ed the young
captain. "Some of the fellows are urging me to run for major of the
battalion. Ralph Mason is going to drop out, you know."

"Oh, Jack! why don't you run?"

"Do you want me to run, Ruth?"

"Why, of course! if there's any chance of getting it, and I don't see why
there shouldn't be," she returned quickly.

Her manner was so intimate that once again he was on the point of
mentioning the party. But then he shut his teeth hard and pretended to be
interested in something taking place at the other tables.

"Don't you think you could win the election if you tried?" Ruth
continued, after looking at him questioningly for a moment.

"Oh, I guess I'd have as good a chance as any one in command. Of course,
there are a number of other officers who would have as good a chance as
I'd have. But I'm not altogether sure that I want to be major. If I held
that office Colonel Colby would expect me to toe the mark all the time
just as an example to the others. Even as it was, he didn't like to have
me as a captain and Fred as a lieutenant mixed up in that snowball
affair."

"Oh, but, Jack! think of the honor of being major of the battalion,"
cried the girl. "I'm sure Martha and your folks will be very proud of
you."

"Would you be proud, Ruth, if I should win the position?" he asked in a
low tone.

"Why, of course--we all would," returned the girl, her face flushing
slightly. "I always like to see my friends make something of
themselves."

Ruth's tone was cordial enough, and once again Jack was on the point of
switching the talk to the party. But now some of the young folks had
finished, and the little gathering began to break up and he and Ruth were
surrounded by the others.

"We've got to do some shopping," declared Mary, when they were out on the
sidewalk. "So we can't remain with you boys any longer." And a few
minutes later the crowd separated, the girls hurrying in one direction
and the cadets in another.

"You let me know if you hear any more about that party," whispered Jack,
on parting from his sister.

"I will," she answered.

On starting back for the Hall Jack paired off with Fred and purposely
lagged behind.

"Did you hear anything about a party in which Brassy Bangs was
interested?" he asked of his cousin.

"Mary said that Brassy was getting up some sort of party, to come off
either Thursday or Friday of this week. The crowd is going somewhere in
two big sleighs."

"She didn't say where?"