TRE ive Cents. Ss F ty Sik j a ‘a sot aig Ate ICe, e EST Pr ORGTA * es ee K IN AG FRAN TSR $2. iption, r DR Issued Weeklty—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., N. Y. Entered According to Act of Congress, in the year 1901 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C. No, 250. NEW YORK, January 26, 1901, Price Five Cents, Frank Merriwell’s Ring; OR, He REVAL RY FOR ELSIE. CHAPTER I. IN A GEORGIA FOREST. The deep baying of hounds hot on a scent came mournfully through the thick Georgia forest. 9 “Them’s Dan Runkle’s dawgs,” said Frank Merriwell’s “cracker” guide. “I know them dawgs by the soun’ of their voices. ’Pears to me they’re purty clos’ onter the deer.” “And we haven’t started a deer this morn- ing,’ said Merry,-as three gaunt, long-éared hounds at their feet trembled and whined restlessly at the sound of the distant baying. By BURT L. STANDISH. “Nary one,” admitted. the guide, pulling calmly at his black clay pipe and seeming not at all disturbed because of their misfortune. “That’s jest onery luck.” “But it’s rather dull sport,” jaughed Merry, who was dressed for hunting, with’ long leather leggings to protect his ankles from the rank lower growth of the “hammocks.” “They told me at St..Mary’s that a man could find all the shooting he wanted out here, with dogs or without them,” “Ordinary, yo’ can, sah,” asserted Jim Co- bin. “But sometimes things don’t happen. disappointed, Dy 2 4 Las’ feller I took out shot three deer inside an hour.” “Well, asked Merry, somewhat impatiently. hadn’t we better be moving?” “It’s useless to wait for the deer to come to us.” “T do’no’ "bout that,” coolly retorted the guide, complacently rubbing his back against the trunk of the pine tree against which he “T’ve hed a heap’ o’ deer walk ‘Sides that, Runkle’s dawgs air drivin’ that one this way was leaning. up to me to be shot in my day. purty fast. They’re comin’ nearer ev’ry lick.” “That is nothing to us,” said Frank. . “They are not our dogs, and so the deer would not We'd have no right to shoot it if we got a chance.” belong to us under any circumstances. “Oh, I know Runkle; him an’ me is frien’s. He wouldn’t care, if yo’ paid him fo’ the ” deer. “But I am paying you to start up a deer. It strikes me that you are trying to help your friend to get his fingers-into my purse also.” “Waz-al,” sulting frankness, “yo’ Yanks hev plenty of grinned ‘Cobin, with almost in- money, an’ yo’ can ‘ford it.’ We-uns down yere air pore.” “And you believe in bleeding the Yanks to the limit,” laughed Merry, refusing to be of- “But I shall not shoot Mr, Runkle’s deer if it comes’ my fended by the fellow’s manner. way, and I shall not pay for it if you shoot it. In this instance I refitse to be bled.” “Of course, yo’ may do as yo’ like, sah,” said Cobin, although he seemed somewlfat “But yo’ air suttainly diffrunt from ary other Yank I evah saw, sah.” “Then you have a way of playing your You take them out on a pretended hunt, f6r which they victims in this manner—is that it? pay you a fancy price, and then you induce - them to shoot a deer before the dogs of your” _ friend, and they are obliged to settle with him, which gives him a pull at the suckers. Well, TOP WEEKLY. stir up something. « self. * I must say it is a lovely game! I wonder if your flea-bitten dogs have life enough to run adeer.” “Yes, sah!’ exclaimed the guide, in sudden resentment. “Them dawgs air the best dawgs in the county, sah.” “Well, I must say they have a queer way of showing their fine qualities! Let ’em out and) The sound of that bay- ing gets into my blood. What am I paying you for?” It was plain that Cobin was troubled with a chronic case of “that tired feeling,” and he drew a long, weary breath of dissatisfaction as he slowly reached for his old gun, which was also leaning against the tree. : “Yo’ No’the’ners “pears to allus be in a rush,” he-grumbled. “’Pears to me yo’ wear yo’selves out in yo’ rushin’, Nevah kin rest an’ take things easy nohow.” “The trouble with you is that you rest too much. You don’t take exercise enough to set your Blood circulating. Those dogs are’ pretty, near.” “Comin’ right this way, sah. Better wait an’ git a look.at the deer as it passes.” “T understand; you think I’ll*become so ex- cited that I’ll shoot at it. Don’t deceive your- This is not the first time I have hunted deer, and I’ve shot larger game. I do not think the sight of a Georgia deer will cause me to lose my head. I advise you to ‘look out for your dogs, if they are any good, or they'll go tearing off after the deer.in company with the other pack.” 3 . Through the woods came the sharp, clear, whip-like report of a rifle. “Hello!” exclaimed Merry, looking at his companion. “What’s the meaning of that?” - “T s’pose Runkle’s shot a deer,” said Cobin.’ “But I thought you said rifles were not used here? I thought you said nobody ecar- ried.a rifle, as a bullet fired anywhere in these woods might kill a colored man, woman or child ?’ * Tie LoP “Wal, what o’ that, sah?” “That was the report of a rifle.” “How do yo’ know?” demanded the guide, looking at Frank with an expression of min- “It don’t gled amusement and cgntempt. ? ‘pear to me that yo’ air qualified to jedge atwixt the sotin’ o’ a shotgun an’ the soun’ 0’ a rifle.” It was plain that Cobin regarded Merriwell as a somewhat callow and inexperienced youth, and it is not strange that this made Frank feel like giving the man a good shaking. “Tt makes no difference to me how it ap- pears to you,” said the young Yale man, grimly. “I know that was the report of a rifle. , If your friend Runkle fired that shot, he is willing to take chances on killing some of the colored people who live hereabouts in these little cabins.” “One nigger, mo’ ur less, ain’t much loss. A mule down heah, sah, is a heap mo’ val- uable than a nigger any day.” “Still, when I wanted to take a rifle you said everybody carried a shotgun, which was better for hunting deer in these parts than the best rifle.” “Tt reckon I did say that,” nodded Cobin. “Tl stick teh it, too. BEES “They ain’t stopped runnin’ that deer.” Heah them dawgs?” “That’s so. They have turned in another direction. It must be the man who fired that shot failed to bring down his game.” “Tf that was Dan Runkle, he didn’t miss what he shot at, sah. He’d die o’ shame if he evah fired at a deer with a rifle an’ missed the crittah. Mebbe he didn’t fire at the deer at all, sah. He may hev fired at bigger game.” 4 “Bigger game? What bigger game is ‘there in this country?” “Oh, there is var’us kinds, var’us kinds,” grunted Cobin, slinging his gun over his shoulder and preparing to move. “That , - WEEKLY. o a shootun’ turned the deer, anyhow. We'll peg erlong an’ see what we kin skeer up.” He plunged forward through the rank un- dergrowth, and Merriwell followed, gun in hand, the teeth of the saw-palmetto swishing and scraping against his leather leggings. They were in a strip of pine woods, which covered this spread of sandy “upland.” Cobin was much disappointed by the fail- ure of the deer to pass near where they had halted, and Merry believed the fellow had paused there and waited for that very pur- pose, while pretending to fill his pipe and light it. Frank had discovered that native South- erners of the lower class living in that sec- tion regarded “Yanks” as legitimate prey and were inclined to squeeze them to the limit. He had likewise discovered that the better class of Southerners, who were hospitable and courteous to an extreme, regarded the poor whites, or “crackers,” with less respect than the negroes. Indeed, the “crackers” were | a woefully ignorant lot, but they were in- tensely tonceited, considering themselves far superior in every way to any “onery No’th- erner.” Merry had also discovered that the cultured Southerners seldom or never referred: to the war, while the poor whites, who never in their lives had owned anything more valu- able than a pack of hungry dogs, frequently. spoke of the poverty brought upon them ‘when the Yanks “came do’n heah an’ set free all ouah niggers, sah.” Cobin was a typical “cracker,” too lazy to work, unable\to write his own name, unable even to read, yet he considered himself the superior by birth of all Northerners, arid) there was that in his bearing toward Frank which irritated the youth. “Look here,” said Frank; “I’m going to swing off to the right and skirt the edge of : aE a the ‘hammock.’ Be careful not to shoot me for a deer.” : 4 TIP “Ain’t no danger o’ me doin’ that; but yo’ want teh be keerful yo’self. If yo’ shoot at “me, yo'll be right sure to git a charge o’ shot in turn.” This was insolent enough, but Merry said nothing. Something made him wish to in- vestigate the meaning of the rifle-shot they had heard, and he moved toward the point from whence it had seemed to come. Cobin' kept on with his dogs, telling Frank where they could meet. M In a short time Frank came in sight of hee or swamp, which was gloomy Huge _ “hammock,” and desolate enough in appearance. cypress trees rose from the water, their bare limbs thickly hung with Spanish moss. In spots where the land rose to the surface of the water there would be a thick, rank _ growth of reeds. Frank could not approach close to the “hammock,” but moved along at a distance, catching glimpses of the stagnant water and forbidding view now and then. The baying of the deer-hounds had grown faint in the distance. Suddenly Frank paused and bent down- ward. He had discovered some red staims on the leaves of a saw-palmetto. It proved to be blood. “The man who fired that shot hit some- Merry decided. “This is fresh I wonder if it wounded that deer and thing,” blood. the creature kept on running.” 3 _. Then, ‘with care and judgment, he ex- amined the marks on the ground, and what he discovered filled him with surprise and alarm. CHAPTER II. THE HUT IN THE WOODS. 7 Frank knew something of the art of read- ing “ground signs” and following trails, and “he soon decided that no deer had passed there. ‘Instead, he saw indications that a TOP WEEKLY. human being had staggered along and had fallen to the ground a few feet farther on. He had dragged himself up, and the trail of blood was easy to follow. Fearing what he might find at the and of that trail, yet aroused to a desire to know the truth, Merry hastened aloffg. The trail led on and on. Once a little pool of blood beneath a tree showed where the wounded creature .had paused, plainly from growing weakness. Frank forgot the “cracker” guide and in- structions as to where they were to meet, but pressed on deeper and deeper into. the thick forest. where the On either hand lay a “ham- mock,” moss-draped stood solemn and grim, their feet buried in A ridge of pine-covered cypresses the stagnant water. sandy land extended between these. dismal swamps, and along this Merriwell followed the trail of blood. Once a rattler sounded its warning almost beneath his feet, but “he sprang aside and then hastened on, so eager to solve the mys- tery of this red trail that he could not pause to kill the snake. Then he finally came out of the pines and found a little clearing and a beaten path that ‘led to the door of a wretched hut, the roof of which was falling in and the door stand- ing’ open. Merry paused and looked toward the hut. Up to that moment he had not thought that he might be rushing into danger. If a human being had been wounded by another, ae might not the wounded one at least turn at bay,.and might he not mistake Frank for an enemy? : ‘The young Yale man surveyed the old hut, which’ looked as-4f it’had long been deserted by human beings. No en of life could he discover about it. Slowly aS cautiously Prank. advanced, = TIP TOP WEEKLY. 5 The trail of blood still ran on toward the epen door. As Merry approached the door he was brought to a sudden halt by a dismal, blood- chilling’ sound. It was a groan of pain. “Some one in distress!” thought Frank, “Perhaps the hunter accidentally shot him- self. A second later he was standing in the I may be able to help him.” doorway. : It was rather dark within the old hut, but he could make out a human figure on a bed As he _ hesitated there, the figure moved and the dull light of boughs in a corner. showed an upturned pallid face and a pair of eyes that were full of agony. “Come on, you human bloodhounds!” gasped a husky voice. “You have run me down and got me foul at last!” A man lay there on that bed of boughs, wounded unto death. Frank stepped swiftly forward. “Are you hurt?” he cried. “Can’t I do something for you?” “Finish your foul work!” panted the un- “I can’t defend myself The It brought me a for- fortunate wretch. row! Be quick and end _ it! lucky ring is yours at last! tune, but it also brought me—death !” Quickly Frank reached the man’s side and knelt there. | “I have not come to do you harm,” he said. Where are you hurt?” “Perhaps I can help you. The man raised himself to one elbow and glared into Merry’s face. “T don’t know you. You—you are not one of them! “Who are you?” he whispered. You are a stranger!” © ) Then he sank back, gasping painfully. | “Let me see,” said Frank. “How did you get hurt? Did you accidentally shoot your- “No! myself. T had no gun with which to shoot An enemy did that!” “An enemy? Can that be possible?” “Oh, yes! one of them got me at last. Three days-have I hidden from them here, hunted like a wild beast. out to-day, and this is the end!” Hunger drove me The man was not much over thirty years of age; he was well dressed, though his clothes were tattered and torn as if from crashing through the thickets, and there was something about him that plainly proclaimed him a person of good birth and breeding. He had a dark mustache, and had he been clean-shaven it seemed that he was a man.of prepossessing appearance. The man was pressing a hand to his side. “Let me see,” persisted Frank. “You are bleeding. Perhaps I can stop the flow of blood. Perhaps I may be able to save your life.” : “No, you can’t do that,” said the man, weakly. “I’ve got it good and hard, and I’m going fast.” But Frank persisted in examining the wound. When he saw it he shuddered and turned pale. “You see,” whispered the man. Merry wondered that he had _ possessed sufficient strength to travel such a distance after being hit in that manner. “T do not believe the best surgeon in the world could do that.” ay “T can’t save you, my friend,” he said. “T knew,” murmured the unfortunate. but I tried to run away and hide where they could not find me and get the ring.” He uttered the words with a mighty ef- fort, and then choked and was still. “Tell me your name,” urged Frank, seeing that the end must come soon: “If you have a message, I will try to take it to your friends.” : felt that I was done for when I got the lead, — 6 TIP TOP 6 7 7 1 said the doomed “Never mind my name,” man. ““There are reasons why I do not care to tell it. I’ve been trouble enough to my family and my friends. I broke my mother’s heart, and [ ruined my poor old father. But [’d made him rich. I'd fixed him so he could have paid every dollar if those human hounds ies ii had let me alone. have L's le ring would done it for me. Now—what’s the use! all over.”’ Every word was drawing on his lessening strength, and again Merry urged him to has- ten to tell whatever he wished. “Who shot you?” he asked. ‘Tell me that. The wretch should be brought to jus- SUCs 2 “T don’t know. I didn’t see the one who fired the shot, but it was one of the three.” “What three?” A silence, and then the man whispered: “You was their leader. wouldn't know. Bolton Powers They’ were bound to have the ring—the magic ring that would have made me wealthy as Rockefeller or Morgan. See—it is here—on my hand! They have not got it yet!” He laughed: huskily—a laugh that made Frank shiver. At the same time, he dis- played a small ring on the little finger of his left hand. ocr [hat’s what brought me here,” he de- clared. “It was given me by a sailor I be- triended. He told me it would lead me to fortune. It has strange, magic powers. I believed in it. The very night I received it {J gambled and won ten thousand dollars. The next day I speculated in stocks and my ten thousand became a hundred thousand. I can’t tell the whole story. I took a big fortune out of Wall street. Then I went abroad. I kept the ring with me all the while. I went to Monte Carlo. Bolton Powers saw the ring. He knew it, and he. offered me a fabulous sum for it. , I declined = i 5 ‘ 4 WEEKLY. with scorn. Then his tool—a woman—stole it from me. That night I lost my last dol- lar at the gaming table. But I found Powers, fought him, overpowered him, seized the ring and got away with it. From that day he hunted me from place to place and from land to land. A week ago I dis- covered the secret of the ring. . That brought But he and The hunt be- came Ifot, and—and—this—is—the—end.” me down here from New York. his gang were at my heels. The final words died in a husky whisper, the breast of the dying man heaved and col- lapsed, and he lay quite still on the boughs. CHAPTER III. HOW THE RING CAME TO MERRY. For a moment Merriwell thought the end had come, but the man began to. breathe again and he moved his head slightly. “Quick!” cried Frank, gently.. “Have you anything more to tell?” “No—that’s The’ They'll not—know—you have it. It all. take it. ring: will bring you luck. It will bring—fortune to whoever—has it.” . He drew the ring from his finger with some difficulty. “Take it!” he urged, as Frank drew back. “I give it—to you. Leave me—here. Get away—with—that ring. Keep it. Dont jet them—take it—from you.” He forced the ring upon Frank. From far away in the forest sounded the faint baying of hounds. $ “Hark!” whispered the man. “You must get away from here—get away before— they know. I—TI'll tell you—the secret—of the ring. That*secret will—give you—a Ah! Look! © vast fortune. The stone Powers!” Shi He started up as he almost screamed the name, one hand extended and a finger point- | ing toward the door. Then he fell back — heavily. ee 3 ee - arse TIP TOP WEEKLY. Frank turned quickly. In the doorway stood a man, a rifle in his hands. He had dark eyes and hair and a handsomely wicked face. He was dressed for hunting in the forest. Frank glanced back at the man on the bed of boughs. He was rigid and motionless, and Merry knew the end had come. Instantly Frank rosé to his feet, confront- ing the stranger in the doorway. “Who are you?” he demanded; “and what ? ” do you want! “T am his friend,’ was the answer, spoken promptly and_quietly. “What is the matter with him?” “Tt is likely you know what ails him,’’ re- turned Merry, with a manner of grim accusa- tion. “He has been shot.” “Indeed?” said the stranger. “That being ‘the case, the situation looks rather bad for you. I heard him cry for help as I ap- proached the door, and. 1 found you bend- ing over him. Young man, you are in a pretty bad scrape.” : e Frank realized that it would not be hard _» to fake up a charge against him that would cause his arrest for murder,-yet he did not quail in the least. “T hardly think it looks so bad for me,” he said; “but I am sure it looks bad for you. , The man was shot and died from a bullet wound. I[vcarry nothing but a shot- gun. You have a rifle in your hands.” “Ah! Glad. you explained that. to.me,” returned the other. “But I presume I am not the only person who hunts deer with a ville,” 3 a “On the contrary,” said Merry, “the guides Gown here tell me it is quite uncommon to a rifle in hunting, as a bullet carries _ tar, and a hunter never can tell whether he is shooting directly toward a negro hut er not. TI fancy you will-find you are about the only person in these woods with a- rifle.” are in a bad scrape.’ “That being the case,’ said the man, half lifting his weapon and pointing the muzzle “T believe I You may have of the weapon toward Frank, will make a trade with you. my rifle, and I will take your shotgun. It is an excellent idea.” “Quite part,” nodtled clever on your Merry, observing the fellow’s menacing atti- ‘ tude. “If I object——” “Your objections will be overruled.”’ “But I can prove that I took nothing’ with me but a shotgun.” ; “Can you?” “Yes. 7 “By whom?” “My guide, Jim Cobin.” “Cobin? Well, you are at liberty to prove Hear They belong to my gttide, Dan whatever you can by that fellow. those dogs. Runkle. Runkle and Cobin are both out for the dust. Runkle will tell Cobin to swear that you carried a rifle, and Runkle himself You sorry for you, but you , will make oath that I had a shotgun. see how it is? I’m The fellow stepped forward as if to secure Merriwell’s gun, which was leaning against the wall a little distance from the door. “c “Hold on,” said Frank. “Let’s see if we can’t come to some understanding about this mratter/” > : “There seems to be little chance for it.” “But why should you wish to have me falsely accused of murder?” “Perhaps to save myself’ from the peril of a similar charge.” : “And it makes no difference to you that I am absolutely innocent.” , “T don’t know that you are.” : “Yes you do,” asserted Merry, point blank. “You know it! You know I did not kill this man!” . oe aes “You are very positive. If I know that I can much, it must be that I know more. sehr aA 8 TIP TOP see that you would be one of the very first to appear against me in court. Self-preser- vation demands that [I exchange weapons with you.” “That will not save you.” “Why not?” ak will gun. rifle shoot further How “Very kind of you to mention it. ‘than a shot- [ think we'll toss out the cartridges in this rifle. If you are able to do any shooting with an empty rifle go ahea@ and do it.” The fellow proceeded to unload the rifle, while Frank watched him quietly. ‘What do young Yale man. the “What are you looking you want?’ demanded for here?” “You know.” ih Bo 9 CY és. “How ?” “He told you. I am bound to have it, too. He stole it from 99 It belongs to me. “Yet, when you first appeared, you claimed him as your friend.” ¥ “Did I? What of that? In spects he was my friend.” many re- “And you hunted him down, you shot him, you killed him !” “Oh, dear, no! { carried a shotgun. He was shot with a rifle. The one who did the dastardly deed was a young chap who was _ out hunting with Jim Cobin. I came upon “him just as he was plundering the poor : devil he had killed.” The fellow smiled grimly. “So that is what you would tell!” Merry You are utterly You are a fiend!” cried. “You are a villain! “without conscience ! “Hard language breaks no bones,” the other, without seeming in the least dis- turbed. = “Call me what you like, young fel- low; it does not disturb me in the least.” do you expect to get away?” .. retorted % WEEKLY. “Do you fancy you can escape being called to the bar of justice for your dastardly ‘ 2 “You might study for the ministry, work ?”’ my a fine delivery, great spirit boy. You have and a good presence. These are the things required of the modern minister. It does no harm-if he is somewhat theatrical. Too bad such a promising career as yours is to be thus nipped in the bud.” have said “What is it?” laughed the fellow, “You something to propose,” Frank. “My boy,” “you are very acute. Shall I come to the point at once ?” “Do!” “Of course I don’t care to press the charge It would be a shame I think it best that you should have time to repent. of murder against you. to have you hanged so young! On one consideration, I'll forget that I came upon you in such an unpleasant situation. You have in your possession a ring that I want. Turn that ring over to me and you may leave this place unharmed.” “What ring are you speaking of?” Hes was telling you about it when I Steppes into. “You know. The ring he gave you. the doorway.” »Frank had wondered at the broken story told him by the dying man,*and had doubted that a murderous enemy should pursue him so persistently to obtain possession of a ring; but now he knew the unfortunate victim had — not lied, and this man was Bolton Powers, the relentless enemy. “Why do you want that ring ?” “That is nothing to you. It is the ring or your life. Give up one or both. Take your choice.” a There could be no doubting the terrible — earnestness of the man. “Tf I give up the ring,” said Merry, “what ee: assurance have I that you will permit me to. ie TIP TOP “ depart alive. If this is your work, is it not probable that I’ll fall before I have proceeded ten paces from that door?” “You have nothing to rely upon but my word.” “The word of a ——” “Take itor not, as you like.” “Well, I suppose I'll have to. There is nothing else for me to do.” “Quite correct.” “Here!” Merry cried, producing the ring. “Take it!” “Hand it over.” The man extended his hand and Frank ad- vanced. quickly. But Merry did not give up the ring. In- stead, of a sudden, he leaped forward and clutched the fellow by the neck, at the same ~ moment thrusting the coveted bauble into his pocket. A moment later a desperate struggle for life began in that lonely hut in the heart of the Georgia forest. f ‘ ; CHAPTER IV. THE STRUGGLE IN THE HUT.’ Frank’s expected. attack had been sudden and un- Had he not paused a moment: to place the ring in a pocket, He might have dashed the surprised villain to the floor. That brief pause gave the man time to recover, and he dropped the rifle and gr appled with Merri- well. “This settles it!” he growled. “ “I really did mean,to let you off, but now Slam !—Frank hurled him against the wall with a great display of strength, causing the weak old structure to shake. Merry attempted to pin the réscal against the wall, but the man could not be easily “overcome. He partly broke Frank’s hold and struck savagely at the face of the young “Yale man. a WEEKLY. tempted to kick the fellow’s fee neath him. “No you don’t!” the man snarled. Across the room they reeled and struck against the opposite wall with a shock that striving to ge again shook the hut. Both were obtairt a hold that would quickly end the battle. “It’s all up with you!” declared Bolton rs. “I might have let you off % “But you would not,” declared Frank. ‘You are a snake! To hide one crime you would have committed another. I am fight- ing for my"life, and I know it.” “Fight well, then!” panted the*man. “I shall show you.no quarter. It is to the finish !” “So be it!” Merry felt that he was more than a match = for this man, but Powers managed to keep on his feet in a surprising manner, refusing to be thrown down. , In the meantime he felt in his pocket and drew a knife, which he opened by touching a spring. “Now, we'll end it!” But Frank had discovered this new peril, and he clutched the fellow’s wrist. Powers tried to twist away and break that hold, but Merriwell’s fingers were like bands of iron. ~ * “Let go!” palpitated the man. “And permit you to do. your. purpose. No, I think not!” Again they reeled across the floor and nearly whirled out throu gh the open door. -Frank’s foot struck something that caused him to slip. W ith a cry of satisfaction the villain tried to crush him down. “Got ye!” Frank’s eyes. “Not yet!” Merry returned, recovering im- cried Powers, glaring into mediately. “Don’t think it is SO easy.” Then he tripped the seas ein! hint to his aoe 10 PP But for the fact that he was forced to cling to the man’s wrist, Frank could have con- quered him then and there. But it would not do to permit the wretch to release that hand for a moment. While Frank held on the ruffian succeeded in regaining his feet, and the fearfuP battle was renewed. Frank knew that, at close quarters, a knife was the most dangerous weapon an enemy revolver might fail to could possess. A shoot, a gun was too unwieldy, but a knife could let out a life with a sitpie thrust. Frank succeeded in slipping his right arm still furtfer round the man’s body, and then, quick as a flash, he lifted the fellow, flinging his heels*to one side with a trip and let him ‘ fall heavily. Merry came down across the man’s breast, holding the hand with the knife flat_on the floor. With skill acquired in wrestling, the college man pinned his enemy to the floor, and they looked into each other’s eyes. “What “It’s not over!” panted Powers. can you do?” “Til show you,” promised Merry, coolly. The the self- possession of this beardless youth, whom he man was astonished. by had fancied could be easily frightened or easily handled. At last Bolton Powers real- ized that Frank Merriwell was no ordinary youth from the North; but. it was altogether too late for the villain to change his policy. Merry suddenly gave the. fellow’s queer twist. It that the cracked, and a cry of pain was forced from arm a seemed bones the lips of the scoundrel. « | The knife fell from his grasp. “Thanks,” murmured Frank, as he quickly secured the weapon. “This is what I wanted, = “Go ahead !” panted Powers. “What are you going to do now? ‘You don’t dare kill) 1 me!” TOP WEEKLY. ' the shotgun. “sarcasm. ring, and so he asked : mn ae “Tt’s not a question of courage at all,’’ as- os serted Frank ; life of any human being—not even of such a “but I do not wish to take the dastardly villain as you.” “What are you going to do?” repeated Powers. “T think I’ll leave you here with the man you killed. I'll notify the authorities where they may find both you and your victim.” “Take me “Don’t do that,” urged Powers. with you. Don’t leave me here!” oe Gets For the first time he showed signs of weak- . 5 aS ening. ; teeing Frank made no retort, but closed the knife and slipped it into his pocket. Then, with a spring, Merry leaped from the fellow to the wall, catching up the fallen rifle and securing With the latter,held ready, he toward Powers, turned who was slowly~ rising. % “T have handled you easy thus far,” Merry said; “I trust you will not compel me to blow. ~* the roof of your head off. I should not care to do it, but you may force me to keep you quiet that way.” There was something like a look of admira- . tion in the eyes of the man. “Took here,” he said; “you’re about the kind of a chap I’m willing to hitch up with. I think I’ll take you into partnership with 9) me. % “Thanks, awfully!” Frank returned, with “Kind of you, I am sure.” “Tl explain. You may find it worth your while, young man. That ring in your pos- session can hever be of any particular value to you. In my hands it is worth a fortune: I will give you a share of that fortune.” Merry wished* to ‘solve the secret of the. “Why is it that in your Prtitis the’ ring of sees should be more valuable than in mine: “Because I can read its secret ; you can- not.” Ses ti: TIP TOP WEEKLY, “Oh, I’m rather clever at reading crypto- grams,” asserted Frank. “I think I'll what I can do with the ring.” “You will not accept my offer?” “Not to-day.” Bolton Powers was disappointed, and Merry saw the fellow was on the verge of at- ing tempting to spring in and renew the struggle. “Face about!” Frank commanded, lifting the gun, with the muzzle covering the perate scoundrel, “Face about, and lift hands, or I'll fill you full of deer-shot! Merriwell seemed in deadly earnest. a moment Powers hesitated; then he obeyed the order, though protesting. “There is no need of carrying this so far,” to the Frank, thrusting the muzzle commanded of against the back of the man’s head. “Advance wall,” the gun Powers walked up to the wall, where Merry compelled him to put his hands behind him. Then, having: drawn some stout cords from a pocket of his hunting-coat, Frank quickly and skillfully bound the hands of the wretch. ‘Don’t leave me in here—with him!” en- treated Powers. “March!” directed Frank, pointing toward the door. - The fellow marched out, and Merry, carry- «ing the gun and rifle, followed closely. Outside the hut, Frank tied the villain fast - in a standing position to the trunk of a tree, despite Powers’ protests that he would be f é " eaten alive by mosquitoes if left there. “Tt will be just punishment- for you,’’ as- serted Merry. “T shall hasten out of the woods and notify the authorities. It’s likely you'll be released before nightfall.” : Then, deaf to the pleadings of the wretch, Z ~ he turned away and quickly vanished into the thick forest, glad to escape from that dreary place of violence and blood. Sec 7 CHAPTER V. ON CUMBERLAND ISLAND. Frank Merriwell was standing on a pier before a little hotel on the western shore of Cumberland Island, watching the approach of a handsome steam yacht that was coming into the harbor. It was the morning of the second day after the adventures just related. Frank had left the woods without seeking to join Cobin,. his guide, and had notified the authorities at St. Mary’s, telling them where dead man and captive might be found. When the officer of the little: place was ready to move, Frank took him to the hut in the woods. But neither the dead man nor Bolton Pow- ers was founds Both had vanished, though Frank’s story was substantiated to a certain degree by bloodstains in the hut. In vain Frank urged the officer to do something about the matter. The man simply observed that it “’peared thar warn’t much uv anything teh do,” and let it go at that. Merry left St. Mary’s in disgust, went down the river and was set across to the hotel. on Cumberland Island, where his father was stopping. He took his gun along, as it was reported that he could find good shooting and fishing along the coast. The ring Frank wore on the little finger of his left hand. In it was set a peculiar gray- ish stone, not very large, but flat and smooth, with a tracery of minute black lines like veins upon it. He had -studied those lines with ereat attention, wonderimg if they were the work of nature or if they had been drawn there by the one who cut the stone. There was something about the ring that fascinated , him. He wondered greatly that any one should desire its possession enough to shed human blood in order to get it Frank admired the contour ,of the ap-- . proaching yacht. He was thinking that some 7 TIP y he would like to own such a boat him- ee speed and lay to at a distance from the pier, yacht came forward with lessening the anchor going, over. Then a boat was lowered, and a few min- utes later several persons descended into the boat. Merry watched with passing interest till he distinctly saw one of the two.ladies who en- tered the boat. ; “Great Scott!” h “That looks like Elsie! but it is too e exclaimed, in sudden ex- citement. good to be true.” Manned by two sailors in white suits, the boat left the yacht and approached the pier. Merry watched with increasing eagerness. “Tt is!” he muttered, as they came fiearer. “That is Elsie whom she is traveling. Bellwood and the lady with Why are they com- ing here? What a piece of good fortune!” As the boat drew nearer it became plain him. He waved his hat to her, and she answered by that Elsie saw and recognized fluttering a. handkerchief. Frank was beside the steps when the boat swung up, and he assisted the ladies ashore, Mrs. Parker stepping out first. | “We didn’t expect to see you here, said Mrs. Parker, Mr. Merriweil,” showing her surprise. “No, indeed!” exclaimed Elsie; but some- ~ how Frank fancied she was half-sorry to meet him thus, and she did not return the pressure of his hand as he aided her from the boat. He walked up to fhe hotel with them. Frank’ s father, who was rapidly recuperat- ing beneath the “genial smiles of the sunny - Southern skies, sat on the veranda. He rose when he beheld the ladies accompanying his gon, Mrs. Parker had inquired already concern- “ing Mr. Merriwell’s health,and Frank had as- ; cured her that his father was much setptoned, ; TOP WEEKLY, She bowed and smiled, and Charles Merriwell returned the salute with courtesy and grace. Elsie ran up and took Frank’s hand. “T am glad to see you looking so well,” she declared, sincerely. “And I am glad to hear you say so,” he re- “But it seems to me that you are South turned, paler than usual. Are you sure the agrees with you?” “Oh; yes, indeed! down here!’ “It certainly is delightful.” As Elsie was following Mrs. Parker into the hotel, Frank asked: “Am I to see you again soon? I enjoy it so much I have some things to tell you.” ; | She hesitated, giving him a strange look. He could manner. “Yes,” she finally said. soon, Frank.” not understand her mood or “I will see you “A very charming girl,” said Charles Mer- riwell, when Elsie had disappeared. “She is so gentle and refined. I admire her very much, and I fancy you do also, my son.” “Of course I do,” smiled Merry, as he took a seat near his father. “I’ve admired her ever since the wild night when I aided in saving her from her father’s wrecked vessel at ,Fardale. _How could I help it?” “But there is another girl whom you also. said Mr. Merriwell, looking at his “She is much different from admire,” son attentively. Elsie Bellwood.” “You mean _“Inza Burrage.” “They are not much mite, and yet both are beautiful, charming girls.” 4 “That is quite true; both are beautiful and “charming. Elsie, however, appeals to me far more strongly than the other girl. Inza is rather proud and conceited, Frank. She is beautiful, and no one knows i it better than she does herself. 2 TIP TOP WEEKLY. “1 don’t see how she can help knowing it, if she’s ever looked in a mirror,’ laughed Frank. , “My son,” pursued Mr. Merriwell, gravely, “you have permitted yourself to be placed in a very embarrassing position.”’ “How do you mean, father?” “Both of these girls have fallen in love with you.” Frank made a gesture, but his father con- tinued : “It is plain enough; you must know it. You have permitted them to fall in love with you. I do not know if you care particularly for either of them. If you do not, you are doing them an injustice. If you care more for one than the other, you are not treating fairly the one for whom you care the least. It is time that you let them know plainly which one you prefer.” “My dear father,” said Merry, quietly, “all that ig settled.” Mr. Merriwell looked surprised. “Settled?” he said. . “How?” “By one of the girls.” “Eh? Which one?” “The other one.” “Inza?” id eet “She 4 “Has made her choice. to decide as far as she is concerned.” It is not.left to me “She has chosen another ?” Sess. Charles Merriwell looked as if he could hardly believe any girl might prefer another youth to his handsome, manly ‘son, of whom he was so proud. Frank laughed a little. “Don’t appear so thunderstruck, father,’ he said, pleasantly. “She is a pretty independ- ent sort of.a girl, and such an action is in strict accord with her style. You know the young freshman, Dick Starbright, who made - sucha sensation on the football team this fall. 13 Weil, he is a handsome, splendid fellow, and it does not seem at all remarkable that a girl should fall in love with him.” “TInza—she—he——-” “He has the inside track there, and I am quite out of it. When I discovered how the wind blew, I made haste to take myself out of the way.” Mr. Merriwell nodded, a thoughtful “ex pression coming to his face. “That is proof,” he said, “Of what?” questioned Frank. “That you did not deeply and truly love Her” “Why is it?” “Because had you loved her with all your heart and soul, you would have remained to fight it out, to win her if possible, to never give up till there was no longer hope.” “But Starbright is my friend.” “That Friendship for him would not have turned makes no difference, my — son. you away. You would have gone to him, perhaps, and said: ‘My friend, I love that girl, too, and I’m going to win her for my own, if possible; so I give you fair warn- Then you would have fought for her There is no doubt in my mind ing.’ to the finish. —you did not love Inza.” _ Frank had never thought of it in this light before, but now the words of his father seemed to open his eyes. “Tf another one of your friends were to step between you and Elsie now,” questioned Mr. Merriwell, “what would you say?” Frank sprang up, a startled look on his handsome face. “T’d say, ‘Hands off!’”’ he cried, warmly. “I thought so,” nodded Charles Merriwell, with evident satisfaction. CHAPTER VI- FRANK ANDELSIE. Elsie came down after a time and found — Frank waiting for her on the veranda. A “Now,” said Merry, “I wish you would explain how in the world it happens that you are here. I supposed you were in Jackson- ville.” “We went down there,” she smiled, “where Mrs. Parker found her nephew, Cyril Har- low, with his steam yacht, the Petrel. He has been cruising along the Florida coast, and he invited us on board. Mrs. Parker was glad enough to go with him, and so we are here. Isn’t that simple enough?’ “Quite,” that fate must laughed Frank. “But it seems have brought you straight. here. I had planned to run down to Jackson- ville in a day or two.” Why ?” : You wer “Had you? “Can you ask? posed.” “Oh, yes! You were coming down to see me?” “Of course; but you came up to see me.” “Somebody else whom you will be pleased ‘to see came with us.” “Who?” “Bart Hodge.” “What?” cried Frank, in surprise. “Hodge is with you?” © ‘s “Yes; he’s on the yacht.” “How did that happen?” Merry asked, the smile fading from his face, while he looked at her intently. . “He became acquainted with Mr. Har- low,” explained Elsie, “and they are very % friendly, ‘Mr. Harlow invited. Bart to come along. That is how it happened.” “And you? I suppose you were glad to have Bart on the yacht?” “Oh, of course ! He is a.splendid fellow, and you know he was doing his best to save .mie on the burning steamer, though we’d both been burned to death = you had not battered, down that: partition.” r % Bes Wee, Tip Top Weekly No. = _Frank Merti- cwelt’s Search.” Y t 14 TIP TOP WEEKLY. “And I’m afraid I’d h to reach you but for Selton Dirk, ave not known how the de- tective. That man is a wonder. But for his intemperate habits, he might be one of the greatest detectives in the country.” They sat down where they could be com- fortable in the shade. “This is very pleasant and quiet’ here,” murmured Elsie, with a sigh of content. “Almost too quiet,” returned Frank. “T was thinking that before you came, and [I was feeling decidedly You have brightened me up wonderfully.” “Oh, It’s not like you. “You feeling blue?” she cried. Frank! I can’t believe it! Why should you feel that way?” “I was thinking of you.” “And that made you feel blue? Shame on you!” She gave him a laughing look of reproach. “T don’t think you understand me, €lsie,” he said, earnestly. / “T am afraid you never understood me,’ she murmured, turning her face away. Neither of them obseryed the boat that was pulling ashore frony the yacht, ”» “Perhaps you are right, Elsie,” he ad- mitted, drawing a little’nearer. “Now, if you had been thinking of Inza,” she said, blue.” “T was feeling that way because you were so far away,” he asserted. “But Inza was farther.” “That made no difference, Elsie. Inza is happy. She gave-him a quick, searching look. “You know better than that!’ She has forgotten me.” she ex- claimed. “She will not forget you, Frank. She thinks too much of you.” “I fancy that you imagine she thinks much. more of me than she really does.” “Ah, but I know! blue and lonesome. ’ a & os Bh = ie Lie - > oo te ¥ “you would not have been feeling Didn’t I see with my TIP ” eyes——” She checked herself, suddenly, and he wondered just what she meant. “Elsie,” he you left New said, “I have wondered why Haven so suddenly without permitting me to see you. And I have won- dered if you meant all you said in that brief letter. You told me plainly that you no longer cared for me, and almost as plainly you asserted that you did care for another.” Her cheeks paled a trifle, and her eyes were downcast. “Did you mean it, Elsie?” “Why, Frank, I shall always care for you as’a friend. In that way you are very dear to me.” He felt as if she had given him a sudden thrust. “As a friend?” he murmured. “Only as a friend?” “Tsn’t that enough? -Our friendship has made me very happy—and very miserable,” she added, in a whisper. “Elsie!” he exclaimed, taking her hand. “I must speak plainly now. Don’t draw away!” “Stop, Frank!” she breathed, giving him a look of reproach. “Be careful! I have ever regarded you as the soul of honor.” He felt the sharp reproach and accusation in her voice ‘and look. “T hope so,” he said, earnestly. “I hope I have never done anything to cause you to regard me otherwise.” “Thus far, no; but be careful. I do not wish to think you false and fickle.” Somehow she held him in check. “T hope,” said Merry, gravely, “that I am not false and fickle. I hope I have more manhood and honesty.” “Think, then,” warned Elsie, “if you would care to have Inza see you and hear what you are saying to me.” “My dear girl,” he said, earnestly, “I would be willing for her to see and hear. Inza is ” . _ my friend and T am hers . -me sincere. TOP WEEKLY. “No more?” “No more.” “You swear it?” “Yes, a hundred times.” She drew back and looked at him intently. There was naught but frankness, truth and honesty in his face and eyes, and she could not believe he was deceiving her deliberately. “But,” she fluttered, “I do not understand. ‘That day—the day I came to your room in [ ran up Mr. Burrage was with some of the students in 5 - Vanderbilt—I saw you with her. the stairs ahead of Buck and Winnie. one. of your rooms, while you were with Inza in.an adjoining room. You were stand- ing by a window, and I saw you through the cpen door.” Frank’s lips were pressed together. “Ts that the explanation?” he said. ‘““Now I fancy I know why you left New, Haven so suddenly.” “Well, was it not enough? You were whispering something to her, and you put your arms about her, bending to kiss her.” “T did not kiss her, Elsie. her some photographs there by the window. I was showing Elsie, I do not know that I can make you ‘understand me, but I hope you will, believe As we stood there, we spoke of old days at Fardale, where I knew Inza before I met you.” ; “Yes, yes!” breathed the golden-haired- girl. | “We spoke of a certain moonlight night when I escorted her home and stopped to lean on the gate. Elsie, | presume I did be- come rather sentimental just then, and I re- 2 member that I put my arm around her. But I did not kiss her, for Hodge called to me from the other room and came in for one of the photographs.” “Tf he had not come——” “T am not sure she would have permitted us : > me to kiss her,’ confessed Frank, forcing a iP Vor smile. “Elsie, you do not understand. Inza has ceased to care for me save as a friend.” “How do you know ?” “Oh, Dick Starbright is the one for whom she cares I know. I am not mistaken. You know we went up to his home for Christ- mas. He is a splendid fellow, and I am glad Inza has chosen such a chap.” Elsie stared at him as if unable to believe she had heard aright. slowly and “You—are—glad?” she said, huskily. “Are you sure, Frank—are you sure ?”’ Wes I am sure. big and honest and handsome. He is a splendid fellow, Wait till you see them together, Elsie; you'll say they make a fine couple.” Could this be Frank Merriwell, who, with- out an apparent pang of regret, was giving up the beautiful, dashing Inza? Elsie won- dered If she were dreaming. “TF thought,” {--[——_” “Elsie, even I may have thought I cared she murmurec as sure— more for Inza than-I truly did. My eyes have been opened. Don’t blame me too much. Now’ you should understand why I was blue __ to-day when I thought of you, so far away. Fate has brought us together and given me an opportunity to make this explanation, and 99 now “Now,” -you should not be too hasty. “it is best that Wait ! not ready to listen at this time.” she said, swiftly, I°am “Not ready!” he exclaimed, in keen disap- -» pointment. ~ “No!” she returned, aniline tantalizingly. “T require a test.” “What sort of a test ?” “Patience. I believe you are not yet ready to decide.” ” In vain Frank protested. “No, no!% she said. “You must wait. We'll _ still be friends, as of old ; but I do not wish — WEEKLY. to think just because you have fotrnd Inza cares for another you turn to me.” Again Merry protested, but she held him in check. “You must see that it is right,” she said. “I want you to wait that. you may be certain.” “But I am certain now.” “Perhaps you are,” she admitted, with a teasing smile ; “and perhaps I am not.” “Elsie !’ he exclaimed: ‘Do you mean that you do not care for me? You can’t mean that ?”’ asf Yh, I not proved it a hundred times? Frank. I admire no;*I do care for you, Have you.” “But love % “Let’s He looked at her steadily, and then, almost demanded : speak of that some other time.” harshly, “Elsi ter to me? Do you care for another ?”’ “Oh, Frank!” she laughed ; “ bit like yourself! e, did you speak the truth in that let- you are not a Why, of course I care for IP in another! There is Bruce Browning- “Nonsense! I am not afraid of him as a rival.” : . “Harry Rattleton.” The real one Then stopped short, struck by a thought, finally “Unless it is B art Hodge?’ | “You ate chaffing me, Elsie. cannot be among my _ friends.” he adding: He'saw a change come over her ae and her eyes refused to meet his. To her cheeks leaped a bit of added color, while her oe gave a sudden heave, “By heavens!” he mentally cried; “I be- lieve I have struck the truth! Hodge!’ She cares for CHAPTER VII. HOW THE RING PLAYED HAVOC WITH HODGE. In a moment she recovered. * ” “How foolish you are!” she laughed. TIP TOP WEEKLY. ‘ “We're both talking nonsense. Let’s try to be sensible.” More than ever was he convinced that he had hit upon the truth, and he sat there be- numbed by a dazed feeling. Hodge had been with her on the Trenton. How unless by previous understanding had they happened to come South on the same steamer? He had tried to save her from the fire on the burning steamer off the Georgia coast, and both had nearly perished in the flames. He had fol- lowed her on to Jacksonville, and now he was on beard the Petrel, which had brought her up from Florida. All this was more than mere accident. Frank’s face grew pale as he sat there looking intently at this sweet girl for whom he cared so much. Starbright had robbed him of Inza, and now Hodge stepped in be- » tween him and Elsie. His greatest joys in life had come through his friends; were his greatest sorrows to fall from the same source? le readily understood how dark-eyed, dark-haired, dashing Inza happened to fall in love with the fair-haired, blue-eyed young _ giadiator of the gridiron, Dick Starbright; and it seemed no less natural that Elsie of the blue eyes and golden hair should come to te admire Hodge, who’was dark and stern and passionate. “It is fate!’ thought Frank, bitterly. ‘But Vil not give Elsie up! She is mine by every natural right, and I’ll fight for her to the last!” _. Then he remembered that, a little while ¢ before, his father had said that Frank would. fight to the last for the girl he loved and would not quietly surrender to his very best friend, .e . between us? He shall not win her from me! “That is right!’ he mentally cried. : “I can’t give her up! What right has Hodge to come 9 He was ready for the struggle, but he knew " better than to press it then and there. To do 17 so, he felt, would be to lose ground with Elsie. He must have time to think and play the x ~/ e game with care. He was on his mettle now, and something told him that Hodge would prove a dangerous rival. So Frank permitted the conversation to be turned into another channel, Elsie telling him all about what had happened since they parted after the burning of the steamer. Then Merry related a portion of his thrill- ing adventure while hunting in the Georgia forest, trying to conceal in a measure the real horror of the tragedy so as not to shock her. She the story. Frank showed her the ring which he intensely interested in became was wearing on his little finger. “It is an odd ring!” she exclaimed, looking at it intently. “What a peculiar stone!” “Yes,” he nodded. “See those tiny black lines. They look like a map of some sort.” S 2 ; ; “And the man said the*ring would bring you good luck?” “Yes, good luck thus far. ° he said that, but I’ve not struck the I presume it is too soon to look for anything of the kind. It seems to me as if quite the opposite had been my lot.. But I am not going to give you up, Elsie!’ he murmured, drawing toward her with a sudden burst of earnestness. “I will not!” “Don’t!” she whispered, shivering a bit. “You frighten me!” “T didn’t mean to,” ‘he protested; “but the thought of losing you made. me a savage for a moment. Forgive me. Lok at this ring,” Elsie.”’ He.slipped it from his finger and held it for her ta inspect, while they drew closer to- gether, , “Tt is not pretty,” she declared, in a low tone. : “No; and yet there is something fascinating about it. I have spent much time gazing at it and trying to fathom the mystery that sur- rounds it. hand?” | How would it look on your 18 LEP “DOP She permitted him to take her hand and slip the ring upon one of her fingers. Their heads were close together, and he murmured in her ear: “Some day I hope to place a different ring upon your finger, Elsie, I hope to do so for all of fate and rivals and everything else.” A moment before this Bart Hodge, who had entered the hotel in company with,Cyril Harlow, the young man who owned the steam yacht, approached a window directly behind Frank and Elsie. He did not know they were on the veranda, and his astonishment on see- ing Merry there in company with Elsie was great. Bart halted, catching his breath, his teeth coming together with a click, while his hands were suddenly clenched. “Merriwell—here?” he gasped. Then he saw’ Erank @ke Elsie’s hand, saw them draw close together, and saw Merry place the ring ‘on Elsie’s finger, .apparently whispering words of love in her ear. The spectacle caused Bart’s blood to boil in his veins. He crouched in a position that seemed to indicate that he contemplatéd hurt- ing himself through the window with a spring and upon Merriwell’s back. Only fora moment. Then, hearing a step behind him, he whirled round to move away, finding: himself face to facé with young Har- low, who was smoking a cigar. Harlow paysed in amazement, staring at Bart. “Heavens, man!” he exclaimed. “What is the matter with you? You are pale as death, and there is a terrible glitter in your eyes! Are you ill? Have you been attacked by a sudden sickness ?” “No! no!” came hoarsely from Hodge’s lips. “Something is the matter with you,” in-_ sisted the owner of the Petrel. “Tet me get out! I want air—air! I am choking!” es : oo WEEKLY. _ “Now, what in thunder is the meaning of fe that?” muttered the smoker, following Bart a ds eating?” demanded Harlow, walking straight — Hodge brushed Harlow aside and rushed from the hotel. eet to the door and seeing him go leaping down the hotel steps like a person deranged. “He seemed to be a sane enough chap, though he is mighty hard hit by that little girl with the yellow hair. But now he’s acting like a daffy thing. Look at him rushing away. Some men act like that when they think of suicide. I believe I will foliow him.” a = So Harlow flung aside his fresh cigar and hastened after Bart, who soon disappeared along a shell walk that led into a little grove. ae Harlow found Hodge walking up and down “aS in the shélter of the groves his face working . with passion he could not restrain, while he 4 muttered aloud: - — “My friend! my friend! I owe it to him 4 that Iam what | am! But I love her! How can I give her up? I have-told her, and she knows. Still she let him put the ring on her | finger! They have become engaged !” “Look here, old man, what have you been up to Bart. “I suppose you didn’t want me to - follow, but I thought it might be best for you. You acted daffy.” ° With a mighty effort, Hodge restrained his anger toward this fellow, who simply meant to be friendly. “Tt’s nothing, Harlow,” he declared. “I can’t tell you now. But I may want you fora second in a duel before we leave this island.’ “Command me,” said Harlow, taking a fresh cigar and proceeding to light it. “TI shall be happy to serve.” , / CHAPTER VIII. ones POWERS MEETS HODGE, As Frank and Elsie were looking at the remarkable ring, which Elsie had upon her hand, there came a step at the corner an 4 — such a tete-a-tete. Tir Lor a man came round the veranda, halting within a few feet of them. , They looked up, and an exclamation of as- tonishment escaped Merry’s lips. “Bolton Powers!” He uttered the name. “At your service,’ returned the dark-faced man, lifting his hat in a graceful manner. Frank had told Elsie the name of the man with whom he had the encounter in the woods, and now she leaped to her feet, giving a lit- tle gasp of fear. Frank had likewise risen. “Don’t let me disturb you,” said Powers, with a dark smile. “It is cruel to interrupt Pray, sit down, I beg you.” Elsie gazed at him with affright in her wide-open eyes. This was the wretch who had shot another man in the dark woods of Georgia in order to obtain possession of the mysterious ring now in her possession. “Frank, I’m afraid of him!” breathed El- “You need-not be,” assured Merriwell, quietly. | “J have’nd desire to cause the young lady needless alarm,” purred Powers. “Business brought me here.” | “Then you had better attend to it,” said Frank. | “aes “Very well, sir; when will you give me a little of your valuable time?” “Look out for him, Frank!” warned Elsie, her quivering hand falling on Merry’s arm. “He means to do you harm! He is a bad man!” “My dear,” said the unwelcome rascal, with curling lips, “you must know it is im- polite to whisper in company.” ~’ Frank frowned, longing to silence the in- __solence of the fellow with a blow. “There should be a warrant out for your arrest by this time,” he said. ae > P 4 WEEKLY. 19 “Indeed?” retorted Powers, with an up- “For what reason?” The blood of that man is on your head, and some day you lifting of his eyebrows. “You know well enough. will pay the penalty of your crime.” “M name, you have told some very remarkable y dear Mr. Merriwell, if that is your ; y stories over at St. Mary’s, but I notice that 12 after > you did not linger around there lot telling them. You created quite a sensation, and then you got out. Why didn’t you stop a while? Why didn’t you prove that a man was shot in the woods? Why didn’t you prove that you met me and had a fight with me, coming out the victor. Bah! that part of the story was enough to stamp it as false. Any one would know you lied merely by look- ing at us.” “Appearances are deceptive in many cases,” said Frank. “It is possible that, in some places, you might be taken for an hon- est man.” “But took “Score for you,” confessed Powers. You away a certain piece of property belonging I am not here to bandy words. to. me—a ring. I want it, and I demand it!” “Tf I did not have some sort of tussle with you and get the best of you, how was it I took away the ring?” asked Merry,-with a grim smile. “We'll not discuss that,’ said the man. “I have come for the ring.” “Which you will not get.” That ring dis of no value to you. “To me it is worth “Don’t be foolish, young man. ’ something. » I will give you twenty-five dol- * lars for it.” : “So much?” mocked Frank. “And you cnce.offered a small fortune to obtain posses- sion of it.” “A lie,” said Powers, quietly. “TI once had it in my possession, and it was taken from > 9” -me by violence % “By its rightful owner.” TEP Tor claimed to be its rightful not. No into his possession, he “By .one who owner, but was matter how the ring came had no right to it. It originally belonged to a great uncle of mine—a sea captain. By will and by right of descent it now belongs to me.” returned. “That is easily said,” Frank “Prove it.” “Too much bother. I can’t spend the time. Knowing my right, [ demand the ring.” “Knowing you are a scoundrel, knowing your hands are stained with Human blood, I refuse to give the ring up. More than that, T shaJl do my best to bring you to justice.” Powers did not seem alarmed, and it was plain he had expected Frank would refuse , “but I did not anticipate running onto you quite so sud- to give up the ring. “T followed you here,” he said, denly. That having happened, I decided to make known my demands at once. As you refuse to give up, I'll inform you what will happen. I shall obtain the ring at any cost, though it may be your life! I am in earnest about this thing, and I am not alone. There are others with me. They know you are on this island, and they will watch like hawks to see that you do not leave it. You cannot es- cape. You may as well surrender at once.” He spoke with calm confidence and a man- ner that seemed to indicate he believed he was telling the truth, which increased Elsie’s alarm. | “Don’t be afraid,” said Merry, soothingly, seeing that she wasshrinking and trembling: “Tt is simply a-case of a barking dog.” “The ring, Frank! What good is it to you? Why do you wish to keep it?” , “Just because I have taken a fancy to do so, and because I mean to solve the mystery connected with it. - wants it, the more I feel like keeping it.” “He is simply putting his life in needless peril, miss,” said the man. The more this fellow 4 “You have the — snarled Bart. WEEKLY. ring there on your hand. me! You will save his life by doing so. Quick—give it here!” Despite herself, Elsie seemed to feel a strange power that pulled her forward a step. Quick as a flash, clutched her, grasped her wrist and tried to Powers leaped at her, tear the ring from her hand. She closed her hand and screamed. As the sound left her lips, the hard fist of ‘rank ‘Merriwell struck behind the ear of 4 ton Powers with a crack. It was a terrible blow, and the ruffian was knocked fairly over the veranda rail to the ground. Without giving him further attention then, I‘rank turned and caught the girl on his arm, earnestly exclaiming: “Elsie, has he harmed you? Did he wrench The dog! I'll settle with him. when you are safely in the hotel!’ : ‘ “No, Frank—no!” she panted, clinging to | your wrist? him. ‘That man has a demon in his eyes. Keep away from him, or he will kill you! I feel it—I know it!” Just then there was a ‘sudden shout behind _ thern, and Merry looked round, just in time to see Bart Hodge leap like a panther upon Bolton Powers, knocking a revolver from the — ‘man’s hand. When Frank’s back was turned the infuri- ‘Ere he could raise it, however, Hodge, who was ap- — proaching the hotel in company with Cyril — ated‘ villain had drawn the weapon. Harlow, gave a shout and went at him. “You thurderous hound!” cried Bart, as he stood over Powers, his hands See and his face black with anger. | A short time before Bart’s heart had been’ : burning with anger against Merriwell, but — the: sight of Frank in peril wrought an in- stant change in him. Now he longed to ‘boot. the fallen wretch. ea ba i “Pull a gun.on a friend of mine, ma you af? | ae to shoot buy in n the back, Here; give it to = TIP Get up! of war, Il knock you down will you! Get up, and by the gods again |” a sc YY » Powers had been surprised by the sudden attack from: an unexpected quarter, and the revolver was dashed from his grasp; but he was no coward in such an encounter, and he suddenly leaped up. He had intended to meet Bart’s assault, but Hodge was on him with a spring, and his fist shot out again. The blow was delivered with all the power of Hodge’s muscular arm, and again it sent the scoundrel to the ‘sand. “Do you need any assistance, Bart?’’ quiet- ly asked Merriwell. “T hardly think so, sir,” answered Gyril Harlow, who was standing a few feet away, “Look out for the young lady. I'll see that Mr. Hodge receives calmly smoking his cigar, no harm,”’ “er Thank you,” said Frank, and he escorted Elsie inte the hotel. ™ Again Bart begged Powers to get up and “take his medicine,” and again the fellow ° rose with a leap. Bart was ready, and he went at the scoun- drel.. This time it took three blows to send Powers down, but all three fell hard and swift. <=. “Try it again, please!” urged Hodge. “That’s enough,” growled Powers, giving “T am alone, and I = Bart a furious glare. cry quits.” / “Then get out of this, you cur; and don’t ° ever again try to shoot a man in the back. You ought to be flayed for that trick !” Powers was glad to escape. CHAPTER IX. THE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP. ; When Frank came out of the hotel a few | moments Jater he found Powers had van- _ ished, while Cyril Harlow was complimenting - 3 TOP WEEKLY. 21 Hodge on the clever manner in which he had handled the rascal. Harlow regarded Merry with interest, for he suspected that Frank was the person who had awakened in Hodge such a feeling of tumultuous excitement. The owner of the Peirel was an observant fellow, and he had quickly discovered that Bart entertained more than a passing inter- est for Elsie. This gave him an inkling of the true situation, and he anticipated an open rupture between Hodge and the handsome young stranger who had been attacked by ‘Powers. Imagine Harlow’s surprise when Merry advanced with extended hand, which Hodge accepted. “You were just in time, old man!” smiled Frank, giving Bart a hearty grip. “I was careless to give that wretch an opportunity te pull a gun on me.” “That’s right,” nodded Hodge. “Who is he, anyhow ?” “A scoundrel, and a person who does not hesitate to shed blood.” “But how did you happen to get up against him, Merry?” ; “This was not the first time,” ‘said Frank. Come, let’s walk down to the beach, and I will tell you all about it.” : “I have met the gentleman before. ° “Ts it possible I was mistaken?” muttered Harlow, as, calmly puffing at his cigar, he saw the two young men. meet each other thus. 2 Bart introduced Harlow, “Mr. Harlow,” he said, “this is Frank Merriwell, of Yale; my dearest” friend.” : “Glad to know you, Mr. -Merriwelf” io nodded Cyril, shaking hands with Merry. * “Vale man? ‘Yes, I’ve heard of vou. Went to U. of P. myself. Graduated before. your time, I guess. Let me see, you are the great: io all-round athlete the papers have so much to 22 TIP TOP tell about? And are Mr. friend ?” He looked at Bart in a peculiar uttered the final words, causing the flush somewhat. declared Frank, promptly. you Hodge’s way as he dark-eyed young man to “That is right,’ “We've always been friends, and I hope we may always remain such.” Bart was silent. “T'll look after the violent gentleman with the black mustache,” observed Harlow, pro- ducing and lighting a fresh cigar from the stub of the he had been smoking. “I think he should be given a little attention.’ Frank passed his arm through Bart’s, and they furned toward the beach. “A duel!” muttered the owner of the Pe- trel, staring after them. “A love-feast, more likely. The only prospect of nt seems to be a little rumpus with the gentle- man whom Hodge polished off. . This is a one amusemet! great disappointment.” Then he strolled round the hotel, for Powers. As they walked toward the shore, told Bart about his adventure while hunting on the mainland. “The whelp!” exclaimed Hodge, Merry had given the particulars of his en- counter with Powers at the old hut in the woods. ‘Why, he committed murder, and he’s running loose!” * “Over at St. Mary’s they didn’t seem to take much stock in my _ story,” admitted Frank. “I rather fancy it would be difficult to prove the charge of murder against him.” “Why ™ Ene acta is lacking.”’ “That’s so.’ “And I do not even know the man’s “A mighty odd piece of business,” ~mented‘ Hodge... - (2.4 ~ “You see just how impossible it would be for me to do anything without assistance from the authorities, atid the authorities over there didn’t seem to care about bothering over the affair, we : They talked of this for some time, walking together on the sandy beach. There was _ something of which Frank wished to speak, ~ yet found difficult to approach. | halted, and Merry said: looking Frank when name.’ com- Yeu yr » WEEKLY. . “This meeting here was entirely unexpect- ed, Bart.” “Quite so,” nodded Bart, shortly. “T was surprised when I saw Elsie coming off from the yacht, and I was more surprised when, she told me you were aboard.” Hodge hastened to explain how he came to be on the Petrel. “Harlow to be a fine fellow,” he “and I didn’t feel like refusing when he seems said, invited me to come along for a cruise.” Merriwell, “when knew Elsie would be on the yacht.” sart’s lips tightened, and he made no re- tort. “Especially,’”’ said you “there us. “Took here, old man,” said Frank, should b between ” understanding ful girl, and “So is Inza!” exclaimed Bart. Merriwell, that as far as those two girls are concerned I’ve never run across your trail. But you can’t expect to, hold them both. I have believed that you cared more for Inza, ” an eauti IeIsje is a | “You know, but now—— _ “Go on,” urged ‘Frank. “Well, this day I saw something that led me to believe I was-wrong on that point.” Then Bart told how he had seen Merriwell. — placing the ring on Elsie’s hand. “Tt’s a fair question, Merriwell,” he swiftly pursued, “and I want to know if that was an engagement ring. Considering what has hap- pened since I left New York on the Trenton, — I believe I havea right to ask the question:” “That ring,” said Merry, “was the one I received from the man I believe Bolton Pow- ers murdered. I was showing it to Elsie, that is aii.” Hodge turned white, and a look of \relief came to his face. me ae “Then,” he said, huskily, gaged to Hlsic' po “Not yet,” answered Fitna “but I may: be some day—if I am able to win her.” “But Inza-—have yeu given her up?” ‘Anxiously Bart awaited the answer. Immediately Merriwell decided to tell Bart just what had happened at Starbright’s s home, and he did.so without reserve. “vou are not en- Finally they ~ As Hodge listened his face grew more and _ more set and ee for he saw oe there Ae LOE was now no further hope that Frank might select Inza as his choice. “Now you understand the situation,” said Merry, “T know at last that I always cared more for Elsie thar for Inza. My feelings toward Inza have been those of admiration and friendship rather than of af- fection. I think she has discovered that she regarded me in a similar light. I believe Starbright has won her, and he is a fellow who will keep what he wins. Fate led me straight to Elsie, after she had fled from me. Tt could not be averted. I have wspoken frankly, Bart.” _ For some moments Hodge turned his back on Merriwell, looking out over the sound to- ward some distant, low-lying palmetto islands. A struggle was going on within him, and he did not. wish Frank to see his face. “I thought you were placing an engage- ment ring on Elsie’s hand,” he finally said, his voice low and steady. “I had a fight with myself then, for I felt like striking you _ down.” a “Then,” muttered Frank, “I Was not wrong in fancying you, also, care for her?” “Care for her!” exclaimed Bart. “Merri- well, you have been the best and truest friend I’ve ever known, and that has caused me to crush down and hold in check my feelings toward Elsie Bellwood. I owe to you every- thing that I am, for it was your hand that set me on the right path, and your friendship and influence that kept me there. I know it, Frank! Don’t think me an ungrateful dog! Something about Elsie Bellwood has made me think of her and dream of her many times, but I regarded my thoughts as folly and my dreams as vain. Fate plays strange pranks ‘with us poor devils. I thought it was the end of us both on that burning steamer. _ tried to save her, but we were cut off by the _. fire. Facing death, with her helpless in my - arms, my lips were unsealed, and I told her my secret. I kissed her for the first time— "perhaps the last! You came then with an _ axe and battered down the partition, and it was you who saved us! It was you who --saved me, your false friend! able to save her and leave me, it would have Pee better!” in eonciusion, I had ~ Had you been WEEK . Ya He could not wholly restrain his emotion, but he did so as successfully as possible. Frank was drawn to his friend, and his hand fell on Bart’s arm. “You @e right, old friend,’ he agreed, “fate plays strange pranks with us. Strange things have happened since the day we first met at Fardale. Then you became my bitter enemy; afterward you changed to a friend. Hodge, of all my friends you have been the And now this has come Is it to end one I loved most, between us! Is it to divide us? our friendship ?” The arm of the dark-haired lad quivered. “No!” he suddenly cried, with intense - vehemence—“by heaven, no! Whatever comes—whatever happens, our friendship must remain unbroken!” “Amen !’ said Frank Merriwell. CHAPTER X. WHAT HAPPENED TO ELSIE. Elsie aveided both Frank and Bart the re- mainder of the day. She told herself that never before had a girl been placed in such a difficult position. Never until Bart had attempted to rescue her from the burning steamer had she sus- pected his regard for her: Then, when he had, fancied neither could-escape, he spoke in language she could not misunderstand. The memory of. those. passionate words uttered by the handsome, dark-eyed youth thrilled her with a ‘Sa and she thought of them often. e had vowed that he loved her, had strained her strength-for- saken form to his heart, and had kissed her. That kiss burned like fire on her lips, and the thought of it gave her a sensation that was half pleasure and half pain. - It was something to be loved so passion- ately bya strong, brave, handsome youth. It was something to have inspired such love and awakened such passion. Had Frank ever loved her thus passion- -ately ? She was beset by the a which kept recurring to her. No! Her heart told her that-in answer. No! Her reason forced it upon her, | “No !” Her lips whispered the word. fond _° TIP TOP Frank had seemed unable to choose be- tween her and Inza, She had fancied that he eared more for Inza than for her. For However, with Frank for his frignd, kept the secret locked in his heart until, i that terrible moment, believing they were both doomed, he had told her all. Then Frank had come, smashed down the partition and dragged them both from peril. Bart there had been but eee choice. he had Why had it not been somebody else? Why had fate selected Frank as the rescuer ? Elsie had hastened to get away from Merry, but it was only a little time before fortune brought them together again. In the meantime Bart had followed: her. Having betrayed his secret to her, a sudden new resolve to win her was awakened in his heart. Frank could have Inza. more for her, anyhow. this, knowing nothing at that time of the turn affairs had taken while Merry was at Starbright’s homé. : ‘ Elsie recognized the fact of Bart’s deter- mination, and she had found it difficult to hold him in check for a time. Her heart had seemed filled with conflict- ing emotions. Suddenly she had awakened to the fact that Hodge was very handsome, very manly, very magnetic and very master- ful. Something seemed drawing her toward him. What was it? Could it be love? Frank had no real claim upon her, she kept telling herself. They. were friends, nothing more. He would marry Inza in the end, for Inza was more beautiful, more talented, more attractive in every way. _ She had thought that she could never care for any one but Frank Merriwell, as she had told herself when she fled from New Haven He seemed to care Bart told himself to escape meeting him after seeing him with~ Inza, Then she had known nothing of the passion slumbering and hidden in the heart of Hodge. When it was revealed to her a new light seemed to flash before her vision. ( “Wait!” she told herself. “I do not under- stand what it means. I must have time to think about it.” _ Frank’s story of Inza and Starbright had simply aie to Ee s bewilderment. Tike | WEEKLY. any Other girl, she did not like to think Merry had fieaed to her merely because he knew Inza was lost to him. that his eyes were opened and that he now realized he had never loved Inza, but why had he not discovered this before? Elsie wondered if the change in him was permanent. : 1h “He must be tested,” she decided. But she was not a heartless flirt, and it pained her to think of dallying with the af- ° fections of two young men, leading them both dh, only to cast one aside at last, per- haps to make the friends bitter enemies. “What can I do?” she murmured, help- “There is-but one way. I must tell them both that I-do not know my.own heart. Perhaps I had better tell them both that I care e for neither. I believe that is thé best way. Painful though it was, this solution of the vexing problem. “VIF never marry,” said Elsie to herself. “Once I would have taken. Frank; but now lessly. 4 ‘my mind is made up, and nothing can change — it. Tl never marry!” Mrs. Parker noted the worried expression on Elsie’s face and sought to learn the cause, but the girl kept her secret. In his haste to return to learn how Hodge had ‘come out with Powers, Frank left the ring in Elsie’s possession. “Pll return it to.him to-morrow,” she de- cided, taking it from her hand and sl ipping it into her bosom. She' did not appear at supper. On inquiry, Frank leart aed from Mrs. Parker that Elsie had been attacked by a headache and was in her room. ' Harlow invited Frank and Bart to go on board the Petrel. “T have some good wine and Sood cigars: on board,” he said. “Thank you,” smiled Merry. either. However, Td be pleased to.” : Hodge hesitated, the thought that he igh find an opportunity to see and .speak with Elsie coming to him. Then he glanced up and saw Frank looking at him.: 7 ATH go sare he said. | True he had told her seemed the only cy never use ~ if Bart wishes to accom- « a. pany us, I'll go and look your yacht over \ 7 TIP TOP WEEKLY. From the window of her room Elsie saw them walking down to the pier, Harlow smoking, as usual. Frank was taller than Bart, but both were finely formed. There was about Merriwell, however, an air of superior, unconscious abil- ity that was most effective. At the pier Harlow signaled for a boat, which soon put off from the yacht. murmured Elsie. “It would not be right for me to ruin their friendship. My mind is made up; I'll reject them both. I’ll live and die an old maid!” Millions of*®irls before her have made that vow—and married soon after! How would it be with Elsie? - She watched till the three young men climbed over the rail of the Peirel, and then she flung herself down on ‘the bed, giving way to thoughts*and meditations that were both pleasant and painful. Scmehow, despite the fact that she had re- solved to reject Frank, she was glad that he was not to have Inza. After a time Elsie fell asleep. When she awoke it was dark and the window of her room was open, the cool night air blowing in upon her. _The window had been closed when she fiung herself on the bed. Her first thought was that she had locked the door of the room. That being the case, how came the window open? Rustle !—some one stirred close by the bed. “Mrs. Parker, is that you?” she exclaimed, sitting upright. Then she caught a glimpse of a dark figure, and something like a heavy blanket descended in smothering folds over her head. She struggled and tried to cry out, but strong arms encircled her, holding her help- less, and the folds of the blanket smothered her cries. | She was filled-with horror. What was the ‘meaning of this sudden and mysterious as- -sault upon her? As long as she could she continued the struggle, doing everything in her power to fling off the blanket and utter a loud*cry for _ She was smothering! breathe! The sensation ¥ “They are still friends,” was something She could not 25 frightful, and swiftly her strength deserted her. “Frank!” she thought. “Bart! Where are you? Why don’t you save me now?” It seemed that bright lights began to float and burst and vanish before her eyes. They changed to all the colors of the prism, and she saw beautiful flowers nodding and smil- ing to her. distant thunder rumbled in her ears, but it changed to the peal of a pipe organ, grew softer and sweeter, sank to the murmur-of the wind in forest trees, dying at last to the lapping of tiny waves on a sandy beach. How could she know the sound was the faint beating of her own heart? She was not struggling now. It was use- less to struggle, for-something told her there Was no escape. Again she was on the burning steamer, cut off by the flames. The smoke was smother- ing her. Oh, it was terrible to die thus alone! Then through the flames and smoke came a dark form. It was Hodge! He had come to save her! But the fire cut them off, and they could not escape. They were forced into a stateroom. The end was near. Again she felt his arms about her; again she heard his passionate declaration of love. A sound. like He kissed her, and, clinging to him, she whis- pered: “Yes, Bart, I love you—I love you!” Then came nothingness, CHAPTER XI. CAPT IVA EIS aes Clank! clank! clank! Struggling back to consciousness, Elsie heard the sound. She wondered what it meant. Where was’ she? The cool night wind touched her face gratefully. Looking upward, she saw the stars thick in the cloud- less sky. ate Splash! -Clank! clank! clank! ‘There was a slight rocking, swaying mo- tion. Then she coulg see a dark figure swing- ing backward and forward regularly so near that she might touch it with her hand. Might touch it? No, for she found her hands bound together and she was helpless. , In a moment she remembered her terrible — \ TOP 26 rrp experience -in the hotel, and a faint cry horror rose to her lips. “Hello !” grunted a voice. come round, “She-un have boss.’ voice. commanded another will *look “Keep on,” “We're almost there. [ out for her,” Then, pushed her dered : “Keep still, girl! -for it will do you no” good. We long distance from friends, might split’your throat without making them when Elsie tried to rise up, a hand back, and a cold, cruel voice or- Don’t raise a rumpus, re a good your and you hear.” “Where am Ir” “Oh, where are you taking me?” 7 “It’s no use to ask questions,” returned the same voice. “You mayvsas well .\keep quiet, for all ¢he good it will do you.” “What have I ever done that you should be so cruel to me?” said the unfortunate girl, her voice quivering. “Oh, it isn’t you, my dear,” ance, accompanied by a low laugh. “You would not harm a fly. I’m simply using you to bring your friend Mr. Merriwell to time.” By this time Elsie had made out that they were in a*boat, which was being rowed by two persons. A third person was the man who sat near her, keeping guard over her. She knew she had been kidnapped by these but could not understand their ob- gasped Elsie, faintly. was the assur- ruffans, seek ‘ “Don’t puzzle your pretty head over it,” advised the man with the cold, cruel voice. “IT don’t think you have any reason to be greatly frightened. If Merriwell comes to time, you'll get out of this scrape without being harmed in the least.” __ All at once Elsie recognized the man as the fellow who had attempted to wrest the wring. from her on the piazza of the hotel the one with whom Frank and Bart had fought. : “The ring!” thought Elsie. OTE Simi oe Then came the thought that the Soreted battble lay hidden in the bosom of her dress. If she were to give it up, these men might | ‘set her free at once—might return her to her friends. “He is after WHREKLY. But Frank had fought to retain the ring, and he treasured it highly for some reason. She would not give it up. The dying man who had given the ring to Merriwell had said it would bring good for- tune to the one who possessed it, yet it had brought him his death, had caused Merry great trouble, and had now brought trouble on her. The ring was a hoodoo. Elsie wondered if it would not. be the best thing to give it up at once. In that moment of fear she was grea not surrender. “Here we air, boss,”’ tly tempted, but she did said one of the men. “This is the cove.” The shore lay but still they pulled on for a little time, gradually slackening till the bottom of the boat ground on the sand. The men got out quickly anal pulled the boat up. “We kin hide her in here, sah,” said one of - the men, “so nobody kin evah find her, no- how,” “That’s right,” said the man addressed, lifting Elsie from the boat with ease. “Take care to get the old boat well out of sight.” Elsie was placed on her-feet, but she stood with difficulty on her fear-weakened limbs. The térrors of her situation still possessed her, which is not at all strange.’ Bound, help- less, in the power of three ruffians, surround- ed by the awesome darkness of that desolate spot, what girl would not have been over- close on either hand, come with fear? ee The two men who had labored-at the oars spent some time in dragging the old boat to a place of concealment, after which they ap- proached the other, announcing that they were ready. Elsie saw they carried guns in their hands. / She was lifted as if a featherweight. One of the men took the lead, and away they went. The path was not a smooth one. Soon they plunged-into a piece of woods, where it was dark and fearsome. It was not long before a light gleamed ahead, and then they arrived at a hfit. The man in advance aeeied the. door of the hut, and Elsie was carried in. = A hideous old negress had ‘been smoking a _ iP at burned on the fireplace. At her on a staggering table, burned a “clut * which was simply a rag floating in a corncob pipe before a fire th stone hearth of a crude elbow, candle, dish of grease. “Hi-yil” are, chilluns. time.” Then, Elsie, she flung up her crooked old hands, exclaiming: “Fo’ de lan’ sakes! My goodness gracious! it “pears to be a real live doll ; cried the old crone. ‘“Heah yo’ I’s been ’spectin’ yo’ fo’ a long seeing what am dis? ‘deed it do!” : “You may have her to take care of for a day or two, Mother Munn,” said the man who had brought Elsie, and whom the light revealed to be Bolton Powers. cious, and I want you to guard her as if she were the very apple of your eye.” “Ain't got no apple in mah eye, sah, but long’s yo’ pay me yo’ can. ’pend on me, sah. Pll look out fo’ her.” “She is pre- The sight of a woman, even though it was this old negress, was a relief to Elsie, who stood in terrible fear of the ruffians. When Powers released her hands with a slash of-a knife she staggered forward, clasped the old woman and burst into tears. Then she received a shock, for the negress repulsed her, giving her a thrust that flung her on a che while she cried: “G’way, dar! Don’ come none ob you’ snivilins roun’ me! I ain’t got no sympathy wif yo’ stuck-up white fo’ks dat turn yo’ noses up at niggers w’en yo’ don’t hab trub- ble, but want to slobber ovah um an’ cry. when you’ gits in a scrape. mah -hoe-cake ‘am buttered on, an’ yo’ néedn’t try teh wo’k on mah feelin’s, fo’ I ain’t got none—no, indeed!” Elsie instantly realized that she could ex- pect nothing from this withered old. w ench, and so, cov ering her face with her trembling hands, she sobbed in silence. — One of the men who accompanied Powers was a mulatto, and ‘the old woman addressed him’ as Pete, sometimes calling him her boy. The other seemed to be a typical poor white of the Georgia coast. : The men, with the exception .of Powers, seemed to pay little attention to the captive TOP WEEKLY. I know which side 27 girl. Powers, however, saying : “When you have finished shedding tears, I There You and you'll come out sensible and a sat down. near her, have some things I wish to tell you is nothing in. particular to cry about. are in no gréat danger, all right if Mr. gives up that ring.” Merriwell is She was tempted to tear it from her bosom but she did not. tears subsided. Then and fling it into his face, \fter a Powers quietly said: time her “T have taken a great risk to-night to bring Merriwell to time. It was a perilous job to enter your room at the hotel by means of a ladder and your window to capture you and carry you down that ladder. I did it be- cause [ am determined to have that ring. You will never leave this place until Merri- well has delivered up the ring to me. As it will then be too late for him to ee use of the ring, I am willing to tell you why I am so determined to have it.. Originally it be- longed to an ancestor of mine who pursued a: Frank somewhat unlawful career the. high In short, he was a pirate. on this coast a upon seas. He helped bury somewhere treasure. Beneath the stone set in that ring is hidden the directions that will enable me to find the treasure. Outside of this, the ring is of no value. It has really brought no man luck, but the struggle for its possession has brought disaster to many. By right it is mine, and I will have it.” It is possible that the girl did not fully understand what he was saying, but he went on: precious “T mean to lose no time. To-night, with- out delay, you must write a letter that I will dictate. It will tell Frank Merriwell that you are in my power, and that [ll never give you up till he sénds me the ring. It will not be best for you to refuse to write as IT command.” Elsie’s heart leaped, and she expressed ‘a willingness to write, for she hoped the letter might somehow lead rescuers to the spot. So Powers produced paper and a fountain -pen, and Elsie wrote, though her hand shook so that the letter was a pitiful scrawl. Thess scoundrel dictated, making the appeal to | ees as pitiful as posante, engine as sayin 28 TIP he would never see her alive again unless he sent the ring at once. “That will do very well!” exclaimed the ruffian with satisfaction, taking the paper from her. “You are a very sensible girl, and by Jove! you are pretty, too! I don’t wonder Merriwell is struck on you. Don’t worry yourself to death. The old woman will not hurt you, and she’ll guard you close enough till you are set.free, which I hope will be to- morrow.” He folded the paper and thrust it into a pocket. “Come, Dan,” he said. The white man arose, taking his rifle. “Pete, you and Mother Munn be on guard all the time.”’ “Yo’ kin trus’ us, sah,” declared the old wench. “I'll tek care ob der chile.” “That’s right! But harm her at your peril!” Then Powers and his companion strode out of the hut, leaving Elsie with the old woman and the mulatto. CHAPTER XII, THE MAN-EATER’S VICTIM, “Give dat teh me!” The night has passed and it was high noon — of the following dey. - Elsie was still a captive, watched over by the old negress. The mulatto had left the hut. . Powers and his companion had not re- turned. When. she fancied she was not observed, Elsie had taken the ring from her bosom. Her cur iosity led her to do so, for she wished to look at it. The old woman had seemed fast ‘asleep, but suddenly her eyes were wide open, and she started up, crying: . “Give dat teh me!” With a low cry, Elsie tried to thrust the ring back into her bosom. gal!’ cried the negress, “No yeh don’, ‘springing upon her and clutching her wrist. “TI believe dat’s de article Mistah Poahs am Jes’ lookin’ fo’, an’ he'll pay well teh git it. yo’ gib dat to me.” TOP WEEKLY. “No!” cried Elsie. I will not give it up!” “What’s dat, chile? Don’ yo’ tell me such trash! I know I ain’t so young as I use to be, but I can haindle yo’ wif mah little fingah!”’ Elsie tried to fling her off, but the old woman had remarkable strength, ‘and a strug- gle for the possession of the ring began. It did not last long, for Mother Munn soon pinned Elsie to the wall and wrested the ring from her. When she was released the poor girl sank down in a nerveless heap. “I’ve lost the ring after all!” she gasped. “Oh, how foolish I was!” Mother Munn chuckled over her capture. “Well, I kindah guess Mistah Poahs will hab teh par right smart fo’ dis!” she laughed. “Why didn’t yo’ say yo’ had it, gal? Dat would sabed yo’ a heap ob trubble.” There was a hurried step outside the door, which opened a moment later to admit Pow- ers himself. The man looked sawage as a hunted wolf, his expression being one of de- feat and disgust. “Where’s Pete?” he cried. a a “T dunno, Mistah Poahs; he’s-done gone out somewheah.” “Well, the dickens is to pay!” “What am de mattah?” “That whelp Runkle permitted himself to be caught in taking that writing to Merriwell, and they’ve forced him to squeal. He’s lead- ing them straight to this spot.” “Oh, Lordy! Lordy!” screeched the old woman. “Dis am ruin fo’ us!” “Oh, they can’t do anything with you, You haven’t done a thing but take good care of the girl. But they’ll get her back all Tghb: and I’ve failed in recovering that ring.’ “No, sah; I’s got dat ring fo’ yo’, sah. De gal had de ring, an’ she nebber tole yo’. I took it away from ker, Mistah Poahs.” “Furies, no?” cried the man, in great ex- — citement. “Where is it? You must. be, - wrong Let me see ie Te2 “Heah it am,” said the old wench, produc- ing the trinket and holding it up to view. “Let me have it!” “What yo’ gwine teh gib me fo’ gettin’ fe sah ?” ie “Tm not sure it is the Be Let me see.’ | “Let go! TIP “Yo’ can look at it heah.” The old negress did not mean to give the ring up till he paid her for securing it. Outside there was a rush of feet, the door was flung open and the frightened yellow face of the mulatto appeared. _ “Yo’ bettah skip, sah!” he said. “They’re ‘comin’ right close, an’ :they’ll be heah in a minute.” Then he dodged away and disappeared. Evidently he had been watching somewhere in the vicinity and had seen Powers when he hurried to the old hut. “Give me that ring!” snarled the man, _ §pringing upon the old woman and grasping her by the throat. ‘Give it up, I say!” “Pay me fo’ it, sah,” she wheezed. “Tl pay you for it!’ he growled, and then he struck her with his clenched fist, felling her to the floor. At this moment Pete looked in again, plainly meaning to give anothef warning. _ What he saw caused him to stare, for Powers was twisting the mae: from the grip of the _hegress. . Had the mulatto dared, stopped to aid her, but he thought of his own preservation alone now, so he dodged ‘back and darted away. “Let him tek car’ of hisself now!” he mut- tered. ¢ Powers obtained the ring. “At last!” he cried, exultantly. key to the buried treasure!” He dashed from the hut, his keen eyes see- ing a number of persons approaching. Mer- tiwell was with the party, and he beheld Powers, crying out for him to stop. “Go to blazes!” yelled the villain, as he turned along the ‘path that ran toward the shore. - A shot sounded behind him and a bullet whistled over his-head. “Bhat’s wild!’ he laughed: “You don’t lean to hit me, for you don’t dare. You an’t scare me by shooting into the air.” Then he ran for the shore. “After him!” rang out the voice of Frank “He must not get away!” Hote b bounded to the door of the hut and : : Asterspination < on his smooth face. sete Aes TOP WEEKLY. he might have “T have ae cigar. 29 of Elsie and whirled about, dashing up to the door. One look he took, and then, with a mut- tered exclamation, he turned away, a fierce look in his eyes. He had seen Bart holding Elsie in his arms, Frank saw she was safe, and he also saw her smiling into Bart’s face. Then he turned away and dashed with renewed vigor after the desperate wretch who had fled to the shore, The heart of the scoundrel was filled with exultation as he ran for the boat, having the ring in his possession. “The treasure is mine!” he panted. escape them in the boat. me !” “T can They can’t follow But when he came to the cove where the boat had been hidden he found it was gone. Far out beyond the mouth of the cove he saw the mulatto rowing swiftly away. 3ehind him sounded the approaching pur- suers. “Pete—oh, Pete!” he cried, running along the shore . “Come back here, you dog! How dare you row away? Come back, I say!” The man in the boat paused with uplifted oars. He seemed about to turn about when he caught a glimpse of the swiftly approach- ing pursuers, © “No use, sah!” he cried: cotched !” : “You cur!” screamed Powers. you leave me like this! back!” Then he heard the pursuers close at hand. A moment later he had flung aside his coat and was wading swiftly into the water. With a plunge, he began swimming toward the boat. : Frank was with the very first who reached the shore, and he, saw Powers swimming strongly toward the boat, while Pete at last had turned about and was slowly rowing to meet him, “Are we going to let the varlet get away, Merriwell?” ‘inquired the calm voice of Cyril Harlow, who for once was not smoking a | “7 propose to take a crack at him.” Harlow produced a shining revolver, quiet z “They’ve got yeh “How dare Turn round! Come 80 TIP “Wait!” gasped Frank, clutching the wrist of his companion, “Look there!” A sharp fin was ‘cutting the waters, flying with the speed of an arrow toward the swim- ming man. : “A shark!’ breathed Harlow, lowering the revolver, ‘A regular man-eater !” The mulatto saw the danger and shouted to Powers. “Splash !’’ sah !” | But the doomed wretch simply continued to swim with all his: strength toward the boat. “He’s a goner!” observed Harlow, not without an accent of satisfaction in his voice. There was a flash of white, a snap, an eddy, a shriek—Powers had disappeared. To the surface of the water rose a tinge of crimson, Man or ring would never again be seen by human eyes! he cried—‘‘splash fo’ yoah life, [THE END. ] The next number (251) will contain “Frank Merriwell’s Party; or, The Cruise of the Petrel.”’ TOP WEEKLY. Correspondence, H. A. M., Lynn, Mass.—No premiums on any of the coins mentioned. Bert P., Duluth, Minn.--Yes, had upon application, KE. K, E., Washington, D. C.—No premium. Ad- dress J. W. Seott Co., 40 John street, New York City. Edwin E. Parker, Chicago, Ill.—No. West Point is the only military academy of its. kind in the country. Daniel J. Greene. Thomaston, Conn.—No premium on any, coin mentioned, excepting the half-cent coin of 1804 and 1806, cents each, they can always be © ~~~ - > 4 4+ LATEHST I8SSU Ks. 20—Frank Merriwell’s Ring; or, The Misie. 251—F rank Merriwell’s Petrel. 249—Frank Merriwell’s Search; Escape. ; 248—F rank Merriwell’s Set-Back; or, bright’s Success. 247—Frank Merriwell’s Enemy’s Hand. 246—Frank Merriwell’s the Polo King. 245—F rank Merriwell’s Entertainments; or, Celebrat. ing the Victories of Old Yale. 244—Frank Merriwell’s Shrewdness; or, Protégé’s Honor. 248—Frank Merriwell’s Difficult ‘‘Hazard.,’ 242—Frank Merriwell’s High Jump; or, Winning the | Championship from Harvard. the. Party; or, The Cruise of the. Elsie’s Narrow Dick Star- — Forcing His or, Dilemma; or, Mastery; , The Success of Clearing His ‘Brassie”’ Shot; or, 241—Frank Merriwell’s -Kick; — or ’ Downing Princeton Tigers. 240—Frank Merriwell’s excita or, Beating the. x ps Carlisle Indians. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER'S BADGE. HALE PRICE ro OUR READERS ONLY. Each coupon is worth five cents when ace om panied by five cents — . In response to the urgent request of a host of ‘1p Tor readers the publishers after carefully considering a number of designs for a» badge of membership in the TIP TOP LEAGUE, finally adopted one which is an artistic gem of excellence. The picture shows the design, butit does not give youan adequate idea of the exquisite beauty of this elegant ornament. It is solidly and substantially made, finished in gilt and beantifully embossed. The widespread desire for this badge gave us so much faith in the enterprise that our first order was enormous, but we have been obliged to give a- aécond order. We still offer it at the very low figure of TWENTY CEN''S (‘Ten Cents in Cash or Stamps and Ten Cents in Coupons.) AN EXACT PICTURE OF THE LEAGUE BADGE In stamps or coin. TWO COUPONS AND ‘TEN CENTS SECURE YOU THE BADGE. You can get as many badges as you desire. at the same rate by use of the extra coupons. Badges withort coupons will cost fifty cents each. _The coupons are free to Trp Top readers, and we adopt this method to prevent others from getting the badge at the special rate given to our patrons. IF YOu. ARE, A READER OF THE TIP: TOP YOU ARE A MEMBER _ OF THE LEAGUE, AND ENTITLED TO.WEAR THE EM- BLEM OF THE ORDER~—and our word for it, you will be more iban pleased after you receive it. ; ‘TIP TOP LEAGUE MEW BER’ Ss '§ COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be aecepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. t TIP TOP LEAGUE MEN’ BER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. oe ° STREET & SMITH. 7 To secure the promptest aseganek Subject to. ; address all letters on upon which there is a premium of five Rivalry for ~ . Inza's) TEP \Tip ToPWEEKLY. “AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THI’ AMERICAN YOUTH” NEW YORK, Januaky 26, 1901; Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers, (POSTAGK FRHEK.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. Ff months - » | One Vear + - 2 « - 4-- 4months - --.-. - 85 2 copies one year + - - 4.00 @® months - - - - - - 1 copy two years - + - - 4.00 How to Srnp Moniwy.—By post oflice or express money order, rink APs letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At yourown risk sent by currency, coin, or postage stanips in ordinary letter, : ReCKIPTS,— Receipt of yor remittance ts acknowledged by proper ~ elumge of nianberon your label. fnotcorrect you have not been properly credited, and should let ws jnow at once. STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEERLY, 238 William St., New York City. APPLAUSE. daving read nearly all of your Tip Top Weeklies, I thought I would express my opinion of it.: I think, ‘without a doubt, that it is the best paper of its kind published. I have read many other books of its kind, but find none that can equal it. You certain- ly merit the large circulation you have, and each and every day adds more to it. Regarding the characters in it, I ean truthfully say that they are so well por- 2.50 '» trayed to life that they excel anything I have here- tofore read. -I also wish to say that the writer, Burt 4 1. Standish, is to be congratulated and complimented -in his successful achievements. With my _ best wishes to the publisher and hearty congratulations 7 to Mr. Standish, © HENRY W., : © Chicago, Ill. We are always more than pleased to receive such genuine commendation, and we acknowledge the same very gratefully. We strive to keep Tip Top at the highest point of excellence, and naturally are "9 elad when we find its worth is known and appre- | ciated by the great host of our readers. — _ Being a constant reader of your interesting weekly, “Wish to express my views concerning it. The stories are of clean literature, and time is well spent in reading them. Mr. Standish certainly can be proud of the praise he is the recipient of. I have found in the Tip Top Weekly an. excellent remedy for the ‘‘blues.’’ Of the ‘‘Block,”’ I consider Bart, Frank’s best friend, although the others are not to forgotten, as they are all stanch friends of Frank. Though Bart is disgusting some times, he should not be dropped, fer Tip Top would not be “Tip Top’? without him. I suppose the poor fellow, Who was promised a godd ‘‘shaking”’’ for suggesting to drop Bart, will not make such a mistake again. It did not make much of an impression upon the readers, for Bart was nobly defended. My prefer- ence of the girls is, was and always will be,’ for the ‘heroine, Bilsie, as I think, the author has given us to understand from the first. Inza is a noble and worthy girl, but she has too much the same nature as Frank, while Elsie’s nature is widely different and just the companion for. Frank. In conclusion, I will say that ‘‘we-uns” wish ‘‘you-’ns’’ of Tip Top long life. JAY HAWKER, ae Leavenworth, Kan. Such words of praise please us in the extreme. You are evidently a close and appreciative reader of the Tip Top, and we hope you always may continue n the same strain. Iam a constant reader of the Tip Top and. think they are fine. 1 like to read about the college series and baseball. 1 have a member’s badge, and think it is fine. I like to read about Frank, Bink, Danny, rowning and Bart most. I am organizing a club, rhich all of the Tip Top readers are welcome to join, free of charge. The name is ‘Union Tip Top Association.” We are trying to get up the largest club in the United States. B..L, LIGHTFOOT, Ss rol ae Dallas; Texas. e hope your association will be a great success that you will succeed in arousing the interest of ur readers. Such ambition as you seem to pos-- Ss shoujdn’t go unrewarded, and we give you three i r luck, and wish you all kinds of success. TOP WEEKLY... Top is better than any other book. ‘Smith, ol I have been a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly. from the first number up to the present date, and I can hardly wait for the weeks to pass by, they seem to pass so slowly. I have never seen a letter from our town, and I hope to see this one in print in the next number of the Tip Top. I enjoy the football series more than any of the others, as I am somewhat of a football player myself. I aiso play baseball some, but I can play football a great deal better. I tove to read of Frank, Bart, Inza and Elsie, and think Frank is a typical American youth and I try to.use him as an example as much as I can. I have never seen any one who could use the double shoot, but I hope to some day. I am fifteen years old and hold a position on the team as right- tackle. Wishing Mr. Standish success, JOHN J. SULLIVAN, Colusa, Cal. Thank you. Tip Top how the As I have been a constant reader of the Weekly, I feel it my duty to inform you boys of this ward appreciate your works. Most of the boys that are here now were wounded in the charge of. Hinduet. This, I think, was the hardest fought battle on these islands. We are ali recover- ing nicely, except Dr. Roach, who I am afraid will not pull through, but who, with the rest of the boys, joins in sending Merry andv-all his friends best regards. Ten of § like Elsie the best. I think Bruce would make a good soldier.: He is a boy after my own heart. WILL EVERTS, Troop B, Detachment of Rough Riders, Care of Santa Masa Hospital, Ward 5. A letter of this kind always touches us. When we think of the poor wounded sons of Uncle Sam tak- ing pleasure in Tip Top, it repays us as nothing else can, for any labor involved in its transmission. We hope Dr. Roach, whom you mention, will re- cover, and that all our other boys-will soon be well and strong again. In the meantime, our best wishes to you—and may Tip Top continue to solace you in your weary hours. Honor to our heroes, and good luck to them. e We have read many of the Tip Top Weeklies and think they surpass all other stories of the kind. Next to Frank. we like Bart the best, who we think is Merry’s truest friend, as he has already shown. The books are getting more interesting every week; if possible. The last one (Frank Merri- well’s Brassie Shot) is out of sight. (BMxcuse the slang, but it. seems suitable.). The girls Inza and Elsie are both splendid, each in her own way, and we hope one or the other is the future Mrs. Frank Merriwell. We would like to hear of Jack Diamond and Juliet Reynolds, and would also like to see Bart Hodge meet Grace Vernon and finish the declara- tion which he began in,Tip Top Weekly No. 193. Hoping to hear from Hans, Barney, Ephraim, Buck /Badger and his wife, we will close with three cheers for the Tip Top. HENRY KUHLMANN, MAX SEHIBOLD, Toledo, O. We are glad you find the Merriwell stories so in- teresting. It is always gratifying to have our read- ers send us words of encouragement, and we hope to hear from you soon again. 7 Leas tas It affords me much pleasure to offer my endorse- ment among the many interesting ones in your Ap- plause Columns. I have been a reader of the Tip Top for about one year, and grow very anxious for the latest numbers. We are progressing gloriously in the organization of a Tip’Top Club and are wonderfully Surprised at the interest being taken. We admire the method that Mr. Standish pursues in portraying a character before the mind of the reader and con- sider him simply superb in his distribution of enter- taining features. {t is a library that commends itself to every one. Suecess to Mr. Standsh and all con- nected with his beautiful work. : H. N. OLIPHANT, We are delighted to hear your Tip Top Club is get- ting along so well. Three rousing cheers for it, and may its numbers grow according te our good wishes, which are legion. Thank ‘you for your pleasant let- ter. ‘ I have read the Tip Top from No. 1 to the present. ate, I think Hodge is Frank’s best friend. Ags far as the girls are concerned, I will let you decide, as f am not a good judge of girls’ natures. I think Tip Best wishes to Frank and his flock, also to Burt S. and Street & EDWIN E. PARKER. ; Chicago, Ti. Thank you. See Correspondence Column. ‘ : 5 ¢ 32 TIP TOP I have been reading your books from No. 1 to pres- ent issue. I admire Frank’s courage and forgiving manner more than the spirit of other writers’ heroes, Frank Merriwell is all right, and Bart Hodge will al- jays be true blue. He is certainly ‘‘all right’’ and never denies Merry’s “ability at anything. In that way he is like ‘“‘Loyal Harry.” (“‘He vos alvays righd,’’ as Hans says.) When it comes to the love part, Elsie is the girl for Frank, Miss Stella Stanley the girl for Bart, and the sweet, smiling Juliet Rey- nolds for Diamond. My reasons for thinking Blsie he girl for Frank are these: When the time for danger cometh; She is the girl that he loveth; And when of marriage they do think, Merry and Elsie should fasten the link. Merry is so brave and true, Bart is always “‘true blue;”’ When an enemy doth come around, Bart put him upon the ground. And when at baseball they play, 3art and Merry gain the day; — Or, when football is the game Merry and Bart win aGa8 the same. I hope Mr. Standish will always have good health and the series will never cease. Good luck to the publishers. A CONSTANT READw kt, C. P. §., Charleston, W. Va. Your verses express without a doubt your feelings as to whom Frank should marry. We will submit them to our readers to agree or disagree upon, which latter course the Inza followers will immediately adopt. Thank you for your pleasant letter. I have been reading your famous Tip Top Weekly for a long time, and I think it is without doubt the best weekly published. I am interested in the Inza- Blsie controversy, and I am a strong admirer of Inza Burrage, and I think when Frank Merriwell marries she will be the girl. As far as saving the girls’ lives is concerned, I do not think that makes any differ- ence, for if Frank got the opportunity he would save any girl’s life. Some of the Hisicites say she is brave, but I think her bravery comes through fear. Of the boys, I like big, lazy Bruce Browning the best; then Bart Hodge. I think Frank is an ideal American youth. He is so brave, so generous and true, and I think if all boys would follow his example none would go wrong. A STRONG INZA ADMIRER, Adamsburg, Westmoreland County, Pa. You are right. Frank’s example will make any boy bétter, and we know our readers do take him as a model, and even though we don’t always attain what we are striving for it never hurts us.to have a high standard and to try to reach it. Concerning the Inza and Hisie question, I think, as Frank is to marry one of them, he ought to decide which one, but I am for Inza every time. She is so true to Frank, and seems so sincere in everything she does. Wishing Mr. Standish great success in his fine weekly, Tip Top, and the same to the publishers, Street & Smith : - JOHN TROY, Woodburn Grange, N. Y, Thank you. ’ After reading the Tip Top Weekly from No. 1 to date, I write to tell you that it is unequaled in both interest and instruction, in my opinion. I pride my- self on being one of the tallest readers, being 6 feet 7 inches high, weigh one hundred and eighty-seven pounds, and am only seventeen years old. , What do you think of that? Wishing success to Burt L. and Street & Smith, FRANK SAMSON, ‘ ; Springfield, Mass. What a decided acquisition you would have been to Merriwell’s’ football team, with the great height and weight you possess. You no doubt are the envy” of all your friends, and we hope to hear great thing's of you later on. Three cheers for our tallest reader, 'and may he always hold the record. I have read the Tip Top from No. 1. and am a eisds admirer of it. Street & Smith, but the: Tip Top is my favorite. TI am a great admirer of Elsie, and think she is the girl for Frank. ‘I think Frank and his friends are all right; they are ‘‘true blue.’’ I now close, hoping this will be published and wishing long life to Frank acer Burt L. Standish and aiso the paeae ee ® u. ‘. Torrington, Conn. Il read most all the books published by ~ WEEKLY. = & - I have been an admirer of your Tip Top” Weekly for nearly five years, and it is the best of all the weeklies published in America. I will also write you what I think of the Elsie and Inza question. In book 25 An Ardent Admirer, of Cleveland, Ohio, thinks that G. A. Barnard, of 237, gave excellent reasons. I would like f0 say he is mistaken. I have read the Weekly from No. 1 to the present date, and Hlsie is the girl for Frank. Which would make the sweeter wife, Elsie or Inza?. Why. if Frank broke his neck, Inza would laugh, while would ery and break her heart. Frank ought to take the weaker, not the stronger character. Who is it that laughs and jokes while Frank is in danger? Is it Elsie or Inza, and who is it that called Frank all kinds of names and a coward? Of course it was Inza, and all who have read the Tip Top will say the same thing. Elsie is the girl for Frank, and Inza would be the girl for Starbright, Juliet far Dash- leigh, and Bart the one he pares aes very truly, AMES HUN. Albany, Ny Where are all the inzaites. We are afraid Hlsie will be unanimously chosen if some of Inza’s admir- ers don’t come forward and put in a good word for her. Frank, to please the readers, would almost be obliged to turn to Elsie, according to the present outlook, but we shall see; the inza adherents will soon appear. : ft have just finished No Top Weekly, Isie 245 of your excellent Tip and am greatly pleased with the letter of Jack Morgan, of New Haven, Conn. Mr. Morgan, as a reformed Esieite, shows his good sense by ac- knowledging the trampled rights of the only true heroine—Inza. Lettie Verner, Gerald Romaine, Joe Bush and many others have presented Inza’s ¢ ase in so strong a light that scarcely any important point has escaped a “rubbing. L wish to add, however, that I strongly disapprove of a vote being taken to decide which has the greater majority. of friends, Inza or Elsie? When Merriwell makes his choice, he will not count the number of votes that have been cast for either one of the girls. The suggestion is in- sulting to Mr. Standish, and if the Tip Top readers who now favor the plan will pause to reflect a little, they will see it in the same light that I-and a great many others do. J agree with An ‘Arden? Admirer, of Cleveland, O., in his opinion of the Hlsieites. Wish- ing success and long life to Street & Smith, Burt L. and all Tip Top readers, MAUD GREE INE, Chicago, Til. You are a strong advocate for Inza, and if the de- cision were left to you Ohly we can readily see with whom Frank would start out in life; but as only he can tell us that, we must “‘possess our souls in pa- tience” until the auspice ious moment arrives when we shall all know. [am an ardent admirer of your great book, the Tip. Top Weekly, and I can say it is tip top in every re-— spect. As regards the Blsie-Inza question,’ I think that Frank should marry Inza, because she would make him a better wife. I will say something here that I. do not know whether it would look right in print, but it is a fact that a brunette will hold her good looks longer than a blonde will; at least, a brunette will hold nine times out of ten.» I have received the mitt from a‘couple of blondes in my career as a lady's man, and IL have always found a brunette true bli: especially one of them whom I know has been true to me ever since we were school children together, < nine years ago.’ I observe every woman who passes — me, and I have found every brunette to be the best looking. I will write again soon, and send you #. toast I am fixing Tor the ‘‘Gallant Tip” oe we ry: ? Montgomery, Ala. Let us have your toast soon. We are always glad to hear from our readers. Your views on the blonde- — brunette question are highly interesting. We have | heard the same thing before, and yet some blondes are beautiful much longer than their dark-eyed, dark haired sisters. As I have not seen anything in the Applause from Duluth, I thought I would let you know that a great many Boys — Tip Top in Duluth. to Duluth would give him a warm reception. Next to Frank, I admire Hodge; then comes Star- bright. In the Inza-Hlsie question, I am in favor of Elsie. Some say that because Frank loved Inza first she should have the first chance for him, -but I think the question is not who whom he loves best now. Dade Morgan, and hope I am much interested in~ to see him a stanch.- friend of Merriwell some day. We are interested in. AS Mead and wish to see him join Merriwell’s flock. Wishing Frank success; the same to Street & Smit Duluth, “Minn » Thank you. See a eon eee Cc lumn. If Frank came he loved first, but the one’ Beware of Imitations STREET & SMITH introduced the illuminated covers on five-cent weeklies. STREET & SMITH originated the continuous series of stories, each complete in itself, yet part of a consistent whole. STREET & SMITH employ the best authors, and pay the highest prices for their work. STREET & SMITH’S five-cent weeklies are of uniform dimensions (same size as this one), and those not conforming are not Street and Smith’s, STREET & SMITH’S Tip Top Weekly has three times the circulation of any publication issued by rival publishers. Beware of Imitations STREET & SMITH’S lines are the most popular because they are the best. STREET & SMITH’S publications have been weakly imitated by envious rivals. STREET & SMITH’S “SHIELD WEEKLY.” The latest and best detective Stories. STREET & SMITH’S Tip Top Weekly ‘contains the only Frank Merriwell Stories. Burt L. Standish is the author. STREET & SMITH’S Do and Dare. The only Phil Rushington is the hero of this series. Stanley Norris is the author. Beware of Imitations | STREET & SMITH’S Comrades. The Railroad Adventures of Tom Wright and his Chums. By Robert Steel. STREET & SMITH’S My Queen. 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