"Why did you not come to the meeting when you knew it was the most important of this semester, being for the purpose of electing the captain of the Second football team?" demanded Sandow, assuming all the dignity his position, as leader of the First Form, gave him. For, though he was one of Fred's intimates, such was his conception of his duty to Baxter, that he never allowed his friendships to interfere with the good of the school. "As my entrance for the Scholarship told you all, I have decided to give up football for this year," began the boy. "You mustn't desert the team!" "Traitor!" "How much is Landon paying you?" were some of the cries that greeted this announcement. Flushing at the charges, Fred squared his shoulders. "Give me a chance to finish, will you?" he exclaimed hotly. "Order!" demanded Sandow. "If any one else interrupts, he'll lose his vote!" This drastic ruling had the effect of silencing the boys, and Fred resumed. "When I found I could not play on the team, I--well, I decided I didn't want to be present," he explained. "But why can't you play and try for the scholarship, too?" demanded Lefty. "Because I'm not clever enough in science." "Then give up science. You'll fall down on the scholarship, anyhow. But if you stick to the team, we'll win from Landon, sure," declared Taffy. "I may not obtain the scholarship--but I must try for it," returned Fred quietly. "Must need the money pretty bad," sneered Bart. "Montgomery, for that nasty and uncalled-for remark, you lose your vote," cried Sandow. This decision threw the boys into an uproar, so great that it was heard above stairs and members of the First and Lower Forms descended to learn its cause. Paying no attention to it, however, Sandow prepared more ballots, then called upon the Seconds to vote again. Before they could do so, however, Fred obtained permission to speak. "As I shall not play this year, my name, of course, cannot be voted upon. Inasmuch as the first ballot resulted in a tie, between Bart and myself, I ask those who voted for me to support Bart." [Illustration: "I ASK THOSE WHO VOTED FOR ME TO SUPPORT BART"] "Good boy!" "That's the talk!" interrupted several. "I, therefore, move that Bart Montgomery be elected captain of the Baxter Second football team by acclamation," concluded Fred. Although the boy's chums realized such sportsmanlike action was in keeping with his character, its unexpectedness took their breath away, and they stared at one another in silence, while Bart's adherents dared not say anything, lest they prejudice their favorite's chances to obtain the coveted honor without a contest. "Any one second the motion?" asked Sandow, when several moments had elapsed without such action. But no one spoke. "Second it, Buttons," exclaimed Fred, in a whisper, audible to all. "Yes--I will--not," growled the boy. "Do I hear any one second the motion?" asked Sandow again. "If not, we will proceed to ballot."