ome wonderful
good news. To-day Dick Prescott, of ours, defeated all other
competitors, and has secured the appointment from this district
to the United States Military Academy!"

"Wow! Whoop!" That announcement had them all going. There was
one tremendous, increasing din of noise. But Tom, jumping up
and down, waving both arms and scowling fiercely, finally secured
silence.

"Who's doing this announcing?" he demanded. "Who's master of
ceremonies, if I am not. You just wait---all of you! I'll give
you the cue when to turn the noise-works loose. As I just stated,
it's Dick for West Point, but or, and---it's Dave Darrin for Annapolis
at the same time. Yes, Dave is going to represent this district
at Annapolis!"

The musicians were on their feet by this time. All with a rush
the sweet, proud strains rang out:

_"My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing!"_

Instantly all stood at attention, the young men all over the hail
holding themselves with especial erectness. Not a voice was heard
until the good old refrain was through. To the two happy chums
"America" had a newer, stronger meaning. The spirited air came
to them with a new meaning that had never been plain before.

Dick felt the tears in his eyes. Foolish, o course, but
he couldn't help it! And choky Dave furtively wished that he
dared reach for his handkerchief with all those hundreds of eyes
turned on him.

As the music came to an end the High School boys filled their
lungs for a mighty cheer. Quick as a flash, however, the leader
of the orchestra tapped his baton, then swung it once more, and
the instruments leaped on into:

"_Columbia, the gem of the ocean_!"

That was for the Navy, of course, and one didn't have to keep
quiet, either. Words of the song, and cheers, mingled with the
musicians' strains.

And then it wound up in a cheer and a mad rush of yelling that
must have been heard for a mile.

An impromptu reception and hand shaking followed, but to Dick
and Dave, and their partners, it had more the look of a mob.

It was a joyous and big-hearted mob, though, and in time it quieted
down. After a very long interruption the dancing started again,
and Dick and Dave were able to whirl away with their partners.

As the next dance after that, started there was a sudden halt
by many of the couples, and soon a roar of laughter ascended.
For the orchestra had chosen, as the air, "The Girl I Left Behind