CHAPTER XI.
MARK GETS INTO TROUBLE Mark nodded slightly and was about to pass without a word, when Frank said, quietly: "I am sorry to see you coming out of such a place, Mark." "What is it to you, anyway ?" returned Mark, rudely.
"Not much, perhaps," replied Frank, calmly, "but I don't like to see my acquaintances coming out of a liquor saloon." "It won't hurt you," said Mark, irritably.
"No, it won't hurt me, but if tho principal should hear of it, it would not be pleasant for you.

You know students are strictly forbidden to enter any saloon ?" "I suppose you mean to tell on me," said Mark, hastily, and not altogether without uneasiness.
"You are mistaken.

I am not a talebearer." "Then there is no need to say any more about it.

Come along, James!" Frank's interference was well meant, but, as we shall see, it did harm rather than good.
As Mark left the saloon, he had half decided not to enter it again.

He was three dollars out of pocket, and this did not suit him at all.
In fact, Mark was rather a mean boy, and it was with considerable reluctance that he had handed over to his companion the two dollars with which to pay for the games.
Moreover, he was mortified at losing the two games of billiards, when so great odds had been given him.
James Carson was no scholar, but he was sharp enough to perceive the state of Mark's feelings, and he also saw how he was affected by Frank's remonstrance.
He decided to take advantage of this, and strengthen his hold on Mark.
"Well, Mark," he said, "I suppose you'll give up playing billiards now." "Why should I ?" "Because your stepbrother doesn't approve of it.