ion exercises.

"Now it is up to me to make good," said Dave, after reading this
letter several times. "Dad expects it, and Jessie, and everybody, and
I am not going to disappoint them."

But it was no light task to remain at the top of the senior class, or
even near it, for there were bright seniors in plenty, including the
studious Polly Vane, who seemed the brightest of all. But Dave plugged
away, day after day, resolved to keep at it until the very last. He
was writing on his theme and had it about half finished.

"One month more and it will all be over but the shouting," said Roger
one day, as he came into the room where Dave was studying.

"All over but the shouting or weeping," returned Phil, who was
present. "I am afraid some of the fellows will do more weeping than
cheering," he added, grimly.

"Let us hope that everybody passes," said Dave, looking up with a
quiet smile.

"Such a thing has never been done," said Ben. "Somebody is bound to
drop by the wayside--I hope it isn't yours truly," and he sank his
head again into his book.

"I think old Haskers is commencing to tighten the screws again," said
Buster. "He let up for a while, after the wild man was caught, but
yesterday and to-day--phew! we caught it, didn't we?"

"We sure did!" cried Phil. "I can't understand that man. Why is he a
teacher when he just naturally hates boys?"

"That's a conundrum that can't be answered," said the senator's son.

"Well, we won't weep on leaving him," remarked Luke, dryly.

"Say, that puts me in mind of a story," said Shadow. "Once on a time a
man in an auto ran into a boy carrying a cat in a basket. He didn't
hurt the boy much but he killed the cat. Says he, 'I am sorry, my boy,
and I'll pay you for the cat. How much?' 'I--I don't know,' blubbered
the boy. 'Will two dollars do?' asked the man. 'Yes,' says the boy,
and took the money. 'Were you taking the cat home?' asked the man,
when he was ready to drive on. 'No,' said the boy. 'I was going to
take him down to the canal and drown him!'" And there was a smile over
Shadow's yarn.

It had been a blustery day, and as night came on the wind increased in
violence, until it fairly howled around Oak Hall. It tore through the
branches of the oaks that gave the place its name, until it looked as
if some of the trees might be broken off by the fury of the elements.

"My gracious! I never saw such a wind!" cried Roger, as he came in
from a trip to the gymnasium.

"I