The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-12-17

duucu W Ills puZZlGIIlcilLs 4IlcIc was
a shadow, he thought, on Merri-
wells habitually frank and cheerful
face.
Getting back to their room again,
they found that their trunks had
been delivered and moved in while
they were away. They unpacked at
once and slowed their belongings as
well as they could into closets and
drawers where space had not al
ready been seized by Hodge. Later,
a porter took the trunks away for
storage.
The dining hall at the academy
was still called the mess hall, as it
had been in former days. 1t was
sight for Frank and Barney at meal
time, when its huge seating capac-
ity was filled to the limit with hum
cry fellows whose talk and laughter
was a pleasant sound for youthful
ears. They found their places at
one of number of long tables as
signed to the freshmen.
They looked around for Hodge in
vain. He was not at any of the
freshman tables. But that was
cleared up presently when the chat
ter of some fellows who were talk
ing football revealed that meals
were served to members of the
squad in smaller room reserved
for the athletic teams.
"Well," said Barney, speaking to
Frank from the side of his mouth,
''that gives us the pleasure of seeing
less of him. It'll improve me appe-
tite, too"
The half hour given to the eve
ming meal passed swiftly and pleas
antly. The food was sufficient and
satisfying. They struck up acquaint-
ances with a dozen sociable class
mates in their vicinity. Everything
was free and easy and everybody
seemed happy. This was the life.
"I'm pinching myself to make
sure it's no DREAM" said Mulloy
as they walked back to Union hall.
Tad Jones was waiting for them
on the steps. His grin, as he hailed
them, seemed to have a meaning
all its own.
Somebody sent me for you,
Frank" he said. "Bet you can't
guess who. Just bet you can't"
eff you're that sure" said Merri-
well, II won't try. Spill it, Tad"
otis Miss Burrage, that's who.
She's over to Mr.. Snodd's md she
wants you to come there right
away"
Barney's elbow jabbed into
Franks ribs. "The call of the wild"
he chuckled. eff you answer it,
you're lost"
"But I'm too weak to resist"
laughed Frank.
A clear sunset had left a silvery
afterglow in the sky. The bright
day was lingering like a departing
guest at the door.
Inza was sitting in a little road
ster and talking to her brother,
standing beside the car, when
Frank turned into Snodd's yard with
Tad trotting at his side. She was
laughing at something Walter was
telling her. Barney had called her
"a pip" 1t fell short; she was the
roof.
Eli, Miss Burrage!" cried Tad.
Hi, there! got him. I fetched
him. made him come"
"But it took quite WHILE" she
said as they came up. "Did you
have to pull a gun on him?"
Her laughter had faded down to
an odd smile.
"But I had to watt" Tad hurried
to explain. "He was takin' exer-
else with knife md fork"
"With knife and" The laug-
ter leaped back to her lips and
cascaded.
"Oh, yes," said Merry, "when it
comes to athletics, I'm strong for
that course"
Walter was laughing with them.
''From what heard at mess time"
he said, "you may be pretty good
in other courses. They say you can
boot football like nobody's bust
ness, Merriwell. The most of our
kickers do it with their mouths
no BE CONTINUED)