typewriter. "And look at the
result!" He held up a sheet of paper half covered with strange
characters and erasures. "Look how I've spelled 'allowance'--alliwzee!
Do you think dad will know what I mean?"

Neil shook his head dubiously.

"Not unless he's looking for the word," he answered.

"Well, he will be," grinned Foster. "Don't suppose you want to buy a
fine typewriter at half price, do you?"

Neil was sure he didn't and broached the subject of his call. Foster
showed some amazement when he learned of Gale's candidacy, but at once
absolved Neil from his promise.

"Frankly, Fletcher, I don't think your friend has the ghost of a show,
you know, but, of course, if he wants to try it it's all right. And I'm
just as much obliged to you."

During the next week Neil worked early and late for Paul's success. He
made some converts, but not enough to give him much hope. Livingston was
easily the popular candidate for the presidency, and Neil failed to
understand where Cowan found ground for the encouraging reports that he
made to Paul. Paul himself was hopeful all the way through, and lent ill
attention to Neil's predictions of failure.

"You always were a raven, chum," he would exclaim. "Wait until Thursday
night."

And Neil, without much hope, waited.

CHAPTER V

AND SHOWS HIS METTLE

The freshman election took place in one of the lecture rooms of Grace
Hall. There was a full attendance of the entering class, while the
absence of sophomores was considered by those who had heard of former
freshman elections at Erskine as something unnatural and of
evil portent.

Paul, robbed of the support of Tom Cowan's presence, was noticeably ill
at ease, and for the first time appeared to be in doubt as to his
election. Fanwell Livingston was put in nomination by one of his St.
Mathias friends in a speech that secured wide applause, and the
nomination was duly seconded by a red-headed and very eloquent youth
who, so Neil learned, was King, the captain of the St. Mathias baseball
team of the preceding spring.

"Are there any more nominations?" asked the chairman, a member of the
junior class.

South, a Hillton boy, arose and spoke at some length of the courage and
ability for leadership of one of whom they had all heard; "of one who
on the white-grilled field of battle had successfully led the hosts of
Hillton Academy against the St. Eustace hosts." (Two St. Eustace
graduates howled derisively.) South ended in a w