"Oh, he isn't feeling very well, Max," was the reply.  "What makes you
ask?"

"Oh, I see him put his hands by his head on so many dimes," said Max.
"He got knocked owit, didn't he?"

"Yes, a rascal hit him over the head with a wooden footstool and nearly
cracked his skull."

"Den he should be py der hospital, yah, instead of py college," said
the German-American student.

"Well, maybe they'll have to take him to the hospital, or somewhere,"
returned Songbird, thoughtfully.  "Hang it all, with Dick gone and Tom
acting as he does, times are not half as jolly as they used to be!"

In the next room Sam sat down to study.  Tom had wanted to study, too,
but his brother had persuaded him to lie down and rest, and now he was
asleep and breathing heavily.  Sam tiptoed his way across the room to
gaze at him.

"Poor, poor Tom!" he murmured softly.  "He'll have to take it easy.  If
he tries to keep up here it may kill him, or----"  Sam did not finish.
It was a terrorizing thought to imagine that Tom might go out of his
mind.  "He's got to have a doctor--some specialist.  I'm glad Dick is
coming, so we can talk it over.  But it's too bad to burden Dick with
this--and Dora, too--when they aren't over their honeymoon yet.  Oh,
dear, it's too bad Pelter threw that footstool at Tom!"

Tom continued to sleep and Sam tried his best to study.  But it was
hard work and the youngest Rover made slow progress.  An hour passed
and then there came a soft tap on the door.  Songbird was there.

"I thought I'd ask how he was," he whispered, nodding towards Tom.

"Sound asleep, Songbird."  Sam paused for a moment.  "Come in," and his
chum did so, and Sam closed the door again.  "I wanted to ask you about
Stanley and Spud."

"I--I tried to explain to them, without going into it too deeply," said
Songbird.  "I think Spud understands.  But Stanley--well, he's pretty
well riled yet.  But I guess he'll get over it."

"You can tell 'em that Tom would never play such a trick if he
was--well just right here," and Sam touched his forehead.  "It's an
awful state of affairs, Songbird!  I hardly know what to do."

"Why not send Tom home for a rest?"

"How can I if he won't go?"

"Get the doctor to order it."

"That's an idea.  I'll talk it over with Dick when he comes.  But I
wish you could fix it up with Stanley."

"I'll do my best," answered Songbird, and then, as Tom moved
restlessly, he hastily left the room as quietly as he had entered it.

Before Sam went to bed Tom roused up and wanted a drink of water.  His
brother made him take another of the pills and then both retired.  For
a long time Sam could not sleep, but at last he fell into a profound
slumber.

When Sam awoke it was with a start, for the sun was shining brightly
and he feared he had overslept himself.  He glanced to where Tom had
been resting and uttered an exclamation.

"Gone!  I wonder where he went to?"

He glanced at the chair on which Tom had placed his clothes and saw
that it was empty.  The door to the corridor was ajar.

"Can he have been walking in his sleep, or did he wander away out of
his mind?" was the agonizing thought that rushed through Sam's, mind.
In a jiffy he was out of bed and had begun to dress.  He did not spend
longer than was necessary on his toilet.  Then he hurried out of the
room and gazed about him.  An assistant janitor was nearby, running a
vacuum cleaner over the floor.

"Gilson, you know my brother Tom," he said.  "Have you seen him?"

"Saw him outside quite a while ago," was the reply.

"Where did he go?"

"I don't know.  He was near the gym."

"Thanks."

It did not take Sam long to reach the campus.  Fully a score of Brill
students were in evidence, but a quick glance showed that Tom was not
among them.

"Hello, Sam!" came from Bob Grimes, one of the crowd.  "How goes it
this morning?"

"Fine, Bob.  Have you seen Tom?"

"Yes, he took a walk down the road."

"Which way?"

"Towards town."

"Long ago?"

"Best part of half an hour, I guess."

Sam said no more but hurried across the broad campus and on to the
highway leading to Ashton.  The big bell in the tower was sending out
its last call for breakfast.  Sam put down the road on a run, all sorts
of thoughts wandering through his brain.  What if Tom was clean out of
his mind and had wandered off?

"Whoop!  Sam!  Where bound in such a hurry, child?" came the unexpected
call from a nearby field, and Tom vaulted the rail fence lightly.
"Taking the morning air, like myself?"

"Tom!" gasped the younger brother, coming to a halt.  He ran up closer
and gave the other a quick look.  Tom's eyes were as bright as they had
ever been.  "Are you feeling all right this morning?" he faltered.

"Best I've felt in a long time, Sam.  Say, were you coming after me?"
demanded Tom, quickly.

"Yes, if you want to know."

"Thought I was going to run away, eh?  Well, you're mistaken, Sammy, my
son.  I'm not going to do anything of the sort.  You know how bad I
felt yesterday."

"You certainly were bad yesterday.  But come on, it's time for
breakfast."

"All right, Sam," and the two walked to the college side by side.
"Say, I did some queer things yesterday, didn't I?" went on the
fun-loving Rover, anxiously.

"You certainly did, Tom."

"Got Spud and Stanley in a regular mess."

"Worse than that.  They were in danger of their lives."

"I was a fool, Sam, a regular, downright fool, and I'll tell 'em so
when I get a chance.  But it was my head,--it wasn't just right."

"You must take another pill, Tom.  Here it is, take it as soon as you
can get some water."

"All right, Sam, you're the doctor and what you say goes.  I certainly
don't want to act like I did yesterday again," and poor Tom looked
greatly worried.

"It's that crack you got on the head, Tom.  You want to go slow with
studying and with all excitement.  Maybe you had better go back home
and take it easy."

"Well, I will if I don't feel stronger in a week or two," was the slow
and thoughtful answer.  And then Tom put his hand to the back of his
head, as he had done so many times lately.

It was not until the noon hour that the fun-loving Rover had a chance
to talk to Spud and Stanley.  He went up to both of his chums frankly
and told them what he had told Sam.

"Oh, it's all right," said Spud, quickly.  "I knew you weren't
yourself, Tom.  Don't say anything more about it."

With Stanley, however, it was different.  He had spoiled a good suit of
clothing and scratched his chin and hands.  Sam had told him to send
the suit to the cleaner's at the Rovers' expense, but even this had not
altogether satisfied the big student.

"It was a mean joke, and I don't like it," said Stanley.  "It was no
sort of thing to do at all, Tom Rover.  If you are going to act like
that in the future I don't want anything to do with you," and he left
Tom standing helplessly where the two had met.  Then Tom rejoined Sam,
feeling as uncomfortable as ever.

"I suppose it is all right, Tom," said his younger brother.

"It's all right as far as Spud is concerned," was the moody reply.

"What about Stanley, didn't you speak to him?"

"I did, but he is as mad as hops.  He said if I was going to play that
kind of jokes he didn't want anything to do with me," and Tom sank in
an easy chair in the room.  "Sam, I guess I put my foot in it that
time.  Stanley is a fine fellow and if he talks like that he's got a
reason for it."

"He doesn't understand the situation, Tom.  I'll speak to him as soon
as I get a chance."

"No, don't do it.  I told him how it was, but he won't believe it.  And
why should he?  I'm all right, am I not?  I'm not crazy, or anything
like that, am I?" and Tom looked at his brother pleadingly.  "I ought
to know what I am doing."

"Of course you are not crazy, Tom.  Nobody said you were.  That crack
on the head put you--well, a little out of sorts, that's all."

"If I thought I was going crazy, I'd--I'd--well I guess I'd jump
overboard," said Tom, and he heaved a deep sigh.  Then he very abruptly
turned to the table, got out one of his text books, and commenced to
study.




CHAPTER VI

BOYS AND GIRLS

"Hurrah, Tom!  Here's good news!"

"From Dick and Dora?"

"Yes.  They will be here at half-past two.  Dick stopped to transact
that business first, so he and Dora can spend the rest of the time with
us and with the girls at Hope.  Isn't that just fine?"  And Sam's face
showed his pleasure.

"All to the merry," was Tom's comment.  "Say, I guess we can all go
over to Hope together, can't we?" he asked anxiously.

"We'll make a try for it anyway," returned his brother.

It was the day after the events recorded in the last chapter, and Tom
had declared in the morning that he felt better than ever.  He had even
gone out on the campus to joke with Songbird and William Philander
Tubbs, and speak a few words with Spud.  Stanley had seen him and kept
out of his way, and that was the only cloud on the horizon.

"I've got nothing on to-day after two o'clock," went on Tom, with a
grin.  "How about you?"

"I've got a physics lecture, but I guess I can cut it," answered Sam.
"I'll get Spud to tell me all about it afterwards.  I wouldn't miss the
chance to go to Hope for anything."

They had heard from Dick early in the morning by telegram, and now had
come in a message over the long-distance telephone.  The oldest Rover
brother and his bride were making the tour in the Rover family car,
doing this for the express purpose of giving the others a ride when
they stopped at Brill and Hope.  Dick of course wanted to see all the
boys at the college and Dora was equally anxious to visit with the
girls at the seminary.

Promptly on time the shrill tone of an auto horn was heard, and Tom and
Sam ran across the campus to greet the new arrivals.  Dick was at the
wheel and Dora sat beside him, smiling and blushing prettily.  In the
tonneau of the big car rested several bags and wraps.

"Welcome to our city!" sang out Tom gaily.  "And how is Mrs. Rover this
afternoon?" and he made a profound bow and swept the ground with his
cap.

"The same old Tom, I see!" cried Dora gaily.  "Are you feeling all
right?" she asked, quickly.

"Sure," was the answer.  Tom was the last one to put on a doleful face
in front of a lady.

"Talk about style," came from Sam, merrily.  "Nothing like keeping the
Rover name up!"  And he leaped on the running board and shook hands.
"Did you have a good trip?"

"Fine.  Not a puncture," answered Dick.

"Oh, it was just too lovely for anything!" cried Dora.  "If Dick had
the time I'd like to go on a tour for a month!"

"I thought maybe you fellows would like to get in and run over to
Hope," went on Dick, with a smile.

"You couldn't keep us out," answered Tom, promptly.

"We telephoned for them to be ready for us," said Dora.  "But you will
have to take our baggage out, to make room."

"Here comes Songbird, he'll look after that, I know he will," said Sam.

The would-be poet came up all smiles and shook hands.  He said he would
do anything they wished and at once took charge of the things.  Several
others came up, including Spud and Stanley, and there was a general
handshaking and a rapid-fire of conversation.  Then Sam and Tom got in
the automobile and away went the car in the direction of Hope Seminary.

"Want me to drive?" asked Tom.

"Tom, you'd better sit in the back with me," put in Sam, quickly.
"This is Dick's outing, let him run the car."  He was afraid that if
Tom got his hands on the wheel he might do something to put the crowd
in danger.

"All right, I'm satisfied," was the ready answer and Tom sank back on
the cushions.

The touring car was a powerful one and Dick knew how to handle it to
perfection.  Along the smooth road they rolled swiftly, only slowing
down at the turns and where the highway was not in a good state of
repair.  Dora turned around to talk to the others, asking about the
college, and then spoke about those left at Cedarville and at Valley
Brook.

"Mamma is real well again," she said.  "Better, in fact, than she has
been in a long while.  I know she feels relieved to think that Dick can
now take charge of all of her affairs, and of my affairs, too."

"Dick is getting to be a business man fast," remarked Sam.  "With your
affairs and Dad's affairs he must be having his hands full."

"Oh, the more the merrier," answered the oldest brother.  "I like it
better than going to college."  But as he spoke his face became very
thoughtful.  Clearly Dick had something on his mind.  He was not nearly
as talkative as usual, Sam soon noticed that and so did Tom.

Presently the touring car came in sight of Hope Seminary, nestling in a
pretty grove of trees.  Two girls were down by the stone gateway, and
both waved their hands.

"Grace and Nellie!"

"Here they come!"

"I told you they'd bring Sam and Tom."

"Doesn't Dora look sweet in that brown suit!"

"And how handsome Dick is getting!"

"Say, Tom looks awfully pale."  These words came from Nellie, and as
she spoke she turned a bit pale herself.

"To be sure--he's been real sick," answered Grace.  "But he'll soon get
over it, don't worry," she added, trying to comfort her sister.

By this time the touring car had come to a halt, and Dora and Dick and
the two college boys were getting out.  Then followed more handshaking
and not a few kisses.  Dora hugged her cousins and was hugged in
return.  All felt very happy and their faces showed it.

Of course Dick and Dora had to tell all about the trip, how they had
gotten on the wrong road, and how a drove of cows had once blocked
their way, and how they had stopped at one hotel where they had heard a
concert given for charity.

"And the weather has been almost ideal," said Dick.  "Only one little
shower that was just enough to lay the dust on the roads that weren't
oiled."

To give Tom and Sam a chance to "visit" with Nellie and Grace, Dick
continued to run the car, with Dora at his side, and all of the others
in the back.  With Nellie near him, Tom seemed to brighten up
considerably and told a number of jokes that made everybody laugh.  But
with it all, he was by no means as lively as was natural with him.

"I've got it all arranged to go to Spotswood," said Dick.  "I
telephoned to the big hotel there to have a table ready for us.  And
we'll come back in the moonlight."

"Oh glorious moonlight!" returned Sam, and gave Grace a look that
caused her to blush deeply.

"Say, let us sing one of the old time songs!" cried Tom, and started
one that had been their favorite ever since going to Putnam Hall
Military Academy.

"That's like old times!" exclaimed Dick.  "But please don't sing so
loud or you may scare the car," and this sally caused a general laugh.

"Don't you miss the seminary, Dora?" asked Nellie.

"Of course I do, but--but----"

"She'd rather be with Dick," finished Sam, with a wink.

"To be sure I would, Mr. Smarty," came promptly from the bride.

"Wish I could leave college, as Dick did," put in Tom, with a glance at
Nellie.  "I hate books anyway."

"Oh, that's because you are not strong yet, Tom," said Dora,
sympathetically.

"I've told him he ought to take more of a rest," said Sam.

"Oh, let's talk about something else," cried Tom.  "I'm tired of being
held up as an object of sympathy.  Look at the little calf!" he
continued, pointing to a field beside the roadway.  "A fellow could
pick it up in his arms.  Say, wouldn't it be great to introduce that
calf in Professor Blackie's bedroom some night."

"No more such tricks, Tom!" answered Dick, almost sternly.  "You've got
to settle down."

"Oh, must I, Papa?" returned Tom, in a trembling childish treble.
"Yes, Papa, I'll be your own little good boy."  And then another
general laugh went up.

"We hardly have any fun any more at Hope," said Nellie.  "It's just
lessons and lectures from morning to night, and the instructors are
that sharp!  Yesterday I missed a question in ancient history and I was
nearly scared to death."

"Humph! ancient history is enough to scare anybody to death.  What's
the use of studying ancient history when there is so much history still
to come of which we know absolutely nothing?" and Tom looked around
with the air of a profound professor.

"Here is where we once came over in the _Dartaway_," said Dick, a
little later.  "I guess you'll remember that ride," he added, to his
bride.

"Shall I ever forget it!" murmured Dora.  "Oh, how glad I was to get
away from that horrid Josiah Crabtree and those Sobbers!" went on the
girl, with a shudder.  She referred to a happening which has been
related in detail in "The Rover Boys in the Air."

"Well, the Sobbers are going to get what is coming to them," put in Tom.

"And old Crabtree, too," said Dick.  "They told me up at the hospital
that the double break in his leg will make him more or less of a
cripple for life."

"Well, if ever a man deserved to be punished it was Josiah Crabtree,"
said Sam.  "He was a bad egg from the first time we met him at Putnam
Hall.  But I say, let us forget all that unpleasant past and enjoy
ourselves," and he started up another song, and the others joined in.

By six o'clock they reached Spotswood and Dick ran the touring car
around to the big hotel located there.  Then they went inside and
washed up a little.  In the dining room a special table had been set
for them in an alcove.  There was a big bouquet in the center and a
small bouquet at each plate.

"Say, Dick, this is immense!" said Sam, admiringly.

"Just too lovely for anything!" burst out the Laning girls
simultaneously.

"How did you come to think of the flowers?" asked Tom, putting his
bouquet in his buttonhole and letting Nellie pin it fast.

"That was Dora's idea," answered the big brother.

"I thought it would brighten things up," said Dora.  "It's our first
dinner together since--since--you know," and she blushed prettily.

"Since the wedding feast," said Sam.  "Well, it's just A, Number One!
Couldn't be better!"

"That's what!" cried Tom.

Dick and Dora had ordered the dinner with care, so there was a
well-selected course, starting with tomato bisque soup and ending with
ice-cream and crackers, cheese and coffee.  They had some dainty fish
and an extra tenderloin steak, and it is perhaps needless to state that
the boys did full justice to all that was set before them, and the
girls also ate heartily, for all were still in their growing years.
Tom created some fun by sticking some stalks of celery in the big
center bouquet on the sly and then asking Dora what sort of flowers she
had ordered mixed in.  And Nellie told Dick he ought to make a speech
and he said he'd leave that to Tom, whereupon the irrepressible Tom
said he would deliver a lecture on 'How to Cook for Two Alone' if Dick
and Dora wanted to listen.  Then the fun became general and lasted long
after the meal was over.

It was moonlight outside and presently all went to the broad veranda of
the hotel.  Tom naturally paired off with Nellie and Sam with Grace,
and Dick and Dora wisely kept out of the way.

"We had our day, now let them have theirs," said Dick, to his bride.

"By all means, Dick," returned Dora, with a smile that made him pinch
her arm.  "But listen, dear," she added, in a whisper.  "Did you--did
you notice Tom?"

"Yes."

"He tries to keep up, but he isn't himself at all."

"I know it, and so does Sam, and, I might as well admit it, Dora, both
of us are a good deal worried," replied the young husband, gravely.




CHAPTER VII

COLLEGE DAYS

Sam and Grace sat in a corner of the piazza for the best part of half
an hour, and during that time the girl told of her various doings at
Hope and about the news from home, and Sam related what had occurred at
Brill, omitting, however, to tell how Tom had sent Spud and Stanley
into the old well hole.  There was a good deal of nonsense added to the
conversation, and it must be admitted that Sam held Grace's hand as
much as she would permit.  They also spoke about the wedding of Dick
and Dora, and of the good times they had enjoyed on that occasion.

Tom and Nellie took a stroll through a little park opposite the hotel.
What they talked about none of the others knew at the time, but Nellie
came back looking very sober and thoughtful, so that her sister
wondered if Tom had really and truly proposed to her.  Tom was
whistling softly to himself, as if to keep up his courage.

"Well, I guess it is time to start on the return, if you young ladies
have got to be in by ten," said Dick, at last.  "Even as it is I
haven't allowed any time for punctures or breakdowns."

"Perish the thoughts of such happenings!" cried Grace.

"We've had our blow-out where I like it best--at the hotel," added Sam,
and this joke caused a smile.

As before, Dick drove the car, with Dora beside him, and the others in
the tonneau.  He had all his lights lit, making the roadway almost as
bright as day.  Once out of town, the oldest Rover put on speed until
they were flying along grandly.

"Oh, Dick, be careful!" pleaded Dora.  "You might hit something in the
dark."

"Not much to hit on this road," he answered.  "But I'll look out, don't
fear."

"Oh, let her go!" shouted Tom, recklessly.  "Why, you can get ten miles
more of speed, Dick, if you try.  Let her out for all you are worth!"

"Oh, Tom!" pleaded Nellie, and as he arose and waved his hand she
pulled him down on the seat.  "If you don't look out you'll fall out."

"'Look out, fall out!'" repeated Tom.  "A good joke!  Ha! ha!  Let her
out, Dick!"  And he tried to stand up again.  "Want me to help?"  And
he leaned over his brother's shoulder and took hold of the steering
wheel.

"Drop it, Tom!" exclaimed Dick, warningly.  "Do you want to steer us
into a ditch?  Drop it, I say!"  And he pushed Tom with his elbow.

"Sit down, Tom," called Sam, and caught hold of his brother.  "Don't
monkey like that in the dark,--it's dangerous."

"Oh, I was only fooling," returned the fun-loving one.  "Can't you
stand for a little sport?" and then he sank in a corner and had nothing
more to say for some time.  Nellie heaved a deep sigh and for a moment
buried her face in her hands.

All too soon Hope Seminary was reached and Sam and Tom escorted the
Laning girls to the doorway of that institution.  There was a fond good
night, cut somewhat short on Nellie's part, and then the Rover boys
returned to the touring car.

"What a grand time," murmured Grace, as she and her sister went
upstairs to the room they occupied.

"Was it?" asked Nellie, absently.  "I am glad you enjoyed it."

"Why, Nellie, didn't you?"

"No."

"Oh!"  And Grace clutched her sister by the arm.  "What do you mean?"

"I--I can't tell you!" burst out the other, and then she fairly ran for
their room, and, once inside, threw herself on her bed and burst into
tears.  Grace came after her, locked the door, and sat down and held
her hand.  She thought she understood and determined to ask no more
questions.

"You are going to stay in Ashton over night, are you not?" questioned
Sam, of his brother, as the auto neared Brill.

"Yes."

"I want to see you--to talk about Dad's affairs,--and about Tom," went
on the youngest Rover, in a whisper.

"All right, Sam.  I'll get up early and run over here before breakfast.
I'll be at the gate at seven o'clock--if it is clear.  I'll see you
first and then talk to Tom;" and so it was arranged.

"Here, what's the secret?" demanded Tom, abruptly.

"Nothing much," answered Sam.  "Dick will be over to see us in the
morning, before he and Dora go back."

"Oh, all right."  Tom gave a sudden chuckle.  "Wish I had brought that
calf along.  I could have a barrel of fun with him to-night!"

"You're going right to bed, and so am I," answered Sam.  "We've had fun
enough for the present."  And then he and his brother said good-bye to
Dora, for they did not expect to see her again for some time to come.

Sam was afraid that Tom might not want to go to bed so soon, but his
fears were groundless.  Tom undressed at once and inside of five
minutes was in profound slumber.  He occasionally moved uneasily in his
sleep and sighed heavily, but that was all.

"Maybe he ought to have a doctor, but what a doctor can do for him I
don't know," thought Sam, and retired himself, sighing deeply.  With
Tom not himself the whole world seemed wrong.

Dick was on hand at the appointed time and Sam was glad to get up to
meet him and know that Tom was still sleeping.

"Well, first of all, I'll have to tell you about Dad," said Dick, as he
ran the auto up the road a bit, out of sight of Brill.  "He is not
nearly as well as I would like to see and the doctor says he must not
dream of doing a stroke of work.  So that leaves all that New York
business, and that Western business, in my hands."

"Can you manage it, Dick?"

"I've got to manage it, Sam.  And in the meantime I've got Mrs.
Stanhope's affairs to look after, and also Dora's money matters.  It is
keeping me hustling, I can tell you.  I never dreamed I would become
such an out-and-out business fellow."

"It's fine of you to be able to do it, Dick.  I am only sorry I can't
help you.  But some day Tom and I will finish up here and then we'll
take hold."

"Sure, I know that.  But now let us drop business.  Tell me all about
Tom.  Just how has he been acting?  I know you didn't want to let out
in front of the girls."

"Well, Tom is a problem, Dick.  Sometimes he acts as bright as ever and
then he seems to be clean off."  And then, in as few words as possible,
Sam related the particulars of his brother's doings since he had
returned to Brill.  As he proceeded Dick's face grew very thoughtful.

"I don't like this at all," he said flatly.  "Maybe after all it would
be much better to send Tom home and place him under the care of a
specialist.  If he remains here there is no telling what he will do
next.  Supposing Spud or Stanley had been drowned in that well hole?"
and Dick gave a shiver.

"Yes, but how are you going to get him home if he won't go?"

"Do you think he'll object?"

"Yes, Dick.  But you can try him, if you wish," concluded Sam.  And
then the pair returned to the college grounds.

By this time Tom had come below and was looking for them.

"If you were going to take a ride why didn't you let me know?" he
grumbled.  "I'd like to run that car a bit before Dick goes back."

"Say, Tom, why not return to Cedarville with me and Dora?" asked Dick,
kindly.  "I am sure the trip would do you good, and when you got there
you could take a good, long rest."

"Humph! all at me to rest, eh?  Well, I'm not going to rest; I'm going
to study and get through here just as soon as possible."  Tom
straightened up.  "Now, don't you two think I can't do it, for I can.
I feel stronger every day.  That crack I got on the head was a fierce
one, I admit, but it isn't going to knock me out, not by a long shot!
In a few weeks I'll be as strong as ever."

Dick and Sam looked at each other in dismay.  Clearly it was out of the
question to try to argue with Tom, who had always been more or less
headstrong.

"All right then, stay," said Dick.  "But take it easy, Tom, and do what
Sam tells you to."  A little later Dick drew Sam to one side and asked
him to keep a close watch on his brother.

"I'll do my best."

"And notify me at once if anything goes wrong," added Dick.  Then he
took the next quarter of an hour to visit with Songbird and some of his
other old chums.  Spud hailed him with delight and even Stanley smiled
warmly as he shook hands.

"Stanley, I want to ask you to bear with poor Tom," said Dick, as he
continued to hold the other's hand.  "He isn't himself at all, and you
ought to be able to see it.  Sam and I want him to go home and consult
a specialist, but he won't do it.  I don't know what to make of him.
What he did was terrible, and I am sure he wouldn't have done it if he
was in his right mind."

"Maybe," returned Stanley, hesitatingly.  "I've been talking it over
with Spud and maybe I was a little harsh.  But to be tumbled in that
well hole, in the mud and water, made me mad clean through."

"It would make anybody mad, and I wouldn't stand for it either, if Tom
was in his right mind.  But you can see how it is.  Sam and I feel
terrible over it.  I want you to forgive him, and I want you and Spud
and Songbird to help Sam watch him."

"Why, do you think he'll do something desperate?" asked Stanley,
curiously.

"I don't know what to think.  If a fellow is out of his head he is
liable to do almost anything.  I want him watched, and what is more,
I'd like you fellows to keep this to yourselves.  I don't want the
whole college to know it."

"You can trust me to keep mum," said Spud, promptly.

"I shan't say a word," added Songbird.  "I think too much of Tom.  Why,
he is one of the finest fellows in the world when he is all right!"

"All right, I'll keep quiet too," said Stanley.  "And I won't hold
anything against him.  But you had better watch him pretty closely,"
was the warning.

Of course Tom wanted to know all about his father's business and Dick
told him as much as he thought was necessary.  He did not want to worry
his sick brother and so kept back a good deal of what he had related to
Sam.

"Don't you worry about me, Dick!" cried Tom, on parting.  "I'll be all
right!"  And he waved his hand gaily, and so did Sam, as the big
touring car moved away in the direction of Ashton.

Fortunately for the boys, the lessons that day were not hard and Tom
and Sam came through without missing.  Then followed a settling down to
the work of the term; and thus a week slipped by.

Day by day Sam watched Tom closely.  He made his brother take his pills
regularly and also made him take outdoor exercise, and aided him as
much as possible in his studies and with his themes.  All the others
were very friendly, and even Stanley came up and told Tom that he was
sorry he had been so harsh.

"Well, I don't blame you, Stanley," said Tom, frankly.  "It was a
mighty poor joke.  I don't see how I did it."  And there the matter was
dropped.

It was ideal weather for outdoor sports and sometimes the lads would go
out for a game of baseball, or football, just as the whim seized them.
Of course the college had its regular teams on the diamond and the
gridiron, but the Rovers did not care enough for the sport to try for
these, even though they had made creditable records at Putnam Hall.

"Great news!" cried Tom, coming into the gymnasium one afternoon, after
playing with some of the students on the campus.

"What's that?" asked several, curiously.

"A couple of moving picture men from Chicago have leased Cameron's Hall
in Ashton and they are going to open a moving picture theater next
week.  Won't that be fine?  I love the movies, and now we'll be able to
go there whenever we want to."




CHAPTER VIII

THE JOKE ON WILLIAM PHILANDER

The news Tom had brought created much interest in Brill.  In the past
anything in the shape of public amusement for the students had been
scarce.  Once in a while a cheap theatrical company would stop at
Ashton and give a performance, but usually it was of such a poor order
that if the boys went they would poke fun at it.

"How do you know it will be any good, Tom?" asked Songbird.

"Oh, I'm not sure that it will be.  But the druggist told me that the
men were well-known in the movies and had some first-class show-houses
elsewhere, so I'm hoping it will be all right."

"Is it going to be a five or ten-cent house?" asked another.

"Five in the afternoon and ten at night."

"Then I'm going to begin to save my pennies," announced Spud,
seriously.  "I've got two saved already and if I am careful for the
next month or two I'll have enough to buy a ticket."

"That is, provided I'll lend you one cent," added Tom, and this caused
a general grin.  He looked around and saw William Philander
approaching.  "Hi, Tubblets!" he called out.  "Here's a job for you."
And he waved his hand quickly for the dudish student to approach.

"Now, no more jokes, Tom Rover," was the warning of the
stylishly-dressed one.  "No more jokes."

"Jokes?" repeated Tom.  "This is a job--a splendid situation--open to
just such a handsome, well-proportioned young gentleman like yourself."

"What--ah--do you want?" asked William Philander, curiously.

"Wouldn't you like to assist during the evening at a new entertainment
at Ashton?  A couple of gentlemen are getting up an entertainment for
the benefit of the ladies and gentlemen and they wish the aid of a real
nice young man, to show the folks to their seats and make them
comfortable, and all that.  And maybe they'll want you to sing--just to
help things along, you know."

"Oh, is that it?" and the dudish student's face brightened.  On several
occasions he had assisted at charity bazaars and the like, and had been
in his element among the well-dressed girls and their mothers.

"I think you would just fill the bill, Willie," went on Tom.  "You are
the best looking fellow here, and of course we know nobody dresses
quite as well as you do."

"Oh, yes, of course--it's very kind to mention that, Tom," and William
Philander commenced to swell up with pride.  "Yes, I do try to keep up
with the fashions.  But about this entertainment.  Who is getting it up
and what benefit is it for?"

"Two gentlemen named Carr and Beckwith are getting it up.  I don't know
about the benefit.  You can find out about that from them.  But it's a
splendid chance to show what you can do.  You know all about showing
folks to seats, and all that, don't you?"

"Why, yes, of course."

"And you could sing, eh?"

"Well,--ah--I might render that spring song--'Come Where the Flowers
are Blooming, Dearest Mary.'"

"Just the cheese--I mean it would be fine, Tubby.  They'd all go wild
about that song.  It's the same one you sang for the Prince of Moneco,
isn't it?--or was it the Duke of Twisters?"

"I--er--I never sang for those folks, Tom--I sang it at the Ladies Aid
of the Golden Hope Society, and at the Quarterly Gathering of the
Poladic Society."

"Yes, yes, I remember now.  Well, you are just the one to fill the
bill, Bill, yes, you are."

"Please don't call me Bill, it's horrid.  But where shall I find out
about this--er--entertainment?"

"At Carter's new drug-store.  The gentlemen are to be there Saturday
afternoon, to make all arrangements.  You go by all means--I know they
will be delighted to have your assistance."

"This isn't a--er--a joke, Tom?" asked William Philander, suspiciously.

"They want somebody, I tell you, honest.  Don't they, Jepson?" went on
Tom, turning to a lad who had been to Ashton with him.

"They sure do," answered Jepson, and then turned away to hide the broad
grin on his face.

"How long is the entertainment to last?"

"You will have to get all the information from the gentlemen," answered
Tom, calmly.  "Just go down to the drug store and ask for Mr. Carr and
Mr. Beckwith, and they'll tell you all about it.  It's a fine chance
for you, Tubby," concluded Tom, and then walked away, followed by his
chums.

"Tom, what is the game?" demanded Sam, when they were out of hearing.

"We'll go down to the drug store Saturday afternoon and see," was the
reply.

"Are Carr and Beckwith the moving picture men?"

"Yes, and they want a young man to play usher, and do a lot of other
things--one who can sing preferred," and the fun-loving Tom grinned
broadly.

"Oh, Tom, and you would send William Philander there!" cried Songbird.
"Such a dude as he is!  He'll never forgive you!"

"There is seven dollars a week in it to start," answered the fun-loving
Rover calmly, and this made all in the crowd roar, for they knew how
rich Tubbs was and how working for seven dollars a week would appeal to
him.

This conversation occurred on Thursday and the crowd of boys waited
impatiently for Saturday to come.  Sam was glad to notice that Tom
seemed to improve daily and was acting very much like his old self.

On Saturday, directly after lunch, Sam and Tom saw William Philander
start off for Ashton.  He was stylishly dressed as usual and carried a
gold-headed cane, and in his buttonhole was a large carnation.

"Now for the fun!" cried Tom, and he and Sam quickly gathered their
chums together and all went after the dude, but kept out of his sight.

The drug store that William Philander was bound for was located on a
corner, with doors opening on both streets.  On the side street there
was also an ordinary window, and both doors and window were wide open.

"We'll go around to the side and watch him," suggested Tom, and this
was done.

Sprucing up, so as to look his very best, William Philander strode into
the drug store.  As it chanced, several young ladies of the town were
having soda at the fountain, and as he had once met one of them, he
made a most profound bow, lifting his hat as he did so.  Then he
approached the proprietor of the shop, who was putting up a
prescription at the rear counter, close to the open window.

"Mr. Carter I believe?" he lisped.

"Yes, sir.  What can I do for you?"

"I am Mr. William Philander Tubbs, from Brill College," was the lofty
answer.  "Perhaps you have heard of me.  I came in to meet two
gentlemen, Mr. Carr and Mr. Beckwith.  Are they here?"

"Not yet, Mr--er--Mr. Phillips?"

"No, no, Mr. William Philander Tubbs.  When will they be here, may I
ask?"

"I expect 'em any moment, Mr--er--Mr. Tubbs."

"Then I'll wait for them," answered the dude, and sank down in a chair.

"Have you got an interest in that show?" asked the druggist, as he
continued to compound the prescription.

"Not yet, but I may have," answered William Philander, calmly.  "It
will be quite a grand affair, I presume."

"They say it will be the best Ashton ever had."

"Is that so!  Then I am very glad I came to take part," went on William
Philander, warming up.  "I am sure I can be of great service to Messrs.
Carr and Beckwith.  I have had a great deal of experience, you know."

"Thought you said you were from Brill?"

"Oh, yes, but, don't you know, I have assisted at many entertainments,"
gushed William Philander.  "Why, some entertainments would have been
absolute failures if I had not taken part."

"Hum, is that so!" returned the druggist.  Tubbs' dudish ways did not
strike him very favorably.  "Well, here is Mr. Beckwith now, you can
tell him about it," he added.

A burly, red-faced man, with a heavy moustache, had entered.  He was
evidently in a hurry and full of business.

"Anybody call about that job, Mr. Carter?" he asked, abruptly.

"This young man wants to see you," answered the druggist, and indicated
William Philander.

"You are Mr. Beckwith?"

"Yes."

"Permit me," and the stylish-dressed student presented his card.  "I
was told you were getting up an entertainment and needed some
assistance," continued William Philander.  "Now I have had a great deal
of experience in that line, and the ladies always seem to be glad to
see me.  I can aid in getting up the proper programme, and all that,
you know.  I was on the committee of the Charity Bazaar, and the
Plainvine Dog Show, and the Ladies' Aid of the Golden Hope Society, and
the Blue Banner Social, and----"

"Say, what are you pouring into me?" gasped Mr. Beckwith, in
astonishment.  "Do you think I am running a pink tea, or a ladies'
sewing circle?  I don't need anybody to help me to get up a programme;
my partner, Mr. Carr, attends to that end of it.  What I need is a
strong, willing fellow to take tickets and usher folks to seats, and
keep the floor free of rubbish, and all that."

"W-h-a-t!" shrieked William Philander.  "You--you--what sort of an
entertainment are you going to give?" he faltered.

"Why, didn't you know?  We are going to open the Eclipse Moving Picture
Theater, in Cameron's Hall, over yonder.  We advertised for a young
man, to take tickets, usher, and make himself generally useful.  We'll
have a little vaudeville with the photo plays, and if the young fellow
can sing, or dance, we'll give him a chance at it."

"Oh, dear me!  Did you ever!" gasped poor William Philander.  And then,
as he saw that the girls at the soda fountain had heard all that was
going on, he turned red.

"I hardly think you will do for the job," went on the moving picture
man.  "You don't look--er--well, strong enough."

"Job," wailed William Philander.  "I--er--I don't want any job!  Oh,
this is dreadful, horrible!  It's one of Tom Rover's jokes!  I might
have known it.  Sent me all the way to Ashton to try to get a position
in a horrid moving picture show!  Oh, this is the worst ever!"  And
looking the picture of despair, poor Tubbs rushed from the drug store,
with the laughter of the proprietor, the show man, and the girls
ringing in his ears.

From the window and the side door Tom, Sam, and the others had seen and
heard all that took place.  They had all they could do to suppress
their mirth, and when Tubbs came storming out of the drug store they
lost no time in disappearing out of sight behind the building.  They
watched the stylishly-dressed student prance down the street,
brandishing his cane viciously in the air.

"Just wait till he catches you, Tom," remarked Spud.

"He'll about half kill you," added Stanley.

"Oh, I guess I can stand it," answered the fun-loving Rover, calmly.

"It was rather a rough joke," was Sam's comment.

"Oh, he needs something like that, to take the awful conceit out of
him," came from Songbird.  "Why, he is getting worse and worse every
day.  Half the students are down on him.  This may do him good."

"I doubt if you can make William Philander improve," was Stanley's
comment.  "The only thing that will do it is to send him off to sea, or
on a ranch, and make him rough it for a while."

Tom expected to see Tubbs that evening, but the dudish student kept out
of sight.  He did not show himself until Sunday afternoon, and then he
had but little to say.  But he eyed Tom in a manner that was new to
William Philander.

"He is going to get back at you, Tom," said Sam.  "Better keep your
eyes open."

On Monday afternoon Tom and Sam went down to the water for a short row.
They came back just before supper and rushed up to their room to fix up
a bit.

"Hello, the door is locked!" cried Tom, trying it.

"And the keyhole is plugged," added Sam, taking a look.

Then the brothers looked at each other.

"I guess William Philander Tubbs did it," said Tom.




CHAPTER IX

WILLIAM PHILANDER TURNS THE TABLES

It was useless to try to open the door.  The lock was filled up with a
wad of paper that refused to budge.

"If it's only paper we can burn it out," suggested Sam.  "But it may
scorch the door."

"We'll go through by the way of Songbird's room," said Tom.

There was a door connecting the two rooms.  It was not supposed to be
used, for one of the beds was against it.  But the bed was rolled to
one side by Tom.  Songbird and his roommate had already gone below.

"Here's the key," said Sam, bringing it from a nearby nail.  "It's a
wonder William Philander didn't plug this keyhole, too."

"Maybe he didn't have time," answered Tom.  "Always supposing it really
was Tubbs."

"That's so--iy may have been somebody else."

The connecting door was unlocked and Tom and Sam walked into their own
apartment.  Both gave a cry of astonishment.

And not without reason.  The room had been "stacked," and every boy who
has ever attended boarding school or college knows what that means.  In
the center of the room lay the parts of the two beds in a heap and on
top of those parts were piled a miscellaneous collection of books,
chairs, clothing, the table and bureau, looking glass, an empty water
pitcher, football, baseball bats, shoes, bed clothing, rugs, papers,
pens, pencils, soap, caps, a steamer trunk from the closet, several
framed photographs, some college banners, and a score of other
articles.  On the very top of the heap was a fancy sofa pillow Nellie
had given to Tom and to this was pinned a card, on which was written,
in a disguised scrawl:

  _Hoping you will enjoy your job!_


"It was William Philander all right enough,", murmured Sam, as he and
his brother inspected the card.  "You sent him to one job, and he is
sending us to another," and he heaved a deep sigh.

"Some work, Sammy," returned Tom.  "Well, we can't go at it now--it
will take us two hours to straighten things up.  We'll do it after
supper."

"Going after Tubbs for this?"

"What's the use?  I don't blame him for getting back at us.  I guess,
after all, that joke I played on him was rather rough," replied Tom.

It took the best part of three hours to put the room back into shape.
Some ink had been spilled on one of the mattresses, and the glass over
one of the photographs had been broken, but that was all the real
damage that had been done, and it looked to be accidental.  The wad of
paper in the keyhole was picked out piece-meal by means of a big
fishhook.  The key was in the heap on the floor, having been flung
through the open transom after the door was locked and plugged.

"Well, he got back at you right enough," said Songbird, while the room
was being re-arranged.

"Dot's chust vot he did, py golly!" came from Max Spangler.

After this incident the boys settled down to their studies for the best
part of a week.  Tom was now doing very well, although he still
complained of his head.

"I've got an idea," said Sam, one afternoon, after the Eclipse photo
playhouse in Ashton had been opened.  "Why can't we make up a party
some afternoon or evening and take the girls to the show?"

"I thought of that," answered Tom.  "But don't you think it would be
best for us to go alone first and see what sort of a place it is?  Some
of these country show places have pretty rough audiences."

"Oh, Ashton isn't such a common town as that, Tom.  But maybe it would
be better to size it up first.  What do you say if we go down next
Wednesday evening?  We might make up a little party, with Songbird and
the others."

"That suits me."

The matter was talked over with the others, and it was speedily
arranged that nine of the students should go, including Sam, Tom,
Songbird, and Spud.  Stanley could not get away, and Max had some
lessons he wanted to make up.

"I hope they have some thrilling films," said Tom, when the time came
to leave for Ashton.  "I hate these wishy-washy love stories and
would-be funny scenes.  I once saw a shipwreck that was fine, and a
slide down a mountainside that couldn't be beaten."

"Well, we'll have to take what comes," said Sam.  "I understand they
change the pictures twice a week."

When the students arrived at the playhouse in Ashton an agreeable
surprise awaited them.  Instead of the dingy hall they had expected to
see, they saw that the place had been completely transformed.  There
was a large electric sign over the door, and several big billboards
announced the various attractions.  A crowd was purchasing tickets at
the booth in front, and already the showhouse was half filled for the
first performance of the evening.

"'Her First Love,'" read Tom, from a billboard.  "That sounds a little
mushy.  'Broncho Bill's Reward,'" he went on.  "That might be
interesting.  'Lost in the Ice Fields of Alaska, in Two Parts.'  Say,
that sounds as if it might be something worth while," he added,
brightening up.

"Yes, I'd like to see some pictures of Alaska," returned Songbird.

"Provided they weren't taken in Hoboken, or somewhere like that,"
answered Sam.  "Some of these moving pictures are great fakes.  They
take real scenes in China right in New York City, and show you the
bottom of the sea, taken on the sixth floor of an office building in
Chicago!"

"Never mind, I guess we'll get our money's worth," said another of the
students, and then the crowd passed inside, each youth buying his own
ticket, as was the usual custom.

They managed to get seats almost in the center of the hall, which was
long and narrow, just the shape for such an exhibition.  They noticed
that a tall, lanky town boy was usher, and Tom nudged Sam in the ribs.

"Just think, William Philander might have had that job!" he chuckled.

"Well, you did the best you could for him," answered Sam, dryly.

The end of a funny reel was being shown and the audience was laughing
heartily.  Then came an illustrated song, sung by a young woman with a
fairly good voice, and after that "Broncho Bill's Reward," a short
drama of the plains, with cowboys and cattle thieves, and a sheriff,
who aided Broncho Bill to get back his employer's cattle and win the
hand of the girl he loved.

"Maybe you could write some verses about that girl," suggested Sam to
Songbird, in a whisper.  "You could call it 'The Cowboy's Sweetheart,'
or something like that."

"So I could," murmured the would-be poet, and immediately commenced to
make up rhymes, which he scribbled on some paper in the dark.

At last came the well-advertised drama, "Lost in the Ice Fields of
Alaska."  It was a well put together play, the opening scene taking
place in a shipping office in Seattle.  Next came the departure of the
steamer for the North.  There were several views on shipboard, and
quite a complicated plot, the villain of the play trying to get the
best of a young gold hunter and his partner.  A girl appeared, and she
exposed the villain, and the latter stalked around and vowed vengeance
on both the girl and the young gold hunter.

The second part of the play took place in Alaska, and there was shown a
typical mining town and then the mountains.  It was mid-winter and the
mountains were covered with snow.  The young gold hunter and his
partner had discovered several nuggets of good size, enough to make
them rich, and were bound back to the mining camp when the villain and
his cronies appeared and robbed them.  Then came a fierce snowstorm and
a blizzard, and the young gold hunter and his partner were lost on the
fields of ice.  This was tremendously realistic, and the audience held
its breath in suspense, wondering what would happen next.

"Isn't it great!" murmured Tom, his eyes fairly glued to the screen
before him.  "I never saw anything so real!"

"That must surely have been taken in Alaska," answered Sam.