Tip Top Weekly No. 139: Frank Merriwell's Father — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 25 us a good turn by the suggestion. I will try it.” CHAPTER VIII. A SUDDEN SALE OF SEATS. Frank came dashing back to the hotel, his face showing his excitement. He started for his room, but chanced to come face to face with Folansbee once more. “T have it!” laughed Merry, triumphantly. “Hey?” drawled the manager, in surprise. “Have what?” “The idea.” “What idea?” “The one that will make our engagement here a winner.” Folansbee brightened a bit, but shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that,’ he said. “Not a bit of it. We may not have a house to-night, but there'll be standing room to-morrow night if I put it in the Sunt and only by the time the curtain rises to-morrow night.” ‘The manager was aroused by Frank’s cheerful prediction, but still he could not un- derstand how such a miracle could be brought about. “What’s the marvelous idea?” he asked. “Wait. You shall know later. Stay here, Keep near till I come down from my room. I want you to help carry the thing through.” “All right, dear boy. You can be sure I'll stay if there is any chance to make a go of this blooming business.”’ “There is every chance.” It seemed to Folansbee that Frank was far too sanguine, and yet he remembered that almost everything Merry had predicted since starting on the road had come true. Certain it was that Frank had some kind of a scheme on hand, something that he firmly believed would pull them out a winner. Up the stairs Merry bounded. He found _Elsie’s room and rapped on her door. She called “come in,” and he entered. “Oh, isn’t it too bad!” exclaimed Elsie. _ “Mr. Folansbee has told us all about it. And Lockwell did it! wretch!’ | ‘All of that, little girl,” agreed Merry; “but it may not be as bad as it seems.” “Why, are the tickets selling?’ “Not one of them.” Frank, that man is a “Then ““T have a scheme.” “Oh [= ~ Her face brightened. She had the utmost confidence in Frank’s schemes, and she saw that he was hopeful now. “Tell me what it is,” she urged. “I have a story that will pack the house to-morrow night if I put it in the Sun and Star. The papers will be glad to get it, too.” “Then you will put it in?” “That depends on you.” “Me?” | “Ves.” “Why?” “You are the principal character in the story.” “Goodness!” Elsie was surprised. “T must have your consent to put the story in the papers. I would not think of doing such a thing, little girl, if it were not that we are facing a frost here, and something des- perate must be done to bring out the people to see us.” “What is the story, Frank? Is it a—a—a fake?” “No; it is true.” Now Elsie was more than interested. “And IJ am in it?’ | “Yes. That is why Ishave come to ask you about it. revolt against having it published in the pa- pers, but you realize it is a desperate case. We must do something to raise the wind. If you can suppress your sensitiveness enough not to mind the story, we will win out here.” Elsie’s interest was at the hightest pitch now. She caught him by the arm, eagerly commanding him to tell all about the story, Frank did so. He explained the whole matter to her, watching her grow pale and then flush to the roots of her hair, only to How Can We Aftrd To Give Sach Premiums For Three Conons And A two Cent Stamo ? IT am sure that, at first,-you will GOMiG ooo SS (CO)