ill health interfered with his
ambitions.

"I don't need to tell you how glad I am, young man," said the elder
Overton quietly, when he had heard the afternoon's news. "Nor am I going
to offer you any parental advice. Your record in the Army, so far,
makes me feel sure that you will go on in the way you have begun, and
that your record, at any point, will have been an honorable one. And now
I must leave you and go upstairs to put on my best clothes in honor of
the distinction that has come upon my son."

Just before seven the Overtons were seated at a table in Ralston's
locally famous restaurant. Noll and his parents arrived at about the
same moment. But the news had flown ahead of the young men. Just as the
party was seating itself the orchestra crashed out into the strains of
"See, the conquering hero comes!"

"I suppose that's meant for a joke on us," grinned Lieutenant Noll, in
an undertone.

"Then try to look unconscious," returned Hal, in an equally low voice,
and immediately engaged Noll's father and mother in conversation.

There was some whispering between waiters and patrons of the place, and
presently a light sound of applause rippled out. It soon became a steady
salvo.

Still the two young lieutenants went on with their chatting. But the
leader of the orchestra had a further surprise. Giving his men only a
moment for rest, he once more waved his violin bow, and the musicians
started in with "The Star-Spangled Banner."

No soldier may ignore that splendid air; no citizen has a right to.

As the strain died out the young soldiers and their party re-seated
themselves, going on with their chat again.

A waiter dropped two menu cards on the table, then stood waiting for the
order.

"Won't the ladies select the dinner?" asked Hal.

"We'd prefer that our sons do that," smiled Mrs. Terry.

"You do it, then, Hal," directed Noll Terry. "I left my spectacles at
home."

"What about officers and their duty to tell the truth?" chided Mrs.
Terry, whose heart was full of joy and pride to-night.

"I'll amend my statement," replied Noll meekly. "I didn't bring my
spectacles with me. But Hal ought to do the ordering, anyway. He always
did. He was my ranking sergeant, and now he's my ranking lieutenant."

"We don't know that yet," objected Hal quickly. "We don't yet know
anything about the order in which we passed."

"In the meantime," hinted Mr. Overton, "the cook's fire is running low."

So Hal turned hi