“Oh, Jack!” she murmured, and then she gave him a glance that thrilled him through and through.  Heretofore, they had only been friends, but from that moment a deeper sentiment seemed to stir them both, and, years later, when Jack became settled in business, pretty Laura Ford became Mrs. Ruddy.  In the same year, Pepper, who went into the insurance business with his father, married Flossie; and all were very happy.  Andy remained a jolly bachelor, to visit one or the other of his chums, as suited him.  He went into business with Jack, and the firm prospered greatly.

The fun, when the school broke up for the term, was of the never-to-be-forgotten variety.  Great bonfires were lit along the lake-shore, and around these the cadets gathered, to sing and “cut up” generally.  Some of the boys caught Peleg Snuggers and made him ride a wooden horse, while others captured Mumps and made the sneak dive head-first into a barrel that contained several pounds of pulverized charcoal.  When the cadet came forth he was a sight to behold.  One bonfire was made up of discarded schoolbooks.

“Farewell to thee forever!” cried Pepper, as he cast in an old grammar and a volume of Cicero’s works.  “Never again shall I need thee, thank goodness!” And this speech brought forth a roar of laughter.

“Everybody in a grand march!” shouted Andy, a little later.  “Jack, as our old major, you must lead off!”

“So I will,” answered Jack, with a happy smile.  “Battalion, attention!  Present firebrands!  Forward, march!”

And then the cadets marched around and across the campus, waving their firebrands, and singing and cheering lustily.  And here let us wish them all good luck and say good-by.

THE END

THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES

BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD

(Edward Stratemeyer)

* * * * *

American Stories of American Boys and Girls

* * * * *

NEARLY THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES

* * * * *

12mo.  CLOTH.  UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.  COLORED WRAPPERS.

* * * * *

          THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
          THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
          THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
          THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
          THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
          THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
          THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
          THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
          THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE