“No,” he said, “you can’t pay me nothin’. That was jest a friendly job. But some day, when I git to be a member o’ the comp’ny, I might want a favor; see? Then I’ll ast you.” The owner of the restored love-letter again grasped the boy’s hand. “Chick,” he said warmly, “whenever you want any favor that I can do for you, no matter what it is, you come to me and tell me, and I’ll do it if it takes a leg! Do you understand?” “I un’erstand.” CHAPTER X Three days after Hal’s interview with Brownell, First Lieutenant Morosco sent in his resignation, it was promptly accepted, he was duly and honorably discharged, and he left the service of the Guard. In due time an order came down from the Governor, through his Adjutant-General, and the Brigadier-General commanding the brigade, to the Colonel of the ----th regiment, of the following tenor: “Colonel Robert M. Wagstaff is hereby authorized and directed to hold an election for First Lieutenant of Company E, ----th Regiment Infantry N. G. P. to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of First Lieutenant David E. Morosco, making prompt returns to these Headquarters. “By order of BRIG.-GEN. SAMUEL A. FINLETTER, _Commanding 3rd Brigade_.” Whereupon an order of similar purport was directed by Colonel Wagstaff to Major Mowbray Huntington, directing him to proceed to Fairweather and hold such election in person. Notice of the coming election was posted in the armory ten days prior to the time set for it; and then the real campaign for the office began. It had been taken for granted that Second Lieutenant Brownell would succeed to the first lieutenancy, and that First Sergeant Barriscale would be chosen to fill the office thus made vacant. But when Brownell declared that he was not a candidate for the office of first lieutenant, and would not accept the place if he were elected to it, discussion as to what ought to be done was rife at the armory. Barriscale at once declared himself a candidate for the position, and argued that, in accordance with all the precedents of promotion, he was entitled to it. But there appeared to be a growing undercurrent of opposition to his candidacy. He had not yet become sufficiently popular with the enlisted men as a body to be their unanimous choice for any elective position of honor in the company. And those who opposed Barriscale’s election united, without exception, on Second Sergeant McCormack as their choice.