Tip Top Weekly No. 52: Frank Merriwell's Dash — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

28 FRANK MERRIWELL’S DASH, Then came a desperate struggle be-|disappearance, and we were for putting tween Merriwell and Jetting, but Yale’s | detectives on the case to-morrow. Can’t colors were carried into second place at; you clear up the mystery ?”’ the beginning of the last quarter. And now—now there was excitement. The finish was drawing near, and Prince-: ton had the lead, although the distance| was short. As Frank passed the Yale crowd he! “Well, you see, itis like this: I fell in with some gentlemen who seemed to take a strorg interest in me. Note thie word strong there. In fact they were too strong for me. ‘They seemed to like me exceedingly well, and they pressed me was given a rousing cheer, which seemed |tostay all night withthem. I was sort of to put fresh life and strength into his body. Hecrept up on Mansford, who was running like the wind. The differ- ence grew less and jess. Eight feet, six feet, four feet—could he close the gap? Then, for a moment, a black cloud seeined to pass before Frank’s eyes. His heart was in his mouth, where it lav hot and dry, like a stone that has baked in the sun. It seemed that he must fall. ‘Win or die! win or die!”? Those words rang through his head as if some one had shouted them into his ear. “Twill!” He knew the end was close at hand, roped into it, as it were. I found it diffi- cult to yet away without wounding their feelings.’ | | This was said in a queer manner, and the lads about the, table looked at each other inquiringly. ‘But you managed to get away?’ said Pierson. ‘“‘Ves, I offeed them inducements in the shape of coin of the realm. They seemed to be out for stuff, and some per- son—who imust love me dearly —had in- duced them to take charge of ine and care for me tenderly. However, I worked on their greed by offering more than my and still the black and yellow was before) friend had offered, and, as I promised not hitn. to make too much of a fuss abont it, I Then it was that Frank nerved him-| Was let off, but barely in time to reach self for one last great effort, and dashed|here. Iam not going to say anything forward with a fresh burst of speed that seemed little short of marvelous. That burst carried him to Mansford’s side— | ™Y carried him into the lead—carried him|to care for me so tenderly. over the line at the finish—a winner! There was a grand supper in New York that night, at which Frank Merri-| He was! well was the guest of honor. more about this matter just now, but I ex- pect to look around some and find out who friend is who engaged the gentlemen When I find hin—well, I won’t do a thing to him!” “Well, here’s luck to- you!’’ cried Pierson, lifting his glass. ‘‘Gentlemen, here’s Inck to Frank Merriwell, the hest toasted again and again by his admiring | all-round man who ever called dear Old friends, and it seemed that everybody Yale , There were} hearty!’ was his friend at last. speeches and songs and a general inerry time. Old Yale had carved her way to glory once more, and among her stand- ard-bearers Merriwell was the leader. ‘Tell us, tell us, old man,’’ cried Paul Pierson, ‘‘low was it that you happened to be so late in appearing at the Garden? Really we had given up hope that you would come, and were for getting Yates into running rig. You barely got along in time. What kept you away?” | ‘“‘I was tnavoidably detained,’? an- swered Frank, smiling. “*Yes, but that is an unsatisfactory ex- alma mater. [THE END. ] The next number (53) of the Tip Top. Weekly will contain as the complete story, ‘Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Boys; or, planation. Rattleton and the fellows who| The Start Across the Continent,’’ by the | were with you reported your mysterious|author of ‘‘Frank Merriwell.”’ Deas Drink—drink © Comic boo SS (SO)