Frank Merriwell's Fame — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 21 you are meddling with what you should let alone if you attempt to make shifts in the cast. Things have been going along first rate, and you will do incalculable harm by insisting on . Folansbee glanced toward Lawrence. The latter was puffing away at a cigarette, but he nodded a bit for the “angel” to hold out. Then Folansbee interrupted Havener: “That will do. I have given my direc- tions; you will carry them out.” “T don’t know: ss “You have no choice. You may do so, or accept notice.” . Havener’s face grew almost purple, and it was with the greatest difficulty that he re- strained himself from telling Folansbee then and there just what he thought of him. He did hold himself in check, but he said: “If you ruin the casting of the piece, I shall not be to blame; but I shall appeal to Merriwell.” “Merriwell is not concerned in the man- agement of this piece. He is simply under salary like yourself, and anything he may say will make not a particle of difference with mé.” Then Folansbee walked away, and Law- rence followed him into the dressing room. “There,” said the “angel,” wiping perspira- tion from his face, ‘how was that? Didn’t I show them I was the manager?” ~~ ~~ “You certainly did,’’ nodded Lawrence. Inwardly he was chuckling to think how little the man really was the manager of any- thing. CHAPTER ¥VIE FRANK’ AROUSED. Of course Havener told Frank, and of course Frank protested to Folansbee, but, backed by Lawrence, the “angel” persisted in his order, so that Dunton was finally given the comedy part and Lockwell was put in the villain part. Frank knew there had been an influence behind Folansbee to cause him to order the change, for he was certain the man would not have thought of such a thing of his own accord. It was not difficult for him to guess what the influence really was, for he knew Folans- bee, Lawrence and Lockwell were together night after night in the room of the manager at the various hotels where the company stopped. At first what took place at those gather- ’s” room was a mystery to Merry. Ashe was not invited in, he did not “rubber neck,” although he felt more or less ings in the “angel curiosity to know what was going on. At last he tumbled; for, one morning, he happened to hear a bit of conversation be- tween Lockwell and Lawrence. “How did you come out last night, old man?” asked the former. “I was just a hundred and seventy-three dollars ahead,” answered Lawrence. “And you?” “@h, I didn’t have much luck. Only won twenty-six fifty. How long do you suppose the sucker will stand for it?’ “Don't krow. If he stands long we'll have him milked dry, It’s the greatest snap I ever struck.” “If it keeps up two weeks longer this old show can go to blazes for all of me. I’ll have money to burn, and I won’t care about knocking around at one night stands.” That was all Merry heard, but it was enough. He was onto the game, and his He knew the two rascals were beating Folansbee That all were drinking heavily each night was plain, but very soul was stirred with indignation. out of his money at cards. Folansbee showed the wear and tear worse HOW TO GET A NICE PRESENT FREE—READ® PAGE 32.