"He won't get my vote next time."
"Nor mine," chimed in his chum.
"Don't worry, Dick," whispered Tom. "The final result isn't
reached yet. Somebody has got to drop out first."
The dinner finished, the boys gathered in knots to talk the
question over. Soon the line was re-formed for a second ballot.
At that moment Fred Garrison stepped forward.
"Fellow students!" he cried. "One word before you vote. I wish
to withdraw from the contest, doing so in favor of two of my
friends, Dick Rover and George Granbury. I thank those who voted
for me before from the bottom of my heart."
"Hurrah for Fred!" came from a score of throats, and a cheer rent
the air. "We won't forget you next time, old man!"
Soon the second ballot was cast, and amid another silence Captain
Putnam read it off:
Number of votes cast 87
Necessary to a choice 44
John Fenwick has 7
George Granbury has 23
Richard Rover has 57
"Richard Rover is declared elected second lieutenant of Company A
for the balance of this term."
A cheer broke forth, and many of the cadets came up to shake Dick
by the hand. Among the number were Fred and George Granbury.
"You beat me fairly, Rover," said Granbury, a whole-souled fellow.
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