on us?" queried Mumps,

it," came from Billy Sabine. "What have you f

ooked much disconcerted. "Just step in here a mi

asked Pepper, cautiously,

en listening

es

iece of business

as what you were u

was I

g these fellows

t something else. It's a-er-a secret society," s

ng them to vote for you for major,-payi

Andy and catching him by the arm. "I know wh

as said before, Andy was a good deal of an acrobat,

Andy," said Pepper. "We h

blab on us?" dem

er, bravely. "We are not going to stand for su

of your life!" hissed Dan Baxter, rushing forward and catching

He pushed the bully back with his ha

ok Dan Baxter full in the face and se

the parade ground, and half a dozen cade

r will tell yo

ything to say!" st

t he doesn't try to bribe you to vote for him. He has just bribed Coulter

ormed Dan Baxter. He was

sgraceful thing I ever witnessed in my life. We don't

en for a high private," cam

to Baxter, and then

whispered Mumps. "Our wo

true," came from Gus Coulter. "

in Paxton, loftily. "I'm not th

treasury," said Mumps. "In the midst of it Ditmore and Snow rushed up and int

, Mumps," said Pepper. "And Ba

," growled Dan Baxter. "You

id of you," an

alling the cadets into the Hall. Baxter and his cronies went of

y, while others believed in his protestations of innocence. Yet with it all, the

cers' positions were discussed, and it was generally admitted that Jack, Bart Conners, Henry Lee,

, Jack," said Andy. "You are

not well enough known. Big Bart Conners has a host of

ng hard to win the cadets over to him. The bully and his cronies had done a good dea

ed in little knots to discuss the situation. Jack, Pepper, and several others w

id, savagely. "I won't stand it-do you understand? I

t, sit down on it, Ba

ed the bully, for the

," came from Jack, eying Baxter b

, Jack Ruddy, you're so

nt to be elected,

put in Andy. "I saw

n, as there seemed nothing more to say, he w

kmore. "I'd never vote for him, even if

llot box, and the cadets were given slips of paper and penci

Putnam. "Consequently it will take thirty-nine votes fo

heir candidates, and then the line filed past the ballot-box, and each youth dep

rst ballot," announced Captain Putnam

of votes

y to a c

onners

uddy h

Lee

Blosso

Baxte

Kearne

Snow

ngleton

Jack are a tie!"

t one vote,"

d for yourself," put in G

torted Andy. He raised his voice: "Whoever voted for m

from Dave Kearney. "I don't believe I can fill the posi

Singleton, a fat youth, who went by the nick

nry Lee said he would withdraw and give Jack his sup

o that, Henry

as soon cast, and r

f votes

y to a c

hn Rud

t Conne

ry Blos

iel Bax

ed Pepper, and rushing forward

jor Ruddy," said Captai

animous!" called out Bart Conners. "I voted f

talk!" sang out a student.

Conners!" came the cry, and the cheers were given with

Mumps. "Some of the fellows who said the

th them for it,"

up with Jack Ruddy too,"