Bart's voice, as he uttered these mean words, was intended to reach only the boys on his bench. But Bronson, being on the end next to Lefty, happened to hear them. Realizing the significance of the forfeiture to his friend, the boy quickly arose, went to the platform and enrolled. Scarcely had he done so than there was a movement among the girls and Alice Montgomery entered her name. The expression on Bart's face as his sister's action frustrated his plot to prevent the contest for the scholarship, was not pleasant to see, but it happened that only Fred and Margie were looking at him. The gates being thus let down, three more students, a boy and two girls, enrolled, after which the entries were closed. "You're a nice one, you are," growled Lefty, at Fred, as the students passed from the hall. "What did you enter for? You haven't a ghost of a show and you're leaving the team in the lurch. You're a traitor to Baxter--that's what you are!" "Oh, you can get along without me, Lefty. I'm not the whole team," retorted Fred. "You're jolly right, you're not," exclaimed Bart, pushing his way to where the two boys were standing. "But he's the best half-back in Baxter," protested Lefty. "There's no one can come anywhere near him." "Well, I tell you one thing. Fred's dropping out will permit me to play." "What do you mean?" demanded several of the boys, in chorus. Before the bully could explain, however, Sandow joined the group. "Come down to the basement to elect the captain of the Second team," he ordered. "There's plenty of time before classes, and I want to start you at work to-day." CHAPTER XIII THE ELECTION As captain of the First, or School team, Sandow was in charge of all the sports for the lower Forms, so that his command to repair to the basement, to elect the leader of the Seconds' football eleven, was obeyed. Swept along by the rush of his classmates, Fred was unable to escape from them, until he reached the door leading to the gymnasium. But he quickly took advantage of the opportunity, and in the semi-darkness, which enveloped the stairs, his absence was not noted. Scarcely had he started back, however, than he came face to face with Alice Montgomery. At the unexpected meeting, the girl flushed, then dropped her head with the evident intention of passing without speaking. But Fred did not propose to let her. "I say, Al--Miss Montgomery, it was mighty good of you to enroll for the Scholarship," he exclaimed impulsively. "If you hadn't come in, I don't believe the others would--and the award would have been passed for this year." "Then your winning it means a great deal?" queried the girl, deciding from the earnestness with which Fred spoke, that he probably had entered more for the money involved, than for the honor. "Indeed, it does, Miss Montgomery."