EIR IIIS IIS III IIS III IE i Tip’rop w eelxly. (LARGE SIZE.) PPAL IL PAL AS LD AL AA LVL AI a) If you have not read them, look over this catalogue and you will read a list of stories unexcelled in any part of this would to-day. Don’t fail to read these stories if you have not already. - 298—Dick Merriwell’s Race For Life; or, The Steady Hand and True Heart. 299—Dick Merriwell’s Set-Back; or, Outplayed by the Masked Mysteries. 300—Dick Merriwell’s Ride; or, Foiling the Agents. of.the Secret League of Spain. 301—Dick Merriwell’s Honor; or, The Sacrifice That Cost Him Dearly. 302—Dick Merriwell at Bay; or, Defending the Pirate Treasure of Hidden Cave. | 303—Dick Merriwell Trailing the Treasure; or, Face to Face with the Pirate Captain. | * £ 304—Dick Merriwell’s Peril; or, Left to Die in the Flames. 305—Dick Merriwell’s Snowshoe Hunt; or, The Hidden Hut of Blue Mountain, 306—Dick Merriwell’s s Disappearance: or, The Mystery of Moaning Cave. 307—Dick Merriwell’s Racket; or, Who Was the Traitor? 308—Dick Merriwell’s Discovery; or, The Evil Genius of the School. 309—Dick Merriwell’s Revenge; or, Fighting a Desperate Enemy. 310—Dick Merriwell’s Life Struggle; or, The Veiled Woman of the Woods. 311—Dick Merriwell’s Tramp Chase; or, The Awakening of Scudder. 312—Dick Merriwell’s Nine; or, Trouncing the Regular Team. 313—Dick Merriwell’s Danger; or, Solving a Strange Mystery. 314—Dick Merriwell Accused; or, The Life of the Nine. 315—Dick Merriwell’s Trick; or, Paid in Their Own Coin. 316—Dick Merriwell’s Daring Leap; or, Bound to Get There. 317—Dick Merriwell’s Delivery; or, In the Face of Desperate Odds. 318—Dick Merriwell’s Nerve; or, Up Against the Real Thing. 319—Dick Merriwell as Captain; or, In Spite of His Enemies. 320—Dick Merriwell’s Peril; or, Hugo Darkmore’s Last Deed. 321—Dick Merriwell Challenged; or, Getting Into Fast Company. 322—Dick Merriwell’s Team; or, The Young Wonders of the Diamond. 323—Dick Merriwell’s Confidence; or, The Spirit That Wins. 324—Dick Merriwell’s Shot; or, For Life or Death. 325—Dick Merriw ell’s Triumph; or, The Finish of the Season. 326—Frank Merriwell on Deck; or, Getting Into Mad River League. 327—-Dick Merriwell in Trim: or, The Boy Wonder of the League. 328—Frank Merriwell’s Honor; or, Defying the Boss of the. League. -329—Dick Merriwell’s Danger; or, The Secret Order of the League. 330—Frank Merriwell’s Fracas; or, Hot Times in Mad River League. 331—Dick Merriwell’s Diamond; or, Fighting for the Lead in the League. With Tie Top No. 285 begins the now famous Fardale Series, in which Dick Merriwell has entered the good old school at which the career of Frank Merriwell also began some years ago. Thousands of young Americans will want to read of the fine things that Dick -Merriwell has done, is doing and will in the future do. STREET & ‘SMITH, Publishers, . 238 William St., New York. ip ee os rca adress alee epee rnaestasacvee Issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matier at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 2799 William St., N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1902, ix the Office of the Librarian of Comgress, Washington, D. C. : No. 337. NEW YORK, September 37, 1902. Price Five Cents. — DICK MERRIWELL’S RETURN: | | 9 | | | | : OR, | Back Again to the Old School. By BURT.L. STANDISH. } | CHAPTER I. ee The speaker made a leap and started to run, for a * ; ; : ; ‘ at ae THE LOOSE BALL dark object had loomed up before them like a huge i It was a dark night. 3 oa: 3: made two jumps and then fell down, ae a r ; Pe I j { Through the darkness skulked three persons, who_ ~¥ . ae = PVD ey 1 5 The third fellow stopped them, exclaiming: : spoke in whispers or in very low tones, and who reeks, an Beek ide nate hc ae : |. showed by their manner that they did not wish to be Ne — . Soe ee ar aaa a coy 7. lt e He got hold of them and held them, although it 1s likely they would not have stopped had they been able The leader of the trio had the soft step of a panther . 7 to get up and break away before he made himself un- / - and stole forward with a creeping movement, turning : derstood. his head from right to left occasionally and sometimes > ; ai i ; A cuc-cuc-cow?” chattered the pantherish leader. “Why, I thought “Don’t be an idiot, Watson! What's all this busi- ness, anyhow ? We don’t understand it.” | _ pausing to listen, stopping the others with a hiss. “What's the matter with you, Watson?” growled one of his two followers, as the leader hissed and stopped By for the tenth time. ae i _ “T thought I saw something move over there,” whis- The one called W atson cautiously crept near the dark | pered the leader, dimly pointing to the left? _ object until he could make out the outlines of a cow. “Nonsense! You’ve been seeing something ever “So it isa cow!” he exclaimed. “It’s Zeb Miller's since we started. There is nothing—— Woo!” | old breacher. He can't keep her in pasture. T wasn't Ney track, G frightened, but I didn’t want to take any chances of TIP TOP being recognized,” “Now hold on,’ commanded one of the others. “We want to know just what all this business means. You told us you had something to show us, and “l have.” : “You've led us here in this mysterious way, and 3 now Tooth. We The Wolf Gang “It’s only a short distance, Fang “Let up on calling me that name! _ is dissolved. My name is Stark!” “All right, and 4 said the third fellow. called me Soft Paw several times to-night, and I don’t like that.” “Um Crauthers,” “You've “You chaps are queer,” said Watson. to be called Quick Eye.” | “That's all right, but I don’t want anybody to know that I ever had anything to do with the old Wolf Gang,” _ there is no more gang. “Now, I like said Crauthers, ‘Poor Hubbard is gone, and If-it should be found out that ‘we ever Pelonged to that gang, we'd be: fired out of Fardale in a minute. pe: “But you fellows are not going to come tioiitid and be friends of Dick Merriwel iP chum with him?” jee h ae ouess not!” sneered Stark, ter than to stick to any wie that will be sure ‘to ore us ‘into z a heap of trouble.” “All right,” said Watson, eau _ the old gang would be revived, and that we might find some other member to take in in place of Big Wolf—1L. mean Tod. But we'll let it go. | Come ahead now; at s only a short distance.” BAe Oita! ts ae . The others seemed reluctant Sout following him, ! ‘pik they finally did $0, and he led them at last down | over a steep bank to a cut through which ran a railroad ‘It’s right here,” said ‘Watson. 3 “This is jokin out. i ile of town, giahineieil, Listen! _“Tt’s the school band,” said Stark, “You know al- You're not going to “But we know bet- — “I did hope answered: * What’ 9, that music?” ‘most ‘the whole ance! | bas turned out and dotted at, WHEKLY. the station to welcome Dick back when he comes in on the late train.” “Yes, I know it,” snarled Watson, in a suppressed tone. ““They’re going to give him a great ovation, but they may not give it.” “Eh?” exclaimed Stark. Watson chuckled in an evil way. “What do you mean?” “THe may never reach the station—alive!’’ he said. His companions were startled. After a minute, Crauthers grasped Jim Watson by the shoulder, de- manding: . “What's up? Have you put up some kind of a job to-——” Tell us now, without further fooling! “T haven’t put up anything, but all the same Dick Merriwell may never reach the station alive.” “Why not?” — Watson wagged his ee in the darkness. ees may happen—some accident. wait and see.’ The fellow ‘sali satistabtions: in whetting their curi- osity, and he had it on edge now. | oe “We're going to know what you mean!” said Crau- thers, angrily. oes are not going to bee us into anything that will \ “No, I’m not going to pull you into anything at all. You say you hate Dick Merriwell as much as ever! ae es, | “He was to blame for everything that happened to’ Tod. might kill” him, yet you had nee to do with 1 it, would you warn RAG ee pe3 There was a moment of silence, sid then Crauthers’ . “Well, I don’t think that I ‘ean bu caypell oi) Ms “Nor I,” Said Stark. “tt wouldn’t. be my fault.” “That's right!” came from Watson, who was well satisfied. “Now, something may happen to him: to- night, fellows—in fact, it’s pretty liable to happen right ‘ \ a away, for it’s getting close to time for that train. ah Again they demanded to know. what he meant, and o ie “now he bade them stoop over where they were stand- You If you knew he was going into something that : Sect eases, ae PEASE Pe RE eee Ss —S rete See ORE TTT . — . Se ee ee ? a a pn a et Res Rat ee Ths SS “ = “y a \ 9 ote RE ee . “I'm going to see,’ was the way Watson explained it. it was anything else. All the same, let’s hustle away TIP TOP “Take hold of this rail,’ “Just see if you can move it.” ’ he said, indicating the one. They did so, and both gasped: “Why, it’s loose!’ “Sure thing!’ half chuckled Watson. “I happened to find it was this way, and I brought you to see. It’s right here on the curve through this cut.” “Good. Lord!” muttered Crauthers. ‘The train may jump the track here!’ “It’s liable to,” startled. “Tt’s almost sure to,” agreed Stark, who was_ likewise exulted Watson. “And Dick Merriwell is coming on that train. See! We're not to blame because ths rail is loose, but we mustn’t ever ’ tell we knew about it. That’s why I didn’t want any one to see us coming here.’’ Crauthers shivered a little, while cold sweat broke out on the face of Stark. “It’s awful!’ said the latter. frightful accident. “Say, let’s “Why,” if we were found out we'd have to do time! By George! “There may be a y get away!” said Crauthers. * We ought to do something to stop that train!” : “Stop the train? Why, you'd be trying to save Merri- “What?” snapped Jim Watson. I guess not! well!” “But think of the other people on that train! I tell you it should be stopped!’ There was a rattling sound that caused the three young rascals to jump, and some pebbles came bound- ing down the bank. “What was that?’ daspia Wi ceahe. up there?” Sar hey listened, but heard nothing more. ” said Crauthers, and he rushed The others fol- “Somebody up the bank with surprising boldness. lowed, but they found nothing when ey reached the top of the bank. “No one here,” said Stark. » | “Just happened that some loose stones rolled down,” “T didn’t think from here,” WEEKLY. 3 “Look!” urged Stark, calling their attention. “See those lights at the station.” From the top of the bank they could see a bright il- lumination in the distance where they knew the rail- road station was located. “It’s the fellows with torches to welcome Merriwell when he steps off the train,” said Crauthers. “Wouldn’t that make you ill!” sneered Watson. “Why, United States was to be welcomed.” any one would think the President of the “Frank Merriwell is coming, too.” “Well, I like him just about as much as I do Dick Merriwell. They are both Hark! Great smoke! There is the train!” In the distance sounded the long, wailing whistle of the approaching train. ‘ CHAPTER IT. THE DANGER SIGNAL. ’ Immediately Crauthers became almost frantic. He seemed to realize that a terrible thing was about to happen, and the thought filled him with horror. _ “For God’s sake, boys, we must stop that train!” he cried. “We must stop it! Come on!” “Hold on!” said Watson. “It’s too late! You can't stop it now! There is no way. It will be here in less than three minutes,’ and “You knew all the time what would happen!” snarled Crauthers, lifting his a to strike Watson. Dick Merriwell “He’s not the only one to think of! There are others on that train. Let’s try to stop it! Come on, | Stark—come on!’ Crauthers started to run madly up the track, but the others did not follow him. Stark was so badly fright- ened that he did. not know what to do, and he kept | mumbling : si “It’s awful—awful!” “Let’s get away from here!” urged Watson. “We mustn’t be around when the train jumps the track. ae He did not wait longer, but hastened t away, while Pg Stack followed himn’ 87 “ert : matches. will burn—perhaps it will!” é. Crauthers was thinking that there might be some way to shout at the engineer and give the alarm, but he quickly realized that such a thing would be impossible, as the sound of his voice would be drowned by the roar of the train. | “No use! no use!” he gasped, as he stumbled over “Tt can’t be helped! Oh, perhaps the train It’s awful—aw ful!” the ties. won't leave the track! - Never in his life had the fellow been more fright- ened. Although a rascal at heart, he was not a hard- ened villain. There have been boy train-wreckers, who have placed obstructions on tracks and derailed trains; but Crau- thers was not depraved to such an extent that’ he could enter into such a piece of work. In the past he had thought a hundred times, perhaps, that he would , like to kill Dick Merriwell, and he had even entered into plots which threatened Dick’s life; but the pros- pect of a frightful smash-up and what would follow had completely unnerved him. His heart was in his throat and he seemed to be choking, while a sort of haze rose before his eyes. In his ears there was a roaring sound, and he fancied that tne train was close upon him. “Stop,” he groaned-—“‘for heaven’s sake, stop!” Never in his life had he suffered greater agony of mind than he did at that moment. Again the wailing whistle of the train trailed, through the night, like the despairing shriek of a lost spirit. Then, far along the track, he saw the gleaming head- light of the locomotive loom into. view. “Oh, God!” groaned Crauthers. “IfI hada light r If I had something to m rake them see!” _ He thought of setting something afire and waving it, and into his pocket he plunged his fingers in search 3f He found some and brought them forth. “My cap!” he whispered, huskily. “Perhaps t that ‘He struck a match and tried to set the cap ode. one ll wave it if it burns my hands oft a he aac dled. ae welll: I will 3 Ae thy TIP TOP WHEKLY. But the cap would not catch, and a gust of wind blew out the match. Nearer and nearer came the headlight of the loco- motive. The light gleamed on the long straight line of rails, giving them a silvery glow. “No use!” panted the wretched fellow. “I can’t do They’re lost!’ He tried to striké another match, and then his be- it—I can’t! numbed and shaking fingers lost the whole of them. “Pm going to try to stop’ that train!” he groaned. Per- The headlight will show me “Pll stay right on the track and wave my arms. haps they may see me! to them. Then he began swinging his arms in a frantic man- ner and jumping up and down. Suddenly he stopped. Before him on the track another light had appeared, and he saw a dark form. Staring, he saw the light waved to and fro in a manner intended to be a warn- ing. “Somebody-~is-—there!” he muttered, bewildered. “Somebody is trying to stop the train! Who can it be?” . He was dazed, but he saw distinctly that some per- 7 Watch- ing, he discovered in the light of the locomotive three son was making an effort to stop the train. forms, and he stood there like a person turned into stone. One of the three had the warning light, which was being waved in the air. Would the engineer’ see it? A great fear that the light might not be seen at all came onto Crauthers, and again a choking hand seemed t6 grasp at his throat, where there was a throbbing pain. “They won't see it!’ he whispered. Then there was a sound that gave him a jump, for the danger whistle of the locomotive wenn eres 3 through the night. | “They’ve seen itl” panted Crauthers, i in cet elit. ne “Thank God! they’ ve seen it!” But the gleaming light | seemed to reach him, and’ c ‘now he was seized My a Sree fear that he would be ob- “served. : a apleiai ca aes ad oe sre een cece eg ee ~~ ie ' z SERIE A: ee ss saa some ne ae — ence als CED ee oa ~ awtul scrape!’ : Tit? TOP “T must get Away from here!” came from his dry lips. However, he paused until he was sure the train was slowing up and drawing to a stand. Then he left the track and fled away through the night like a guilty wretch pursued by horrible phantoms. Who had stopped the train? He kept asking himself that question over and over. Why had they stopped it? They must have known about the loose rail and the peril that threatened. “Tt could not have been Watson or Stark,” mut- “There was no way for them to get No, [’m it is a tered Crauthers. ahead of me.and give the danger signal. sure they did not do anything of the kind. mystery.” | And it was a mystery that perplexed and worried him. He stumbled over rough ground, climbed fences and came to the road which ran at no great distance from the railroad: Led by Watson, Stark and Crau- thers had passed along that road some time before, had climbed a fence and paused near some scrub bushes to wrangle a little in low tones, as they demanded of the leader to know where he was taking them. Crauthers turned toward the town, but he soon left the road to lie down and ‘hide behind the. fence while a wagon went rattling past in the darkness, He felt like a guilty creature, but in his heart there was a sensation of relief until, with a great start, he thought of the’ pebbles that came’ rattling down the bank as the trio stood on the track in the cut. “Lord he gurgled. “What if somebody was up there listening to us! It may be! Then we're in an : 7 Cold sw eat broke out uipon ‘Kin and he grew sick” i ; - heart with a new dread. _ Again he stole forward toward the town, Bare: a is great gathering of Fardale’ students awaited the rey _tival of Dick Mer riw ell, to give ira a royal reception. Je WHEKLY. 5 CHAPTER IIL ON THE TRAIN. As the train was nearing Fardale, Frank turned to speak to Dick, who, with Felecia, his cousin, beside him, sat directly behind Merry. “Well, boy,” he said, “we'll soon be in old Fardale again.” Dick laughed. “T’m glad,” “Ts it possible?” exclaimed Merry, with mock sur- “Why, I thought you didn’t want to comie he declared. prise. back !”’ “Vou know I did!” returned Dick. 93 “But there was a time “Oh, I wanted to get back to the mountains, I ad- mit that! I had a feeling I could not throw off. I[ longed for a sight of the mountains. I have seen them again, I have been with them, and I am satisfied. Now it is old Fardale I’m longing for.” “T am glad to know you have that feeling, Dick,” said Merry, seriously. “It is a good way to feel toward your school. It is that feeling of affection that gives you the right spirit to fight for Far dale on the diamond, the gridiron or the track. It is like the Yale spirit, which seems to burn in the breast of every Yale man, and it is something you'll never forget in after life.” ; Then Merry happened to notice Felecia’s face, and he quickly said: “What's the matter, happy as, you might be. Felecia? You don’t seem as Aren't you glad to get back ?” She hesitated, and then answered, seeming to force | a smile: . : “T_- think $0.’ : “You think so? But you don’t know? That 18 strange.” “Oh, I don’t suppose girls ever feel the same as boys about the place where they go to school.” ns don’t know about that; but you have | lots of oY i in Fardale, and vo should be anxious to Sees them.” “Ob, 1 am! But still 1 love the mountains, and i come to an’ end. 8 TIP TOP home is there. I could not help feeling sad when I left them. “Miss Tartington will be glad to see you.” “T think so.” “And Doris Templeton. ticular friends.” Something like a cloud flitted over Felecia’s face, but She was one of your par- she said : “Yes, we were friends, and, of course, I shall be glad to see Doris again.” But the manner in which she said this caused Merry to look at her’closely. He fancied he understood the situation, for he saw that Felecia cared a great deal for Dick, and she knew Dick regarded Doris with favor- able eyes. Merry had “been through the mill,” and he was cer- tain there would be much anxiety and many heartaches between the two girls. He also believed Dick was far too young to make a choice between them. But deep in his heart Merry was satisfied that Dick’s regard for Felecia was the same as that of a brother for a very dear sister, while he fancied that he might care for Doris as a friend. Later it was possible that friend- ship would ripen into a stronger attachment. Besides, Frank did not fancy the idea of cousins fall- ing in love. Dick was too young to be genuinely in love, he fancied; but Felecia might come to look on him as a boy lover—perhaps she had already. There was/ another objection. Both Dick aud Fe- lecia had dark eyes and hair, and they were very proud, somewhat resembling each other in temperament. “True, Felecia could govern herself far better than Dick, or had ‘been able to in the past, but something warned Merry that the time would come when they could not get along in perfect harmony. Frank did not feel like interfering. He thought it _ best to let the affair work out of its own accord. In his heart he believed that some day Felicia would meet some one she would care for quite as much as Dick, but in quite another way. Then ‘her jealousy for Dick when she saw him with another girl would | «But he wished to save Felecia distress, She was WEEKLY. frail and he feared that worriment of any sort might wear on her nerves. He cared a great deal for Felecia, and he was aware that he had In a way, Dick understood the situation. cared for Doris. But Doris had not written him since he left Fardale. were unanswered, although she had promised to an- He had written her two letters, which swer if he wrote. , : Therefore Dick had come to believe that Doris had forgotten him as soon as they were separated, and this filled his heart with resentment which he could not suppress. For all of that, he knew he was anxious to see Doris again. He longed to look into her laughing eyes and listen to her musical voice. Many times he had thought of the happy days spent in Fardale, and al- ways thoughts of Fardale brought up a mental picture of Doris before him. Frank decided to change the subject, and he ob- served : “Well, Dick, it has been a successful summer. We won out at last, my boy.” “We did,” smiled Dick; and I was afraid we’d be downed. know,’ he quickly added; crooked work in the Mad River League.” “More than I ever saw before in the same length of “Rawdon Bradford was a bad egg, but he got his just deserts at last.” “T don’t think so,” said Dick. “He should have ie ” gone to prison. “but it was an awful fight, Not fairly, you “but there was lots of time,” nodded Merry. Frank agreed to this. For a moment he thought of the desperate struggle on the bank of Mad River, when Mad Mose had attacked Bradford and both had plunged so the boiling current, never more to be . seen, “The West is a land of grandeur and tragedies,” murmured Merry. ‘Still some of the finest specimens of manhood I’ve ever met were Westerners. My expe- rience this summer was worth a great deal to me. Be- sides, it’s not likely the old crowd will ever get together again for a trip like that. The re hated to break up in a New ich ? | = - aa Ste eae ee Rtg ethsaran tame “ ee ae at a ee Tet a a a bn were Ge ee TIP TOP He looked grave enough now, as he recalled the uight when the team disbanded in New York. Hands had met, but words had been few, as their hearts were too full for simple words to express their feelings. “T suppose you'll coach our football team, Frank?” said Dick. “We ought to have a great team this fall.” “Perhaps I may find some time-—if they want me.” “Want you! Well, you bet they'll want you! We mist have a coach. It’s absolutely necessary, and they'll be crazy for you to do the work.” “T see you are thinking of football, and the baseball season is barely over. You must like it?” “It’s great!” nodded Dick, his dark eyes flashing. “IT wonder how far we are from Fardale,” said Merry, as he turned to the window and tried to peer out. At this moment several shrill shrieks came from the Sere whistle, followed immediately by a grind- ing, jarring sound, as the brakes were any lied vio- lently. Some of the passengers started up, while there was a general show of alarm in the car. “Something’s wrong!” exclaimed Merry, and he flung the car window open, thrusting out his head: Looking ahead, he saw the waving light, although the headlight of the locomotive dimmed it. He also saw some one on the track, but that person jumped off as the engine swept up, drawing to a stand. It happened that the train was a short one, consist- ing of but three cars. The express and bagg gage car was just ahead of the car in which Merry sat. As the train stopped some one demanded: “What's the matter, anyhow ?” There was an immediate answer from a boy who held a flaring torch—the boy who had SRD the train: ae { “There is a as rail in the cut ahead. The train _ would be almost sure to leave the track there.” _ The train liands were jumping down and the pas- Ee Perens to the platforms. Frank was astonished, for he recognized the boy - with the torch as Hal Darrell. (ipa ta hastened i in the HARCHON of the appr roaching train, WRHRERKLY. 7 But he also saw that two girls were with him, their faces looking pale in the flaring light. They were Zona Desmond and Doris Templeton. In a moment Frank had told Dick and Felecia; and they quickly made their way to the platform. » Merry sprang down and joined the men who had crowded ‘about the lad with the torch. Zona and Doris seemed looking the passengers over, and both uttered cries when Frank, Dick and Felecia appeared on the platform. . “There—there!” cried Doris, “there they are! .They were on the train! Oh, what if we had not.stopped it!” The color rushed back to her cheeks as she saw Dick. CHAPTER IV. WELCOMED BACK TO FARDALE, The trainmen, led by Darrell, quickly found the loose rail and spiked it into place. Then all got aboard the train, which pulled slowly over the dangerous spot, and were taken into Fardale. When questioned, Hal said he was'on his way to the station, carrying a torch which he meant. to use inthe | parade of cadets, when he saw three persons jump the fence at the side of the road and disappear. He was. escorting Doris and Zona to. the station, and .the . strange actions of the dark forms he had seen made him_ suspicious. that some crookedness was intended. With the girls following him closely, he slipped for- ward until they could hear the three persons. talking behind some bushes near the road. They heard enough | to make Hal eager to know more. Zona was not frightened, and she persuaded Doris to accompany Hal with her, and-the three followed the stispicious persons across the rough ground to the railroad, where, from the top of the bank, Hal heard them talking about the | loose rail and the probability that the train, would PP wrecked there. It did not take Hal long to act. He “whispered directions to the girls, and. they stole away. at once. _ * ‘As soon as they could they went down to the track. and 8 TIP TOP Hal had his unlighted tore and he believed he would be able to stop the train. Of course, the girls were greatly frightened, but they stuck by Hal, who successfully carried out his plan to stop the train. When questioned still more closely, Hal gave the impression that he thought the three persons on the track were tramps. When asked if he was certain they were tramps, he replied that he was not, but thought it quite likely. Of course, Hal was a hero, and the girls were hero- ines. The passengers complimented them on their courage and prompt action in such an emergency. When the train pulled into the station at Fardale the place was illumined by hundreds of torches, while the cadets were drawn up in four long lines beyond the platform. The cadet band was playing “Fair Far- dale,” out to witness what was transpiring. “Hello! hello!” exclaimed Frank. “There seems to be something doing!” Of course, the delay of the trains had caused much wonderment and speculation, but in the excitement now that was forgotten. : Men ‘seemed trying to climb on each other’s should- ers, while they craned their necks and stared toward the train. | “There he is!” - Somebody uttered the shout. mick Merriwell!” cried a voice. “Captain Merriwell!? cried another. “The long es for Captain Merriwell!” _ Immediately those cadets responded i in the sana long cheer, of the academy, ending with Dick’s name thrice repeated: ‘ “Tt’s all for you, boy !” laughed Frank, as he pulled Dick forward a little. “What do you think of that?” i “Tt. can’t be for me!” gasped Dick, who was almost | completely overcome. like this for me?” “Because you are the most popular bas} in the school. - They have turned out to welcome you back. We're “Why should they do pe . a Ee Soe late about, getting here, and so almost bik , -and it seemed that the whole town had turned | ing, my gay young broncho! WEEKLY. body is on hand to give you this reception. Look out, Dick, for an enlarged head.” No danger of that!” muttered the boy, whose face was red as a beet. “I wish I might get out of this! Isn’t there any way?” “Better face the music.” This Dick was compelled to do, distasteful though it The cheering was renewed for Frank. “What do you think of it, Felecia?’ Doris. “And it’s all for Dick!” “Oh, I’m included!” way. Was. exclaimed laughed Merry, in his jolliest Dick’s heart swelled in his bosom. What had he ever done to deserve an ovation like this? In the excitement the cadets were not given time to wonder how it happened that Darrell left the train after Dick, or why Doris and Zona happened to be on the train. Dick was seized by a committee the moment he stepped onto the platform. “Come on!” they cried. “We're going to parade the town with you!” “What: is the matter Have you put up a job on me?” “Let up!” begged the boy. with you? “Well, I reckon not roared a familiar voice. “‘This is where old Fardale does herself proud toward her No. buck- You've got to get into most popular student, you bet your boots! line and do the, town with aS rest of us. You hear me shout ¥? It was Brad Buckhart, Dick’s | loyal friend from YF exas. , ; , x “Hello, Brad?’ “You're the same old bluffer. he cried, shaking the Texan’s hand. Isthought you might get some of the wild-and-woolly rubbed off you out home on the ranch during the summer.” “Oh, I had to let up on it there,” confessed Buck- “But you know they won't let me let up on it They think I’m straining if I talk hogs a a being, $0 I’ve: taken it up again.”” Singleton had Dick by the shoulder. “Don't kick up,” he warned, — hart. here. “ peat get i into — at a eee a os * pit aS Sis mache acai aac ee ee ilps the head of the torches. The band will lead off, and away we'll go,” “Well, I never thought this of you!” said Dick, re- sentfully. I had an idea you were a friend of mine! I didn’t believe you’d join in with the others to make a holy show of me!” : It was useless for him to object, as he soon dis- covered. The boys were there to carry out a certain programme, and they were not to be balked. The band started off at the head, and after them came the marching students. Next to the band was the com- mittee chosen to make sure that Dick joined in the ' march. “What have I ever done that they should put me on exhibition like this?” “What have you done? Ask me what you haven’t “It’s a howling shame, Bob!” said Dick. done, and I can tell you better! Weren’t you the star of the football team? Didn’t you captain the base- ball team? And didn’t you make the best record ever made at Fardale on both teams?” “No. My brother Frank FE “Oh, he’s all right! but he skipped us while we were making sure of you.” “Tust like him,” said Dick. “Now he’ll stand off and look on and think it’s a great joke on me!” We tried to get him into line, By this time Dick knew he must submit, and so he made the best of it. , There were illuminations in many of the village houses, for Dick was popular among the citizens of the town, a most’ surprising thing. At intervals red fire was burned, and there was cheering all along the line. | | “There he is!’ was the cry repeated time after time, and then there would be great clapping of hands and cheering. “What’s the matter with Dick Merriwell?” shouted _a cadet with a stentorian voice. | Then the great body of students in chorus would roar: x pal,” “He’s all right!” “Great Scott!” muttered Dick. “If I’d suspected this I’d crept into town in the dead of the night!” TIP TOP WEEKLY. g He was amazed, for now it seemed that he had no enemies in the school, and he rememberd how, -not such a great while before, he had been beset by enemiez on every hand. Once he had fancied himself the most unpopular fellow in the school. Through it-all, how: ever, he had clung to what he believed was right, and always he had fought for clean sport and the honor of Fardale. _ This was what had come of it. Of their own accord the students generally had turned out to welcome hi back in this remarkable manner. All through the village they paraded, and then they finally turned toward the academy. “Dear me!’’ said Ted Smart, who was also one of the reception committee. “What a sad and solemn occasion! I’m sorry Icame! It gives me the blues!” At last they passed over the rise and came in sight of the academy. It seemed that lights were gleaming all over the building. “It’s too much!” thought Dick. As long as he lived he could not forget that night. CHAPTER V. DARRELL’S VISITORS. On the following day Dick Merriwell found on op- portunity to call on Hal Darrell in the latter’s room. ; Dick happened to be alone, as his roommate, An- drews, was out. 7 “Hal,” said Dick, “I want to thank you. certain you prevented a bad smash-up last night.”’ “You.have nothing to thank me for. It’s what any fellow would have done under the circumstances.” “T suppose so, but you know there was a time when we were not the best of friends.” Hal flushed a bit. 3 “Yes, I know; but that makes no difference. I don’: suppose,” he exclaimed, “that you think for a moment It’s pretty I would not have tried to stop that train even if we had been the worst of enemies? I don’t believe you think me that kind of a dog!” “Hardly,” said Dick. “But I have an idea there may be one or two fellows in this school who wouldn't beers 10 ° ATP TOP have bothered much to keeping .a train I was coming on from going to smash.” . Well; if there are such fellows, I don’t want to be rated with them!” Hal was very much in earnest. “T suppose you know,” said Dick, “that the town authorities are making every effort to trace those three tramps. They: are searching everywhere for them, but have not found a trace of them.” There was a queer look on Hal’s face, “T hope they find them,” he said. Dick placed a hand on Darrell’s shoulder. “Haven’t you an idea who those tramps are?” he asked. : | | “What do you mean?” Darrell asked, in a startled manner.- “How should I know them ?”. “T thought it possible you might recognize them by their voices.” 3 “That’s a strange fancy! Why should I recognize tramps by their voices? JI don’t understand you, Mer- riwell! meaning. If they do, speak right out.” : “All right,” said Dick. “TI had a fancy, Darrell, that those fellows might not be genuine tramps. Somehow my suspicions were aroused’ to the contrary. I have not seen Doris or Zona to talk with them, but I came directly to you. I think you can trust me.” | Darrell shrugged his shoulders, but ‘he showed’ that he was far from easy in his mind. ; “They may have been trainps—oF they may not,” he said. “It was ms dark, you know, and I could not see them.” : “Did they talk like tramps! Fr » “T don’t know. - Perhaps: not.” | elt was evident to Dick that Hal was itpidiag some- thing back, Of a sudden Darrell exclaimed : | “TY hope:you don’t think I knew anything about the . loosening of that rail? You don’t fancy that I had it, 4 done in order to stop the train and pew as a. hero a | Ditk laughed. | jee r * / “Phen I-don’t see just what you are coming at.” Your words seem to have some : sort of hidden ' - Mach an idea did not detans amy -head,” hs declared, 3 ie “T thought there might be a reason why you sad a not WEEKLY. That’s all... it’s What are the pros- all right, Darrell. told everything. Let’s talk about: something else. pects for a good fast football team? to keep. up her record, you know ?” But, although the talk turned to football, it was plain that Darrell was far from easy in his mind. After a little, Dick As he left the room, he came face to face with Mark Crauthers, who turned to go. passed him without.a word. : “That fellow surely-is no great fr iend of mine,’ said Dick. .“He has always disliked me.” Crauthers looked back over his shoulder and saw Dick reach the stairs and go down. Immediately the fellow turned back. “He camé out of Darrell’s room,” muttered Crau- “What's up? were chummy, and I didn’t think they were in the habit thers, under. his. breath. They never of calling on each other... Darreil was the fellow who stopped. the train last night. How did he happen to do .it ? story about three tramps is a lie, How did he know about the loose rail? His I'd give anything to know just how much Darrell knows! Did he recognize us?’ tee ok _ These questions had agitated Crauthers not a little, The worry over the affair had told on him, for his face wore a haggard look. All night he had turned and twisted on his bed, fearing what another day- might bring. The dread that somebody had seen him with Watson and Stark as they stood on the track by the loose rail was completely unnerving him. : “Tf the worst comes, Pil tell the truth,” he promised himself. “I was not to blame. I didn’t know. what Watson meant, and I tried my best to stop the train after I found out.” et Now, all at once, Craut hers resolved to face Darrell. _ He was determined to learn, if possibl e, just how much Hal knew. - ae (ek aaa going in there and beard him,’ he muttered, setting his teeth. “It’s the best way to settle this feel- ing of suspense. I may as well eet at the facts first as N last.” prety i Sats But when he stood bata: ‘Hal 8 door and lifted. his 2) He knew i hand to. knock his heart almost failed him, Fardale ought Did he see us? | wee a nt eam aa ieee iin Piastien tai pele ie ee ais was spoken. he was on the point of backing out, and so he rapped quickly. When Darrell called “come in,” Crauthers pushed open the door and entered.. His heart was pounding heavily, but he closed the door and turned to Hal. “Fello!” he said, in an assumed manner of easiness. “Are you alone, old man?” Hal frowned. He had never liked Crauthers, and he was surprised by this visit. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “Oh, I just dropped in. I don’t come round often, although we are in the same class.” “We may be in the same class here at school, but I hope not elsewhere,” said Hal. Crauthers showed his dark teeth. “That’s pretty good!” he exclaimed. “I see you have your hammer out. Perhaps I am just as good as you anywhere.” “*Perhaps’ is well.applied there.” “What’s the matter? Why do you jump into me with both feet like this?” | “Tf you have any business with me, name it.” “Why, I wanted to have a talk with you, old man.” “T haven’t much time to waste talking, and kindly don’t ‘old man’ me. We have never been on those terms, Mr. Crauthers.” “T’ll be careful in the future, Mr. Darrell. I just wanted to ask you about those tramps you saw last night.” “Ask away.” “Did you really see any one?” “T did, if I have a pair of eyes in my head.” “Were they tramps?” “I’ve said they were.” A “T know you havesbut did you think they were.” “No!” Crauthers started at the manner in which the word ' “Then you have lied about it?” “Yes.” ie “Why?” Hal took a step closer to his visitor as he answered: _ “To keep you out of the penitentiary !” TIP TOP WEEKLY. CHAPTER VI. A DESPERATE BOY a These words actually staggered Mark Crauthers, and his face seemed to turn paler than ever. There was a great heaving of the breast, and a light of terror entered his eyes. He stood there, his lips parted, star- ing at Hal in a startled manner, like a frightened statue. Hal looked straight into the fellow’s eyes, and that glance seemed to bore Crauthers through and through. After some moments, he moistened his lips, or tried to do so with his dry tongue, and slowly repeated : “To—keep—me—out—of—the—penitentiary ?” “That’s what I said.” + 3) “And you mean “Just that.” “Then you—you ”? Crauthers choked over his words. “TI am not in the habit of lying,” said Darrell “but I did so this once. I heard enough last night so thet I thought you might not be guilty.” The fellow grasped at this. “I didn’t know a thing about it, Darrell—honest, I ; didn’t!” he declared, shaking a little. “Watson was the one. Stark didn’t know, either. Watson took us there and showed us the loose rail.” “Then you knew about it.” “Yes, but it was too late. We were both angry with Watson. Ask Stark.” “You have confessed that you were there!’’ ex- claimed Hal, with some appearance of satisfaction. “But you knew it before. You were upon the bank. We heard the pebbles rattle down. Then we ran up to look for anybody who might be there, but you had goneen at. Darrell could not wholy conceal his triumph, for he had not before this been fully satisfied in regard to the identity of tke three boys concerned in the affair. While he had followed them, it happened that he was not near when their names were spoken. He had rec- ognized the voice of Jim Watson, but was in doubt . — about Watson's companions. He had also realized ca that Watson’s do something to prevent the impending catastrophe. It had been Darrell’s intention to force the truth front Watson. The accident had been, averted, and Hal did not wish to see any one punished who was not guilty. But now he had learned one thing he wished to know. In his mind there was yet another question. Had the rail been loosened by human hands, or had it worked loose in the manner that rails sometimes do? that rail?’ -grimly. “Did Watson do it?” “I—I don’t think so,” faltered tea authers. “What do you know about it? “Who loosened demanded Darrell, It looks mi ighty bad, and you are in a terrible scrape. Don’t try to hide anything. It will make it worse for you,” | It was plain that’Crauthers had been frightened into ‘. a state of desperation, and Hal meant to make the most Ei of his state of mind to get at the facts. oh 4 “T don’t know a thing!” protested the fellow—‘not Boy a thing save that Watson took us there and showed us bs the loose rail. Then I ran up the track to try to stop But you were ahead of me, and I saw you stop the train. That’s all the truth, Darrell—honestly Nothing bad happened. the train. ‘it is! Don’t tell on us! Think of me! Think of the disgrace!” ~ “You should have realized before this that you might get into a bad box by associating with Watson. He’ sa cheap fellow. If he didn’t loosen the rail, how did it happen to be loose? And how did he happen to discover it? Answer that.” “I can’t! I can’t! I'll find out! I'll ask him.” “It’s not likely he’ll confess unless he is arrested and made to tell everything.” } The dread leaped into Crauther’ S eyes again. “If he’s arrested he will blow on me—he'll blame ie Stark, too! I know him! te try to put all the blame onto us! ee x this thing be dropped? I'll pay you money—I’ ll do -anything! Pee set your pire Pi ase a way, to a St mn ae MBOneY.: iiNet ea Luka ke So Ok uh companions were alarmed and wished to We'll be in just ay bad a E scrape as he is! He’ ll even lie about it! Perhaps he'll. Darrell, why can’t. 12 TIP TOP WEEKLY. Hal Darrell’s eyes flashed and a look of great anger settled on his face. “What do you take me for, fellow?’ he exclaimed. “You can’t buy me! I have no price!’ Then into Crauthers’ heart surged a sensation of madness. He fancied this youth meant to disgrace In that Darrell was the him, to brand him as a would-be criminal. moment he lost his head completely. only one who could swear to the identity of the guilty trio. His tongue must be silenced in some manner. With this desperate thought in his mind, he seemed to lose his head completely... His dark teeth were set, and a smothered snarl.came from his throat as he jumped at Darrell -Hal was taken by surprise, and Crauthers’ fingers were on his windpipe in a second. “You'll never blow on me!” grated the desperate fel- low, as he backheeled Darrell and flung him to the floor with such violence that Hal was stunned. In that moment all the evil in Caruthers’ nature surged to the surface. “T’ll silence you!” he panted. “T wall! I will!” His fingers crushed into the throat of the lad on the . floor, and Hal’s wind was shut off. Darrell made a faint struggle, but he had been robbed of his strength by the shock, and Crauthers had him at his mercy. © In that moment the one thought of the desperate boy was to keep Darrell from telling what he knew. Before. Crauthers’ mental vision the doors of a prison yawned, and he had seen himself disgraced and branded with crime. the consequences, but he flew at Hal’ s throat with all the fierceness of a tiger. Darrell was an athlete, but Crauthers had ga ined an advantage, and the boy who had been hurled to the floor seemed weak and helpless. gs 3 At this moment, just as Dar rell was beginning to get bi ack i in the face, there came a knock on the door. It eased Crauthers to start and relax his hold. “He-e- -elp!” wal LR RE COT T he cry was not loud, but it. was full of distress, and : it came from Hal s lips. Pe Ue: er siksis 9s oSPaee a esade He did not pause to consider what might be ‘eater ent heard strange sounds in here. him when we want him. TIP TOP , “Shut up!” grated Crauthers, and he renewed his hold on Hal’s throat. _ But the person outside the door had hear suspicious sounds within that room, and the door was quickly opened. _A moment later Dick Merriwell leaped in and had Crauthers by the shoulders. “You devil!” he exclaimed. Slam!—the fellow was hurled against the wall. Young Merriwell had picked him up by the shoulders and literally hurled him across the room. Crauthers was on his feet in a twinkling. In his madness he rushed at Dick. Crack !—Dick’s first landed on Crauthers’ jaw. It was a knockdown blow, and Mark stretched his length on the fldor. It also seemed to be a knockout blow, for the fellow lay there quivering. After a glance at him, Dick since to Darrell, who was sitting up, ‘rubbing his throat and trying to get his breath. “What's this mean?” asked Dick. ‘What was he trying to do? He hac you dead to rights, Darrell.” “Confound him!” wheezed Hal, huskily. “He tried to choke me to death!” | “What for ?” Dick was bending over Hal, whom he now assisted to his feet. him to a chair, on which he limply dropped. “Why did he attack you in your room?” asked Dick. wheezed Hal. “And Darrell was weak, and Merriwell aided “T’ll tell—you—some time,” V’ll—settle with—him!” “T was coming back to ask you another’ question,” said Dick. That’s why I came in without ceremony.” | “Glad you did! If you hadn’t——- Where is he?” _ They looked around. The door was standing open, as rk had left it, : | and Crauthers. was gone. “He's improved the opportunity to skip,” said Dick, “Never mind, We know where to lay our hands on I don’t want to pry into your “After I rapped on your door I thought I WEEKLY. 13 secrets. If you had some trouble with him that you do not care to explain, that is all right.’ Hal was tempted to tell Dick everything then. After- ward he wondered why he did not, but he chose to keep silent, thinking he would learn whether Watson had loosened the rail or not before making the ex- posure. “T won't talk about it now,” he said; “but I’ll settle See if I don’t! prise, else he’d never. downed me le took me by sur- like that. And I be- lieve the cur.would have choked me to’ death!’ “Well, he acted as if he meant business,” said Dick. “But you settled him pretty soon. That crack you with Crauthers! gave him was a dandy!” “T have owed him that for a long time,” added Dick, grimly. “I was rather pleased at the opportunity. to settle.”’ “You owe him more than that,’ declared Darrell, mysteriously. “I always settle my debts,” assured Dick. CHAPTER VIL. STEVE NUNN’S PROPOSAL. On returning to his room Dick found Steve Nunn there, waiting in company with Brad Buckhart. “Whatever has happened, pard?’ inquired Brad. “You look kinder flushed up some, and I sure see a _ glint in your eye that speaks of a disturbed temper. Dick told them of the attack Crauthers on Dar- rell. “That beats the bugs!” exclaimed Buckhart. “T wonder whatever made Crauthers. jump the galoot. There certain must have been some dealings between them and they had a falling out.” “T could get no satisfaction out of Hal,” said Dick. “He didn’t seem to want to tell what was the matter.” “You know I never tied to that galoot Darrell any at all,” said the Texan. “He may be all right, but we know he was blamed sore on ~~ for a time, ea et a3 “But all that is over now.’ | e “It may be, but I don’t trust sine too far.” _ “He stopped the train last night, you know.” Léa TIP TOP “Tt do know, and there are some things about that there business that I don’t understand. No tramps have been seen round these parts in many moons, yet he relates a yarn about tramps.” } “He must have told the truth,” said Dick, Templeton and Zona Desmond were with him, and they “for Doris saw the three who sneaked across to the railroad track.” “T allow those girls had nerve to follow three tramps, even if Darrell was along to protect them.” “But you don’t believe they would tell an untruth about it ?” Brad shook his head “Hardly. But sometimes I suspicion they may have been fooled somehow.” “How could they have been fooled ?”’ “Ask me! to say about it.” It’s right queer, and that’s ‘all I’ve got “The whole thing will be explained some time,” said Steve Nunn. “All Fardale is thankful that nothing happened to you, Dick. We need you this fall on the eleven, and we need you bad.” “As you're sure to be good, we need you bad,” grin- ned Brad. “We've been talking about that.” “IT came to see you about it, Dick,” said Nunn. “Well, I’m ready to talk football,” smiled Dick, his’ “What are the prospects of a good team, Captain Nunn?” dark eyes gleaming with interest. “We ought to have a dandy!’ exclaimed Steve, witli great enthusiasm. win out this season.” “You think so?” “I know it. The way we did up the other teams last _ year has stirred things up, and they are coming after us hot this fall?” ; “How hot?” “Well, I hear that White Academy has taken in a lot of ‘ringers,’ and they say we will be fruit.” “You mean that White will have some professionals on its team 2?” strict sense of the word, but they have played on fast ~~ “But we've got to have a dandy to — WEEKLY. teams, and it is pretty certain that White has offered them inducements.” , Dick frowned. “That is not ‘square sport,” he said. “I hardly be- lieve it will be allowed at White.” “Got my information pretty straight,’ said Steve. “But the athletic committee—will they permit it?” White is pretty sore. We rubbed it into them hard both in football and baseball. something wrong about the new students who are “Sometimes a committee shuts its eyes. The committee may suspect going to try for the eleven, may refuse to investi- gate. I understand that two of the fellows are not fit to enter a grammar school, yet they have passed at White.” “In that case there is something thé matter with the faculty. One thing is certain, everything is on the level here at Fardale. If a fellow is not qualified to enter this school, he can’t get in just because a can play football or baseball.” “And if he gets conditioned in his studies, he has to make it “Now you're shouting!” nodded Buckhart. up or get off any team he’s on. But I hear Eaton is going for us hardest.” “They are sorer than at White,” laughed Steve. “They have always beaten F ardale on the gridiron be- — fore last year, and it nearly killed them to fall before us. Then when wé did them handsomely at baseball in the spring they became boiling hot.” | | “What are they going to do?” asked Dick. “They have engaged a coach from ate ” “Is that all?” “They think it will be enough.” Dick laughed. : “If we want him, we can have a coach from Yale.” “You mean ds “Frank Merriwell. He will be glad to coach the eleven here, and it won’t costa cent.” | ‘ “You bet your boots we want him!” cried Brad. “THe’s the boy to make winners! Why, he never fails , _ —not even playing baseball in a wild and woolly West- “Perhaps they cannot be called professionals in the | ern league.” “Still we had a close call out there,” confessed Dick " a A ae tae NDE pone a ee rg nt arn Lae ) ey lof ol red be- A ORR it a Ania iasainl Mitei t att IONE ig iBT. Se ge : if that breaks things up.” Te Tor \“We won out by a nose, and we had to fight all kinds of plotters and schemers. It’s a wonder we ever came out on top.” 3) “Frank did it, I am sure,” said Steve. “Yes, he deserves all the credit. There was very little honest baseball in that league, and yet we won out on our merits.” “But I came here to speak about another matter,” said Steve. “You know I was hurt while playing baseball last spring.” “Yes.” “I haven’t gotten over it.” “That's bad.” “Mighty bad,” nodded Steve. the time, and the doctor has told me that I must not think of playing football this fall.” **W hat ?”” “That’s right.” _ “But——” “T meant to play just the same, but now “Now what?” “T can’t.” “You can’t anyhow.” tN6,” “Why is that?” “My mother “Tm lame nearly all 29 “Oh, she has been after you?” “Yes. She made me promise?” “Not to play: ee “Not to play football this fall.” “Great Scott!” exclaimed Frank. “You were elected captain of the team Py _ “T know it, and that is what makes me feel bad. But i must keep my word to my mother, Dick,” _“T should say so!” nodded Dick. “All the same, . “You' ll have to have a new captain.” ont was thinking of that.” ag : “And you, Dick, are the man for the place.” ea. am! 27? “*You bet!” cried Buckhart, his face beaming. “Re- member how you took Steve’s Place as captain of the es baseball team and wp you didi’? such was not the case. _ 15 WHEHEKLY. Dick was silent, seeming overwhelmed for a mo- ment. Then he said: “I don’t know about this. Iam not certain the fel- lows want me as captain.” “Tam!” nodded Nunn. “I have been doing my best to find out, and I know they want you. You will have to take it.” “If you refuse,” said Buckhart, “I’ll shoot you fuil , | know! Frank as coach, we can wipe the earth of everything. of holes! I will With you for captain and We'll do up White Academy, with all their ringers! We'll raise merry thunder with them!’”. “Will you take the place, Dick?” asked Steve. “Why, as you cannot play, I might take it if I should be chosen,” “That’s all I wanted to know,” laughed Steve. “You'll be chosen. Don’t worry about that. I know what I am talking about.” “Whoop!” cried Brad. doings around these parts this fall, “There are going to be great shout!’ CHAPTER VIII. WORRIED RASCALS, Steve Nunn lost no time in getting to work in the interest of Dick Merriwell,:and Brad Buckhart was a willing assistant. They started a canvas to find out just how the students stood on the matter, for they realized that the athletic committee might not favor Dick, in which case it would be necessary to bring out and demonstrate the sentiment of the school. The result was that everybody seemed to be talking football. But it was not long before a piel for Vick Merri- well appeared in the field, It was Hal Darrell. 7 He had long entertained football aspirations, and he could not forget that he had found no small amount of difficulty in getting a trial on the team a year before. At that time he had felt sure that Dick and Frank to- gether had kept him off the eleven until they were com- pelled to give him. a. show. Later he discovered that You hear me ; y ' 18 But Hal had played brilliantly. fellow, and there seemed something in it when his He was a dashing friends claimed that he would make a fine captain -for the eleven in place of Steve Nunn. These friends claimed that Dick was receiving too many favors. They confessed that he was the best baseball captain Fardale had seen in years, but as- serted that it was not right to shower all the honors on one man. Dick was to be captain of the baseball team another year, so why was it not right to give some one a show on the eleven? Dick himself felt that he was getting more than his share of the honors. | He was not at all grasping in this way, and in his heart he believed it would be a good thing for some other fellow to captain the eleven. Having this feeling, he accosted Hal the first time they met on the parade ground. “See here, Darrell, I want to speak with you,” he said. “I hear that you want to captain the eleven.”’ Hal. stiffened up, for he fancied Dick had stopped him thus to ask him to withdraw. “Some of my friends have asked me if I would take the place if chosen,” he answered. “And you told thenx—what ?’ “That I would if I was certain I was the man wanted -~ more than any one else.”’ erry hen I think you are the chap to take it,’ was the surprising statement from Dick. “You—you think so?” gasped Hal. ae | “But I heard “That I wanted it?” eee. e “No. Nunn came to me and told me he could not “captain the team. Then he asked me if I.would fill his place. I answered that [ thouglt I would if selected. I have thought it over since, and 1 am beginning to think that too many such favors are being shown me. I don’t want to grow bristles, I believe that other fel- lows should have a show. : you felt about it. That’s' wey I “— you.” TIP TOP WEEKLY. When I learned that you _ were a possible candidate, I resolved to find out how This. was so unexpected that Darrell was quite taken aback. “Of course,”’-he said, slowly, “I am not sure that will be chosen. the team, either.”’ “T believe you would, and I’m ready to work for you.” Hal’s heart warmed within him. “Merriwell, you’re a_ brick!’ he exclaimed. “I thought you would feel differently about this matter. ” Now, I don’t want to cut in and push out if you “Don’t worry about me!” laughed Dick. “You won't push me out. I’ve got to do some plugging, and I might have too much on my mind if I should be chosen captain of the eleven.” “You'll play on the team?” “Sure thing.” “That’s the talk! And we'll make the other fellows hustle. If I’m chosen captain, I shall want your ad- vice,” “T don’t think you’ll need it with Frank for coach. He'll give you the right kind of advice.” “But see here!’’ cried. Hal; draw out of the field?” “How ?” ‘Decline to be a candidate?” “Why not?’ 66g iy 7 you're not going to “Because I don’t want you to do it!” exclaimed Hal, “Tf you are the one who is wanted as cap- I'll play. I’ll do earnestly. tain of this team, let them put you in, anything. draw. I shall feel — perhaps I am chosen because v no one opposed me.’ | They discussed this point earnestly for some time, with the result that, affer much urging, Dick promised to serve on the eleven if chosen, and he was not to withdraw asa candidate from the field. They were watched as they talked together by two lads who took pains not to be observed, They were Mark Crauthers and Jim Watson. | Since his attack on Darrell, Crauthers had lived in _ fear and trembling. He was astonished when ne found that Darrell had made no move to punish him, ya I might not make a good captain for I shall not feel right about it if you with-_ 2 But Crauthers fancied he ‘him, TIP TOP His. suspense did not decrease in the least as time \passed, for he knew Hal was not a forgiving fellow. saw a chance to save him- self when he discovered that Darrell was a candidate for the captaincy of the eleven. He held a consulta- tion with Watson, and. Jim urged him to try to make the scheme work. Thus it came about that, as Hal was on his way to the gymnasium, after leaving Dick, he was approached by Mark. “Just a word, please,” begged Mark, in a humble way. ’ Hal flashed him a look of anger and scorn. “I have no time to waste'on you!” he declared. “You'll find it to your advantage.” “Go on! Keep away from me, that is my advice to you.” -But Crauthers was not to be baffled in such a man- ner. ; “You must listen!” he exclaimed, planting himself in Hal’s path. It seemed that Darrell would spring at the fellow, and he held himself in check only by a mighty effort. “T have a proposal to make to you,” Crauthers went hastily. it. I don’t know why you have said nothing about ” our little affair, but “Perhaps I am ashamed to let any one know you got the best of me by jumping on me when I was not prepared.” But I hear, you are going to try “Oh, you’re proud enough for that, I suppose! you can be taken down! to become captain of the football team.” “Well?” “Ts: it. true?’ “What af it is?” , “I saw you talking with Merriwell just now.’ Hal was silent. | ; “He'll beat you out for the place. No one can do that in an open fight. know a way you can beat him. | ~ “You can?” . “Sure thing.” You can’t beat But I I can help you,” “Tt will be to your advantage to hear WEEKLY. 47 “Well, “Then you go into the soup. Don’t be foolish, Darrell. “A pull?” said Hal, in surprise. I want none of your help!” I have a pull with the athletic committee.” “T don’t believe it.” “Tt’s true.’ “What sort of a pull?” “Never mind. There are five on the committee. Two favor Merriwell, and two are inclined to stand by you, as they think he has had enough. The fifth man is onthe fence. He is the chap I have a pull with. If I go to him and tell him to vote for you he’ll do it. In that way you will be chosen. See! You will de- feat Merriwell. That should be worth something to you.” p93 exclaimed Hal.‘ “I word you have said!” “You're lying, Crauthers! don’t believe a A dull flush rose to Mark’s cheeks. \? “I don’t like to have any one call me a liar!” he said. “But I would not fight with you. Give me a promise and I’ll prove that all I’ve said is true.” “What promise ?”’ “That you will never say a word more about that affair the other night and about our little scrap’ in your room. No harm was done either time, and you can beat Merriwell by making that promise. Will you doit? Isita bargain?’ Hal stepped closer to Mark. 32 “When I make any bargains with such a rascal as you,” he said, “I’ll deserve to be shot! Now get out of my way or I’ll knock you down!” 3 The dan- ger light in Hal’s eyes made him step aside, and Dar- rel passed on to the gym. Crauthers saw his scheme had fallen flat. CHAPTER IX. A CONFESSION. On Saturday afternoon .a picnic party gathered on the shore of Lily Lake. There were a dozen lads from the academy and as many girls from Miss Tartington’s school. _ Miss Tartington was on hand to chaperon her girls, while Frank Merriwell had been invited alsa _ ¢ 18 TIP TOP Of course, Felecia, Doris and Zona were with the girls, much to the satisfaction of Dick, Brad and Hal. They had a merry time, as young people may, there being much joking and laughter. Ted Smart was in his element, and he provided con- siderable amusement. Obediah Tubbs, casion. however, was the clown of the oc- Somehow Obediah never seemed to say any- thing funny that was worth repeating, yet his comical ‘appearance, his drawl and his peculiar manner made his words laughable. Obediah was a Yankee boy by birth, but his parents had moved to Texas, where he had spent some time on a ranch. This Western experience, however, had not served to rub off any of his odd iubie one ways. In fact, he was mammoth in proportions, but he was lively He weighed nearly three hundred pounds. as an ordinary boy when he bestirred himself. | Barely had Obediah reached the picnic grounds when he began complaining that he was hungry. .“Darn my picter if I don’t feel holler.as a bass drum inside!” he declared. “It’s jest awful to feel that way! What I’d like would be two or three good fresh pies.” | i “It’s too bad you hate pie!” exclaimed Ted Smart. “I feel really sorry for you!” “But I don’t hate pie! TI like it!” “I am surprised!” chirped Smart. “Why, you are so frail and delicate that I thought you must eat malted “milk, or something like that.| You need some sort of diet that will cause you to take on flesh!” "You git aout!’ exclaimed Obediah. “You're pokin’ fun at me, an’ I won’t stan’ for it!” | “Don’t stand: for it—don’t! It’s wrong! It’s an Sit down!” “Til throw you right plump inter the drink if you don’ t git erway from me!” piped Obediah, in his shrill - Noice, as he made a swing at Ted. ! } © Smart ducked quickly, dropping to ‘the ground and - darting between the legs of the fat boy, who was ae with his feet wide apart. _Obediah had closed: his ae as he aide the swing, ‘awful mistake! WEEKLY. and he was amazed on opening them and finding that Ted was gone. He looked round for Smart, and then gasped: “Thutteration ! him plumb clean outer sight?” Did the wind of my fist jest whisk Ted could not help shouting at the comical expres- sion on his face. Ted was laughing with his hand over his mouth, but his laughter changed to a squeal of fear when Obediah suddenly, without the least warning, let his knees buckle and sat straight down. Smart was caught, and the crushing weight of the fat boy squeezed the breath from his body. ) “It’s fun! “Ow-wow! I like this!” he cried. Why, you're light as a feather, Tubbs!” ‘‘Hey?” came in apparent surprise from the fat boy. “What's this I’ve sot on?” “Don’t lift him off!’ he was being crushed to death. Smart, who felt that “He isn’t breaking gasped my ribs! I enjoy this hugely!. I—I Then he found ‘he had no breath for further words. “Come on, Obediah!’’ cried Dick, for he saw that Smart was in distress. “Get off. lively, or you’il have a funeral to your account!” Then he gave Tubbs a push that caused him to roll over like a ball. “Darn my picter!” chuckled Obediah. “T believe somebody got under me when I sot down!” Hal Darrell was talking with Felecia, and they had drawn off by themselves, although they were not far from the others. “I suppose you had a fine time this summer?” said Hal. a Pee “Oh, a lovely time!” she answered, her dark eyes looking into his. “And you?’ . . “Well, I had a pretty good time.” “Did you see Doris often?” | “Oh, yes. Our people went to the seashore, you know. her every day.” | “That must have been fine!’ sega aga “Tt was. She gave me some of her. attention. But now—well, l see she i is talking with Dick.” ee 5 re We had cottages “close pach, andiI saw ee ee cas MUNN eapees es acini ma ayhi EG a oe ET a en ee =< help. it. flushed. Tie. TOY It was true; Doris and Dick were chatting, although : | Dick seemed strangely reserved. Felecia forced a laugh. “Why should we care?” she exclaimed. “T do care!’’ confessed Hal. “But it’s no use to care. She'll do as she likes, and I can’t blame her for All the same, I wish they had never i “ met! liking Dick. These words were spoken in a bitter manner, and Felecia understood how deeply he felt about it. Ofa sudden she confessed : “T wish the same! Perhaps it is selfish of me, but I can’t help it.” A queer look came into Hal’s eyes. “Pelecia,’ he said, “I know I can trust you. We have spoken of some things in the past. Do you know, I am a pretty cheap fellow! Oh, yes I am! You needn’t look surprised! I realize it, but I can’t I did something this summer that I am ashamed of. I was ashamed of it at the time, but I couldn’t seem to help it. It has made me feel like a criminal ever since., For that very reason, when I found some fellows doing a wrong thing a few days ago, I told myself that I was no better than they. [ could have exposed them, but it seemed.to me that I was too cheap to tell on them.”’ “What are you talking about?” = the dark-eyed girl, in wonderment. ~ 9? “I want to tell you,” said Hal, “yet I am sahawana.” “Oh, I don’t believe it was anything so very bad!” “It was! Come over here and sit down. I'll teli you.” They sat on a rustic bench, and Hal seemed to find some difficulty about beginning. “lve wanted to tell some one,” he said, his face “T’ve felt that I must tell. Did you know Dick wrote to Doris while he was away in the West?” “T suspected he did, ” said Felecia, with a sigh. “He did, but Doris never received the letters,” » “Never received them ?”’ Perhaps “No. ” “aang “Why note? 0 hy roe Because] got may, Hands qn be . WHEEKLY. 19 “And you-——” % “Destroyed them both!’ confessed Hal. “‘What do you think of that? Am I not acheap fellow? Why, it was a criminal thing to do! JI used to call for the mail at the little post office where we were, and I de- tected his letters. Then I burned them—I burned them and never told Doris?’ Felecia looked a “T didn’t think * “You didn’t think I would do such a wea Well, now you see just the sort of a chap I am! But I didn’t want her to get letters from him! I thought she might cease to care for him. I know she was watching for a letter, and she was awfully disappointed After a time, she seemed to get Once I spoke of him, and she asked I was satisfied then, for I thought she had begun to despise him. 1 when she got none. angry about it. me not to mention his name. didn’t know her—I didn’t know her! I believe she cares more for him now because of his apparent neg- lect! It’s just like some girls! No fellow can un- derstand them!” j “It’s no use ere to keep them apart,” said Fe- lecia. “TI know it now.’ “So do I!’ muttered Hal. CHAPTER X.. OBEDIAH GETS PIE. “By golly! I’m jest dyin’ for pie!” groaned Obe- diah Tubbs, as he pressed his hands over his stomach. “Td like to hev abaout a dozen such ones as marm “ uster make. Darn my picter if they warn’t slappir’ — good!” . Little did Obedial know that three of tte Boys had slipped away from the party and hastened across fields to the village, where they paid a visit to the bakery, coming away with a huge basket piled high witH something that was covered by a white cloth. These fellows had rejoined the picnic party, having brought up the basket without being seen. And now one of them rushed out with a pie, whic _ ‘he presented to Obediah, srying’s 3 a fix “Proceed to surround that.” 20 | TIP TOP WEEKLY. “Here you are, Obed! Here’s a real pie for you.’ “Wha-a-at?” squealed the fat boy, in delight, as he grasped the pie, his eyes bulging. “Well, if it ain't the real thing! Hooray! But it’s only one little teenty one, jest large enough to fill a holler tooth.” He took a huge bite out of the pie, which he held with both hands. The boys gathered round to watch him. “Bet you can’t eat it in three bites,” said one. 9 “T bet he can eat it in two,” said another. “Stand forth! stand forth!’ cried Harry Date, ” loudly, “and witness the great pie-eating feat “Hold on!” squeaked Obediah. “I don’t eat pie with: my feet. What be you calling folks to see my pie-eatin’ feet for?” _ “How he suffers!” sobbed Ted Smart, as the fat boy seemed to take a full quarter of the pie at a single mouthful. “It is ashame!” “Ow can’e do hit?” said Billy Bradley, the cockney youth. “Hi don’t hunderstand hit!” “Tt's all dud-dud-dud-done by a sus-sus-sus- ‘slight chuckled Chip Jolliby, the long, lank, stuttering boy. turn of the wrist,” “Watch him cuc-cuc-cuc-close and you may detec-tec-tect the trick.” “Oh, you fellers laff!’ mumbled Obediah, as he stuffed the last of the pie ape his mouth. “I don't care! All I’s like is more pie.”’ _ “Permit me,” said Ned Stanton, bringing forth an- other pie and offering it. “Well, by golly!” cried’ Obediah, bata tae. “You fellers are all right!” | And he proceeded to devour the second pie in the same favenous manner. “Have another ?” grunted Bob Singleton, as he handed another pie over. Obediah ate it amid the applause of the boys and the 7 laughter of the girls, the latter being in the background. When he had finished Brad Buckhart brought a pie "from beneath his coat, with a gteat flourish. . “Yere, Obediah, is more of the same,” he said. “Qh, you can’t stump me this way!” said the fat pies But he did not devour this pie in the same ravenous manner. He was beginning to feel that he had eaten about enough pie for the time being. However, when he had finished, yet another pie was offered him and urged upon him. It made the fifth, and he seemed to balk at it a bit. “TI guess this will be about enough,” he admitted. When he had finished tha. one, however, another pie was thrust beneath his nose. “T ain’t hankerin’ “Excuse me,’’ said the fat boy. as much as I was.” “Oh, you must eat it!” they cried. “What fer ?’’ Po “Because we can’t afford to see it wasted.’ “Tl take it to my room and eat it there.” They would not consent to that. When he declined to eat any more they began to make threatening dem- onstrations. “Why do you think we bought these pies?” ex- claimed Harry Dare. Obediah was finally compelled to accept the sixth * pie. He began to eat slowly, and it was seen that he was crowding it down. Still he was compelled to eat ‘the whole of it. When the, seventh pie was urged upon him he re- belled in earnest. | {?? “Darn my picter if I touch it!” he squeaked. “Think I’m goin’ to make my self sick of pie, so I’ll never eat no more? Well, I guess not!” “Stand up to your pie, or on c conmnanided Buck- hart. “You can’t'squeal now.’ “Tt*ain’t no fair! If they was the right kinder ” “We've given you all kinds,” “But I like currant pie best.” ~ | “Flere you have it!” came from Harry Dare. “A brand new currant pie. Accept it with my comp ments.” ‘S . ' They forced a pie inti ai of the fat boy’s hands. He made a comical picture as he stood there, looking ; ; anxiously from one pie to the other. | “T—I] kinder think I'd like squash | me Obediahy | \ we a eta oy asians “faltered 3 V a t spring,” “The time passed oe for me,” Somebody offered him what was called a squash pie. 3ut I'd ruther hev pineapple pie,” said the fat boy, sweat beginning to start out all over his face. “Here’s your pineapple pie!” exclaimed a voice. He found it useless to object on account of the kind of pie, for pies were thrust at him from all sides. “Darn my picter if I’ll eat any more pie nohow!” he squealed, dropping the two he held. “What! roared the boys. ‘Do you refuse pie?” “T jest do, by jolly!” They fell back in apparent amazement. “Can it be possible?” cried Ted Smart.’ “And he has scarcely taken a mouthful of pie! He has deceived ‘us |”? F “And led us into squandering our money foolishly !” said Harry Dare. “Revenge! revenge!’ orunted Browning. “T vote that we make’ him take pie!” exc voice. “Make him take it!” cried others. “T won't!” shrilly shouted Obediah. Then somebody sent a pie whizzing through the air, and it struck the fat boy on the shirt bosom. ‘This was the signal for others to begin bombarding him with the pies they held, and for some minutes the air was full of pies, while the fat lad danced about comically in his efforts to dodge them. “Darn my picter!” he squawked. time I ever got too much pie!” It was a laughable spectacle, but soon the pies were exhausted and the excitement was over. laimed a “This is the fust } CHAPTER XI. DICK AND DORIS. Dick and Doris had wandered apart by themselves, yet they were within sound of the voices of the pic- Pe nickers. “Tt seeems, a long time since school closed last said Doris. “Tt hasn’t been so very long,” po ned Dick. she declared. “Didn’t you have a good time this summer?” “No; I had the meanest old time I ever had in all my life!? | Kaas es ee. : “Why, how was that? You went to the seashore?” “Yes, but there was m0 one ¢ there I cared for.” “No ¢ one? of Ni TIP TOP WEEKLY. _in the eyes. “Not many.” “Hal “Oh, yes; he was there with his folks.” “T suppose you found his company agreeable?” “Oh, yes! But I kept wishing the summer over: Honestly, I didn’t have a bit good time. I suppose you enjoyed yourself?” “Well, we were so busy playing ball that I didn’t have much time to get lonesome,” laughed Dick. “I don’t suppose so!” with a:slight toss of her head. “You were so busy you didn’t even have time to think of your old friends.” “Qh, but I did think of them!’ “Really? I am surprised to hear it!’ He detected the sarcasm in her voice and wondered what she. meant. She had not answered his letters, and he had told himself many times that he’ would let her know what he thought of it by treating her with coolness when they met. But they met, and, in spite of himself, he had not been able to be so. very cool. “Why are you surprised, Miss Templeton?” “Oh, just because I am, Mr. Merriwell.” “It seems to me that we are very formal.” “I thought of that, but I simply followed your example.” Both realized that they were sparring lightly. Dick knew his heart was thumping, and he could not check its rapid beating. Never before had Doris looked so pretty in his eyes. The softened light sifted. through the trees and fell on her fair face and brown gold haire Her lips were red and curved daintily, parting to show the most 1) beautiful white teeth. She did not look him straight ks 3 “She knows I blame her for failing to answer- my | letters,” he thought. “Perhaps she is just fooling en me!” } ; ee That chum caused a tumult to start in his breast. It was a pain that left his cheeks white and his eyes. gleaming. Le a “Tf you wish to be formal,” said Dick, “of courseI i ssi shall not presume.” He was very ene for a “You began it, sir,’ en ee “There was a time,” he said, “when we called each = other by first names, and it seemed natural.” Bisa She turned her face’ any and he fancied her chin Guivered a little. : Two (perecns walked down | a natural path that boy of his years. led toward the shore of the lake. They were Hal and Felecia, who were talking in low tones. Dick called the attention of Doris to them. “Doesn’t that make you jealous?’ he asked. “Pshaw! Why should it?” “Why, I thought you cared so much for Hal!” “Dick, you know how it is! Hal is a splendid fel- low, but I’m not at all struck on him!’ She seemed earnest about it, but somehow there was a doubt in his heart. “Do you care about any one?” “Why—yes.” “Who?” “Myself!” she laughed, lightly. “T thotight so!” he returned, warmly. believe you area flirt!” 3 Then she looked him straight in the eyes. “You have no tight to believe anything of the sort!’ she exclaimed, resentfully. “Are you sure of that?’ “Yes, [am sure! I am not a flirt! so.sure about you, Mr. Merriwell!” “About me?” “T said so!” ; “Why, I’ve never given you cause—— “Wait a minute! Don’t say anything you'll have to take back !” i “I’m not afraid. I’ve never given you cause, Doris ‘Templeton, to call me a flirt.” “Perhaps not,” she answered, with a shrug of her pretty shoulders,*and the way she said it annoyed him. “Have I? have I?” he Senanied, almost fiercely. “You may not think so.’ “YT do not think so! But you, Doris—you have» _ giveh me cause to think you are not a girl of your word, at feast.” ; : Her clteeks blazed. “I like that!” she exclaimed, with the spirit that thrilled him, for she seemed even prettier than ever. “I demand to know what you mean, sir!” “You promised to answer my letters if I wrote you.” “T did.” “You did what—answer them?” “No I promised to, but you never wrote.” “Never wrote?” “No, sir!” “Doris, I did!” he said, earnestly. “Doris, I wrote “you. two. letters, and you never answered either of them!” | | / “Doris, I But I am noi 7? \ her a boyish kiss, TIP TOP WEEKLY. “You wrote two letters to me—and mailed them?” “Yes! You don’t doubt my word, do you?” “No; but I never received either of those letters, Dick. That is why I did not answer them.. Had I re- ceived them, I would have answered. 1 waited and looked for a letter. Every day I expected to get one, but it never came. You don’t know how disappointed I was! That's why the summer was so—so long, and so——so mean!” She was on the point of breaking into sobs.