oor of the agent's room and bade the
colonel and Aleck to enter. He pushed a chair up to the table and
placed ink and pens within reach.

"Help yourself, Colonel Butler," he said. "We're glad to accommodate
you."

But the colonel had barely seated himself before a new thought
entered his mind. He pondered for a moment, and then swung around in
the swivel-chair and faced the boy who stood waiting, cap in hand.

"Young man," he said, "it just occurs to me that I can serve your
school as well, and please myself better, by making a donation of the
flag instead of subscribing to the fund. Does the idea meet with your
approval?"

The proposition came so unexpectedly, and the question so suddenly,
that Aleck hardly knew how to respond.

"Why, yes, sir," he said hesitatingly, "I suppose so. You mean you'll
give us the flag?"

"Yes; I'll give you the flag. I am about starting for New York. I will
purchase one while there. And in the spring I will provide a proper
staff for it, in order that it may be flung to the breeze."

By this time Aleck comprehended the colonel's plan.

"Why," he exclaimed enthusiastically, "that'll be great! May I tell
Miss Grey?"

"You may be the sole bearer of my written offer to your respected
teacher."

He swung around to the table and picked up a pen.

"Your teacher's given name is--?" he inquired.

"Why," stammered Aleck, "it's--it's--why, her name's Miss Helen Grey."

The colonel began to write rapidly on the blank page of the
subscription paper.

"_To Miss Helen Grey;_
"_Principal of the Public School_
"_Chestnut Hill._

"My Dear Madam:

"I am informed by one of your pupils, Master--"

He stopped long enough to ask the boy for his full name, and then
continued to write--

"Alexander McMurtrie Sands, that it is your patriotic purpose to
procure an American flag for use in your school. With this purpose
I am in hearty accord. It will therefore give me great pleasure,
my dear madam, to procure for you at once, at my sole expense, and
present to your school, an appropriate banner, to be followed in
due season by a fitting staff. I trust that my purpose and desire
may commend themselves to you. I wish also that your pupil, the
aforesaid Master Sands, shall have full credit for having so
successfully called this matter to my attention; and to that end I
make him sole bearer of this communication.

"I remai