“Your football season will soon be over, Dick,” remarked Laura Bentley, one afternoon when Prescott and Darrin, on their way back from coach’s gridiron grilling, met Laura and Belle on Main Street.

“This season will soon be over,” replied Dick “but I hope for another next year.”

“And then, perhaps, at college?” hinted Belle.

“If we go to college,” replied Dick slowly.

“Why?  Don’t you expect to?” asked Laura, in some surprise.

“We are not sure,” murmured Dick, “that we want to go to college.”

“Why, I thought both of you were ambitious for higher education,” cried Belle.

“So we are,” nodded Dave.

“Oh!  Then, if not to college, you are going to some scientific school?” guessed Laura.

“I wonder if you two could keep a secret?” laughed Dick teasingly.

“Try us!” challenged Belle Meade.

Dick glanced at Dave, who gave a barely perceptible nod.

“No; we won’t try you,” retorted Dick “We’ll trust you, without any promise on your part.”

“Good!” cried Laura, in a gratified tone.

“Well?” inquired Belle, as neither boy spoke.

“It’s just here, then,” Prescott went on, in a low tone, after glancing around to make sure that no one else was within hearing.  “The Congressman from this district, in a year or so more, will have the filling of a vacancy at West Point.  That means a cadetship from this district.  Now, a Congressman can appoint a cadet as a matter of favoritism, or to pay a political debt to some relative of the boy he so appoints.  But the custom, in this district, has always been for the Congressman to appoint the boy who comes out best in a competitive examination.  The examination is thrown open to all boys, of proper age, who can first pass a good physical examination.”

“So you’re both going to try for it?” asked Belle quickly.

“No,” retorted Dave very quickly.  “That would make us rivals.  Dick and I don’t want to be rivals.”

“Then where do you come in?” asked Belle, glancing curiously at Darrin.

“Whisper!” replied Dave, looking mischievously mysterious.  After a pause he continued, almost in a whisper: 

“At just about the same time there will be a vacancy at Annapolis.  So while Dick is trying to get a job carrying the banner for the Army, it will be little David trying for a chance to be a second Farragut in the Navy.”

Dick winced at his chum’s rather slighting allusion to an Army career, but on this one point of preference in the way of the service, the two chums were willing to disagree.  Darrin wouldn’t have gone to West Point if he could.  Dick admitted the greatness of the American Navy, but all his heart was set on the Army.

“Both of you boys, then, are planning to give up your lives to the Flag?” exclaimed Laura.

“Yes,” nodded Dick; “do you think it’s foolish?”