"

"Second the motion," cried Durville.

The motion was carried with a rush.

"Mr. Chairman!" called the tireless ex-class president.

"Mr. Douglass."

"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I am going to make a mistake that
has become time honored among public speakers, that of telling
you what you already know as well as I do. This is that Mr. Prescott
ought never to have been deposed from the class presidency. I
move, therefore, sir, that we rectify our stupidity and blindness
by making Mr. Prescott once more our president. I beg, sir, to
place in nomination for the class presidency the name of Richard
Prescott, first class, U.S.M.A."

"I second the nomination, suh!" boomed out the voice of Anstey.

"Other nominations for the class presidency are in order," announced
Chairman Fullerton.

Again silence fell.

"Mr. Chairman!"

"Mr. Douglass."

"Since there are no more nominations, I move you, sir, that Mr.
Prescott be elected president of this class by acclamation."

"Sir, I second the motion," came from Durville's throat.

There was wild glee as a volley of "ayes" was fired.

"Those of a contrary mind will say 'no,'" requested the chair.

Not a "no" could be heard.

"The chair will now withdraw, after appointing Mr. Douglass, Mr.
Durville, Mr. Holmes and Mr. Anstey a committee of honor to escort
the new-old class president to the chair."

While the little procession was in motion the windowpanes rattled
more than ever, with the long corps yell for Prescott.

The instant his hand touched the gavel, Dick rapped for order.

"Gentlemen of the first class," he said quietly, "I thank you
all. Little more need be said. I am sure that mere words cannot
express my great happiness at being here. I will not deny that
I have felt the injustice of the cloud that has hung over me for
the last few months. Anyone of you would have felt it under the
same circumstances. But it is past---forgotten, and I know how
happy you all are that the truth has been discovered."

There was a moment's silence. Then Dick asked, as he had so often
done before:

"Is there any further business to come before the class meeting?"

Silence.

"A motion to adjourn is in order."

The motion was put, offered and carried. Dick Prescott stepped down
from the platform, a man restored to his birthright of esteem from
his comrades.

CHAPTER XVI

FINDING THE BASEBALL GAIT

"Morning, old ramrod!"

Never had greeting a s