the anxious hearts. There was less fun and more
hard work.

Andy wrote home, detailing briefly his decision and telling of the
affair of the theatre. For it got into the papers, and Andy was made
quite a hero. He wanted his parents to understand the true situation.

A letter of thanks came from the theatre manager, and with it a pass,
good for any time, for Andy and his friends. In the letter it was said
that Miss Fuller was in no danger, and had gone to the home of relatives
to recover from the shock.

Andy was rather surprised when he received, one day, a fine mackinaw
coat, of the latest style. With it was a note which said:

"To replace the one you burned."

There was no name signed, but he knew from whom it came.

CHAPTER VI

THE BONFIRE

"This way, freshmen! This way!"

"Over here now! No let-outs!"

"Keep 'em together, Blink! Don't let any of 'em sneak away!"

"Wood! Everybody bring wood!"

"Look out for that fellow! He's a grind! He'll try to skip!"

"Wood! Everybody get wood!"

The cries echoed and re-echoed over the campus at Milton. It was the
final night of the term. The examinations were over and done. Some had
fallen by the wayside, but Andy and his chums were among those elected.

They had passed, and they were to move on out of the preparatory school
into the larger life of the colleges.

And, as always was the case on an occasion of this kind, a celebration
was to mark the closing of the school for the long summer vacation. The
annual bonfire was to be kindled on the campus, and about it would
circle those lads who were to leave the school, while their mates did
them honor.

Thus it was that the cries rang out.

"Wood!"

"More wood!"

"Most wood!"

The town had been gleaned for inflammable material. The ash boxes of not
even the oldest citizen were sacred on an occasion like this. For weeks
the heap of wood had accumulated, until now there was a towering pile
ready for the match.

And still the cries echoed from the various quarters.

"Freshmen, get wood!"

"On the job, freshmen!"

More wood was brought, and yet more. The pile grew.

"Gee, this is fierce!" groaned a fat freshman, staggering along under
the burden of two big boxes. "Those fellows want too much. I'm going to
quit!"

"Look out! Don't let 'em hear you!" warned a companion. "They'll keep
you carting it all night if you kick."

"Kick! (puff) Kick! (puff) I ain't got wind enough to do any kickin'.