FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH eekly. by subscription $2.50 per year. Lntered as Secona-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH. 79-59 Seventh Ave., N. ¥. NEW YORK, AUGSUT 25, 1906. Price, Five Cents “Only a hundred dollars, Mr. Silkshaw?”’ cried Dick, laughing derisively and flinging the crumpled bill into the man’s face. «When you want to buy me brimg me a bale of these!” SRY / pa 5 Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, oa Seventh een - meats. 4 N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1906, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. Ge NEW YORK, August 25, 1906. Price Five Cents. CHAPTER I. SPARKFAIR AND JUNE, Leaving Crowfoot to take care of the canoe at the Pineville pier, Sparkfair followed the prth up the hill to the Pine Tree Inn. He wore an exceedingly sad and doleful counte- ~ log building. — : At one end of the veranda a girl, half-reclining in a hammock, was reading a novel. : Spark paused, and regarded her in silence for some moments. _ She did not look up. He coughed. — - Still she seemed wholly absorbed in the story. | Again he coughed, this time somewhat louder. _ _ There were a few other guests on the veranda, and some of them noted his behavior, Dick Merriwell’s Heart; oe | | OR, . By BURT L. STANDISH. mock, pausing quite near it. nance as he ascended the steps ‘of the rambling old and smiled in Failing to atttact the girl's attention in this man- ner, the boy from Happy Camp approached the ham- “Good morning, Miss Arlington,” he said. June glanced up with a start. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “Why, it’s Dale Sparkfair! Where did you come from? 1 was so interested that I failed to notice you.” “I observed you were,” he said sadly, as he bowed, — cap in hand. “There was a time when I fancied the © sound of my footsteps reaching your ears would be © sufficient to rouse you from deepest slumber. That time has passed—alas, forever.” “Oh, Dale, you’re so funny!” she latghed, as ae sat erect and tossed. the novel aside after turning down 2 a leaf. “You say those things as if you really meant them.” | Be “Now, that’s what jars me!” he exclaimed. “ND one takes me seriously. No matter what I say, th TIP TOP “think I’m. joshing. If I should be shot through the heart and tell any one about it, he’d roar with laugh; ter. If I should happen to drop dead with heart- failure, somebody would kick me in the ribs, and ‘tell me to get up. This thing of being taken for a huge joke all the time is getting monotonous. [’m becom- - ing depressed and downcast and discouraged. ‘If it _ keeps up, I'll be driven into something reckless.” All through this speech June continued to regard him with an amused smile. “Tm glad you’ve come,” He brightened a bit. “Are you, truly?” he asked. “Indeed, I am. I was all ready to cry over that book, and I want some one to make me laugh.” : “That's it, that’s it,” muttered Dale. “I serve sim- _ ply as a thing to be laughed at. What’s the matter in the book ?” _ “Oh, the heroine has been terribly deceived by the man she loves.” , _ “Ts it possible? In real life it’s usually the hero _ who's given the flimflam. So the Beer heroine has _ been grievously deceived? And you're all broken up _ over vit, June?” pcos _ “T really am,” confessed the girl. “I thought him a splendid fellow all through the story, but now he turns out to be a rascal. All the while that he has pretended to love the heroine he’s had another girl to whom he was making love, and whom he’s going to matry." _, “He’s.a villain,” tone of voice. He ought to marry them both. That would fix him.” - “Now you see why people never take you seriously,” said June reprovingly. je ing. You wouldn’t have him marry them both.” “Not if he was a friend of mine, I'd do my best 0 keep: him from such a calamity.” “Tm peciihy more than half-disgusted with the story, even though it is awfully interesting,” said the girl. AT: don’ t believe there are such rascals i in real life. ee she said. ? \ . * it ig |, ing at. pee same fie but, in. a, brut te ‘gaa WEEKLY. | I'll tell him so in your presence. Do you know ie | said Dale, in a deep, denunciatory “He ought.to be properly punished. . prize-fighter fashion i in order to kick up a strap. witht bee him.” “You don’t mean that. You’re’ , it in a savage manner. ‘right. rlever deceives any’ one.” age Fs ae 1 ball. _ Merriwell, pean by. jetting. Silver Springs get ahea of his team? ” ‘ ry you'd expect to have two or shinee girls “What other about ?” _ “T don’t know what I’m talking about.. That’s one — of my: failings. I seldom know what I mean until somebody tells me.” “A moment ago you were complaining because no one took you seriously, and now you confess you do = not take yourself seriously. Draw up that chair, Dale. Sit here facing me. Let me admire you. Did you do your hair up in curl-papers last night ?” eon “Oh, yes, indeed,” answered Sparkfair quickly, as he seated himself as requested. “I’ve just taken the papers off. How did you guess it?” eS “I’m good at guessing. I can guess whom. you meant when you spoke of the other fellow.” "tan your ‘Lr it “You meant Dick Merriwell. don’t like about you, Dale.” “What?” pret “Tm sure Dick wouldn’t say anything about you behind your back that he’d not say to your face.” “And I’d not say anything about him that I’d not say to his face. He's a double-dyed scoundrel, and | fellow?. What are you talking. Aesth Re at hh bao ‘ <= — ee eee ° } That’s one thing I he'll. do when I tell him?” “What do you think he'll do?” “Laugh. He’ll take it as'a josh. If I wanted to : fight him, I'd have to knock him down before he'd think me in earnest. If I insulted him in a gentle-— manly sort of fashion, he’d simply give me the giggle. eae T tell you, it’s pretty tough when you can’t insult a a fellow like a gentleman, but have to knock him down Fie ; “What have you against - Dick: ae ay ae “Everything! everything!” rasped Dale, cheaeitaas ie his fist, and turning it over and over as he surveyed : “Te has the inside track. Tye 7 tried to take the pole away from him, but it’s no use,” — “Now you know Dick is perfectly. square and up . You know he i is honorable 3 in every Wer. ; He ¥e Act! . _ “Argument without evidence is wasted. ‘Let’ °s talle of somebody or something else. Let’s talk about ba What’s the matter with Pineville? | What does Um sure it’s not Dick’s fault. ei it “And. at sure it’s not the fault oon TIP TOP Dale produced a slip of paper, on which the stand- ‘ing was recorded as follows: . LOST. WON. RR RENN 8 ge a eo ic ew bee ies ows Sale aM 4 II ES STIRS. 5 65 kyo Sac hak Vet bake baa bari eee 7 8 PNRM rea PEN «cL L EE PSL om SE's LEN RETIRE GET 8 7 MREN 2p Ass a Bice Vac Vik nates san eee eke II 4 “You see we’re going some, and holding our place at the head of the league. Pineville is dropping all the while. If Madawaska should take a brace, she’d make Dick’s team hustle to keep from the bottom of the list.” “IT know Dick is doing everything he can. Luck seems against him.” “And I presume your brother is happy.” ‘A cloud passed over June’s face. “Tt’s no_secret that Chester hates Dick,” mured. re “Did you know that Bill Kane came to me and _ offered to give me Pineville’s team-work signals?” “T heard something about it.” “We jumped on him, and made him a prisoner. We had him in a tent, but he escaped while we were playing ball. One of the spectators asserted that he saw your brother enter the tent in the eighth inning. I refuse to believe he had anything to do with Kane’s escape. Some of the fellows held the opinion that - Kane got those signals from your, brother. Now, Chester and I have never had any serious trouble, and _ I'll not believe that of him unless he acknowledges at. . - “Which you may rest aed T’ll not do,” _ the voice of Arlington, as he stepped over the sill of on open window and appeared on the veranda, “I had nothing to do with Kane’s escape, -and the fellow _who claims that I furnished him with Pineville’s sig- nals is a liar, That ought to be good enough for _ anybody.” she mur- t _ CHAPTER IL THE SCOUNDREL. % It’s good enough for me!” exclaimed Dale, as he rose and grasped Chester’s hand. ' _ June ‘declined to meet her brother’s glance, for she believed he had told an untruth, eS “TI suppose | this yarn, originated with break sg said Chet. “I — he was the chap who started it in circulation.” heey “And I know he was not,” averred the girl ghey, ct ow do you know? er demanded her eae ou ba YON, know a Ce a. about Dick a a said WEEKLY. | 3 as they make ’em. .He’s fooled you handsomely, but you'll get your eyes open, June.” “No one can make me believe him crooked,” declared. “Oh, all right,” laughed Arlington, with a shrug of his shoulders. “What are you doing over here this morning, Spark, old chap?” “Came over to see Merriwell,” answered Dale. wondering what’s the matter with his team.” “What's the matter? Ha! ha! ha! Why, the mat- ter is that his bunch is too slow for the Blue Hills League. I'll wager that Pineville finishes at the bot- tom. . Madawaska is going to come out ahead all right now-that she has a new battery. That was her weak point. I’m certain she’ll take a fall out of Pineville to-morrow.” “Perhaps so,” admitted Sparkfair; “but I hope not. Do you know where I can find Merriwell?” “Come on,” said Chet. “Perhaps I can find him — for you.” “What time is it?’ asked June. Chester glanced at his watch. “Nine-thirty,’ he answered. “Dick will be here at ten Bock,’ “Eh? How do you know? Beatise he asked me to go rowing with him at that hour.” } “Oh, a, did, did he? And I suppose you’re BOM “tT am.’ Chet threw up his hands. “All right,” he cried, “go ahead! You'll do as you — please for all of me. Come on, Spark.” é she “Vm said the girl. Passing an arm oes Sparkfair’s, he led Dale fe away. je: They passed round the corner of the veranda. Barely were they out of June’s sight When teh stopped, and hurriedly said: hapten “Look here, Spark, old chap, I know just where to_ find Dick Merriwell. I didn’t tell you where he was” in the presence of my sister for a certain reason. I _ want you to go back and ask her % take a stroll wit: you along the path to the ee: “What for?” “You'll run across Merriwell out there.” “\e-that so? (s: “Yes. There’s some one with him.” “Who?” - “Guess.” cant. ii _ “Madge Morgan.” a. _. Dale whistled softly. TIP TOP WEEKLY. “Oh, I have my eyes open,” said Arlington. , “You ‘know I took quite a fancy to Madge myself, Evi- dently she had a date with Merriwell this morning. She didn’t come directly to the hotel, but he met her out there by the spring. If June knew it 3 a ney it’s best she shouldn’t know anything about it,’ said Dale seriously. 3 “What's the matter with you?” snapped Chet. “It’s the best she should know. I tell you that fellow is fooling her. She thinks he’s the soul of honor, and she should know the truth. -something—I want you to go back and ask June to. take a walk with you. You ought to be able to induce _ her to do that. Just trot her over toward ‘the spring, and give her a look at Mr. Merriwell, in company with Madge o’ Mad Lake.. That'll jar her a bit.” | “This isn’t quite in my line,” rattered Spark, sha- _ king his head. “Well, . you're a fine chap! You’ve got lots of er ve!’ You Sie you like June, and she’d like you _ better than any other fellow if it wasn’t for Merri- well. If you don’t seize your opportunity. to gain a _ lap ey him now, you're no good. That’s all I have to Bt Sar yee Chester,’;-Said Spark soberly, “Tm a doubled- dyed villain, and I know it. I’m going to follow your ad- vice. I feel like a sneak-thief in doing it, but here ° goes.” | _ He left Chet grinning with satisfaction: _ June had resumed her reading, and she seemed not Pa little surprised by Dale’s en return. "Didn't roy find Dick?” she asked. “Not yet,” he smiled ; Bat: fancy I know where het is. He's walked out toward the spring. Let’s you and I look for him. If we, don’t find him, ie may ee here in time to keep your eRe June hesitated. _ “T didn’t think oe refuse a little ae like this,” murmured Dale, with a look pe deep disappointment on his face. _ i | 3 “But I haven't refused, a she augheds again, costing aside the book. “Tl go with you.” \rlington was watching, and he chuickiéd bbe: saw them depart along the spring paths eh 3 erriwell. hasn’t returned yet,” he muttered. ot lope they catch him before Madge Morgan skips out.” nce more a was. acme downcast. of : Now, I want you to do | “was reached. stit. Once in a while I get ashamed of myself. I think T’ll reform, but it’s no use. for a reformer.” “There you go again,” laughed the girl. “You're — 5 always running yourself down.” I do it to “That’s part of my villainous deception. * How © gain sympathy. I love to pose in that fashion. far is it to the spring?” “Not very far.” | “Is it a straight path?’ . “Oh, no. Here’s the first bend in the path. There’ s: another just before the spring is reached.” “Let’s be quiet,” urged Dale. sins.’ F They were passing round the second bend, when he : suddenly stopped and touched her arm. t a here seems to be some one else at the spring,” he said, in a tone scarcely louder than a whisper. “There’s Merriwell, but he has company.” June’s eyes widened, for, sitting side by side on a. a little rustic bench near the spring, were Dick Madge Morgan. Their backs were partly turned to- — ward the path, and they seemed to be talking earnestly. é To himself, Sparkfair was saying : “T am a villain. There’s no question about fad Dome. one ‘ought to kick me all the way into Spoon " % ei | . - June stood quite still, her lips parted and her eyes. x fastened on those two figures. At length Dick moved slightly, lifting his arm, and a _ placing it on the back of the rustic bench behind the ; ee at his side. - , { 2 _ June caught her breath, intned swiitly, grasped Dale’s arm, and hoarsely wiepared “Let’s go back!” aay hey returned to the hotel. Few words passed between them until the veranda : The color that had fled from June’s | face crept back a little at a _ time. ‘Finally she. began talking in a light, aimless ‘way, laughing at intervals and making a pene of nee ey sey and lighs hea gh NR eae eee ade “Te! s al a nee , ‘Spark told himself. hammock. Sine : eee you know she sai, “Ty ve | I’m not built right _ ea “Let's commune in 7 SS as we amble along. Let me meditate on my and fig TOP hi ithetn honest and upright, but they’re really frauds and scoundrels.” “Yes, there are plenty of ak fellows,” admitted - Dale. “T know one, and his name is, Sparkfair.”’ The old-fashioned clock within the inn struck ten. _ A ‘few moments later Spark saw Dick Merriweil coming rapidly along the spring path. “Hello, Dale, old man!’’ cried Dick, as he recog- nized the visitor from Happy Camp. “Delighted! When did you come over?” _ “Oh, I’ve been here nearly an hour,” swer. “Crowfoot and I came ina canoe. ing to stay here for, lunch.” “Then V’ll have a chance to see you later,” said - Dick. “Miss Arlington and I are going for a row. We'll be back before lunch-time. Are you ready, June?” “T don’t think I’ll go,” she be her eyes flashing— - “at least, not with you. I haven’t had an opportunity to see seas for some time. He and [ are going canoeing.” _ Spark clapped a aid over his vaste to repress an exclamation. June rose from the hammock. “Come, Dale,” she said, “are you ready ?” - “Quite ready,” he answered. i “Don't let me fall,” said June, taking ‘Dale’s. arm. : They descended the steps, and turned toward the path that ai down to the pier... was the an- We are go- CHAPTER IIL. SHAW *S STORY. of MR. ‘Dick realized his cheeks were burning as he. stood here watching Sparkfair and June as they descended ‘the path. She was clinging to Dale’s arm and chat- ting in a light-hearted manner, occasionally glancing Ip at him and laughing. The boy on the veranda new well enough that several of the guests had seen n pore it all. it ans what Brad Buckhart yes -one could cut you out. _ “Spare your threats. WEEKLY, | | | 5 about Dale that attracted him. The fellow had seemed to be a jovial, light-hearted, honorable chap, given to harum-scarum escapades, but naturally square and honorable. Had any one told Merriwell that Dale would seek to undermine a rival behind that, rival’s back, the statement would not have been believed. “Tl find out. what this means,’ he thought, as he started to turn away. . Near at hand he discovered a lad who was stand- ing with his hands in his pockets and smoking a cigarette, a triumphant leer on his face. It was June’s brother. “Tm quite as much surprised as you are, Metri- well,” said Chester, with a grin. “I thought you had the inside track with sis. I didn’t suppose that any Evidently Sparkfair has put you on the siding, and taken the main line himself.” Now Dick was not at all inclined to bandy words’ with this fellow. He attempted to pass without giv- ing Chester more than a glance, but Arlington had not finished. “Tm glad of it,” he added maliciously. “I greatly prefer that my sister should associate with Sparkfair. — I’ve advised her to give you the shake more than once, but this is the first time she’s seemed inclined to follow the advice. You'd won keep hes from her after — this. If you don’t Young Merriwell had paused close beside Chet, into whose eyes hé looked as he spoke i in a low tone. — “Let me give you just a word of advice, ” he said. Only for your sister you’d been ridden out of Pineville on a rail. Her appeal in your behalf saved you after I secured the proof that you — had stolen our team-work signals. I don’t know why ce _ June treated me as she did just now, but I'll find out. It is my opinion that you were concerned. I’ve re- peatedly told myself that I have shielded you for the last time. Now I tell a ae may yet eet Oe ride on a rail.” Chester forced a onsite lag as Dick passed on into the inn, eS - Now it happened that a ies flashily dressed yo man, with a blond mustache, had been sitting on o of the big rustic veranda chairs near at hand, and h . ay neat: the words uabiel ee oor the boys. _man, with a motion toward chairs. 2 gi re Mr. Arling- TIP TOP set in the rings upon his fingers, and one flashed from the gold crescent of his watch-fob. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Arlingon,”’ he said, in a smooth voice, as he rose to his fet. “Would you mind giving me a light?” | He held a cigarette in his fingers. Chester had seen this man before, and speculated concerning him. He now produced a small pocket electric cigar-lighter, which was secured by a fine silver chain. “Well, that’s handy,”’ smiled Shaw, as Chet pressed the spring and the lighter blazed. “It’s a nice little trinket. Where do you get your cigarettes up here? You don’t buy them at this hotel, do you?” “Oh, no,” answered Chet. _ me around here.” “Nor can I. They seem to have an idea that Sweet Caporals and Richmond Straight Cuts are the only cigarettes made. Now, I smoke nothing but imnported cigarettes. Won't you have one of mine?” ° He produced a handsome cigarette-case,' in one side of which gleamed a diamond star, with a fine stone in the center, the diamond points being made of smaller stones. “Crickety!” thought Chet, “this fellow. must have the ne He sprinkdes diamonds over everything he Carries.’ ! p ! : Aloud he observed: , “Neat little case you have here. I wouldn't mind ee having one like that myself.” | “Picked it up in Paris last time I was over,” Said “Shaw. “You haven't seen the whole of it.” Then he touched a hidden spring which caused one _ side of the case to open up, revealing a picture that made Chet gasp and whistle softly. o “Tingoes!” exclaimed Arlington. “If you’d shown me that before telling me where you bought the case, I'd known it came from Paris.” ey RO, Yess “ave to pick these things up over there. make them in this country.” | ’ smiled the man, closing the case, “you ‘They don’t . ‘Chester had taken one of the cigarettes, ree he ‘tg ee he or They may s¢em a trifle strong,” said Shigly oy "Not for me,” asserted Chet. “They're just right.” “Let's sit down and be comfortable,” ; “lm a stranger ‘3 Sere Don’t know any one yet. m’s son, I believe?” | rat’ a pass ae name is s Shaw: oe “T can’t get any to suit invited the . - was given away finally by a fellow reporter on the | WEEKLY. fHiggins, importers of precious stones, 18 Maiden Lane, New York. I do the buying for our house.” Chester was impressed. /Here was a young man of importance—a young man whose acquaintance and friendship should be courted. _ “T have heard of your house,” himself. “You're not from New York?” questioned Mr. Shaw. “I don’t suppose we can claim New York as a residence—now,”’ answered Chet. “My -folks owned — a house there once, but father never liked it. He’s a bit old-fashioned, and we stop at the Holland House when we visit New York. I’d much prefer the St. Regis myself.” ail have a suite at the St. Regis,” said Shaw. Chester's admiration for the man was instantly doubled. A person who could have a whole suite at New York’s swellest hotel must, beyond question, be an individual of great wealth and i eae in the world. he said, as he seated “Well, I suppose the gov nor will stick to the Hol- land House,” he said, in a half-apologetic manner. “You know these conservative old boys who have been at that hotel regularly, year after year, are not in- | | clined to make a change.” “Oh, the Holland House is all Shaw. might like it myself. laughed. — “If I were a married man of middle age I To tell you the truth, there’s almost too much show and glitter for me at the St. 7 9 right, Regis. You see lots of people there who are really — nobodys at all, but happen to have enough money to pay the piper and are anxious to cut a swell. That is what makes me a trifle weary. By chance I fell in © with a young man at the St. Regis last winter. A little incident made us acquainted, and as he seemed a _ very decent sort of chap, I had more or less to do with — him. He spent money like a prince, and I got a no- tion that he was the son of some rich Wester Don’t you know, it panned out that the fellow was. simply a newspaper reporter from Denver. He'd made a little haul on some Cripple Creek stock, ‘and. gathered up two or three thousand dollars. ‘With this” money he struck New York, and $c about a week he gave every one the impression that he had so much dough that he didn’t know what to do with it. “ He, staff cof the American. They had been chums in: Chicago. One went farther West, and the other came. East. It was jolly amusing to see the ie the Denve dsp was ce after see He ge TIP STOP WEEKLY: = _., . 7 ay der all around. A bluff like that is. all right as long ) as it lasts, but it’s bad for the bluffer when it falls & 4 through. It makes him look decidedly cheap. If I _ didn’t have the standing, I don’t believe I could put up a bluff.” “As you say,” smiled Chet, ‘a bluff is all right if it - works—especially in a game of poker.” “Do. you play poker?’ questioned Shaw, 2 slight smile, as he glanced’ toward Chet. - “Occasionally—just a little.” with a ke “For. amusement, of course?” ce - “Oh, certainly.. I haven’t the money to play for blood. You see, the old man keeps me on a limit. [ll es have something when he cashes in his chips, but just y ‘now I’m held: down.” “T know how that is,’’ nodded Shaw. “You know, _ my father was the founder of our house. He made his: “money by shrewd business methods and economy. Hal! ha! ha! Economy was his motto: Oh, I’ve had him preach to me more than once. He used to give ea me a grand old shaking up about every six months or | so when he had to settle my bills. Insisted I’d never amount to. anything. Called me a spendthrift, and even threatened to cast me adrift. He was in earnest, — too. The day I was twenty-three he called me into _ the library and gave it to me straight from the shoul- ‘Sam,’ says he, ‘you're no eae You managed You were . suspended at U. of P., and prac- You’ve been sowing a It’s re years uae you. tically expelled. from Yale, ae of ae expensive wild oats. ad ‘of it, I’ mn never pay Ries dollar ok your bills. dt you wa at to come into the house, and get down to ork, you'll have a show. I’ll do everything I can for PIL push you ahead. We need a young mati with: brains and energy, and. you may be the young man for us. It’s work for you, Sam. What ‘do you ge .. a subway, ialioese. I was as regular as a clock. appeared at the store at nine o'clock every morning, ind left in the janitor a ae to As Lae h ook under my notice. and Higgins, although the. original firm name is re- — _ brought the stones back with me. ee that . was senda money to bec a: oe tive chase me: up: after hours one I ‘tumbled to. had a complete record of everything, and. you can bet your life I was’careful not to make any missteps. “On my twenty-fourth birthday he had another talk with me. It was different from the previous. one. aa The old man came near shedding tears—on my word, 7 he did. He was so proud of me that he almost blew a up. He informed me that he was going abroad to purchase a lot of stones, and he wanted me to go along with him. Told me that some one had got to take his place in the firm sooner or later, and he was going to see if I couldn’t step into his shoes when the . right time came. What do you suppose happened on that trip?” . “TI can’t guess,’ confessed Chet. “Well, the old man kept me with him during all his buying, and he never made a purchase that he didn’t ask my judgment. Not that he needed an opinion from me, but he was testing my shrewdness. I hadn't wasted time, my boy—oh, no. I'd studied precious stones every chance IJ had for a year, and I came pretty near knowing the value of any little sparkler that came __ I could detect the difference in stones at a glance, and could sort them out. Half — the time I’d find a flaw in a stone without the aid of a glass, no matter how small it was. One day after our © return I heard the old man telling Higgins what a marvel I was. You see, Hammersmith has been dead thesé nine years, and the firm really consists of Shaw tained. Higgins was doubtful, although he didn’t say | much. When the next time came for buying, the old - man was suddenly. taken ill. He was put into bed two — hours before sailing-time, and Higgins was.on. a va- cation trip somewhere up in the Adirondacks, The gov'nor called me to the bedside, and told:me that my: time had come. I was to go across, and do the pur- » chasing. He didn’t say a great deal, but he meee . on me the fact that the result of my trip would decide my. standing with the firm. ‘ “Well, I went over. I made a big purchase, gach The gov’nor: had — recovered from his illness all Tighe In fact, they) chasing-agent for the house, to start with a salary of six thousand a year. But it was a start. “Exactly eleven months later my father died. His will left me provided for, and I stepped into the firm as the head of it, with old Higgins mighty glad to have me there. “That’s how I arrived.” CHAPTER IV. THE GEM OF THE BLUE HILLS. “Mighty interesting,” commented Chet. “I pre- sume you've been walking the straight and narrow path ever since your arrival?” “Well,” laughed Shaw, as narrow and staid as my father was before me. In fact, I’m certain he wouldn't wholly approve of me were he alive and aware of all my doings. You see, I can’t quite bring myself down to the pack-horse style of living. When I work I work, but I have some amusement on the side. That’s why I’m taking a vacation. Came up here last year, and stopped at the Madawaska House. I’m rather struck on the Blue Hills. Talk about Switzerland—just cast your eyes over that view! It’s Switzerland enough for me. I have a theory that money is no good unless you can use it for your comfort and pleasure. I presume I spend more on pleasure in a week than my father ever did in a year. Old Higgins can’t make any trouble for me now. Besides, he’s getting into his dotage, and __ he wouldn’t think of trying to keep track of me. If he did try it, I’d call him down hard. To tell you the actual truth, I dropped something like thirty thou- sand on the ponies last year. What of that? It’s a mere drop in the bucket. There’s plenty more where it came from.” _ Chester’s admiration for Mr. Shaw grew apace. Here was a young man after his own heart. This was the style of living that he admired. _. They lighted fresh cigarettes from Shaw’s pein case. Bee kas interested in you the first time: I saw you, my boy,” said the importer of precious stones, in a flattering way. “Somehow, you reminded me of my- self | in my wild-oat-sowing days. I happened to be sitting here when you had some words with the cap- stain, of the Pineville baseball- team. , Evidently ge a 1d he are not on friendly terms.” ie Soa ‘Far from it!” exclaimed. Arlington. ‘T couldn’t help. hearing what. passed between | you. = a ve n desire to pry into oes private aftatee TIP TOP WEEKLY. “I don’t suppose I’m quite: _I discovered a gem of the first water.” Be eee don’t tonal at me, Mr. Shaw had seemed very open and confidential, and therefore Chester resolved to meet him in a similar manner. “There’s nothing private about it,’’ he said. “That fellow Merriwell persists in chasing after my sister, You’ve seen her ?’. aa “Oh, yes,” nodded Shaw. “A wonderfully pretty | girl.” 2 “Yes, June is a peach, if I es say it.” a : i “Does she fancy Merriwell ?” a “Well, that’s where the rub comes. She has fancied - him. Merriwell and I were in school together. He did me several dirty turns, and that’s why we're enemies. He succeeded in Terral me at school, and finally forced me out.’ : “Still, your sister accepted him as a friend?” 7 “That’s where his slickness came in. He made ~ = her believe I ,was to blame for all our trouble. He’s 4 S. even made my father believe it.” , i “But [ a she gave him something of a bump | awhile ago.” Chester laughed gleefully. “That’s what she did,’ he said. “And I reckon it jarred him some, too, She had an engagement with — him to go out rowing, but she declined to keep the engagement, and took Dale Sparkfair instead.” , “Who's this. Sparkfair ?”” “Oh, he’s a decent sort of chap, though he’s in 1 Frank Merriwell’s Athletic School. You know Frank Merriwell is Dick Merriwell’s half-brother.” “Seems to me I’ve heard of him.” Na ia ke “That's quite likely. Didn’t you say you went to Yale?’ “For one year,” laughed Shaw. “Frank Merriwell is a Yale graduate.” “Oh, certainly, certainly!” cried the importer. of : precious stones. “I remember him very well now. He was one of the famous Yale pitchers. That was — after my day, you know. He must be two ae three ie years younger than Tam. I’m arenty- nine.” — 2 ah a i “Yes, he’s younger. He’s running a sort of sum- - mer camp for boys over at Mad Lake.” k “Mad Lake, eh? I happen to know. sonic about Mad Lake myself. I’ve told you that I’m an : importer of precious gems. . Last year while up here “Eh?” questioned Chet, puzzled. ee ‘Shaw put out a long, thin hand, eee erie it to rest on. Arlington’s sleeve. | you have to laugh, wait until you can do it behind ae my back. The precious gem I discovered was a girl.” fe “A what?” a “A girl.” | “At Madawaska?” - ~-*No. Mad Lake. Arlington, I’ve knocked around a ye “great deal. I’ve seen considerable of this world, and | Jots of girls. I’ve met them at all the fashionable re- | sorts in this country. I’ve met them in London and ee Paris, and, on my word, I’ve had to do some tall ducking to escape their lariats. Last year I met a - little girl over at Mad Lake, and the moment I clapped my eyes on her I got a jab that completely upset me.” “Great Cesar!’ breathed Arlington, “you don’t mean Madge Morgan?” _. “That's her name,” nodded Shaw. _ IT referred to:” “Well, she’s all right,”’, admitted Chet; “but you _ know she’s pmeply a country girl, and she’s never had ‘ any advantages.” “She’s the gem “That's true ofGah, and that’s the very reason I = consider her all the more marvelous as a gem. Give _ her the advantages she should have, and she would | bea queen. Only for her I’d be at Newport, or Sara- _ toga, or Long Branch, or Bar Harbor, You heard me extolling the beauties of the Blue Hills a short time ago. Well, lad, the reason they look so well to me is because my little gem is up here in their midst. When with me.’ _.,. “Jingoes!” cried Chet. “Tt must be a bad case. _I don’t know as I blame you, but the time will come when you'll get tired of ae gem.” “Oh, I don’t think so.’ “Tt always happens,” asserted Miiogtcd wisely. “What’ll you do when you want to shake her: P.. “Oh, I’m not going to shake her.” . : Chet threw back his head and. laughed. “Well, say, Mr. Shaw,” have had lots of experience, but you need still more. Have you any idea that you’ re going to carry her off with ease? oe you made any roe to her?” “Oh, yes.” 3 “Did sti receive them?” a “Well, ” admitted the man, could. desire. But it’s different with her father.” ‘What? , : ‘And he geteda to it? Well, he sit to be shot!” a + Vie TIP “TOP WEEKLY. I go out into the world aeoe I’m going to take her he chuckled, “you may - elbows of his thin arms. “not as favorable as I You sont mean that old Morgan ap- _it spinning into a corner. 5 ‘Now, look here, my lad, said bens ae sus-sus-spell cue-cue-cue—’ ” he Ast ea" an 9 up and turning toward Chester, “evidently you're on the wrong track. You don’t understand the sort of proposal I made to Mose Morgan and his daughter. I mean to marry her.” CHAPTER V. DOWNCAST DICK. Stretched in a hammock under the trees in front of Merry Cot, Brad Buckhart was reading —an unusual occupation for him-——when Dick ran fairly against the hammock-rope, apparently without seeing it. Brad closed the book, and straightened up. “Great horn spoon!” he exclaimed. “What's the matter with you, pard? Got the blind-staggers? Are you crazy with the heat?” Without answering, Merriwell bent and passed un- der the hammock-rope, continuing on his way into the cottage. Brad-stared after him. he “Now, he needs treatment,” muttered the wonder- ing Texan. “He's off his trolley. Something’s gone wrong with that boy. Suppose it’s baseball? The rest of the bunch have been getting cold feet lately, but I didn’t think it of Dick Is it possible there’s any- thing the trouble with his heart?” Unwittingly Brad had hit upon the truth. There was something the trouble with Merriwell’s heart, al- though the Westerner had no suspicion of the nature of that trouble. In the big, airy living-room of the cottage, the walle of which were adorned with sporting pictures, fly- rods, tennis-racquets, foils, guns, and the mounted heads of buck deer, Chip Jolliby was sitting at a square table, his hair rumpled, one long leg twisted tightly round the other, while he chewed at the point of a pen, covering one side of his mouth with ink, which gave him a hideous aspect. His coat and vest had been removed, and his sleeves were rolled up above the There was a breeze blowing © through. the room, yet Chip perspired profusely. Be- fore him lay a piece of paper with some agra ne chirography upon it. Jolliby was writing a letter. Give him a choice, — Chip would have preferred to have a tooth pulled rather than write a letter. Dick stumbled against a chair, and immediately gave ita savage kick’ at ee Jolliby looked up and drew a Seiath of relief. “T sus-sus-sus-say, Dick,” he called, “how do you. at i Io endeavor to utter the word, until finaly in exaspera- tion he paused and whistled. “How do you sus-sus- spell cuc-cuc-cantaloupe?’” he cried, with a desperate effort. “I’m writing my mum-mum-mum-mother, and _ telling her what good cuc-cuc-cantaloupe we had for bub-bub-bub-break fast.”’ Dick paid no attention to Jolliby, but seemed blindly to be searching for something in the room. “Dud-dud-don’t you hear, Dud-Dud-Dud-Dick?” demanded Chip. Dud-Dick! What’s the mum-mum-matter with you? I say, Dud-Dud- Dick !” “What is it?’ demanded Merriwell, in a dull tone of voice. “Tasked you a question.~ How do you sus-sus “T don’t,” was the answer. “Tf I sus-sus-sizzled like that, Jolliby, I’d muzzle myself.” Chip whistled again, but this time it was with astonishment. 99 “You're in a lovely tut-tut-tut-temper this morning, ain't yer” he said. “Goshfry! I never sus-sus-saw you that way before. I wish you'd tut-tut-tell me how to spell cuc-cuc-cantaloupe. Is it c-a-n-t-a-l-o-u-p-e, Or C-a-mt-e-l-o-p-er” | 7 _ Dick stumbled against. another chair. This shared _ the fate of the first, being savagely kicked aside. - “That’s right,” said Chip, “bub-bub-bub-break up - the furniture. _ sus-spell that word.” “What word?” “I’ve tut-tut- tut-told ‘it to you twice.” : “Tell it. again.” “Cantaloupe.” nally producing, a baseball, which he inspected in a blank, unseeing manner, turning it over and over a dozen times with no apparent object. De ak 4 “Thank you,” said Chip. — “Tm much obliged. It was very kuk-kuk-kind of you.” Dick put the ball in his pocket. ( hance,” said Jolliby sourly. ‘Did y you ask me a question ?” TIP TOP WEEKLY. “T asked you a question. _Dud-Dud- - pup- pitching. You've gug-gug-got to worrying over; a ‘our sus-sus-slump. Now, dud-dud-don’t worry, Dud- — I wish you'd tut-tut-tell me how to sus- tinental about that.” . Merriwell rummaged through | a set of drawers, fi- . better. ball. | upsetting him. We've got to break that streak ‘morrow. “Pll do as much for oi. when 1 gug-gug-eet a ‘ “What are you growling about?” ‘demaniaes Dick. a Dud-dud- -dud-did EP: shrieked Chip, dieing at 1is hair, and giving the pen a wipe across his cheek _ t left a black streak from: his. nose to 0 the ee of “What word?” "mmutiered Dick, as she ‘began pacing ae the floor. | “Cantaloupe.” “Oh, yes,” mumbled Merriwell, “cantaloupe, canta- loupe.” Then suddenly he turned on Jolliby, crying: savagely: “Who can’t elope? What are you talking | about, anyhow? They’te too young! Sparkfair | wouldn’t think of such a thing! And I know June wouldn’t agree to it!” oa Chip pushed back from the table, slowly extending ~ his left hand. until he could grasp a heavy paper- weight. ae a ~ "You kuk-kuk- Bie keep Ney from me!” he com- manded warningly. : [ll hit ;-you with. this supe. panera ete fe Ss me, You're cuc-cuc-cuc- “crazy “You're pup-pup- pup- plumb =~“ f— in loony !” . i ea ae Ww. . Merriwell gave himself a. shake. Fh es artaare as “Don’t get so excited, Jolliby,’ he said. aS a bl were you talking about eloping for?’ ' Same «Neyer dud-dud- dud-did it,” flung back Chip. “You a bub-bub-better havea doctor just as quick as you cuce | cuc-cuc-can. I knew you were doing too much pup» —§ «* Dud-Dick,.. Dud- dud-do brace up; old fellow. We'll | ' ee gug-gug-gug-get into the game, all right. We'll tut-— | ti -tut-tut-take a fuf-fuf-fall out of Madawaska to-mor- ~ yc TOW. ee ae is only just a little bub-bub- bit ne ahead of us.’ , bs “I don't care a 1 cone q “he “Oh, tats!” snapped owe “W-h-a-t?” gasped Chip. “You're fooling.” “Oh, no, I’m not. Baseball isn’t worrying me s just now. I was thinking about something else.” 4 - With his head down anda heavy frown corrugating his brow, young Merriwell walked out of the Soe “Maybe he thinks -he fuf-fuf-fuf-fooled me,” mut- ered Chip, putting down the paper- weight, and draw- ing. up to the table once more. “I know bub-bub I know he was thinking of bub-bub-bub-bas He’s worried. This hard-luck sus-sus-streak 8 . O- x It isn’t Dick's fuf-fut- eee He's = “Byalchart saw Dick ea and he sat one ing to him. ‘Tnstead a answering, youn. M tiwell TIP TOP | strenuous for him. e hills, he’s wearing himself plumb out, and luck is against us. We've lost all our games by the narrow- | est sort of margins, and usually we've dropped *em } after we reckoned we had ’em nailed for fair.” t CHAPTER VI. THE GAME PROPHETIC. "By himself, Dick wandered off into the woods. Finally he dropped on a bit of soft moss, where he _ lay stretched on his stomach, his chin supported on his - hands. Staring blankly at the bole of a tree, he re- mained in deep thought for some time. | At last he rolled over on his side with a sigh. An instant later he sat bolt upright, for not four feet away | was another person squatting cross-legged upon the a ground, and watching him steadily with a pair of coal- | black eyes. |} It was an Indian boy. or Sg “Crowfoot!” exclaimed Merriwell, in surprise. op ~ “How do, Injun Heart,” grunted the dusky foe x OU sick P” . oe “No,” answered Dick. ae SO 2” r “Heap queer,” declared the young redskin. “First time I find you. ’lone by yourself no»can creep near ~you. You hear me. You know I come when you can- ~ not see me. You hear things Joe he don’t hear. You talk with birds and squirrels. You make Joe feel -e heap strange to- -day. Joe he come here, and not try | to keep still. You no hear him at all. You lay there, and just look and look straight ahead all the time. You must be sick, Dick. You need medicine-man.” _ “Oh, I’m not sick,” persisted Merriwell. “I’m sim- ply foolish, that’s all, Crowfoot. I’m the biggest chump that ever was!” _ Joe looked incredulous. + ~ “You no chump,” he said, shaking his head. andfather, Shangowah, he tell me heap much ‘bout you long time ’fore we meet, He say yen smartest -pale-face boy ever was.’ | ‘He wouldn’t think so if he knew me now as well he knew me in the old days.” gan lad. “What made you think er Oe change i in you? Mong think white man school not. do Instead of resting up here in the “My _ think i much better to ee enemy the jab i in solar WEEKLY. — II “T guess that’s about the size of it,” nodded Dick. “T’m a rotten poor loser.” “You feel heap bad over slump in baseball?” “T wasn’t thinking about baseball.” “No?” questioned Crowfoot, in astonishment. “No.” “Then I not understand. I much sorry for you because Silver Springs should get ahead of you in the game. Mebbe you stop losing now. Mebbe you brace up a whole lot. Mebbe you get ahead of Silver Springs pretty soon.” Evidently Crowfoot still believed Dick’s condition of mind had been brought about by Pineville’s mis- fortune in baseball. “Our turn will come,” asserted Merriwell confi- dently. “When it does, we’re going to make the most of it. How do you happen to be here in Pineville, Joe?” “T come with Spark. He say to me: ‘Joe, we make canoe trip this morning. We go over to Pineville.’ He say: ‘Something over there it draw me like a magnet.’ ” Dick shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, yes,” he nodded, “I know magnet.” . , There was a slight twinkle in the eyes of the In- all about that dian boy. “She heap fine,” he declared. “She most beauti-, ful white girl Joe ever see. Madge she some beau- tiful, too, but June she heap more beautiful.” “You're a good judge of beauty, Crowfoot,” nodded Dick soberly. ‘You and Sparkfair are great friends?” “Oh, Spark him fine chap. He help-Joe heap much Ww bes Joe first go to Farnham Hall. Other boys they keep ’way from Joe. They not like to have anything much to do with him ‘cause he is Injun. Spark he not that way. He just take Joe by the hand, and he say: ‘You come room with me.’ I room with him. He help Joe learn to read. He help him learn many things. He teach him how to play baseball. When Joe get into trouble, Spark stand by him. When Joe | have enemies, one, two, three, and they try to pound — him, Spark he there with the goods. He help Joe knock stuffing out of um. Hé'show Joe how it is to box with the gloves. First-off Joe not think much — of that way to fight. Bimeby after Spark teach him, — and he get chance to biff his enemies, he think it pretty | good way to settle trouble. When Joe come to Farn- as ham Hall he think he like to kill enemy. Now he the Indian boy’s words. “Who would dream,” he said, “that the proper way man’s method of fighting with fists? You're pro- gressing, Joseph. You'll get there in time. Having associated so much with Sparkfair, you must know his peculiarities.” “Joe know him well.” “Do you think he’s ate on the square?” “He square as brick.” “Don’t you fancy he would take advantage of an enemy behind that enemy’s back?” “Not ’less him go crazy.” “Perhaps you haven’t had experience enough with him to make you competent to judge. ‘You know he usually gets ahead of all enemies and rivals'in some manner.” “He always do it square.” “But suppose he couldn’t do it square? Suppose he had a desperate desire to defeat a rival, and the only method he could find would be an underhand one, do you fancy he would refuse to follow that method as a last resort?” “You bet!” exclaimed Crowfoot warmly., “If he no can win honest, he take defeat and swallow it.” “Do you know where he is now?” , “Sure. I see him when he come down to pier with June. They take our canoe, and go out on lake. Then I come up herein woods, and bimeby I find you.” / “Well, what’s the use!” cried Dick, with a laugh, as he sprang to his feet. “You and Sparkfair are friends and comrades now, Joe; but the day is com- leaks to fit ydu for fees ~“T no can go so soon,” muttered the Indian boy re- - gretfully. “I no got learning enough for that.” “That's true, but you'll get there before I finish, my ff course. Frank says you learn in the most amazing -. manner. He has a theory that most youngsters go to ‘school too soon. It is his belief that they would | their minds had developed more fully, i finds’ an Hoag He believes you will oo In spite of his feelings, Merriwell laughed a bit at to civilize an Indian could be to teach him ‘the white ing when it will be you and I. You know my brother I go to Yale in the fall.” i progress faster if they wete kept out of school until In your case, TIP TOP WEEKLY. the mr in he sabia, yea ‘In my Oe az Crowfoot crouched a “Steady, Dick,” he said. “He no can touch you. a He dead easy, Dick. Put ’em over the pan. Give him that up-and-down twist, Dick. He not hit it in a million years. Ah! I told you! That right. One — strike on him.” wc | ithe fs eas % Crowfoot's | Had there been any one near to see and hear ieee . boys, that person must have fancied them deranged. - Crowfoot had retreated and taken a position such as. he always assumed behind the bat. His legs were | a straight to the hips, with his left foot sis ad- vanced. His body was bent forward, and his hands — held ready as if to receive the ball: eae Dick smiled the least bit. | me a ee “Now I’m confident, Joe,” he said. | «We've got That’s the signal. Yale will cheer for SOK when the game is finished.” | eet see He made a movement as if delivering a ball. ave _ “Strike two!” cried Crowfoot. “Now he all go e —he all in. He touch chain lightning ate than h ‘hit the be we you pitch, ee : borne it’ and twisted it firmly into. ata ace he said. “Got to strike him out, Joe,” “Sure, * came the answer. The ball whistled from Dick’s hand and spanked -} into the grasp of the young redskin. a “Three strikes!’ shouted Joe. “He out! Now— pe now, Dick, you hear Yale cheer! Now, Dick, you hear um shout so loud you no can hear a whisper from Harvard. You win the game!” “Not I alone, Crowfoot,” retorted Merriwell, sptinging forward. “It was you who steadied me _ when my nerves were weakening. It was you who gave me confidence, and you deserve the credit. Shake, grandson of Shangowah. Some day you and I will a _-play this eae for Yale just as we’ve played it here in 7... these w oods.” CHAPTER VII. BASEBALL AGAINST GUN. “I'm feeling better, Crowfoot,” smiled Dick. “This meeting has done me good.” “Me, too,” nodded the Indian boy. “Dick, how I like you so much when I see so little of you?” “Perhaps that’s the explanation,” chuckled Merri- oe | ei | “Oh,, no,’”’ quickly asserted Crowfoot, shaking his i teed: “I feel it somehow more I see you more I like you.. Now, I like Spark. But, somehow, the way I like him and the way I like you is much different. You serious. You earnest. Spark he very flip. He _ no seem able to take anything serious, He mighty good chap. He have fine heart in him, but his heart “not like your heart, Dick. Everything fun for him. You have fun, ie but some time you can be heap / mighty Serious... $554 eee right. Lots of times ssn too earnest for ae me rere, Joe. L rie ae to be alone. That’ & all gone now. I’m ready for companionship. - I want to do something. Sparkfair has gone canoeing, but I have’ a canoe e for my own use. Let’ s yeu and I wield Sac: For not oily de Ps see the time coming when ve shall be Rerartee on the diamond, but i behold el climb the mountains, pate we tt itis the silent — With you I'll brush up that lost lore once t ight me by your grandfather. , ‘ We'll sleep beneath - ‘he stars, and the s same pinnhe or for us both. desperately tugging at the oars, while in ‘pursuit, of gant | Who is: ‘that mane TIP TOP WEEKLY. . 73 camp-fire and the bark of a wolf. It’s coming to us, Joe—it’s coming!” : “You hear the wilderness call,” said: the Indian boy. “Tt is in your blood same as it be in mine. When I first go to Farnham Hall I ’most smother in rooms, Some time at night I have to get up—I have to go out. J walk under stars. I hear all the night voices talk. One, two time Spark he go with me. He seem to have some feeling same as I do, but not just the same. You have it all. I know why Shangowah think so much of you. You want to paddle canoe, come on.” Ten minutes later they launched a canoe near the Pineville landing, As they paddled away the rhythm of their strokes was perfect; the blades of their pad- dles, trickling silver, flashed in the sunlight. They bent to their work with all that fine super-abundant energy of youth that rejoices in spending itself lavishly. In this manner they sped along for more than a_ mile, without a word passing between them. Finally Joe said: - “Nother canoe. See um Dick?” Ahead of them was a canoe containing two per- sons. Merriwell recognized one as Chester Arlington. Arlington’s companion was a man who had lately ar- rived at Pineville. On the register Dick had seen this man’s name, “Samuel A. Shaw.” Not until the two lads were close upon the other — canoe were they discovered by Arlington and Shaw. — Chester saw them and spoke to his companion. Im- — mediately the two bent to their paddles as if defying the boys to overtake them. ie Merriwell and his redskin companion aicepied the challenge without a word of comment. | Tn less than three minutes they overtook the ‘other cance and swept past it. — s Flushed and angry at this defeat, Avinstent cried if “You're pretty swift, Merriwell, but you got left tr once to-day!” There was no answer from Dick. This race was not the only one taking place on Spoon Lake. Coming round a jutting wooded point, the boys beheld a spectacle that amazed ane aroused them. In a ‘fowhoat a Dole kediet atecarmed? girl was her a man in a canoe was gaining rapidly. The gi ‘position at the oars nite her to look backwa d. “Great Scott,’ q uttered Merrivel, ae s = Madge 4 “T see him before,” asserted the Indian boy. “What's the matter with Madge’s boat?” 99 palpi - tated Dick. “By Jove! it’s leaking! It’s half-full of water !’’ “Sure,” agreed Crowfoot. “That one reason why she can row no faster. Man he catch her quick. She scared of him. We have to help her.” At this juncture still another canoe appeared, speed- ing out from the shore. It was occupied by Dale Sparkfair and June Arlington. They made straight for Madge Morgan, and it instantly became evident that they would reach her before she could be over- taken by her pursuer. The man saw this, although he was not aware that behind him approached still another canoe containing two boys. Dropping his ae he picked up a gun and rose to his knees. “Keep off there, you feller and gal!” he shouted savagely. “Keep away if you don't want to eat lead!” Sparkfair’s laugh came across the water. ae “Why, so help me,” he cried, “it’s my friend Thirsty! I thought you were taking a six months’ vacation behind the bars, Thirsty. When did you get out?” “T tell ye to keep off!” roared the man with a gun. “T mean business, too! If you don’t mind, I’m goin’ to salt ye!” : “But I-do mind,” said Dale. ingly fresh, but I haven’t the 1 “I know I’m exceed- east desire to be salted.” Nevertheless, he was propelling the canoe strats toward Madge Morgan’ s boat. “Well, you'll git it all right!” shouted the ruffian, - lifting the gun to his shoulder. _ Already Dick Merriwell had realized the impossi- _from using the weapon. Being in the forward part of the canoe, Dick dropped his paddle in the bottom, ‘and his hand found the baseball that rested in his ‘pocket. Partly rising, he swung back that hand and _ threw the ball with all the strength and precision he could command. Straight as a bullet it whistled through the air, striking the ruffian in the back of the head and ‘knocking him forward in the boat. _ The gun cracked, but its contents flew wide of ane As the man fell, the weapon aveanes TIP TOP WEEKLY. bility of reaching the fellow. in time to prevent him Madge Morgan’s boat had now sunk until it seemed on the point of swamping. “Never mind that brute in the canoe, Crowfoot,” said Dick, again catching up his paddle. “We've got to help the girl.” Madge needed assistance. Sparkfair was urging her to get into his canoe as Joe and Dick came up on the other side Re the sinking boat. “Thank you,” she said; “but I think rl get in with Dick.” June Arlington had been pale, but her cheeks flushed and her eyes flashed as Madge o’ Mad Lake stepped from the leaky rowboat into Merriwell’s canoe. CHAPTER VIIL. A REBUFF FOR SHAW. “Hello!” exclaimed Dale, “here comes Chester and some one else.” Arlington's canoe had rounded the point. “And there goes Thurston Hoyt!” cried Madge Morgan. It was true. Hoyt had been stunned for a moment, but had recovered ere the boat containing the girl was reached by her would-be assistants. Finding him- self disarmed through the loss of the gun, the ruffian caught up the paddle and turned the prow of his canoe toward the shore. “Why this haste, Thirsty ?’’ cried Sparkfair. enjoy a pleasant little conversation with you.” “We'd The desperado invited them to go to an unmention- able place and paddled all the harder. “Vou put me ion shore, Dick,” a Crowfoot. “He going to run. I follow.” “No, no,” exclaimed Madge, “don’t Ps it!” “Why not?” “You don’t know Thurston Sait se s a bad man, — and he would not hesitate to kill you.” ‘ ‘“‘He have some job to do that,” said the: Indian os “He no got gun now. You see it go splash boy. into lake when Dick hit him with baseball?” “I’d much rather you would stay with me,” Madge. the leak.” * _ Seeing that he was not pursued, Thurston Hoyt skirted the shore and paddled wipe as fast as he rr could, | “Much bad to let Rue go,” “How he come to be here?” “Haven't you heard of his escape from Wellsburg Fat Ba Ge x said “Help me get my boat ashore, and ee , i muttered Crowfoot. 7 TIP TOP “Nochear.” “Tt was in yesterday’: S Herald ‘He broke out and bafited his cosine » IT knew he ‘would appear here an ; . i 9° “He make you heap of trouble,’ said. the Indian boy.’ ; Ves,” murmured Madge; “I seem to have nothing but trouble in store for me now.” | “How did your boat happen to spring a leak ?”’ ques- tioned Dick. ; _ “T think Thurston Hoyt tampered with it. I’m sat- ished: he found it on the shore and did something .to it, with the interition of overtaking me when I started to row home.” Suddenly she ceased speaking, and her eyes a widened. Her eiagce rested on Chester Arlington’s companion. ‘se “What's all the pactee here?” cried Chester, as he drew near. “‘What was that shot? Who's that fel- low skinning along the shore yonder?” _ -*That,” explained Sparkfair, “is an individual with Y _very dry’ ayer: He’s known as Thirsty Hoyt. Perhaps’ you've heard of him.” “Hoyt?” exclaimed Chet. . eg : —— he was MB ATS 808 con Mr. Shaw smiled atid bowed to Bate oi This isan, unexpected pleasure, Miss Morgan,” he i hei. re had not the least idea of seeing you over here to-day.” er ats NO, Seetie to me,’ half-whispered. ge : 7 : “You seem to have. met ith: A? misfortune,” tinued. Shaw. “If you'll get in here, I’m sure Mr. Arlington | will return with his sister to Pineville and ermit me to paddie-you home.” outs, old chap,” agreed Chet. " she she ieee? and 22m: going meine " my own 1 boat, " be Madge ‘ se Pee no sa absauseire - WEEKLY, con- | . captured me in true yellow-literature style, dragged me into his dungeon cave and left me bound and gagged to starve. My noble friend, Arlington, and — my copper-skinned partner, Crowfoot, came gallantly to the rescue. Thirsty was taken captive and turned over to the minions of the law. I had to make a trip down to Wellsburg to testify against him at his trial. He got six months. Evidently the jail wasn’t strong enough to detain him so long, and, therefore, Mr. : Hoyt is again on deck and annoying Miss Morgan.” “Hoyt!” ‘exclaimed Shaw. “So he’s one of the Hoyts, is he? Mr. Morgan told me about them last year. As long as one of that breed is giving you’ ‘annoyance, Madge, I shall insist on seeing you safely home.” Observing the look on the girl’s face, Dick Merri- well spoke up: “You're a trifle late, sir,” he said. I are going to escort her home.” A There was-a wicked gleam in the man’s eyes as he | Prey red the bold lad. “Are you a friend of the family ? he demanded. “Tl’m Miss Morgan’s friend.” “There’s no doubt about that,” put in Chester, with a sarcastic laugh, at the same time winking at Spark- fair. oS ° | ee — “T know,” mn Shave “that Mose Morgan would — choose to have me see Madge home, and, therefore, _ I shall insist.” a ;1f I were in your place,” returned Dick deliber- é ately, “I would not insist —Mr. Sik Sita So ee The man with the “blond mustache started as if ce Station | cet pee ay Merriwell gave shink no further attention, but started : “Crowfoot and: paddling toward the shore, with Crowfoot clinging to the painter of Madge’ s water-filled boat. a “What’s the matter?” questioned Arlington, gazing at his canoe-mate in pemeestyy : “Oh, nothing, | nothing, AE 5 ‘the. importer of a precious stones. “Are you going to let ‘that fellow bluff you? “I must decline to quarrel with him,” replied Sha a Ay) man in my position can’t. afford to have trot fe with a rattle-brained youngster like Merriwell. . forget this insolence, Arlington. - s ae to a tales £ that fellow § sorr y for it.” Jong as Madge is willing to accept him as her e I presume I'll have to let go that Way. oi find 7 clined to come out canoeing with him and accepted Sparkfair instead. As far as Madge o’ Mad Lake is concerned, it seems to me that Merriwell has the call with her. She regards him as it. If you hope to secure that gem, Mr. Shaw, you'll have to put Merri- well down and out.” It is doubtful if the man heard these words. With a frown on his face, he was watching Merriwell’s canoe. “Come on, June,” called Chet, “we'd better get back to the hotel. We may be late for lunch.” “T don’t mind if I don’t have any lunch to-day,” said his sister. “Dale and I are going ashore here. We'll come along as soon as Miss Morgan’s boat is Repaired, “4 ‘Arlington did not fancy this, and he was ‘atlined to scold his sister. : “It’s all right, Chet, old fellow,” assured Spark- | fair. “I'll take care.of her. Don’t worry.” “Well, take good care of her,” cautioned Chester, in a low tone, “and keep her away from---you know whom.” | “Sure, sure,’’ nodded Dale. ‘Dick and Joe were emptying the water from Madge Morgan’s boat by tipping it up on a bit of sandy shore _ when Sparkfair and June stepped out of their canoe. - Madge stood ready to offer assistance, but Dick asked her to let them look after the boat. An inspec- _ tion showed that a strip of calking had been loosened in one of the boat-seams. indicated that this calking had been worked free with the aid of a knife or some other*sharp instrument. | | “I knew Thurston. Hoyt did it! * exclaimed Madge. “He started that leak and left the calking so it would come out. after I had rowed a short distance. Then _ he watched for me and started in pursuit as soon as I began to row’ away.” ! “Chief,” said Sparkfair, addressing Young Joe, “you and I will have to take to the trail of Thirsty and hunt him down. Unless we amputate his scalp and hang it to dry on the flap of our wigwam, he will _ maiden.” _ “Mebbe we catch him bimeby,” nodded Crowfoot. CHAPTER IX. hie F(S MADGE AND JUNE. After’ some hesitation, June Arlington approached os and spoke to her. ‘ i Z There were marks which -why, you don’t seem.—you don’t appear--— | _ continue to make trouble for this fair paleface WEEKLY. Madge seemed a bit shy and embarrassed. ae] “Thank you,” was her. answer. i “Dale and I came round the shore yonder in time eB 1 to discover him pursuing you,” June went on. “Dale. | g could hardly believe his eyes when he saw it was that =a man, for he fancied Hoyt must be in Wellsburg jail.” t “He'd be in the penitentiary if he had his. just deserts,” said Madge. “Why does he annoy you?” “Oh, he’s given me no end of trouble!’ exclaimed the girl of Mad Lake. “He has asked me again and again to marry him.” “But you’re too young to think of) that.” « “Qh, I wouldn’t marry any one!” exclaimed Madge « “not for a long, long time, at least.” 7 “Let’s find a place where we can sit down and talk,” urged June. “The boys will fix your boat. Leave it to them.” . ee. “But I can’t talk—not with you,” faltered Madge. | | “Why not?” a “Because—because—oh, I don’t know! We're so. | different.” ~~ he “Nonsense,” laughed June, as she took the other . , girl’s hand and led her to a little grassy spot, where they finally sat down in the shade. : “Tt’s nice and comfortable here,” “Vou were born amid these hills?” June went on. oN 8.” un “And you've always lived here?” ad ay ag ?? “Where did you go to school?” “T’ve never been to school.” June gasped. “Never been to. school?” col “Why +? she echoed. (> “Oh, I’m not wholly ignorant! with a slight touch of resentment. a school-teacher. She taught me.” exclaimed. Madge, ae mother was “Oh, I see. . I presume you sometimes visit friends _ outside of iHlesé hills?” ~ . “Never.” “But don’t you ever s to Wellsburg?” | i “Pve been there very few times. It’s the baie city I’ve ever seen. I suppose you've seen much ae places than Wellsburg?”’ pte ee “Much,” laughed June. “But, after all, a: es the country better than wae “Do you?” “Oh, yes, especially in the ane time. are: hot and — then.” ie _ Madge. “It’s all very. fine if what I’ve heard of. it R is true, but I’m sure it would-overcome me and make . me homesick for the hills and the woods. Still, we’re _ going away from-here soon. Father means to leave ) and find a new home somewhere else within a short | time.” 3 * “Do you want to go?” ; “TI don’t know. Sometimes I think I do: Father has been very ill. .He’s much better now. You know _he-was paralyzed bya shock about.a year.ago and has Shien unable to walk. since then. When he was taken t ill I went.for Doctor Schnitzle, over at Frank Merri- wwell’s camp. Doctor Schnitzle has been attending ft E him since then, and his improvement is most marvel - ; ous. We don’t dare hope he will really recover the use of his legs, although he claims that there is feel- | ing in them now for the. first time since that shock. ’ And he can move them, too. Oh, if he could only . walk, he’d be the happiest man in the world, and I | would be happy, too.” June’s sympathy was aroused. She had imagined Madge Morgan as an ignorant and rather coarse BS country girl, but, to her increasing astonishment, she _ found no trace of coarseness in Madge, and the girl’s language did not indicate ignorance. _ “T wondered what Dick would see in her that in- terested him,” thought June.. “Now I'm beginning to understand it. She’s really pretty, and with certain advantages she should become still more attractive.” Yet there was a sore spot in June’s heart. could not help feeling hurt by the thought, that Dick x had been meeting this girl secretly. At the same time he had pretended to retain the old feeling of affection for June, and not once had he mentioned Madge to her. Suddenly June asked: “Don’t you think Dick a splendid fellow?” Madge seemed a bit startled. “Indeed I do,” she answered frankly. | _ “TI presume you've seen a great deal of him since he came up into the Hills ?” ~ “Oh, not very much.” ae “What do you mean by not very ete ?” Jaugh- ngly questioned June. “Where did you meet him first, and under what circumstances?” | , Instantly a picture rose into Madge Morgan’: s soa: Before her she seemed to behold a vision of that first meeting in ‘Slabtown. d his friends there in front of Beaver’s boarding- ie TIP TOP “murmured Madge. She’ She saw Chester Arlington use, With the Slabtown crowd looking on. She saw Costs af phe ee ees to kiss her and beheld WEEKLY. iy him seized by Merriwell and flung sprawling into the dust. She recalled the fact that Chet was forced to apologize on his knees for his insult, and her face grew crimson, for this was Chester’s sister, and she could not tell her what had that day befallen her brother: June noted the rush of hot blood to Madge Mor- gan’s cheeks and misunderstood its meaning. A keen pang of jealousy shot through her heart. “Of course, I don’t want to seem too inquisitive,” she said, forcing a laugh. “If you don’t care to an- swer my question, that’s all right.” “T wonder if they are getting that leak stopped,” “I think perhaps I’d better look and see.”’ “Oh, don’t bother about that,” advised June, reas- suringly. ‘Dick never does anything by halves. I'll guarantee your boat will not leak when he is through.” Merriwell and Crowfoot were hard at work over the boat, while Sparkfair stood, hands on hips, look- ing on. Dale glanced round at the girls and laughed. “I’m general overseer,” he said. “I’m telling them how to do it. I don’t know how myself, but I’m tell- ing them just the same. That’s ore of my special stunts.” “What a queer fellow he is,’ murmured Madge. “I can’t understand him. I never know when he is seri- ous and when he is earnest. I’ve known him to de- clare he could not do a thing, yet afterward he would do it perfectly.” “Do you know Sparkfair very well?” asked June. “As well as I know Mr. Merriwell. In fact,. I think I’ve seen more of him.” “Have you, indeed ?” “Oh, yes. He’s been very kindsto me. You see he has visited at my home.” June straightened up a bit. ! £5 “That’s not strange,” Madge went on quickly. “Happy Camp is not far from where we live. The night father was so very Dale came over with Doctor Schnitzle.”’ After a moment’s pause she added, with a little. laugh: “We sae row on the lake that night. very dark.” _ “I think I'll have to ask Mr. Sparkfair about that,” thought June. \ a Still, in spite of her jealousy, she began to feela — singular liking for this girl of the Blue Hills. | _ “Don’t you. know,” she said, “T haven’t been able © to nee up a single girl friend at Pineville. Of course, It was ren 18 LEP TOP [ve met-a number of girls and young ladies there, but, somehow, I couldn’t get along very well with any of them. I’ve been awfully anxious for a chum. I wish you were stopping at the Pine Tree Inn; Miss Morgan.” nea Ey chum.” “Why not?” “Because I’m not in your class. My father is a poor man. Your father is rich. All the fine people at Madawaska and Silver Springs look down in dis- dain on us poor ha folks. They actually call us | peasants.” i “And that’s what I don’t like about many of them,” declared June quickly. “I think that’s one reasorl why I’ve been unable to find a chum in Pineville. I assure you, Miss Morgan, I’m not like that. If I liked you, it would make no difference to me whether you were poor or rich. You call my father a rich man. Well, some people might think him that, but he is not.” Madge looked doubtful and incredulous. $ “T don’t understand you,” she said. “Why should you say he’s not rich?” “Because it’s the truth.” “But I’ve heard that many people who visit these summer hotels are not w ealthy, even though they pre- tend they are. did not make such a pretention.” em rippling, musical laugh burst from June’s lips. “You're quite right,” she said. “Lots of them are mere pretenders. if I were, you would not choose me as a mer resort and cut a dash while there. If you hap- _ pen to meet them while they are on their vacation, you _ might be deceived into fancying them immensely e wealthy. _ city. people and country people in this respect. Why, continually protesting their poverty. Instead of pre- tending they were well fixed with this world’s goods, i they often asserted that they could not afford certain ~ necessities on account of their Perec I think most pete: are bluffers, Miss Morgan.” fa oe cee) ca 't bear a person who is Apert and de- iving,” ’ said Madge. mai Sie io ee i ‘Nor I!” exclaimed June, thinking of Dicky “And ets it happens that the very ae ones. uN I’ve never before heard of one who Some work hard eleven months ° out of the year saving their money to visit some sum- It's awfully queer the difference between > _ I’ve known lots of well-to-do country people who were ' must go, too. the Madawaska ball-room hae ‘Merriwell.” ah ne 5 - pit Meftiwell called his players about ‘hie ae “Why nek er ee aft : a . “Why, ” see—you see—I—I haven’ the cl Jothes: a You would be ashamed of me? | aes “Oh, you foolish girl!’ laughed fane: “Don't: | 4 4 eet think that of me. I wouldn’t be ashamed of you.” 1 “But I’d be ashamed of myself there among those | \ fine people. I’d be conscious of my appeatance. You | ought to understand me, Miss Arlington. I make my acl own clothes. Your clothes are made by fashionable dressmakers.”’ “Do you ever dance?” Madge shook her head. ~ | | ue “T can waltz the least bit,’ she said. ‘I remember am h the first time I saw the people at the Madawaska — | House dancing in the ball-room there. I was peeping in through a window. They seemed to glide around over the floor so easily that I thought it must be per- fectly grand. I longed: to try it field ‘That ‘was- > in the summer. In the fall I happened to be at Slab- town when they had a dance there. It was not much like the affaif at the Madawaska House, and I simply went to the hall ‘to look on. Thurston Hoyt was - there, and he actually pulled me onto the floor, That night I learned to waltz—a little. 1 didn’t dare to — tell father about it, which was very wrong of me, I suppose. Hoyt made me promise to attend another dance in Slabtown. I kept that promise, and at this — dance I quarreled with him for the first time. I told him he must never speak to me again, but that did — no good. He followed me up and ‘annoyed me ‘until the officers) came up into the Hills to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy. man, and all ‘the sage family took flight.” Thurston Hoyt is the as bit aa. who has-ever ventured back here.” ue “You d like to dance if you could, wouldn’t yout Ph a P questioned June. a € se “Not in ‘Slabtown. 20 dances are too rough as kde ee : irae 21g a Wa “But at Nadawasld or Silver Springs vould y you enjoy dancing there? er | “If I Sees ‘s waska in the ait mranit! We’ re all going over. "Ya To-morrow night you shall dance in thas 3 be eh > CHAPTER aoe a it MADAWASKA’ g." NEW prbéeat te et ‘the: ga m “Boys,” he said, as they were packed close together, “we're going to play ball for our lives this after- noon. We've got to break our losing streak, and we'll | do it right here. Madawaska, with four new men, - including Patch Hazleton and Sam Cross, the Uni- versity of Wisconsin battery, is confident of downing oe _ us. We've got to knock that confidence mut of them. a I have a feeling that we’ll take this game.’ She He glariced round at the faces of his companions. “What's the matter with you, Bradley?’ he de- \ manded, “This is not our funeral. It’s Madawaska’s. + Come, eee ey to look cheerful. If you are faint- 4 hearted —— | “Don’t—don’t!”” interrupted Dave Flint. fe an me faint-hearted, Dick.” | “Then smile, even if it hurts you. You, too, Jol- od jiby. Your face is so long that you'll bump your | toes against your chin if you don’t look out.” | “I know what we're up against,” said Chip. ‘Patch | Hazleton is wanted bub-bub-bub-by the Boston Ameri- 4 cans.” “Well, they need him,” aughes Dick, “and nine “more good men with him. If you're going into this Fea shaking from fear of Hazleton, you'd better Stay on the bench and let Smart fill your position.” — “Pye bub-bub-been thinking about you, Dick,” said _ Chip. “You can’t pup-pup-pitch to-day, You've had to pitch your head off alreadys I suppose you’ re going to pup-pup-pup-put Wiley in?” _ “Wiley stands ready for the slaughter,” ‘the’ sailor. “Tm going in myself,” said Dick. “Wiley will ois to-morrow. I’ve had one day’s rest, and I’m ‘Teady for this game. But we can’t win with a weak- hearted bunch on the field.” 7 _“That’s right, partner,” nodded Buckhart. - “They’ re ready to begin,” said Dick, as the Mada- waska players took the field and the umpire broke pen a box and brought a snow- -white ball in view. “Let’s get after Hazleton in the first inning, if pos- sible. Start it up, Gardner.” In the scorer’ s book the two teams were recorded as follows: woe a ek. Bea r ROLE Set) 2e “Don't kc ainaaaesd PINEVILLE, © Gardner, ss. — Bradley, 3d b. Buckhart,.c. “ } Darrell, 2d b. - Merriwell, p.. _ Jolliby, ¢ daiewaghas : Sherwood, cf. — Grady, ss. . Brutus, rf. Jessup, 3d b. Wallace, 2d b. Sparrow, Ist b. Flint, If. ve Cross, c. ~ f esanleton, “1st bs 2. hore se ‘sn p. ee rf. Rial, re If. J aif) POP i WEEKLY. 19 “Here’s a pretty boy!” cried Sherwood, from cen- ter field. “Mow him down! mow him down, Patch!” barked Mike Grady, spitting on his glove and Sastre it with his bare hand. “He’s easy!’ roared Brutus, from right field. “Easy as mush,” laughed Jessup, dancing about in the vicinity of third base. “He'll ery if you fan him,” grinned Wallace, kick- ing a pebble from beneath his feet and squaring away for business. “Don’t use too much speed,” came from Sparrow. “You'll frighten the poor kid.” Behind the bat crouched Cross, giving a signal and holding up his big mitt. “Put her there, Patch,” the place.” Hazleton rubbed the new ball on the grass, toed the slab, and delivered one close to Earl, forcing the batter to step back. “B-a-a-a-ll!”’ drawled the umpire. . “Got him frightened!” whooped Brutus. dodge!” “Don’t be afraid, se Cheeks,” grinned Hazleton. “Tf I hit you, Pll only break a rib or two.” Gardner promptly stepped back into position, tabbed the rubber plate twice with the end of his bat, and swung at the next ball pitched. 99 he called. “You know “See him He drove a pretty liner into right field and can- _ tered safely to first. “Oh, ho! ho! ho!’ roared Cap’n Wiley, as he danced onto the coaching-line. “Is. this the fellow you frightened, Patchy? Methinks you erred extensively in fancying him frightened and alarmed.” Jolliby raced down to the coaching-line back of third. “Wow! wow! wow!” he barked. “That cuc-cuc- cue-can’t be the great Wisconsin wonder! He’s a fuf- fuf-fakir! He’s a bub-bub-bluffer! We'll eat him UO ace SK . Hazleton continued to grin, although somewhat dis- gusted by the easy manner in which Gardner had se-. He was being tipped off by Grady tothe _ weak points of the Pineville batters, and now the cured a hit. Madawaska captain guardedly called : “Close to this chap’s hands, Hazleton. He’s a goad hitter, but he can’t touch one down there.” ee this hint, Hazleton pitched a low ball across is Bradley’s knees. _ bit, and bunted. Billy slid his hand up sto. bid bat, stepped back z it ~ : oe done, for ae : held the bat loosely in his hands and pulled it back the least bit as the ball struck against. it. At the same time he turned the bat in a position which de- ve flected the ball toward third. The Spalding struck on the ground two feet from the plate and rolled | slowly in the direction of Jessup, who came rushing Bf in to scoop it up. es Gardner had expected this, and, therefore, he was e well down toward second ere the Madawaska third- P baseman secured the sphere. . By Jessup threw Bradley out at first, but Billy’s sacri- fice had brought about the result sought by him. _ Hazleton frowned and shrugged his shoulders. He had fancied these youngsters would slash recklessly at the ball, and had been wholly uriprepared for any- thing like scientific batting. Brad Buckhart strode forth. He held his bat in a “position which plainly told Gardner he would try for a safe hit. : Earl followed Grady off second, and was forced to get back twice when the Madawaska captain ducked past behind him and tried to catch him between the sacks. “Don’t strain your precipitator throwing down there, Hazleton!” shouted Cap’n Wiley. “You can’t catch that chap pNeaEHe He does the most of his sleeping at night.” | ‘The Ov isetiein pitcher now tested his skill on Buck. hart. In vain he sought to lead Brad into reaching — for the wide ones. ‘The Texan declined to be baited in such a ‘manner, and three balls were called. “Oh, ho!” yelled Wiley, doing a saucepan ! You'll walk, my. gay bronco buster—you'l walk! - your anxiety and preambulate.” jas, rs rubber,” | chattered Jolliby. ; at “He cuc-cuc-cuc-can’t do ah ana Hazleton, cut the heart of the plate with the {non fellow won't try, to hit,” thought Hazleton. erefore, he. delivered another oe one over . y ¥ 1 yy ad _ ae ' Re TIP TOP WEEKLY. hunch that it was.” Restrain , “He'll never pup-pup- pup-put three balls over ‘the: Nevertheless, as Brad stood with the bat on his bok ball was “Na to. ‘i sdhaniohe eae over ae doee, ot he, ‘re building ¢ second, and ae had 6 waded Bi “ay % Cap'n Wiley pretended to laugh until he deh While holding onto his sides and gasping for breath, he asked some one to loan him a handkerchief to stanch his tears. “It’s our day, fellers, ” said Merriwell. “TI had a By this time Hazleton was sore. He was no longer | ‘3 inclined to regard the visitors w ith supercilious dis- dain. Instead of that, he did his prettiest with Darrell, attempting to strike Hal out. "3 Although Darrell missed twice, he finally landed on the ball and lifted a fly into center field. Sherwood caught the ball, and Buckhart was forced — to hold fast to second. “Here’s: Merriwell, Patch,” said Mike Guaiiv “Look out for him. He’s the best hitter on the team — if he is their pitcher. He hasn’t a weak point.” ‘Hazleton’s speed and shoots were really wonderful, “s but Dick connected with the third ball pitched and smashed a terrific grounder in the direction of Grady. The Madawaska captain managed to get his hands ad on the ball, but ‘it shot off into the air, and for the 3 moment it seemed that Merriwell would reach first. | aa It happened, however, that the ball went in the right direction for Wallace to secure it, and he whipped it to Sparrow in time to catch Dick as the ee was making his last jump for the initial sack. |) $e 1 The visitors were out} but they had sectired a run in the first’ inning, and there was not a man among : them who entertained further fear of Hazleton. a cae aaah Seas { a pon Suptetes _CHAPTER x LATE ARRIVALS * a joke, ith Silas at the butt end an it, was liable t arouse and jrritate him toa rit of great excite and resentment. yt Now, it happened that at sca airastnal in hy ity of the basball-ground, was on old log buildin that had been preserved as a relic, although old B of the Madawaska House had several times threatene to tear it down. To Brace there was nothin; uu esque about i old oidings and he wondered "Ne Te ae oe selves in burlesque imitation of the Pinevilleans and sat in front of the old building to witness the game. Springer sought Brace and made a complaint. “By golly, it’s an insult!’ he raged, flourishing his ; fist in the air. “You folks over here think you’re the '. aristocracy of the Blue Hills, don’t ye? You're ready . _ to make fun of everybody else, ain’t ye? Waal, ye 2 ain't doin’ much in baseball, be ye?” ‘ “We won’t be doing much when we do you,” re- _torted Brace. £, 1 “You won't do us to-day!’ shouted Silas. “You | can’t beat us, even if you have broke the agreement : you signed “bout strengthenin’ your team with new | _ players.” . ag j : “Beat you?” sneered the Madawaska man. 1 «chew you up. “We'll Just because you happened to get a run 4 in the first inning you think you’ve won the game. | The boys are fooling with your kids.. Wait awhile and j +. _ watch us walk away from you.” _ 4. “Walk? walk?” cried Springer. “If you get away ; ae from us to-day, you'll do the fastest runnin’ you ever e | done in all your life! As for that old buildin’ onto . | which you’ve stuck that sign, you’d better rip it daown, e | You'd better burn it up. You think you’re a great 4 hotel feller jest because you’re runnin’ a place with 5 electric lights and all them things, but I want to tell | you right naow that I’m coinin’ jest as much money : as you be. You'll find ott that insult has made my _ boys rippin’ mad. ’Stid of doin’ you any good, YOM NE F gut’ pe riled up so they'll never let you beat ’em ag’in,’ > "You don’t know as much about baseball as a brin- dle cow,” retorted Brace. ‘You'd better go lay down _ in the shade somewhere and cool off.” _ In her half of the first inning Madawaska made a desperate attempt to tie Pineville’s score; but, al- though a runner reached third, he was unable to cross the pan, as Dick rose to the occasion and fanned the Pe, man eS faced him. is Serine: ik a new ew aan several ; layers. oe get ee Feet te sex a ALP: sbOR they’ve brought some one with them. It’s WEEKLY. 21 “T haven’t a doubt about it,” asserted Chester. “Merriwell’s bunch was lucky to get that run in the first inning. Did you find any trouble in getting bets?” “Not a bit. Think I might have put up twice as lf it begins to look bad forme, I can afford to buy off.that fellow, Merriwell.” “Maybe you can afford to, but I don’t think you'll be able to.” “Eh? Why not?” . “T don’t believe you would care to pay his price.” “Oh, I don’t know about that,” laughed Shaw. “T’ve noticed that most baseball pitchers can be bought if a fellow gets at them right. There’s something about the game that makes a chap forget scruples. I've bought good men for a ten-dollar bill.” “You'll have to go up on that a whole lot if you pruchase Merriwell,’”’ laughed Arlington, “But, don’t There’s little danger of any need to buy him. I’ve been looking for the gov’nor and my sister. Funny I can’t find them. Thought they’d be here when I arrived. They started out by private team fully two hours before any one else left Pineville.” “Isn’t that them just driving up?” asked Shaw, much. you WOIrTry. motioning toward an approaching carriage that was » drawn by a span of horses. “Sure as preaching,” chuckled Chet. “By George! “It’s Madge Morgan!” breathed Shaw. ‘Your sis- ter seems to have taken a surprising liking to Madge.” “That’s so. Chester was puzzled, for he fancied June would be very jealous of Madge after. discovering Dick’s ap- parent strong liking for the girl of Mad Lake.” I don’t quite understand it.” Shaw and Arlington appeared at the side of the } carriage as soon as it halted in a position to enable the occupants to watch the game. “Hello, dad!” called Chet, as he swaggered up. “Hello, sis! How do you do, Miss Morgan. You didn’t get here early, although you started away from Pineville soon enough.: What delayed rome Have a Z ‘breakdown ?” Lee “Oh, no,” answered June laughingly. — “We aes, : on Miss Morgan en route.” -“How’s the game going, son?” aupstiones, Re Bos! ‘coe Arlington. . “This is the second inning. Score, one to nothing in favor of Pineville.’ “Good! good!” cried June, clapping her hands, . re “do Oren pie eee his Sherr of bad luck oe at ~ aq Ti?FOP “Do you?’ muttered Chet. “Well, I didn't think it of you! I fancied you'd be glad to see him get it in the neck again.”’ Madge looked annoyed as Shaw bowed, hat in hand, smiling upon her. “T see you reached home safely last night, Miss Morgan,” said the man. “I worried over you a great deal. I presume you saw nothing more of that ruf- fian.” «67 did rfot,, and I have hopes that T may not see Officers from Wellsburg It’s likely he knows him again ina long time. are up here looking for him. « this, and he may get out of the Hills.” “By the way, gov’nor,” said Chet, “let me introduce my friend, Mr. Shaw, ofthe firm of Hammersmith, Shaw & Higgins, Maiden Lane, New York.” BS _ D. Roscoe Arlington glanced Shaw over keenly. ss “Oh,” he said, ok aaa, “are you a member of that firm?” nodded the importer of precious stones. “I presume you know something of our house?” “Why, yes. It’s reputed to be one of the best in the country.” Shaw was next presented to June. Hat in hand, he bowed profoundly before her. “This is a great pleasure,” he murmured. While they conversed the second inning of the game passed, neither side securing a run. _ “Tt promises to be quite a struggle,”’ observed. Shaw. “Still, I fear those boys from Pineville are no match for Madawaska. Do you intend to remain and attend ‘ the hop here this evening, Miss Arlington ?” “Father has agreed to stay awhile, * answered ae, e _ Then I hope to see you later,” bowed the aes ¥: “’m going to look for a comfortable spot where Tecan uf sit down and watch the game. Will you come along z with me, Chester ?”’ . “Sure,” answered Arlington. _ They lifted their hats and smilingly departed. - face. “Wonder how long Chet has known that man?” he istered, “I don’t like the appearance of the fellow. Hammersmith, Shaw & ae = Now H won- Mr. Arlington watched them with a frown on his WEEKLY. He interrupted himself without saying what caused him to wonder. CHAPTER XII. THE STREAK IS BROKEN. As the innings passed and Masetee failed to score Patch Hazleton began to “get raw. “What's the matter with fellows?” he de- manded, as the first two batters in the fifth were fanned by Dick. “Can't you get a hit off that kid? How do you expect to win games unless you can do some I can hold ’em down, all right, but I can’t do all the batting for you.” “Oh, come off!” growled Biff Brutus. You've been at bat twice and fanned you stick-work ? “When have ‘you got a hit ? both times.” | 3 “Tf you’d leas my tip before the game, Hazle- said Mike Grady, “ You thought they were easy in the first inning, and ton,” we might have them tied now. you practically handed them a run.” 5 “If you let one run take this game, I'll throw up jj my job,” asserted the Wisconsin wonder. “Whoever _ 4 heard of this kid that’s pitching for Pineville!” “Didn’t you ever hear of Frank Merriwell of Yale?” questioned Grady. | s ON YER ee ! oe “Well, that kid is Frank Merriwell’s brother, and- it’s my opinion he’ll make as good a man as Frank ( ever was~-or a little better.” “There goes Sparrow!” snarled Hazleton, as the first-baseman of the home-team popped up an easy — fly, which was caught by Darrell. ~ The sixth inning opened with Merriwell at Se Z Thus: far Hazleton had not permitted Dick to hit - safely, although he had found it impossible to fan the boy. Now, however, the Pineville pitcher caught the first ball delivered to him on the end of his bat and sent it singing on a line into the open field, sae two bases on the ee delightedly. “At last he has dae his aa wand or the horsehide for a couple of hassocks.” / Chip Jolbby:y had his eves. on Merriwell as as he val ads Lie SOE out to the plate. Dick gave a signal that the tall boy understood, indicating this at once by the’ position in which he held his bat. Hazleton was wary. He prneds to Chip with a ‘couple of high ones, neither of which Jolliby reached Then the local pitcher tried a drop. As the ball came down over the plate Chip fell back The ball went aul and a strike was called. is Dick had started for third, but was compelled to ag “You're onto the gug-gug-game, Patch,” chuckled | | “Watch out, everybody.” ‘The infield crept closer to the plate, expecting Jol- liby to repeat his effort to bunt. _ Merriwell was watching every move of the opposing ; players. He gave the tall boy another signal, and was | leased as he saw Chip hold the bat in a manner which indicated he understood and was ready to obey. _ Again Hazleton pitched a high ball, his object being O. prevent the batter from bunting successfully. © “Instead of trying to bunt this time, Jolliby thrust p his bat and snapped it forward, tapping the ball fairly and just lifting it over the infield. Had not the ‘ infielders been well in toward the plate in expectation >o! a bunt, that little hit could have been handled easily dy the second- baseman. As it was, the second-base- “man reached back and made a leap for it, but he missed eg by a foot. sa Merrill tags (hind aoe Jolliby landed on first. WEEKLY. Then came a drop, which the batter fouled. “Two strikes!’ roared the umpire. Both Merriwell and Jolliby were ready to sprint if Dave could connect with the sphere. Wiley: was whooping like an Indian on the first-base coaching-line, while back of third Ted Smart im- plored the runners not to score. cried the “Don’t make Madawaska feel too bad. ° “We don’t need any more runs, boys!’ little chap. They’re all broken up now.” Finally Flint hit the ball. It was a grounder just inside the base-line, and “Sparrow easily scooped it up. Jolliby had dashed toward second as Dave landed on the ball. 7 Sparrow made a bluff at throwing home, forcing Dick back to third. Then the Madawaska first-baseman lined the Spald- ing into the hands of Grady, who coyered second — cushion, and Jolliby was the victim. , Grady returned the ball like a flash, and Flint was out fully four feet from first. With his arms stiff at his sides, Wiley fell flat on his back. “Bury me!’ ms moaned, I’ve passed away.” “Clever work, cap!” cried Sam Cross, as Grady laughingly resumed his position at short. stops .’em! “That was my enka They'll go hungry for runs ai time! 7 Merriwell expires on third.” Sparrow tossed the ball to Hazleton. The pitch was fussing with his glove, and, therefore, he turned and rolled the ball along the ground toward Jessup. _ As a bluff Dick sprang off third, intending to leap’ back, but he saw the ball strike a tiny stone or some _ obstacle which deflected it to one side, and a sudden ~ inspiration sent him shooting for the plate. Late | With a gasp, Jessup lunged after the deflected: ball. ; ‘Leaping onto the home ee Cross Epes for 7 ‘third-baseman toring stoi Pe" ae Jessup secured the ball and threw Healy to sich a Merriwell. Dick slid, feet foremost, vaising | a small cloud of s “Phat <> 24 Cross dodged Merriwell’s spikes, caught the ball, and tagged him. The umpire was close at hand, and he saw that one of Merriwell’s heels had reached the rubber ere Dick was touched by the ball. “Safe home!” he yelled. The Pineville spectators gave a cheer of détight ® As Dick rose, laughingly, brushing the dirt from his clothes, he saw June Arlington and Madge Morgan standing in a carriage and waving their handkerchiefs. When Hazleton started to make a fuss over what had happened Grady promptly called him down. “You gave them both of their runs,” said the Mada- waska captain. “Hadn't you better close your face?” No more tallies were made by Pineville in the sixth, for Singleton’s high fly was easily caught. In the last of the eighth Madawaska gave Pineville a scare. Grady opened with a grounder to Gardner, who booted it, permitting the local short-stop to reach first. In desperation the captain of the home team at- tempted a steal on the first ball pitched to Brutus. Buckhart had plenty of time to nip the fellow at sec- ond, but he threw ten feet over Darrell’s head. Fortunately Jolliby was backing Hal, and he pre- vented Grady from taking third by securing the ball and quickly returning it to the diamond. The Madawaska coachers opened up like barking dogs.” : Brutus hit a stinging grounder to- Gardner. Earl held Grady at second and threw the runner out at first. Jessup batted a weak one at Dick. _ Dick took his turn at bad ae by throwing wild to Singleton. ‘i ‘Big Bob leaped into ‘the air and touched the ball s ea the end of his gove. . navn ‘Had he not touched it, Grady might have ccgiee ong it was, Mike landed on third, while ae reached first. 7 ‘Wallace hit into’ the Saigon ae Grady ses pete, ae started eee vee left ee ba ja TIP TOP “WEEKLY. Jessup likewise made a start at the beginning of the delivery, and, therefore, he reached second. Had the visitors lost their heads, Wallace might have landed on first. stopping the score at the plate and instantly discover- ing that there was little chance for a double play, Dick shouted for Gardner to throw to Singleton. Earl responded by whistling the ball across to first, and Wallace was out. With for the home team to tie the score, but Sparrow was and he Jessup on second, there still seemed a chance not the man to fathom Merriwell’s shoots, quickly fanned. Dick wiped the perspiration from his face and started for the water-bucket. As he was drinking a boy pulled at his sleeve, saying, in a low tone: An a gentleman over here that wishes to speak _ with you.” “All right,” said Merriwell, and he followed the boy. Mr. Shaw was standing apart from the rest of the =| He ‘smiled and nodded as Dick ap- spectators. proached. “You're deucedly clever, my boy,” he said, | in 4 ; 2 low tone. “I want to shake hands with you,” He seized young Merriwell’s hand and shook it, | at the same time adding, in a half-whisper : “There’s a -hundred-dollar bill in your palm. Give It’s easy Madawaska a chance in the next inning. enough. a hundred to the good.” As Shaw released his hand the boy found a crum- pled bank- note in his palm. “Only a hundred dollars, Mr. Silk Shaw ?” cried y ‘Dick derisively, flinging the bill into ‘the man’s face. “When you want to buy me, bting mea bale of these!” It seemed that this insult made Dick pitch with all _ the more determination in the last of the ae for well, and not | one at them feiatied the ball. As Dick se : - fanned the last fan, Sile Sens, gave a @ wild Realizing the impossibility of — 7 No one will ever suspect you, and ‘YO ‘ll be- : oie TIP TOP of joy, threw his hat into the air, and kicked a hole in ‘it when it came down. “There, by golly,” he shouted, won't insult Pineville no more! “ouess you folks Stick up your old signs on your old log houses if you want to! No- body cares a rap!” CHAPTER XIIT. TWO QUEENS. ‘The hop at the Madawaska House was strictly in- formal, No one thought of wearing evening dress. The weather was too warm for that. Following the hird dance, Dick Merriwell came face to face with Dale Sparkfair, who was wandering around, peering nto corners like a person in search of something. “Hello, Spark!’ said Dick. ‘When did you ar- tive?” A : “Just blew in,’ answered Dale. “TI see you're here, all right, but I can’t find ers of June. Did she “She told me ed be- eae ” answered eee ou get trimmed? You're » looking rather dejected.” ? “Oh, we warmed ” em,” was the answer. “‘You won er here, they say, That makes you tie with the Springs for second place. You don’t suppose June s gone back to Pineville, do you? I want to see I must see her. There’s something on my mind. 9 you know, Merriwell, I’m cheaper than a yard of ico at six-and-a-half cents. Pve got an idea. ou're in-this thing. You're the victim.” He seized Dick’s arm with a savage grip. “Come with me!” he hissed. “I’m going to. peach myself. I’m going to expose my perfidy and. dou- yed villainy. It’s been preying on my mind, and 1 certainly get the Willies unless I talk ina hurry. Idn’ t sleep last night. Kept thinking what e en thing I did and just flopped and flopped like an La frying-pan. aes three errors in the game d y—yet we won.” ! | marched Dick out onto the broad veranda. The aS | Morgan i is. badly frightened. ae promised Shaw ; 25, WEEKLY. going to put myself right as far as I can. You met Madge Morgan at the spring over at Pineville yes- He told me. gested that I should walk out that way with June, terday. Arlington saw you. He sug- and I—the cursed villain that I am!—accepted the suggestion.” “Oh, ho!” dawning upon him. muttered Dick, a light of comprehension “Ves, that’s the reason why June gave you the cold shoulder. I led her out there, and she saw you sit- ting on the rustic bench and talking with Madge Morgan. Talk about your first-class sneaks—-what do you think of me? Why, a pick-pocket or a hen-roost- thief is a gentleman side of me. Why don’t you punch me? Give me one in the eye, please. Perhaps you don’t want to soil your hands. Well, then, spit on me!” In a dark corner behind some vines two persons were smoking cigarettes. At this juncture one of them rose and stepped out before Dick and Dale. 3 “Sparkfair,” said the sneering voice of Arlington, “you’re not much of a villain, but you are a con- founded ass! Come on, Shaw, we’ll look for my sister and Madge.” Mr. Shaw. rose from the shadow of, the vines and sauntered past Merriwell and Sparkfair, snapping _ aside his cigarette and laughing derisively. “T told you how it would be, Arlington,” he said. “You can’t trust these flat-headed young fools.” Dale, his fists clenched, took one step after the speaker, but Merriwell’s hand checked him. ” said Dick quietly. ‘“He’ll be taken care of, and it won't pay you to get into trouble “Let that fellow go, with him. Do you know who he is?” “Why, he claims to be a member of some rich Maiden Lane concern, doesn’t he?” “He claims to be,” nodded Dick, “but he lies. He's ae a gambler, crook. He’s REOWRe on account of his slickness, as Silk Shaw.” one 2 Sh “Who told you this?” | : hae _ “Madge Morgan. Somehow this rascal has a hold on ‘that girl's father. . He’ 's threatened. old Mose, and a counterfeiter, and a general all-round’ a 2 26 that Madge shall marry him. I don’t think there’s the slightest danger of that. I’ve seen Rob Rockett, the detective, here to-night, and it’s my opinion that he’s looking after Mr. Shaw.” At that very moment Shaw had halted Arlington as they were about to enter the ball-room. The man seemed greatly startled as he stopped, retreated a step, and stood where he cotld gaze at the back of a person who was surveying the gathering in the Ball-room. “Who’s that man?” whispered Shaw. “That?” muttered Chester. “Why, that’s some sort of a secret service gentleman, I believe. His name is Rockett. There’s been counterfeiting going on up in these Hills, and’ that fellow is looking after the manufacturers of the queer. Ever see him be- fore?’ “T don’t think so,” “Still, I thought I knew him when I first saw him. Let’s go outside again.” answered Shaw, in a low tone. Gave me a start. _ Wondering at the man’s manner, Chester followed, ‘although he protested against it. “We ought to find June and Madge,” The gov’nor took a room he said. “They’re here somewhere. for them, and June has rigged Madge up in some of her. clothes. They | fellows to have the first waltz with them,” “T don’t think T’ll darice to-night,” muttered ‘Shaw. “I’m not as he descended | the steps of the veranda. ‘You know I have heart spells ‘oc- feeling just right. casionally, and the sight of a man gave me one of those. spells.” “Oh, take a drink, and you ‘ll be all right.” . ‘< boy. | I didn’t say anything to you about it, but I i received a telegram after arriving here which states that I’m needed back in the city. have to cut my vacation short.” cp “Well, that’s tough," said Chet. “T was counting i mi en having you as a friend for awhile. You know I lon’t hitch up with any of that bunch over at Pine- They’re going to dance, and we're the “No, I don’t want a drink. I'm going to leave, my | ville, and Tm dead sore on Sparkfair since. he was fool. 5 enough tos squeal t to Merriwell. I eee you alt leave. 7 TIP TOP WEEKLY. fancy Dll secure a team and start right away. ws I may see Je to catch that morning train, if possible. you later, Arlington. So long, my boy!” Together Dick and Dale sought June and Madge. The orchestra was beginning a dreamy waltz as the | girls appeared and found the boys looking for them. © At sight of Madge both lads found it difficult to ro) press exclamations of astonishment. Attired in one of June’s lacy white dresses and having her hair hae comingly dressed, the only thing which betrayed the, fact that she felt in the least out of place was _ blush that crimsoned her cheeks. _ “Ts it possible?” said Dale, with a sweeping sa t “Do we behold the Queen of Mad Lake and “The queen of my heart!” whispered Dick, in June’s ear. “Dale has told me something, and I wish an op- portunity to make you an explanation.” ss “You don’t need to explain, Dick,” murmured June, Z “Madge has been telling me. you and asked you to watch that man, Shaw. She had to seek some one to aid her in her time of trou- ble. i 1 1 beg your pardon, and I hope you will forgive me.’ ae “T’ll forgive you if you'll waltz with me this tim I was very rude and unladylike, Dick. June,” he. smiled. . “Not this time, Dick, She: aid? sa promised Madge that you should waltz first with her. Please do. After that I’ll waltz with you as often as oe here oftener.” grammar. ‘ THE END. ) ae : ae Next Number (B42) will Contain I regret that ae yi She told me she came to. ~ oy Ga id sabi NEW YORK, sack bs 25, 1906. TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (Posiage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. Dior =| One eRr yd ccatesectwastaued $2.50 5¢. 2 copies one year....2.022..02. 4.00 DG ones accustaes Keb cus $1.25 1 copy two years.............. 4.00 How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. ; Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper iss change of number-on your label. If not correct you have not been properly rte, and should let us know at once. STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. 6 mon TIP TOP ROLL OF HONOR. _ Following the suggestion of Mr. Burt L. Standish, that appeared in his letter to Tip Top readers in No. 480, the following loyal Tip Toppers have won for themselves a place on our Honor Roll for their efforts to increase the circulation of the King of Weeklies. Get in line boys and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list, Chas. H. Landis, Reading, Pa. Sunshine, Windsor, Mo. _R.H. and H. J. A., Charleston, S.C. _ Lesly Merideth, Fredonia, Kan. - Lothrop Drown, New Orleans, La. _ J. Emory Clarke, 153 S. High St., Steubenville, O. Robt. P. Sage, Terre Haute, Ind. _ W. Howard Hill, 25 George St., West Lynn, Mass. Gower Sullivan, 2411 Twenty-fifth Ave., North Birmingham, Ala. te names of other enthusiastic Tip Toppers will be added from time to time. Send in the result of your efforts to push the circula- tin of eo favorite weekly and win a place on the Roll of Honor. APPLAUSE. ee t/ha nutaber of tote ceosived, the editors of Vip Top not undertake to secure their publication under six weeks. Those ; ae to this nee must not expect to see them before Be ? \ x } I have been a constant reader of Tre Tor from No. 1 to , | thought I would write and tell you that I think it is the eekly ever published. I like itso much that, although I read all about Frank, I am Teading the Medal Library, and get tited of him. ish to say that I sent quite a lot of postal cards to those ing them, but got very few in return. ‘106, Ridgefield, N. J. “Water F. McCort. y you have, better luck with your postal cards the next time. | have cout the Tre Top WeEKLY for abdtit two years, I erty to express my opinion of the king of weeklies. ae a oo Ans ten-cent, sheet aot can Be £7 WEEKLY. 2 ny / Library, and I would advise the readers who have not read the Tip Top from the first to get the Medal Library. , Please send me a catalogue of the Tip Top. _ 107 Penn Avenue, Paterson, N. J. Nick Roper. We have mailed you a catalogue of our five-cent publications. I have been reading Tip Top for the past year only, and be- came so interested in it that I have obtained from you a great many back numbers, so that I could learn about the early ad- ventures of Dick and Frank, and their friends. I like Frank the best of all, and Bart next. I would admire Chet’s staying-quali- ties if he used them in a better cause. Dick and all of his friends interest me very much. Dale Sparkfair is swell. Tip Top is surely the king of weeklies. I have formed a club of nine boys, all of whom have read Tip Tor no longer than my- self, but are now constant readers of the great Trp Tor WEEKLY. New Orleans, La. LorHrop Drown. What a hustler you are! Roll. Watch for your name on the Honor I have been a constant reader of Tie Top, but have never written to your Applause column. I think that the characters could not be better. 1I.myself am a student of the New York Preparatory School, in my second year. I have chosen Yale as the college where I shall go next year, and I will not forget either Frank or Dick Merriwell. I also read The Popular Maga- zine every month, and enjoy Mr. Standish’s story, “The Rockspur Nine,” very much. JASPER BARBERA. 200 Joralemon Street, Bronx, N. Y. We expect to hear that you distinguish yourself at Yale as Frank Merriwell distinguished himself. I began to read your Tre Top Weexty when the first number was issued, and have been reading it ever since. I think that it is the ideal literature for a boy to read. Boys from the age of ten to sixteen are very easily influenced by what they read, and if they read Tie Top it will do them more good than hun- dreds of sermons and lectures. I notice in the last number of Tie Top that Frank Merriwell has a son. Please tender him my congratulations. This gives us a promise of something good for the future. Kindly extend my best regards to Mr. Standish. J. Emory CLARKE. 153 South High Street, Steubenville, Ohio. Such an old and enthusiastic reader should have his name on the Roll of Honor. Look for it there this week. Say, ‘Sai there’s going to be something doing with Dick and Dale. Both, in my estimation, are good fellows, and I would ‘give a fortune to be like them. ; Dick is the boy that will show Dale Sparkfair a thing or two, even though Dale is arfine fellow. He’s also going to win June, for, although she is kind of stuck on Dale, she knows Dick Merriwell, and to throw him down would be anything but fair and square. WaALter C. Bock. 733 North Claremont Avenue, Chicago, Ill. of Hurrah! for the Merriwell brothers! Since my last letter appeared in the Applause column of the Tie Top WeeExkty I have heard from readers in all parts of the _ world. This certainly speaks well for the circulation of the famous periodical so well named Tie Tor. I knew that this won- _derful weekly had an extensive circle of readers, but I never realized just how large it really was until I wrote to the Applause asking to exchange postal cards with fellow readers. There seems to be a kind of freemasonry among all of.us, for the postal cards _ SDN) a1) me DE An At IX’ i The Best ; [mss Ni c red ae da [own DV & Lien FSU y ni Poa | | . rt 7 | At ae pee Sy a eS Cn | ! C7 24 | ‘ x X\ [_A DrrERENT By IE SHON) BRAVE AND BOLD a eae in his reading matter, be a reader of Brave of telling boys’ stories. tale is complete in itself. Every boy who prefers variety ought to and Bold. All these were written by authors who are past masters in the art Every BOWERY BOY LIBRARY The adventures of a poor waif whose only name is ‘‘Bowery Billy.” Billy is the true product of the streets of New York. No boy can read the tales of his trials without imbibing some of that resource and courage that makes the character of this homeless boy stand out so prominently. Opl nent. and their adventures tainly the best tales of athletic adventure. THE TIP TOP WEEKLY Frank Merriwell has opened a school of physical devel- He has gathered all of his old-time comrades are wonderfully Boys, interesting. about him These are cer- Tes Les il AUTON! Ss ON!