not’ to
meéntion the other improvements and added
features which you see; but the price re-
mains the same, five cents a copy. I believe
the youth of America owes Street & Smith
its gratitude and thanks.

Wishing you all pleasure and profit in the
continued perusal of the Tip Top Weekly, I
remain,

Sincerely yours,

Burt lL. STANDISH.

NOTICE TO READERS.

All letters intended for this publication should al-
ways be addressed Street & Smith, 81 Fulton St.,
New York City, and in the lower left hand corner
of the envelope the name of the department for
which they are intended, such as Tip Top Applause
Dept., Tip Top Correspondence Dept., Tip Top
League Dept., Tip Top Subscription Dept. Where
you wish to address more than one department or
more than one publication in one letter, a separate
sheet of paper should be used for each, written only
on one side. It is always better to use ink than
pencil, as the latter is easily obliterated. If our
readers will keep these points in mind they will re-
ceive more prompt and satisfactory attention than
otherwise.

 

 

————_>-+0>+~— >

 

We regret exceedingly the delay that has in so
many cases been experienced in the delivery of the
Tip Top badges. It is due to no error on our part
except the error of underestimating the unprece-
dented demand which our readers have made upon
us for the badges. The great resources of the manu-
facturers have been entirely inadequate to furnish
the quantities desired. We have, however, made
such additional arrangements that we hope to be
able to fill all orders with promptness and dispatch.
The badges certainly have leaped into instantaneous
popularity.

+<@)>.~
rter+-—*>

All numbers of this publication are in
print. They are for sale by all newsdealers,
but when not obtainable, we will supply —
them ene receipt of price. ee

 

    
   
     
  

i

 

«

dered from this office.

begin to. think of marrying for a long time.

eS: os ‘Frank will Bary Inza, and would like

 

P lOPWEEKLY.

* AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH”?

 

 

 

NEW YORK, FEBUARY 25,

1899,

-Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers,
(POSTAGH FRE.)

3 months - - - - = - - 65¢c.] Oneyear - + - = - = - $2.50
(4 months - - - - + + - 8c. | 2 copiesonée year + - - - 4,00
6 months - - - - « ~ + $1.25] 1 copy two years. - - - - 4,00

Hiow ‘ro SEND MONEY
registered letter, bank check
risk if sent by postal note,
ordinary letter
‘ ReCKIPTS.—Receipl of your remittance is acknowledged by proper
change of number on yourlabel.. If notcorrect you have not been
properly credited, and should let ws javow at once.

TO CLuR RaAisErs.—Upon request we will send sample copies to
aid you inobtaining subscribers.

All letters should be addressed to

STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY,
$1 Fulton St., New York City.

By post office or express money order,
or draft, at your risk. At your own
currency, coin, or postage stamps in

 

 

APPLAUSE.

We, the undersigned, members of the Secret Club,
have been. reading your Tip Top stories from No, 1
to date, and would like to hear about Harry Rat-
tleton and Barney Mulloy.

Long a Frank Merriwell.

CHARLES BEER, LOUIS BEER,
MIC HAE - PRIESEN GEORGE BEER.

3uffalo, N.

The characters you speak of will, without doubt,
be heard from soon.. We wish the Secret Club a
long and successful life. :

I wish to congratulate you on the pronounced suc-

    

cess of the Tip Top Weekly. It is indeed “an ideal
publication for the American youth,” and BHisie is
what I would call an ideal girl for the American
youth. Jf assure you I am opposed to Frank marry-
ing Inza, though I would like to see them remain
warm friends as they have been. But J make no
suggestions to the author, as I realize that he is more
capable than his readers to do his work, and wish
the rest of them souta see it in the same light. Are
the 1,.2 and 3 quarterlies now in print? eae to
the Tip Top, and may the good work go o
; A “PRINTER.

The numbers you ask for are in print, as are all

other numbers of the Tip Top. They can be had

by ordering from this office. We are glad that you
have found the Tip Top living up to its motto. It
is there we intend to keep it. Thank you for~your
good wishes.

I have read a good many of the Tip Top’ stories
and think that they have no equals. I don’t want
to see Frank marry for a long ‘time yet, but when
he does I want him to marry Elsie, because she ap-
pears to love him the more. I would like to know
if all the numbers and quarterlies of the Tip Top
are in print, and if you have in stock any numbers
of the Red, White and Blue Weekly, the latest num-

ber of which was dated Dec. 18, 1897.
Fr LOYD P, WA GORA.
Carrollton, Carroll Co., Md. ;

p Every number of our public ations, including weekly
and quarterly editions, is in print and can be or-
We shall be very glad to send
those you desire on receipt of order. Frank will not
Thanks
for your praise. 2

 

We, the officers of the Gladstone Literary Club,
wish to extend our thanks to the author and pub-

‘cs ener of so popular a book as the Tip Top Week- .
oly

It is indeed the Tip Top of other weeklies, and
we hope it will always be so, for we have read
them from the beginning and will do so till the end.

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

_ girl for him.

to read another baseball or football story in the
Tip Top Weekly. We wish you everlasting success.
HARRY BEDELMAN, President.

FRANK CAMILLA, Vice-President.
LOUIS JACKSON, Secretary.
JAMES BEARD, Treasurer.

The publishers and the author are grateful for
your words of praise for the Tip Top. Frank’s ¢ca-
reer is sure to be exciting, whatever he does. A

successful life to the Gladstone Literary Club!

every one of your books from No. 1
and I think the Tip Top Weekly

I have read
to the present date,

is the best book ever published for young men,
think Elsie will make the best wife for Frank, tak-
ing it all together. The book is the best I have ever
read. It’s all right! Kindly let me know who the
fellow was that put the morphine in Merriwell’s
arm. Op ES
Thank you for your hearty praise. Frank is not
yet thinking of matrimony. He did not find out

which of the
in his arm.

students it was that put the morphine

I wish to express my opinion of your Frank Mer-
riwell stories. I have read almost all of them from
No. 1 to 137, and will continue to read them as long
as I live. I wish I was Frank. I would make things
hustle. I can hardly wait till they come.

EDWARD DOUGLAS. Bote = L GROSS,

JOHN D. CLAEI

Thank you.. We are glad of your aoeeatnee

[I have been a constant reader of your ‘‘True Blue”
series and Tip Top Weekly, and I thought I would
write to add my little word of praise to that of your

other admirers. I consider Mr. Standish a regular
genius. He must have traveled a great deal to have

acquired the knowledge he possesses of so many dif-
ferent subjects. Am a traveling man myself, and am
supposed to know.a thing or two. Your present num-
bers dealing with bine’ country life are particu-

larly interesting to me. I met a collector of a Chi-
cago picture firm here yesterday. We traveled to-

gether for nearly two eon eta in Missouri in the early

part of last Spring, and, being ardent readers of Tip~
Cop Weekly, naturally got to talking about Frank
Merriwell. He thought Mr. Standish must have in

view a young
name of

“electric

inhaler battery” fakir by the
Frank Nein,

as his present life of Frank

Merriwell seems literally copied from Nein’s. This
young fellow is known from one end of Missouri to
the ‘other; has worked as a fireman on the ‘Iron

Mountain;”’ been on.the Stage for several months and
finally drifted in’ the medicine faking business. He
is only twe nty-one years old, handsome as you make

"em, and a square, white man to all his friends. I
don’t know whether Mr. Standish has ever heard of
this Frank Nein or not. If not, the coincidence is

remarkable. Of one thing
not interfere with Mr.

am quite sure, if it would
St: undish’s plans and he could
make Frank Merriwell meet this Frank Nein, I feel
sure you would receive more than one expression of
pleasure from your Missouri readers. Of course, this
is nothing but the personal opinion of one of your
readers, and as I tender the advice free of charge,
you can’t kick; so use it or not, just’as you think
about it. Pi Sz COONEY:

It is quite remarkable that such a coincidence as
you mention exists. We fear that Frank will not be
able to meet his ‘‘double,’ as his movements are con-
trolled by circumstances. Thank you for your hearty
and intelligent praise. Your letter will be handed to
Mr. Standish.

%

AS we are constant readers of the Tip Top Weekly,
we oment we would write and tell you what we
think of. The Tip~Top Weekly is the best five-
cent aes ever published. We want Frank Merri-
well to marry Elsie Bellwood,
most of her, and we want to hear more of his races
We wish the “Tip Top Weekly long life,

i nae atule a EE. A.,

RE ae tA OR.

We are glad to have your opinion; but time alone
can decide Frank’s choice of a wife. Doubtless you
will hear from his father before very long. ‘Thank

you for your interest.

 

3

We, the undersigned members of the Tip Top Club,

wish to see Frank Merriwell give more attention to
Elsie than Inza, because we think she is the better

because he thinks the.

We also would like to see the badges

 
   
    
     
   
     
   
      
  
  
  
      
   
     
 
    
   
   
  
  
  
   
 

 

 

 

 

 
     
        
            
   
     
       
          
       
         
        
          
    
            
                    
         
                 
            
             
     
             
             
             
        
      
           
       
               
       
        
     
       
   
        
       
       
        
        
       
     
 

    
           
      

-

     
 

‘com? whe Le

    
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

come out, so that we can get them. We hope to
hear of Browning soon. Long live the Tip Top!
ARTHUR TOLEN, OSCAR PAULSON,
GEORGE FERGEMAN,
WILLIE MIKELESON,
JAMES DOWNS,

Wills, Minn.

We are pleased to know that our friends are so
much interested in Frank’s affairs; but what he will
do or whom he will marry can be decided by nobody
but Mr. Standish. The badges are now ready. See
last page of this issue.

ARCHIE HULBERT,

Te, the undersigned, have been reading your Tip
Top Weekly from number one to the last issue, and
we think it one of the best weeklies published for
the American youth. You can count us in for a
couple of those badges and we would like to know
the password. We are getting up a club of four-
teen members and will get your paper weekly.

GEORGE LURETTA. WILLIAM MENDEL,

The badges will far exceed your expectations in the
beauty and originality of their design. They are now
ready. The password is ‘“‘True as steel.”” We wish
your club a most successful life.

I have read the Tip Tip Weekly from number fifty
up to date. I think it is the best weekly published.
I ean hardly wait for the next number. I hope Frank
will marry Blsie. I think he will meet his old friends
again. I like the idea of a badge, as others have sug-
gested. I hope success may follow Frank wherever
he may go. FRANK S- ELICK, Villisea, Ia.

Your impatience to receive the Ip Top is shared
with many thousands. . Frank will continue his ca-
es as brilliantly as heretofore. The badges are now
ready. : ,

I have read all the Tip. Top Weeklies from be-
ginning to date, and I can not speak too highly of
them. At first I was not allowed to read them, but
as soon as my father read one he ceased to object. ; I
hope Frank will soon meet his father and his old
friends. I am trying to raise a club, and wish you
would please send me a sample. Will we hear more
about Nell and Bob? I wish Frank would marry
Inza. Your reader,

JOHN H. BUBB, Williamsport, Pa.

Your father makes no mistake in encouraging you
to read the Tip Top. Frank .will undoubtedly meet
his father and his old friends again.

I have come to the conclusion that of all the books
and novels I have read, the Tip Top Weekly is the
best. I have read all the numbers up to date, and I
am glad to see that Frank’s father turns up ‘with
money to* burn.’ I second the proposition of: Mr.
Lynn Hartley about the badge, and think it would be
a great thing. I would like to see Frank marry the
“little girl,’’ Elsie Bellwood, as she is more loving
than Inza, for, look at the sacrifice she made—want-
ing Frank to cease writing for a whole year and
make him despise her—all for the love of Inza. Let
Inza fall in love with some other fellow—the Dutch
chap, for instance. It would be a good joke on Hans
if she should talk love to him. Long live the Tip
Top Weekly! Bow wow! EB. T.,. Chicago, Ii.

The badges are works of art, and you will be proud .
Frank’s ~

to wear one. Circumstances must decide
matrimonial destiny, but we are glad to have your
opinion. an

I have read quite a number of your Tip Top Week-
lies, and-I.think it is. the best paper I have. ever
read. I have seen in“some of the letters which have
been published in the back part of the Tip Top that
some of. the boys propose to have a badge and a
password, and all thé boys in Manhattan who read
_the Tip Top want a badge and password. .

* . CHARLES CLARK, ELMER BATES,

FRED CLARK, .. CHARLES BROWN,
~VICTOR EYESTER, JOE PEAK, fe

CHARLES EWING FLOYD ALLINGHAM.

f Dd lges, as they will- learn in the present issue,

2 ‘Thanks for your kind words.

‘I have read your Tip Top Weekly from number one

to date, and think they are grand. -I approve of Mr.

Hartley’s plan, and think all Tip Top readers should
~ wear a badge. I wish Frank would give up Elsie, as
she is too childish. I think Mr. Standish is a

. es %, F aN ; i os i ’ act 2 z 2 >

te it

nage boys of Manhattan can be. supplied with
road very. long.

fine appreciation. ~. _

writer. Would like to correspond with some Tip Top
readers down South or West. GEORGE BRIGGS.

You will be even more pleased when. you have seen
the badge. Mr. Standish is pleased with your kind
words.

It will not be necessary for me to express my re-
gard for the Tip Top, for I am like any other reader;
but I. wish to make a few remarks to the readers.
Now, fellows, do not think me criticising, but haven’t
youalways found the author very entertaining? Ithink
one and all will shout ‘“*Yes!’”’ Then why not let*him
pursue his own theory in all cases in regard toe the
marriage of our respected hero, for he knows best.
We-do not wish to part with Frank yet; he is too
young to marry; he is still a boy, and therefore
is not looking for the girl who is the most woman-
like, as some of our fellows say, but whoever he
cares most for. With good feelings for all, I wish
our weekly to ever be a. Top Notcher.

CARL C. STRUBLE, Fremont, Ohio.

You are right; Frank is not thinking of matrimony.
But perhaps it is natural that his friends should be
interested in his choice. We may feel sure that it
will be the right one. ‘

Having been permanent readers of your valuable
paper from the first issue, we desire to ask a few
questions concerning Frank’s future: How long will
Frank remain in the theatrical business? Does his
father not show up with a lot of money and send
him to college again, or does he make enough in his
present business to finish his education? Does Dari-
us Conrad ever become sane again and give Frank
any more trouble? Would like very much to hear of
Frank playing football games again and to hear of
meeting his old chums, espécially Jack Diamond, who
is our favorite (as he is a Southerner). We would
also like for Frank to marry (if he is going to marry)
Inza, as we do not like Elsie as well. We wish your
valuable paper success.

A COUPLE OF READERS,
Terrell, Tex.

We are very glad of the interest that prompts your
questions, but as it is not possible for anyone to fore-
tell the future, we fear that we cannot answer you.
At any rate, you will know before very long. We
can say Frank’s experiences will continue to be of
absorbing interest, and he will in all likelihood meet
his old friends again.

I have read your Tip Top Weeklies from number
one to the last, and think they are fine. I hope Frank
will have a long life and will have a large fortune
when he returns to Yale. Mr. Standish is the best
writer for boys living. H. H. H., Burwell, Neb.

Thank you for your good words. <A large for-
tune is a good thing when in the right hands, and we
believe Frank would know how to make the best use
of it should a large fortune become his. :

For several months: I have been watching with
great interest the furious Elsie-Inza debate, which
has been raging in your ‘‘Applause Column’ antl so
decided to relieve my feelings on the subject. What
sensible boy reader of your fine- weekly wants to
see our only hero bundled off into ‘“mAtrimony’s
joy”’ (?) I-would like to ask? True, a lot of “‘sissiés”
have been insisting that Frank be hooked up to Inza
or Elsie, as the case may be, instantly, and—there
they would leave them. No, no. Though he may in-
evitably be married let it be years hence, when we
all can joyfully attend the wedding. ;

Your constant reader and well-wisher,
2 W. A. SEINCLATR.

Your letter is quite to the point. There is ho pres-~ ;
ent prospect of Frank’s going in double harness, as

he is not thinking of matrimony. The clause omitted

from your letter covers a subject which. you will
hear more about later on. -Your supposition is ih-
correct. =

I have been reading the Tip Top for a long ile,
and do not think that there is e pais of A Sg oes
that can beat it. I want to know if Frank will ever
see his father again and his old friends. T hope: he.
will not marry Elsie, as I think that Inza is the best

.-of the two. “Please tell me if Merriwell will have

adventures, as in the past, and if he will be on the
AS W.. Brooklyn, N. Y.

__ Frank will surely meet his father and his friends _
‘again. His. adventures will be even more. thrilling
than they have been in the: ae Thanks for your

- - } Sy ORES rs ta ae a Ses pes

or ee
Rend Pid

 
   
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
   
  
  
   
  
     
   
  
  
   
  
     
   
   
   
    
   
 
    
   
   
  
   
    
  
   
  
    
  
     
  
 
 
  
   
  
     
    
 

  
   
 
  

&

 
    
  
   
  
    
    
      
  
   
    
  
   
   
    

  

 

38 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

We, as one, wish to thank you for the Tip Top. It
is not only excellent as a pastime, but also useful
and instructive. We know a person who, although
very gentlemanly and altogether a fine fellow, could
not give up smoking, and was becoming a slave to
the habit. One day, however, we urged him to read
the Tip Top. At first he refused, but at last he ac-
cepted an invitation to come and read it with us, and
now his mother has the Tip Top to thank for her
son’s reformation. It is indeed ‘‘an ideal publication
for the American youth.” We wish you much suc-
cess in your good work.
CONSTANCE Li,
CLAINE B., Pres.,
HARRIET H#H.,

HOP®H T., Sec.,

EMMA R.,
ETHEL W.,
GERTRUDE N.,
EDITH A,,
Riverside.

Your little story is a very good lesson of the good
that the Tip Top is doing among our young men. It
gives us great pleasure to read such a testimonial as
you have furnished, for which we thank you.

 

I have read the Tip Tops from number one to the
present date, and have had them bound, all but a
few. They are thought as much of as any book in
my collection, and I am very choice in what I read.
I thought Mr. Standish’s taste in the selection of a
sweetheart for Frank excellent. I also think Mr.
Hartley’s proposition a very good idea, and would
like very much to see it carried into effect. I thank
Mr. Standish very much for giving such a pleas-
ure to the public, WINNIE D. DE WITT,

Providence, R. I.

As you will see elsewhere in this issue, the badges
are now ready, and we are sure that you will be

‘pleased with them. Mr. Standish appreciates your

kind words.

T would like to know what has become of little Nell,
Jamie and all Frank’s old friends.
A. U., St. Louis, Mo.

Mr. Standish has all his characters in mind, and
knows best just when to bring them before his read-
ers. You will be pleased with the way in which all
will be taken care of.

I have read all the Tip Top Weeklies that are out,
and § think they are the best published. I think, too,
that Frank is the kind of a person an American boy
should model after. I hope Frank sees his father and
his friends soon. If he marries, I hope it will be
Elsie. I do not understand about that Tip Top Week-
ly badge. Long live the Tip Top Weekly! I wish I
had Frank’s nerve. Yours truly,

CARL KURTENACHER, JR.,
823 South Twelfth street, La Crosse, Wis.

You will find out all about the badge in the last
number of Tip Top, but you cannot realize its beauty
until you have seen it. No boy can go astray who
models his life after Frank’s. The future will decide
his career. Frank Merriwell is drawn from life.

As others have expressed their opinion of the Tip
Top Weekly, I suppose you will allow me to do the
same. I-have read about a hundred different kinds of
books, novels, etc., but never ran across anything as
interesting or that could be compared with this

' Weekly. I have read from number one up to present
y

date, and never intend to stop until they do. I heart-

ily approve of having a badge, and I am waiting pa-

tiently for one. I think Elsie is the girl for Frank.
JAMES N. WILSON, Huron, Ohio.

We are-very giad indeed to have your intelligent
opinion of the Tip Top, and we thank you for your
friendly- words. Your suggestion will be carefully
considered. As you will notice upon the last page
of this issue, the badge is now ready.

 

Will you allow me to make the suggestion that
Bruce Browning and Elsie fall in love with each
other? At first Frank is pained, but Inza at this
point appears and Frank finds that he really loved
her best. Then Frank and Inza are married, as are

‘also Bruce and Elsie. To cap the climax, let them

have a double wedding. What is the opinion of Tip
Top readers? Do you not think this is a good sug-
gestion? Let us hear from all your readers and also
what the publishers think on the subeject.

BART HODGE.”

Although Frank’s career is in the hands of Mr-

Standish, we are glad to have our readers’ views;

but our opinion naturally is that Frank is right not
i . . eS

eo

 

to have in mind the question of matrimony at pres-
ent.

 

We wish to tell you how much we like your Tip
Top Weekly. We can hardly wait for the next one
to come. We started a club last Winter and had at
first eight members, but now we have twenty-eight.
Ve all agreed but three, and that leaves twenty-five
to three, that Elsie is the girl for Frank.

YOUNG MEN’S SOCIAL UNION.
Garfield Broughton,

Cayton Taylor,

Bert Moffatt,

Art Arnold,

Earl Germond,

Arthur Dedrick,

Bruce Potter, Elmer Tuttle,

Charles Crandle, Levi Rouk,

John Walker, Tom Tabor,

Will George, Joe Clapman,

Will Germond, Will Clapman,

Harry Holland, Frank Martin,

Elias Ferner, Carl Barrett,

Miles Dedrick, Frank Guy.

We are very much pleased to learn the growth of
your club. No doubt you are very harmonious, even
if you cannot entirely agree on one point. See else-
where in the Tip Top in regard to Hlsie and Inza.

Leon Kimble,
Sam Stafford,
Fancher Hopkins,
Clifford Decker,
Jimmie Kirkland,
Ray Gage,

 

We, the undersigned, have read the Tip Top Week-
ly from the first issue to the present number and
think it is the best weekly printed. We have read a
good many similar publications, but none can com-
pare with the Tip Top. It is not only the story, but
it teaches us something. We hope Frank will marry
Elsie, for he cares more for her than he does for
Inza. We have formed a club.called the Flood City
Athletic Club, and we intend to read the Tip Top as

long as it if printed. fk
JAMES HESLOP, DAVID HARRIS,
GEORGE M’ELEAR, CHARLES SMITH,
FLOYD MANGES.

EMIL HAMILTON,
GEORGE COOK, SAMUEL PETERS,
Johnstown, Pa.

If your club takes Frank as a model for its mem-
bers, it is sure to be successful in the very best way.
Prank is not thinking of marriage at present, and
he is sure to have many lively experiences during his
future career. Long life to your club!

 

Yes, let us have a Tip Top badge, by all means.
It’s a grand idea. I think every reader would be
loyal to Frank Merriwell and wear one.. I have been
a reader of the Tip Top for the past year, and think
it at the Tip Top of all publications for young Amer-
icans. I quite agree with Lola K., of Brooklyn. The
character of the blind girl is superb, and I hope she
will become Mrs. Frank Merriwell.

: B. D. SHELDON, Salamanca, N. Y.

We are sure that you will be perfectly satisfied

with the badge when you have seen it. It is now
ready. We appreciate your kindly feelings.

 

We would like to know whether there was any
books of Frank Merriwell before ‘(Frank Merriwell,
No. 1; or, First Days at Fardale?”’

M. J. B., Weslor, W. Va.

Frank Merriwell was not written about previous to
the first number of the Tip Top. :

 

The club boys take pleasure in writing you a few
lines, congratulating you on the Tip Top and Dia-
mond Dick, Jr.

THE TIP TOP READING CLUB,
Detroit, Mich,
Philip Door, president; Marvin Tris, treasurer; Ray-
mond E. Mahon, secretary. ; ,

Many thanks, and best wishes for your club.

= ro

We are members of the Diamond Dick Tip Top
Shanty Club and are constant readers of the Tip Top
library, which we think is the best publication out.
We hope that Frank will bring his troupe to Wells-
burg, for we think he would make a hit» We have
two good contortionists and a good negro co ian

who would like to have a job in the show. We hope SI

that Frank will meet his old friends and Inza.
JESSE KNIGHT, Wellsburg, W. Va. .«-

We are glad that a hearty welcome awaits Frank |
in Wellsburg, in case his migrations lead him there.
Frank, as you know before this, has met some of his_
old friends. A prosperous existence to your club! =~

&

     

 

 

ee eo ee

Givin oD Oa meme 6 owe
   
  
 
 
 
 

  

”

    
  
 

 

 
   
   
   
   
      
    
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
 
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
   
  
  

ant

re

Correspondence.

A. E. C., Lynn, Mass.—There is no premium on any
of the coins you mention.

W. T. E., Lincoln, Neb.—See announcement re-
garding back numbers on another page.

A. B. K., Peekskill, N. Y.—If you will send a
stamped envelope, we will furnish you with the ad-
dresses you ask for.

R. H. C., Sandusky, Ohio.—The quarterlies cost 50
cents. They contain thirteen continuous stories., All
are now in print and can be obtained. There is no
premium on the copper cent of 1826.

L. T., Chicago, Iil.—Yes, you must obtain license
for the manufacture of the articles mentioned... Ap-
ply at the City Hall and you will obtain full infor-
mation.

A Reader of the Tip Top, Chattanooga, Tenn.—
In respect to becoming an actor, see answer to
“Baron” in this:'column. We would advise you to
stick to iron moulding.

George Epstein, Jr., Buffalo, N. Y.—The events in
the True Blue and other series are all founded upon
events in real life. We cannot supply you with the
address you wish. ‘

Dear Old Georgia, Atlanta, Ga.—Speculating in
stocks is a form of gambling. Write ‘to the Navy
Department at Washington and get full particulars.
We do not think poliucal influence will help you
much.

H. W. R., Jr., Ravenna, O.—Here are the names
and addresses of the three United States schoolships:
St. Mary’s, Lieut.-Com, W. H. Reeder, commanding,
New York City; Saratoga, Com. C. T. Hutchins,
Philadelphia; Enterprise, Lieut.-Com. J. G. Eaton,
Boston.

 

Great Scott, New York City.—To make a good ce-
ment for an aquarium, melt together in an iron pan
two parts common pitch and one part ‘gutta percha.
Stir this well until the parts are thoroughly incor-
porated; then pour the liquid into cold water. It
may be softened for use.

L. Y. M., Terre Haute, Ind.—Persons convicted of
crimes in Great Britain are no longer transported
to penal settlements as in former times. The first
convicts transported to Australia arrived there: in
1787. Between 1820 and 1830 the system was at its
full perfection. Criminals rather courted the sen-
tence, for a large number of those sent to Australia
had become rich and respected. In 1868 it ceased, be-
ing brought about principally by the refusal of the
colonists to allow the landing of convicts on their
territory.

Hob’s Son, Chicago, Ill.—To make gold ink grind
gold leaf with white honey on a slab of porphyry or
glass, with a muller, until it is reduced to an un-
palpable powder in a pasty condition; this golden
honey paste is then diffused in water, which dis-
solves the honey, and the gold falls to the bottom in
the form of very fine powder. When the honey is all
washed away mix the gold powder with gum arabic
mucilage. After using it, allow it to dry on the paper
and then it may be made brilliant by burnishing with
an agate burnisher. Silver ink is prepared in the
same way, by using silver leaf. :

M. E., Baltimore, Md.—If you have a bank account
and desire to get rid of it, start an amateur paper.
There is hardly room for one more. It would be
better to buy out a paper that is established than to
‘start a new one. You could hardly introduce a de-
partment that has not been worked by these enter-
prising young journalists. For a pleasure it is inter-
esting and instructive to publish an amateur paper,
but for profit very few succeed.

Student, Evanston, Ill.—The height of the chair you
sit in while writing and that of the desk you write
at are matters of some importance. The seat of
your chair should be exactly one-quarter of your

height from the floor. Thus, if you are five feet high,

the chair seat should be fifteen inches. The width
of the seat should exactly équal its height, and it
should slope backwards three-quarters of an inch to
the foot. The back should be a trifle higher than the
seat, and sloped slightly, not too much. Finally,
your desk should be two-thirds as high again as
the seat of your chair. Thus, if your chair seat is

- eighteen inches, the desk should be thirty inches in

height. When you have attended to all these details

you can sit and write all day without feeling that

ae that comes from uncomfortable chairs and
esks. , :

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

 

Mrs. Alice’ Mix, Allegheny, Pa.—We cannot answer
questions of this sort in this column.

J. F. A., Columbus, O.—There is no premium on

the two-cent piece of 1866.. Dynamite can be expjod-
ed by a shock if a high temperature has first been
induced.. Heat is necessary for its explosion.

Emory C. Calhoun, Boston, Mass.—We will pub-
lish soon an article on the navy apprentice system,
which will give you ai the information you. need.
Why not apply at the schoolship Enterprise if she
is now in Boston?

Willie Stugeon, New York City.—There is no. pre-
mium on the quarter of 1838. We do not know the
man whose address you ask, and, besides, we cannot
furnish private addresses. The Merriwell stories will
continue indefinitely.

O. R. K., Springfield, Mo.—If there is no army
post or recruiting office near you you can obtain in-
formation from the War Department at Washington,
The consent of your parents would no doubt be
necessary if you are a minor.

J. H. Walls, Worcester, Mass.—The pay of a chem-
ist and of an architect depends entirely on his skill
and <his opportunities, as it does in all other pro-
fessions. The highest pay is very high and the low-
est very low. You had better consult somebody in
these professions.

Sumner J. Gardner, Belmont, N. H.—Ordinarily,
only the flagship of a squadron is provided with a
regular band of music, but quite often bands are
organized by the members of the crews on other
vessels. You can obtain information from the Navy
Department.

Yale Student, New York City.—It would not be fair
to say’that Harvard is the ‘‘leading’’ American uni-
versity, except in point of numbers. The instruc-
tion in all branches at Yale and other large univer-
sities is no doubt fully as good as at Harvard. {ar-
vard has 3,803 students and Yale 2,503.

D. Rand, Minneapolis, Minn.—On Oct. 16, 1777, Gen.
Burgoyne surrendered to Gen. Gates at Saratoga,
This is probably the battle to which you refer. On
Oct. 25, 1415, was. fought the great battle of Agin-
court, in.which Henry V. of England gained a great
victory over the French army under the Constable
a’Albert. The French lost 10,000 men and the Eng-
lish 1,600. Your proportions are about the average.
Your handwriting is very good.

A. B. C., Pittsburg, Pa.—The treatment of sailors
depends upon the character of the officers above
them. In general the life is exceedingly hard and ihe
pay small, rarely exceeding $12 a month. A saiior
must be strong, active and capable of hard work.
You might apply to masters of vessels in the sea-
port nearest you. There is no distinctive uniform
and no particular age limit, so long as you are not a
boy or infirm with age. Musicians in the navy fur-
nish music for naval ceremonies.

BE. McDonald, San Francisco, Cal.—Filling the lungs
with pure air has a purifying effect on the blood, but
it might not be sufficient to do away with the pim-
ples, which may be a result of some disorder of the
skin. For blackheads, which are an indication of
general debility, bathe the skin frequently with water
as hot as can be borne. Expel the little black cones
with the aid of a watch key, and then apply cologne
water to close the enlarged pores. Sulphur is a use-
ful agent for this complaint. Avoid‘rich, starchy
food and take plenty of exercise. z

R. C. H., Savannah, Ga.—Good whitewash may be
altered to any required color. Yellow ochre mixed
with a small quantity of blue-black makes a stone
eolor; without the black a buff, or straw color; and
warmer tints may be produced by using indigo or the
blue-black above mentioned, or venetian or orange
red. Vermilion will give different shades of pink,
and a green may be obtained with mixture of indigo
and yellow ochre. Some care is required in the mix-
ing, but if too much of the coloring matter is not
added at first, it will not be difficult to get a color
according to taste.

I. S. H., Exeter, N. H.—There is no special paper
used by authors for writing stories, or, more proper-
ly speaking, manuscripts. Some use expensive linen
paper, while others use plain manilla. You can buy
a pad of light manilla paper, ruled size 8x12, for six
or eight cents. It answers the purpose just as well
as exnensive linen paper. We think you are a trifle
too young to write a story. To be a good writer, one
must be well read on most all subjects, also under-
stand something about the world at large. You

might be able to write a short story on some home
subject, but if you branch out in a serial story,
where the scenes are changing to different localities,
you will make a failure. :

39

    

8

  
     
   
 
 
   
  
  
   
   

Attention, Boys!

Every Lover of Frank Merriwell and the
Tip Top Weekly should read Mr. Standish’s
letter which is published in this issue. We
call especial attention to this, as Mr. Stand-
ish addresses himself to you, one and all,
personally. He also gives you information
which will both interest and entertain you.

We have eae this week the descrip-
’ tion of ‘the Tip Top League Member
Badge in order to refer to the letter from
Mr. Standish, The announcement, how-
ever, can be found in all past issues, and a
will be printed again next week.

 
 

 
i.
2.
3

ze

BSERES

CATALOGUE OF FRANK MERRIWELL STORIES IN TIP TOP WEEKLY

Frank Merriwell; or, First Days at Fardale.

Frank Merriwell’s Foe; or, ““Plebe” Life in Barracks

Frank Merriwell’s Medal; or, Sets Life in Camp.

Frank Merriwell’s Rival; or, By Fair Play or Feul.

Frank Merriwell’s Fault.

Frank Merriwell’s Frolics; or, Fun at Fardale.

Frank Merriwell’s Mysterious Ring.

Frank Merriwell’s Fag; or, Fighting for the Weak.

Frank Merriwell’s Furlough. —

Frank Merriwell on His Mettle,

Frank Merriwell’s Fate; or, The Old Sailor’s Legacy.

Frank Merriwell’s Motto; or, The Young Life Savers.

Frank Merriwellin New York; or, an Unknown Foe.

Frank Merriwell in Chicago; or, Meshed by Mysteries.

Frank Merriwell in Colorado,

Frank Merriwell in Arizona; or, Mysteries of the Mine.

Frank Merriwell in Mexico.

Frank Merriweil in New Orleans.

Frank Merriwell’s Mercy.

Frank Merriwell’s Friend; or, Muriel the Moonshiner.

Frank Merriwell’s Double; or, Fighting for Life.

Frank Merriwell Meshed; or, The Last of the Danites.

Frank Merriwell’s Fairy.

Frank Merriwell’s Money.

Frank Merriwell's Mission

Frank Merriwell’s-Mysterious Foe.

Frank Merriwell a Monarch,

Frank Merriwell in Gorilla Land.

Frank Merriwell's Magic; or, ‘he Pearl of Tangier.

Frank Merriwell in France.

Frank Merriwell’s Feat.

Frank Merriwell in London; or, The Grip of Doom,

Frank Merriwell’s Venture; or, Driven from Armenia.

Frank Merriwell in India.

Frank Merriwell’s Vow; or, After Big Game in Ceylon.

Frank Merriwell in Japan; or, The Sign of Avenger.

Frank Merriwell’s Dead Shot.

Frank Merriwell in the South Sea; or, Cast for Life.

Frank Merriwell at Home Again..

Frank Merriwell at Yale.

Frank Merriwell’s Match; or, The King of the Sopho-
mores,

Frank Merriwell’s

Frank Merriwell’s

Victory; or, The Winning Oar.

Finish; or, Blue Against Crimson.

Frank Merriwell’s Game; or, Snaring the Sharper.

Frank Merriwell’s Run; or, Trounecing the Tigers.

Frank Merriwell’s Even Up; or, Squaring the Score.

Frank Merriwell’s Queen; or, Blow for Blow.

Frank Merriwell’s Fivd; or, The Waif of the Train.

Frank Merriwell’s Racer; or, Birds of a Feather.

Frank Merriwell’s Nerve; or, Gaine to the End.

Frank Merriwell’s Shadow; or, The Mysterious Stran-
ger.

Frank Merriwell'’s

Frank Merriwell's
the Continent.

Frank Merriwell’s

Frank Merriwell’s
Horse.

Frank Merriwell to the Resene; or, Through Fire and
Water.

Frank Merriwell’s Close Call; or, The 'Tramp’s Token.

Frank Merriwell’s Unknown Friend; or, Old Friends
in New Places. .

Frank Merriwell Among the Rustlers; or, The Cattle
King’s Daughter.

Frank Merriwell’s Desperate Drop; or, Wild Adven-
tures in the Rockies.

Frank Merriwell in the Mines; or, The Blind Singer.

Frank Merriwell Among the Mormons.

Frank Merriwell on the Desert; or, The Mystery of
the Skeleton.

Frank Merriwell’s Underground Search.

Frank Merriwell in California; or, The End of the
Great ‘Tour.

Prize Plot Story; Frank Merriwell as the Star.

Frank Merriwell’s Yacht: or, Chase Down the Coast.

Frank Merriwell’s Combination; or, The All Arouud
Athletes.

Frank Merriwell’s Red Rival.

Frank Merriwell’s Texas Tournament;
Among the Cowboys.

Frank Merriwell’s Nine;
League.

Frank Merriwell’s Shot; or, Out With the Gun Club.

Frank Merriwell’s Flyer; er, The Winning Wheel.

Frank Merriwell’s Thoroughbred; or, Honesty Against
Crookedness.

Frank Merriwell’s Enemy; or, Rivals of Blue Ridge.

Frank Merriwell’s Crew; or, The Champions of the
Potomac,

Frank Merriwell’s Hunt; or, In at the Death.

Frank Merriwell’s Blow; or, Unmasking a Rascal.

Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale; or, The Mystery
of the Examination Papers.

Frank Merriwell as “Anchor;” or, The Winning Pull.

Frank Merriwell’s Initiation; or, The Secret Order.

Frank Merriwell’s Sign; or. The Secret of the Silent
Student.

Frank Merriwell as Full Back; or. True to His Colors)

Frank Merviwell’s Duel; or, A Point of Honor.

Frank Merriwell’s Mark; or, Subduing a Bully.

Frank Merriwell’s Secret; or, A Friend in Need.

Frank Merriwell’s Revenge; or, Aroused at Last.

Frank Merriwall'’s Capture; or, The Black Schooner,

Dash; or, Yale Against the Field.”
Bicycle Boys; or, The Start Across

Ride for Life.
Great Capture; or, Bicycle Against

or, Sport

or, Surprising the Southern

 

89
90

91
92
93

94
95

96

97
98

99
100

102

104
105
106

144
145

147

149
150
151

152

Frank Merriwell’s Chum; or, The Hand of a Friend
ae Merriwell’s Double Shoot; or, Winning in the
ox,

Frank Merriwell’s. Danger; or, Shadow of Disgrace,

Frank Merriwell’s Wager; or, Bound to Win,

Frauk Merriwellin Training; or, The Mystery of the
Midnight Prowler.

Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Loyal to the Last.

Frank Merriwell at Fardale Again; or, Yale Lads at
the Military Academy.

Frank Merriwell in Camp; or, Frolics with the Far-
dale Boys.

Frank Merriwell’s Fardale Friends; or, Old Foes.

Frank Merriwell’s Yale Chums; or, The Jolly Dogs
of Fardale,

Frank Merriwell’s Choice; or, Fair Rivals of Fardale.

Frank Merriwell's Fardale Racket.

Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Nerve Against Bluff.

Frank Merriwell’s Faith; or, The Shadow of a Crime.

Frank Merriwell's Celebration; or, Last Days at
Fardale.

Frank Merriwel! Afloat; or, The Cruise of the White
Wings.

Frank Merriwell Under Megunticook;
Knox County League.

Frank ee Mystery; or, The Monster of Devi)
Island.

Frank Merriwell's Disappearance; or, The Secret of
the Island.

Frank Merriwell Aroused; or, ‘The Bieycle Boys of
Belfast.
Frank Merriwell's
Stolen Yacht.
Frank Merriwell's Catch; or, The Canoe Boys of Lake
Sebasticook.

Frank Merriwell’s Guide; or, Sport Around Moose-
Head Lake,

Frank Merriwell’s Peril;
Border.

Frank Merriwell’s Drift; or, With the River Drivers.

Frank Merriwell’s Daring; or, Elsie’s Sacrifice.

Frank Merriwell's Fist; or, Bound to Know the Truth

Frank Merriwell's Masquerade; or, The Belle of Hur-
ricane Island.

Frank Merriwell’s Misfortune: or, The Start of a New
Career.

Frank Merriwell, Engine Wiper; or, At the Foot of
the Ladder.

Frank Merriwell, Fireman; or, First Step Upward.

Frank Merriwell'’s Opportunity; or, The Ghost of
Black Gorge.

Frank Merriwell’s First Run; or, Chance of His Life

Frank Merriwell Engineer; or, The Turn of Fortune

Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luek; or, A Slip on The
Ladder.

Frank Merriwell's Advancement; or, Engineer of the
Mountain bxpress.

Frank Merriwel] Held Up; or, Tle Robbery of the
Mountain Express.

Frank ee Protege; or, Lending a Helping
Hand.

Frank Merriwell on Strike; or, Saving the Enemy’s
Property.

Frank Merriwell as a Ferret; or, Tracking the Train
Wreckers.

Frank Merriwell Accused; or, Reaping the Harvest,

Frank Merriwell on the Road; or, The All-Star Combi-
nation.

Frank Merriwell’s First Part; or, The Start as an Actor,

Frank Merriwell in Advance; or, Adventures Ahead
of the Show.

Frank Merriwell Magician; or, For Fun,
Fortune.

Frank Merriwell’s Own Company; or,Barnstorming
In the Middle West.

Frank Merriwell Stranded; or, The Fate of the First
Venture.

Frank Merriwell’s New Venture; or, The Finding of

Elsie.

Frank Merriwell’s Play; or, Putting on
Piece.

Frank Merriwell’s Fame; or, The Road to Success.

Frank Merriwells Father; or, The Man With Money
to Burn.

Frank Merriwell’s College Chums; or, Bart Hodge’s
Wonderful Shot.

Frank Merriwell’s Understudy; or, Helping an Old
Friend,

Frank Merriwell Puzzled, or, the Mystery of Inza,

Frank Merriwell’s Problem; or, ‘he Vanishing of Elsie

Frank Merriwell Missing; or,On the Brink of Disaster

Frank Merriwell’s Disaster; or, The Hand of the Law.

Frank Merriwell’s Fortune; or, The Legacy of the
Skeleton.

Frank Merriwell’s Failure; or, High Hopes and Hard
Luek.

Frank Merriwell’s Pluck; or, Never Say Die.

Frank Merriwell’s Chance; or, To Make or Break.

Frank Merriwell Wins; or, he Success of ‘True Blue.”

Frank Merriwell Betrayed; or, The Downfall of
Hodge.

Frank Merriweil’s Admirers; or, Annoyed by Atten-
tions.

or, With the

Pursuit; or, The Chase of the

or, The Smugglers of the

Fame, and

His Own

receipt of Price, by STREET & SMITH, Pusatisners, 81

For Sale by all Newsdealers, or will be sent, 2ostpaid, on
Futon St., Nzw York.