tily. Each was under a
terrific strain---just from wondering!

"If I get through, and win out to-day," muttered Dick, "I know
I shan't feel half as anxious when it comes time to take the graduating
exams."

"No," agreed Dave. "Then you'll know you have a chance; but to-day
you can't be sure of that much."

Five minutes before train time the chums were astonished at seeing
another of the chums walk into the station. It was Tom Reade,
looking as jovial and contented as a youngster could possibly
look.

"Hullo, Tom!" came from Dick.

"Howdy, Tom, old man!" was Dave's greeting.

"Hullo, fellows!" from Reade.

"Where are you bound?" inquired Dick.

"Wilburville?"

"_What_?"

"Fact!" Reade assured them.

"Going to the exams.?" Dave demanded quickly.

"Yep."

"Why, you never said a word about thinking of West Point," exploded
Prescott.

"You were making fun of Annapolis only the other day!" asserted
Dave, just as though making fun of Annapolis were one of the capital
crimes.

"Hang West Point!" exploded Tom Reade.

"Oh! Then it's Annapolis you're after," grunted Darrin.

"Sink Annapolis!" exclaimed Reade.

"Then what on earth are you after?" demanded Dick.

"Have you any fool idea in your head, Tom, that you can take an
exam and stand a chance of getting Congressman Spokes's job away
from him?" Dave asked.

Tom threw himself into one of the seats, crossed his feet, thrust
his hands down in his ulster pockets, and surveyed the pair before
he answered:

"I'll tell you what ails you two. You have a notion that the
sun rises at West Point and sets at Annapolis. Now, I know a
heap better, and I haven't an eye on either place. Can you fellows
guess why I've taken the day off from school and why I'm going
to Wilburville?"

"We surely can't," declared Dave.

"Well, then, I'll tell you," promised Tom amiably. "I knew you
two good old chaps would be going to pieces with blue funk to-day.
I knew you'd be chattering inside, and turning all sorts of colors
outside. You'd try to cheer each other, but each of you is too
badly scared to be of any use to the other. So I've come along
to take up your minds, jolly you and stiffen your backbones alternately.
That's my whole job for to-day."

Looking in some amazement at Reade, the other two chums realized
that good old Tom was telling the truth.

"Of course, I'll admit," continued Reade, "that, if I were going
on the grill to-day, I'd be worse than