Frank Merriwell's Fame — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

TIP TOP WEEKLY. a5" “Stop!” -she, cried, in a panic. of. fear. “Where are you going?” “To find Lockwell.”’ “No, no—you must not—you. shall not! Frank—Frank, please—please listen to me! I was foolish—foolish to cry about it! .He simply admired me—that’s all. He said he had made the money easily, and he wanted to spend it on somebody. Frank—Frank, you are wrong in—in thinking that— that——” “Elsie,” said Merriwell, his voice hoarse and harsh, “you do not know men as I know them, especially such men as Percy Lock- well. I shall take care ‘that he does. not in- sult you again.” “But, | won’t let you go till you promise— till you promise you will no 7 “I shall warn him, Elsie, that is.:all.,. J shall not lift my hand to him—unless he makes it necessary.” Then Frank unclasped her fingers and walked out of the dressing room, leaving a half-fainting girl behind. CHAPTER VUI, LOCKWELL IS WARNED. Frank found Lockwell smoking a twenty- five cent cigar and talking with Lawrence. “Mr. Lockwell, I want to speak with you.” “All right,” drawled Percy, with an insult- ing yawn. “Speak away.” “IT wish to speak with you alone, sir.” “Aw! Really? What for, my de-ah fel- low?” “That you will learn presently. It is a pri- Vate matter. Kindly follow me.” “Be back in a minute, Leslie,” drawled Lockwell, as he followed Frank, who led the way into one of the dressing rooms. Merry closed: the door and turned on Lockwell, who was startled and somewhat alarmed by the look he saw on the young man’s: face. “Mr. Lockwell,” said Frank, his voice hav- ing the ring of cold steel, “I wish to inform you that Miss Bellwood is under my protec- tion while with this company.” “Really?” murmured Percy, in a manner not calculated to soothe the feelings of ‘the youth. | “She is a young and innocent’girl,” Erank went on. “She knows very little of the world and very little of the men of the world. As far as possible, I wish to keep her uncon- taminated. “Oh, she’ll be sure to get a little soiled in time,” yawned -Lockwell. Then he sprang backward, lifting a hand, for he thought Frank was coming at his throat. “Be careful, Lockwell!” grated the youth. “I can’t take much from you. You have been talking to Miss Bellwood.” “Well, haven’t I a right to talk to her?” “You. went as far as you dared in your talk. You offered to buy her a diamond ring! You called her a peach! You said she was pretty enough to catch a man with money!” “And so she is. Lots of men with money would be glad to marry such a pretty girl,” “You did not say ‘marry’ when you were talking to her; you said ‘catch.’ You might have meant marry. I do not say you didn’t. What I want to say is this: I know it will be for Miss Bellwood’s good for you to keep away from her. Do so! Do you understand?” ‘‘Merriwell, you’re jealous. You want to keep a good thing to, yourself—you. want to monopolize it. Now, is that fair?’ “IT have said all I have to say to you. If you ever make such proposals to Miss Bell- wood again, I’ll break half the bones in your body!” There was no mistaking Frank Merriwell’s earnestness. Lockwell felt a chill creep over him, but he was determined to make a bluff of it. ) “That is a nasty threat!’ he exclaimed. “I won't stand to be talked to this way! IT’ll— a “What?” Lockwell had made a threatening. move, but that one word checked him. “Don’t, think I’m afraid of you,” he sneered. “You’re not so many. You'll find that out in time.” Frank opened the door. HAVE YOU READ PAGE 32. 100