The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-12-03
rank MerriWel o,,s..: Ip.....
- The
- - BURT L. STANDISH
-

Q Gilbert Patten
wNU Service

Outside, when they reached the
end of the walk to the cottage door,
Hodge halted and looked Merriwell
and Mulloy up and down. maybe
you two slick workers will have
more luck in Room 10 than you did
with the gag you just tried to pull
on me-" he said.
''Now what do you mean by
that?" asked Frank in surprise.
Don't play dumb, Merriwell. You
thought you had it all planted to
throw me, but I was onto you. I'd
had to walk the plank if I'd re-
fused to room with you two birds.
A fine little frame-up!"
That stirred something hot in
Frank. "Are you insinuating that
Professor Scotch would come in on
anything like that, Hodge?"
"Oh, he's a soft old custard. He
wouldn't see through it. You only
had to get him to put it up to me
the way he did. That was what
you thought"
Merry stared at the fellow, and
shook his head. 81 don't suppose
you can help it, Hodge, but it's just
too bad you're built that way"
"And now" said Bart, "maybe
there's another dead-fall set for me
in Room 49,"
Barney pulled at Franks elbow,
Lets co." he said. whats the
idea, wasting your breath on this BIZ
ped?"
ooh, go on, both Of you'll" blazed
Hodge. "But remember this: if they
do pack the three of us into one
room you'll have sweet time with
me as roommate"
Happy days are here again."
grinned the Irish boy as Bart went
striding off alone.
The boys took the last hurdle, as
Professor Scotch had called It, in
full stride. All three of them were
passed by the board Of examine
tons. That placed them, automati-
cally, on the roster of students, and
they were told that they could move
into a room allotted to them in
Union hall, the old vine-covered
brick building that had housed the
plebes in the days when Fardale
had been military school.
Hodge still Rugged the belief that
he had lodged a trap. He had
scented the thing just in time to
sidestep it in the professors study,
and then he had let Merriwell and
Mulloy know he was wise. Maybe
they had already played their last
card, but, anyhow, he had shown
them he was too clever to be caught
mapping.
He was feeling much better when
they came out of the Central build
ing after the test was over. A jubi-
liant smile lurked at the corners of
his mouth and there was a CLEAN
in his eyes.
"By the way, Merriwell." he said.
show do you like the new suit I'm
wearing?"
why" answered Frank, sur
prised, 81 hadn't noticed it."
"Well, look it over" Bart invited.
''Would you say it's o. K.?"
"It looks well on you."
"But it's really on you, you know.
You'll get the bill from the Varsity
Clothing store, in the village. OF
course you haven't forgotten as soon
as this that you ruined suit of
mine by feeding the coat to one
Of Tad Jones' pet dogs?"
Now Merry smiled a trifie. "You
don't lose any time about collecting
your debts, do you, Hodge?"
'Not when guys like you owe me.
I made this collection yesterday. OF
course I had to take it off the pile,
but then it could be worse. For
got to call your attention to it when
we were having our pleasant little
chat after visiting old Scotch, but
I hope you don't mind the over
sight"
mot at ALL" said Frank. cts
all right"
"Glad you think So" said Bart,
his good humor seeming to increase.
eth set you back only sixty-five
bucks. A mere bag O. Shells"
ITO BE CONTINUED