o be no school session
until the afternoon.

At the last election there had been a total of 111 votes cast. But now
there were one hundred and twenty-five cadets at the institution. There
had been some talk of organizing a new command to be known as Company D,
but so far this had not materialized.

As was the custom, the election was held in the main hall of the school
and was presided over by Captain Dale and Professor Brice.

"I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five votes," remarked Randy.
"That means sixty-three will be necessary to a choice."

"Well, I'm sure Jack will get at least forty on the first vote," returned
his brother.

"I hope he gets the whole sixty-three," put in Dan Soppinger. Dan had
once run for a captaincy, but had dropped out and turned most of his
attention to athletics.

As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel Colby that each officer
should be voted for separately.

"We'll try for a new major first," announced the head of the Hall.

The ballot box was placed on the table, and after a short intermission
during which there was some very active electioneering among the various
groups assembled, a bell rang and the cadets were formed in one long line
and told to march up and deposit their ballots in the box.

It must be admitted that Jack was rather anxious, although he did his
best to conceal it. He smiled at Captain Glasby, who smiled back. Then he
smiled at Lieutenant Harkness, but that under-officer only favored him
with a scowl.

"Harkness will never win anything with that look on his face," was Gif's
comment, as he noticed the scowl. "The fellows like an officer who can
take things pleasantly."

It did not take the cadets long to vote, and as soon as all of the
ballots had been cast Captain Dale, assisted by Professor Brice, began to
tabulate the vote. In less than ten minutes they had finished. Then a
bell rang and Captain Dale came forward to read the result.

"Total number of votes cast . . . . . . . 125
Necessary to a choice . . . . . . . . . . 63
Louis Glasby has . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Jack Rover has . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Darrell Harkness has . . . . . . . . . . . 24"

"What do you know about that!" exclaimed Fred. "Jack and Glasby are
within one vote of each other!"

"I'll say that's getting pretty close," answered Randy.

"As no cadet has received the number of votes necessary to a choice, I
will give the school a recess for fifteen m