Tip Top Weekly No. 118: Frank Merriwell, Engine Wiper — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

‘Her face was bright as she was speak- ing. but, of a sudden, it became shadowed and saddened. “But, for all I can do,’’ she went on, mournfully, ‘‘they wither and die at last. And that hurts meso! I cry over them, and it- makes brother feel bad, and he says he will, not bring me any more flowers. It doesn’t seem right that beau- tiful things should fade and die. Oh, why is it-so??’ ‘It is the law of nature,” said Frank, gently. ‘‘All things inust have an end, but ncthing perishes. The flower turns to dust, aud from the dust another flower springs perhaps. Something comes from it. Thereis a constan{ and continual change, but nothing reajly perishes. ’’ | Ves, ves; Jack and I have talked of that. Sometimes we speak of the loss of our dear mother, for she seemed to fade like a flower, and be says we shall find her again—some time.” “Tt is a beautiful belief,’’ said Frank. “But you are getting sad, little Nell; ‘aud we ate to be happy ‘to-night, you know.” Then he cheered her up till soon she was laughing. | Jack came to the door and cried: “Ready for the feast! The coffee is cooked, and the biscuits will be done in four minutes.’” Wait,’ said Frank, oe want to slip out to the street for something. I will be back directly.”’ He seized his hat and went out. the corner he passed a man who was standing back in the deep shadow. He did not pay any attention to the man. At a fruit store Frank purchased some otanges and bananas. With them he . hurried back. _ The man near the corner slunk deep into a doorway as he passed, and then _ stepped out and followed him lightly. “Here we are!’ cried Frank, as he deposited the fruit on the table. ‘*To-night we will have a treat.” Everything was ready, and they sat down. Little Nell folded her hands and asked a blessing, while Frank and Jack bowed their heads. Jack started to pour the tea. All at once he stopped and Stared at his sister. - : SHOW | YOUR VOLORS—SEE LAST. PAGE. . At gayly, | a TIP TOP WEEKLY © ‘Gracious, Nellie!’ he cried. never looked so much like mother before! Why, somehow you look just like her as — you sit there at that end of the table.. You should have seen her, Frank. She was a beautiful woman. ny “Get her picture,”’ it and show it to him.’” Jack sat down the coffee pot and — hopped away into the other room. He quickly returned with a photograph, which he gave to Frank. ~ Merry ~*looked at the picture, ‘and, indeed} the blind girl showed a strong resemblanée to the sad faced, beautiful womaii. Rap! rap! rap!—a heavy knock’ on the door. “Vou ~said the girl—‘‘get | Little Nell uttered a startled exclama-— ‘tion, and then the door was flung open. Outside stood a dark-faced man, whom | Frank recognized instantly. It was old Joe Hicks! “It’s the man who followed us!” cried | the lame boy, in a flutter of excitement... a CHAPTER XI. UNWELCOME RELATION. . ' Frank had risen to his feet and he took | a step toward the door. rom the lips of the blind. girl came another ery, one offear = . Frank: turned to her. . : “Don’t be afraid,’’ he said, reassur- ingly. ‘‘He shall. not harm: any one here.’? Then he demanded to — what the man wanted. | ' Hicks showed his teeth. — . ‘*So this is-where you stop???’ he said. ‘Well, I’m glad I found that out, but it was them others I came to see.’? . ‘What do you want of them ?”? The engineer stepped into the room, but Merry halted him with a sharp word. “Stand where you are! You are all intruder here!?’ Qh, don’t put on aits 1 snarled Old Jee, and Frank saw the man had been drinking. ‘I know my business.’? ‘*State it. a2 ‘Well, a man gets queer notions in his head sometimes, and when I saw the face of that gal I was hit by a queer one. | oy NOO COnnue SS (SO)