tremulously, "you're the best and
most dependable fellow on earth!"
"Shut up, both of you," growled Reade, in a tone of disgust.
"You're getting as prosy as that Congressman---and that's the
most insulting thing I can think of to say to either of you."
The train seemed fairly to fly home. It was keeping pace with
the happy spirits of the young men, who, at last, came to realize
that the great good news was actually true.
Neither Dick nor Dave could think of walking home from the station.
They broke into a run. By and by they discovered that Tom Reade
was, no longer with them.
"Now isn't that just like old Tom?" laughed Darrin, when he discovered
that their friend was missing. "Well, anyway, I can't wait.
Here's where our roads branch, Dick, old fellow. And say! Aren't
we the lucky simpletons? Good night, old chum!"
Dick fairly raced into the bookstore conducted by his parents.
He almost upset a customer who was leaving with a package under
his arm.
"Dad!" whispered Dick, leaning briefly over the counter and laying
a hand on Mr. Prescott's shoulder. "I passed and won! I'm going
to West Point!"
A look of intense happiness wreathed his father's face and tears
glistened in his eyes. But Dick raced on into the back room,
where he found his mother.
"All the luck in the land is mine, mother!" he whispered, bending
over and kissing her. "I won out! I go to West Point when the
month of March comes!"
Mrs.
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