is box which had been mailed early
that morning at Haven Point. It was from Ruth. There was also a brief
note to Fred which had been sent by May.

In her communication to the newly-elected major Ruth congratulated him
heartily on his success and said she hoped soon to see him in a parade at
the head of the battalion. After that she wrote as follows about the
sleighing party that had been called off:

"I received an invitation to that party from Lester Bangs and May
received an invitation from Paul Halliday. Jennie Mason, Ida
Brierley and several of the other girls had invitations and they
wanted us to go very much. But, of course, I did not want to go
with such a fellow as Bangs. Then he came to me and started a
report that all of you Rovers were going to another party with some
of the girls from the town, and that the party was to take place
the same night as our party. Of course, I did not want to say
anything about it, because I realized that you could do as you
pleased. But I told Bangs positively that I would not go with him
and May told the same thing to Halliday. Then both of them got
quite ugly and accused you and your cousin of trying to spoil his
outing. I told him you had had nothing to do with it, but he
declared that you had and that you had better look out or you would
get into hot water. So, Jack, please look out for him and tell Fred
to look out for Halliday and the others."

There was more to the letter, and Jack read the communication with great
interest. He felt greatly relieved to think that Ruth had not intended to
accept Brassy's invitation, and later on he dropped her a note thanking
her for her kind congratulations and telling her that the report of
another party in which the Rovers and some girls from Haven Point were to
participate had been faked up.

The note received by Fred was on lines similar to the communication sent
to Jack. He sent word to May clearing up the situation.

"It was a mean thing for Bangs and Halliday to do," declared the
newly-elected captain of Company C. "We ought to pitch into them."

"We can't afford to do it, Fred, now that I'm a major and you're a
captain," was Jack's reply. "Remember what Colonel Colby said: We must be
models for the other cadets."

"Great Scott! does that mean we can't stick up for our rights?" demanded
the youngest Rover indignantly.

"Not at all, Fred. If those fellows say anything, give it back to them.