"Never mind, Dick, the appointee may not pass the exams, and then possibly you will get your chance after all," she said consolingly. "There’s no hope he won’t pass," answered Dick dolefully, and then more bravely, "neither would you nor I wish him such bad luck." "Is it anyone we know?" now inquired Mrs. Comstock. "I should say we do. It’s one of my best friends;--it’s Gordon Graham, our class valedictorian." "Gordon Graham!" exclaimed Ursula, a slight flush tinging the peachy contour of her cheek, "Gordon Graham! Why, I never knew he even wanted to go to Annapolis!" "He doesn’t," answered Dick ruefully, "but his father does want him to go, and now Gordon has no choice." "Mr. Graham is a rich man, and a politician. I suppose he wields such an influence in this district that Senator Kenyon could not afford to go against his wishes in the matter," said Dick’s father, "and unfortunately I am not wealthy, and have always kept out of politics. Consequently, my boy, you may blame your father for this miscarriage of our plans. With the election so near, a senator has to look to his fences," he added as they arose to answer the summons to the evening repast. "Our Policy in the West Indies and the Caribbean," was the subject of Richard’s salutatory address in the crowded theatre that evening at the graduation exercises of the Bankley High School. To his friends it seemed something more than the average boyish ebullition. At any rate, Dick was a thoughtful lad and had expended his best efforts in the preparation of his oration. During its composition he had even looked into the future and in the measures he advanced as necessary for the military, naval and commercial integrity of the nation, he had always liked to think of himself as a possible factor. To-night he experienced his first bitter disappointment, and instead of "Admiral Richard Comstock" being an actor in the stirring events that some day indubitably would occur, he saw his more fortunate chum, Gordon Graham, writing history on the pages of his country’s record. After the exercises he met Gordon, and the two boys walked home together along the lofty, elm-arched streets. "Naturally I’m fearfully disappointed," said Dick, having first congratulated Gordon on his good fortune, "but I’m not churlish about the matter, and I guess the chief reason is because you got it. I’m mighty glad for you, Gordon." "It is too bad, old man," Gordon replied feelingly, "because I know how you have looked forward to being appointed, and you know, Dick, I never was anxious for it. If it was not for frustrating my father’s wishes, I should almost be inclined to flunk the examinations. In fact I may be unable to get by anyway, for they are very difficult." "You’d never do that, Gordon! You couldn’t afford to do such a thing--humble your pride in that manner. That wouldn’t be helping me and you’d only injure yourself and hurt your father beyond measure," said Dick bravely.