Tip Top Weekly No. 52: Frank Merriwell's Dash — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

FRANK MERRIWELL’S DASH. 11 . agreed, Pierson set the pace. At first ue At last, he decided that they had gone ran along at a gentle trot, but by the far enough into the country, and so he time the outskirts of New Haven were;turned about, without stopping, calling reached he had begun to increase his’ speed. ‘to Frank: ‘‘Now for the hustle into town, and ‘‘Now,”’ he thought, “Til put Merri- et? s see what you are made of, my boy. well to the test, and I do not fancy he Iam going torun away from you as if will be in condition to make a very hot run on the return.’ Faster and faster went Paul, and still the lad at his side kept there with appar-| With their clinched hands held | close to their breasts and their heads|uttered the words. ent ease. thrown back, they ran on and on. There was a slice of a moon in the’ western sky, shedding a thin white light over the world. From far to the south|couldn’t; but I am going to.” came the shrill whistle of a locomotive, | /you were standing stili.”’ **T wouldn’t do that!’* flung back Mer- riwell, as he wheeled about. Somehow it seemed to Paul that there was a touch of sarcasm in the way Frank That aroused the | commnitteeman still more, and he re- torted: ‘No, you wouldn’t do it, because you ‘All right,” laughed Frank. ‘‘I don’t. cutting through the air like a keen knife. !suppose there is any danger that some- The road which Pierson had selected was one over which there was considerable travel, and it was in very fair condition. Without appearing to do so, Paul slyly kept watch of Merriwell, wishing to see just how Frank stood the strain. He was forced to acknowledge that, for a time at least, Merriwell was standing it very well. **Oh, he is endeavoring to show me how easy he can do it!’ mentally ex- claimed Paul. ‘‘Wait—waita bit! I think I will give him a hot push for a bit.”? - Faster and faster ran Pierson, and soon he was rather gratified to hear Frank be- ginning to breathe heavily. Ves, although - Paul had hoped that Merriwell would show up well, he did feel a momentary _ sense of satisfaction when it seemed that he was making the pace a hot one for his|o companion. Then Frank began to lag. He did not fall far behind Paul, and.still he seemed unable to keep his place at Pierson’s side. “YT won’tdo a thing to him coming back!’’ decided Paul. long run. Iam rather sorry.’ ‘Browning was dead wrong. The fellow is capable of short dashes, but he is not the man for a body will steal me for my beauty if you leave me alone out here in the country. Go ahead and run away from me.'? —“Good-by.”’ *“Good-by.”? Then Pierson did run, He skimmed over the ground in a wonderful -~manner, but the sound of running feet clung close behind him, and, when he glanced over his shoulder, Merriwell was still there. ‘‘Flanged if he doesn’t hold on well!” mentally exclaimed Paul. Then, as he glanced around, it began to seem that Merriwell was running with still greater ease than he had at any pre- vious time. Somehow it appeared as if he was keeping close behind Pierson without any particular effort. © ‘*You’re doing well,’’ Paul finally flung over his shoulder. ‘‘Can you keepit up?” “T think so,’? was the half-laughing © “Yam holding myself in so that _ I can make an attempt to follow you a_ short distance when you get ready to run. answer. away from me.”’ ‘‘Great smoke!’ thought Paul. guying me? or does he fancy I have not been doing my best?” _ After a little, he confessed : “Ts he | ECOMMICIOO© SS (CO)