Tip Top Weekly No. 52: Frank Merriwell's Dash — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

FRANK MERLIWELL’S DASH. 16 whom were two of the committee of ar- rangements for the tournament. ‘*You fellows seem: to be in a great rush,’ one of the party called to Frank and his friends. **You had better rush a little, if you. want to catch the train,’? flung back Griswold. . “Ah! said Andy Emery, with an un- disguised sneer; ‘‘it’s Merriwell and. his trainers. They are putting him in condi- tion to beat the field in that race he ex- pects to enter.’’ ‘Go him to the station, Yates!’ ex- claimed one of the lads accompanying Duncan. ‘‘Just show him he doesn't know how to run.” | “Yah !’? flung back Griswold, quick as aflash. ‘‘Yates knows better than to trv that. Where would he be when Merriwell reached the station ?”’ “Buying his ticket inside,’’ sneered Emery, in return. That aroused Jack Diamond, who flushed hotly and turned on Andy. “ll go you ten even that Merriwell beats Yates to the station platform,’’ he flashed, producing a roll of bills. ‘‘Tihis is business! Take me if you have the nerve!’ Oh, Pll take you!’ cried Emery; ‘“‘and, when the business is over, I'll take your money, too.”’ He promptly produced a ten-dollar bill, and the money was quickly thrust into the hands of a stakeholder, who was chosen by mutual agreement, - “Tt strikes me you men are preity swift,’? said Yates, in a manner that showed his disapproval. ‘‘How do you know I will run?’’ —— “Sh? warned Flemming. ‘‘ You'll have to.run now, or they'll say you were afraid to go against Merriwell.”” | It was. plain that’ Yates did not feel at all pleased by the situation, but he said: “Tt T must run, I will, and I'll beat the fellow, but I don’t care about getting into a sweat just now.’’ | | ‘‘Never mind that,’? said Emery, in Yates’ ear. ‘If you beat Merriwell to the station, it is pretty sure that you spoil his show for getting into the mile run. This is your chance to do that little job, so don’t let it slip.”" Frank had said little very It was not easy to tell if he felt satisfied or displeased over the situation. The party turned a corner, and came in view of the station. , ‘‘Here is a good starting point,’’ said Emery. ‘‘Does it satisfy you, Diamond?’ *‘Perfectly,’? bowed Jack. ‘Then that’s all right. Are you going to run, fellows ?”’ ‘*Y leave that entirely to Mr. Yates,” said Frank, quietly. “Oh, Pl go you—and TP']l do you!” exclaimed Yates, as he tore off both coat and vest and flung them at Flemming, who caught them. That started Rattleton, who excitedly cried: | “ll tet you ben dollars—I mean [ll bet you ten dollars you don’t do it!” Yates paid no attention to this, but Flemming said: “I'll have to go you, Rattleton. up the tenner.”’ The money was quickly posted, and then the rivals stood side by side, with their coats and vests removed, ready for the word. | Merriwell seemed quiet and indifferent, as if it were an event of no particular mo- ment; while on Yates’ face there was 2 look that plainly showed he was deter- mined to settle all dispute by winning the dash to the station. One of the committee had been chosen to give the word, and he stepped out, sharply calling: — “Ready!” | - The lads leaned far forward over the scratch in the dirt, which had been drawn by somebody’s heel. 7 c ‘Go [? 4 : Away. shot the rivals like leaping fawns. They seemed like two foxes, and the crowd of lads who broke away in pursuit resembled a pack of hounds. It was a hot dash, and, for some time, the boys were running side by side, neither seeming to have an advantage. ‘Wait a bit,’’ panted Emery, at Dia- mond’s side; ‘‘you’ll soon see Yates spurt and leave Merriwell.”’ “What do you think Merriwell will be doing while Vates is spurting?’’ asked Jack, sarcastically. = ) ‘He'll seem to be standing still.” Put ‘Will he? Wait and see!’ ECOMICLOO® SS (CO) nn