The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-12-24
CHAPTER V-Continued


also-when the time comes round"
Belinda Snodd called Tad away
to the porch.
"We're going to get him another
dog-the right sort of dog for
him to have" explained Inza, "but
we're going to spring it as sur
prise. He mustn't get wise to what
we're up to. Go over and quiz him,
Walt. Find out what kind he likes
best. I'll take you into town after
I talk to Frank"
''Then make it snappy," he re-
piled. "I've got date with bar
ber."
Look, Frank" said Inza quickly
when they were left alone. 81 didn't
want Walt listening in. He caught
me here when he was going by. /
want to talk to you about Hodge"
"Oh!" He was little surprised.
Bart wasn't to blame for that
crack in the paper" she went on.
"I've let Pete Smith know what I
think of that. He's just hick re-
porter who thinks he's big shot,
so don't let it get you down."
That made Merry laugh again.
"Don't worry, Miss Burrage. I'll
sleep without taking an opiate."
"But it's going to cost Bart Hodge
some sleep"
'Do you think SOP"
'I'm sure of it. He's out of luck,
for he's just like me. I'm afraid
of dogs-some dogs. wish wasn't
built that way, but they make me
jittery. To tell you the truth, they
brighten me to death. That's why
! thought my ankle was broken
when it was only sprained little"
"Oh, your ankle! How dumb of
me not to ask about that!"
"The doctor made me wear a rub
Der bandage, but I don't believe I
need it at all. I'll bet could do
the fandango on it right this min
ute"
Nov that's relief. Congratula-
TONS"
"And wanted to see you, too, to
tell you what I think about-about
the way you protected me from that
horrid beast. Only IL can't really
say it now. But l do want you to
know I'll never, never forget it."
They were both flushed now. She
had destroyed his first impression
of her. He no longer rated her as
beautiful and dumb; he h a d
scratched the second adjective.
Maybe I was too scared to run
away myself" he said.
She smiled at him, shaking her
head. ''You don't have to be so
modest about it, Frank Merriwell.
I've got a little sense. Bart did
run, but he came back. That was
something. Let's give him credit for
it."
81 wouldn't rob him of any credit
he deserves.
II know you wouldn't. You don't
have to tell me. I was all stewed
up about Bart until-until l thought
it over. He's different. He's never
learned how to take it. Walters
told me how it is here in the school.
If they ever start riding a fellow
they ride him ragged. Bart never
could stand up to that"
It wasn't so easy for Frank to
smile now. He hadn't expected her
to retain so much interest in Hodge.
It was cooling him off rapidly.
He needs somebody to keep him
on an even keel" Inza declared.
"You could do that, Frank. don't
believe anybody else can. You're
rooming with him, and"
'Aren't you slicing it rather tough
for me, Miss Burrage?"
Maybe I am, but he needs
friend"
"He's got Hugh Bascomb."
''That's not so good. know
Hugh. He won't be much help"
'Hes helped Hodge on to the
football squad already"
"But that's not the kind of help
Bart needs most. He'll go up
against things at Fardale that Bas-
comb won't help him bit about
and he'll crack"
Nobody can help. fellow who
won't accept help"
"Of course not, but you're clever,
Frank, and you can make him &C
cept it if you try. did think of
putting it up to Walter, but / real
lied he wouldn't get me. He
wouldn't have the chance you'll
have, anyhow. If Bart doesn't find
somebody to steady him he'll 60 off
the deep end some day."
Frank was silent.
She put her warm fingers on his
wrist, which lay on the edge of the
car door. "Think it over" she said,
land maybe you'll do it-for me-"
Her voice, her dark eyes, the
touch of her warm hand-all were
magnetic.
Come on, Inza," called her
brother laughingly. stop vamping
Merriwen and step on your starter
I've got to get move on if I'm
going to be back in time for my
first morning class"
He was coming out with Tad at
his heels.
I'm leaving it up to you, Frank"