a crowd of cadets!"

"Don't worry about the cadets," put in Fred.

When they arrived at the living-room of the military academy, they found
it practically deserted, the great majority of the cadets being at the
lake front or in the big boathouse, where a pot stove was kept going for
the benefit of the skaters.

"My, but this is a cozy place!" remarked Ruth, after she had become
comfortably settled in a big armchair with her feet resting close to the
blaze.

"I wish I was a cadet here," sighed May. "It's more fun being a boy than
being a girl."

"How do you know? You never were a boy," returned Fred, with a grin.

"I know, just the same," May answered. "I'm sure you boys have a much
better time of it than we girls."

This started quite an argument, in which all of the young people,
including Spouter, joined. In the midst of the talk Andy and Randy came
in, having been told where the others had gone.

"It's all over and everybody is safe," announced Randy.

"And the only thing lost, so far as we can find out, was Fatty's skating
cap," put in Andy.

"Well, if that's all, we can chip in and buy him another cap," remarked
Jack, and at this there was a short laugh. Now that the peril was a
thing of the past all felt greatly relieved, and their manner showed it.

Jack and Fred had the pleasure of skating all the way to Clearwater Hall
with Ruth and May. During that time the young folks grew quite
confidential.

"Why don't you get your sister Martha to come to Clearwater Hall?" said
Ruth to Jack. "I'm sure I'd like very much to meet her."

"Yes, and why not have your sister Mary come too?" added May to Fred.

"Say, that's a great idea!" burst out Jack.

"Let's put it up to the folks at home without delay," added his cousin.
"But they might not like to leave the private school they are now
attending," he continued, his face falling.

"That's true, for they are getting along very nicely," said Jack. "Just
the same, we can put it up to the folks at home and let them know all
about what a nice place Clearwater Hall is--and what awfully nice girls
there are here." And at this latter remark Ruth and May blushed.

"I sent a letter to Mary a year or two ago," said May; "but at that time
I wasn't here. I think I'll send her another letter."

"Do, by all means," returned Fred quickly. "And let her know all about
how nice a place it is. That may help."

"It would be a fine thing if they were at this school--it would