Tip Top Weekly No. 139: Frank Merriwell's Father — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

18 TIP TOP WEEKLY. being could. My turn has come, and I let nothing turn me from the full enjoyment of it,” The self-confessed selfishness of the man was repugnant to Frank, and the youth’s lips curled with scorn. Looking at Frank with those piercing eyes, it seemed that Mr. Phenix read his very thoughts, for he said: “All human beings are selfish. They may try to conceal the truth under a mask of pre- tended generosity, they may make a profes- sion of caring for their fellow men, but they are hypocrites, and at heart they are su- premely selfish. Don’t tell me this is not. true. I know. I am older than you. In me you see a man who is not afraid to let the world know just what he is at heart. J am not a hypocrite, for I do not pretend to gen- erosity and nobleness. I am willing that all men should think me selfish. I am willing they enous think anything they choose about me.’ He puffed at the cigar, flicked a bit of ash from it, and went on in the same calm, even, manner: “This morning I saw some newsboys squabbling under my window at the Mid- land. I opened the window and threw a handful of gold to them. They fought over it like young tigers. I was amused. Peo- ple at the hotel. thought I was generous. When I found they entertained such ideas, I told them they were mistaken, that I threw out the money by way of providing a few moments enjoyment for myself. I informed them that I should not have thrown out a silver quarter if I had seen a starving beggar under the window, even though the wretch . were weak and tottering from lack of nour- _ishment. That would have cost me an effort, and I should have derived no amusement Those Fellows that Tried to Bite Got from it. I pay for what amuses me, but for nothing else.” More and more was Frank astounded by the man’s words. He had not dreamed that any human being could so calmly confess such utterly heartless disregard for all hu- manity and so brazenly boast of his debasing selfishness. It was necessary for Frank to hold his in- dignation firmly in check, but his handsome face betrayed his feelings clearly. Stronger and stronger became the feeling that sometime he had somewhere met this man. It almost seemed that he could grasp the time and place, but still it evaded him, as, at times, a perfectly familiar name will evade the memory of everyone. It was provoking, and Frank was annoyed. “You speak frankly enough,” Merry said; “but I am not willing to believe that even you are as bad as you would have others think.” “Bad?” said the man, gravely. “Is that the way you regard it? It makes no difference to me, young man. I do not care in the least whether people think I am bad or not.” “Then you must be deranged—you must be mad!” Mr. Phenix started the least bit, as if stung at last. “TI do not like those words,” he said, coldly. “What words?” “*Deranged’ and ‘mad.’ Do not use them again in my presence! Do you understand?” His eyes bored Frank through and through. “Do you understand?” he repeated. “You. are not to use those words—or any synony- mous words!” It was a command. | The eyes of the remarkable stranger liter- ally glittered. Deep down in their dark caves was a glare as of a hidden fire, but his face was cold and unmoved as marble. Badly Bitten. See True Blue No. 30. COMicloooks (C(O)