nd he
clapped Dave affectionately on the shoulder.

"I didn't expect anything different from our Davy," put in Uncle
Dunston. "I knew he'd pass. Well, now you've passed, I wish you every
success in the profession you have chosen."

"Oh, I'm not a full-fledged civil engineer yet, Uncle Dunston," broke
in Dave, quickly. "I've got a whole lot to learn yet. Remember this is
only my first examination. I've got to study a whole lot more and have
a whole lot of practice, too, before I can graduate as a real civil
engineer."

Dave lost no time in sending a telegram to Roger. In return, a few
hours later came word from the senator's son that he, too, had
passed.

"Hurrah!" cried Dave, once more, and then could not resist the
temptation to grab Jessie about the waist and start on a mad dance
through the library, the hallway, the dining-room, and the living room
of the mansion. Mrs. Wadsworth looked on and smiled indulgently.

"I suppose your heart is as light as a feather now, Dave," she said,
when the impromptu whirl came to an end.

"Indeed it is, Mrs. Wadsworth," he answered. "Passing that examination
has lifted a tremendous weight from my shoulders."

Of course Mr. Ramsdell was greatly pleased to think that both of his
pupils had passed.

"Now I can write to my friends of the Mentor Construction Company and
see if they can give Dave and Roger an opening," he said. "They
promised it to me some time ago in case the boys passed." And he set
about sending off a letter without delay.

CHAPTER XIX

OFF FOR TEXAS

"Glorious news!"

"Oh, Dave! have you heard from Mr. Ramsdell?" cried his sister Laura.

"Yes, here is a letter. And it enclosed another from the Mentor
Construction Company. They are going to give me an opening with that
portion of the concern that is now operating in Texas, building
railroad bridges."

"Oh, Dave! then you will really have to go away down there?" burst out
Jessie, her face falling a trifle. "It's a dreadfully long way off!"

"Well, it's what I expected," he answered. "A fellow can't expect to
become a civil engineer and work in his own backyard," and he grinned
a trifle. "This letter from Mr. Ramsdell states that Roger will be
given an opening also."

"With you, of course?" queried Laura.

"He doesn't state that. But he knew we wanted to stick together, so I
suppose it's all right."

"When do you have to start?" questioned Jessie.

"Just as soon as we can get ready--acco