“Harkness will never win anything with that look on his face,” was Gif’s comment, as he noticed the scowl. “The fellows like an officer who can take things pleasantly.”
It did not take the cadets long to vote, and as soon as all of the ballots had been cast Captain Dale, assisted by Professor Brice, began to tabulate the vote. In less than ten minutes they had finished. Then a bell rang and Captain Dale came forward to read the result.
| “Total number of votes cast | 125 |
| Necessary to a choice | 63 |
| Louis Glasby has | 51 |
| Jack Rover has | 50 |
| Darrell Harkness has | 24” |
“What do you know about that!” exclaimed Fred. “Jack and Glasby are within one vote of each other!”
“I’ll say that’s getting pretty close,” answered Randy.
“As no cadet has received the number of votes necessary to a choice, I will give the school a recess for fifteen minutes. Then we will vote again—for the same cadets or for new ones if you feel so inclined.”
After this brief announcement by Captain Dale came a hum of voices and there was some strenuous electioneering in all parts of the hall and also in the corridors and out on the campus.
“Glasby is stronger than I thought he was,” remarked Gif to Jack. “We’ll have to do some tall work to overcome his vote.”
“I think we can get some of the Harkness fellows to come over to us,” put in Spouter. “I don’t believe he’s as popular as he thinks.”
“Maybe we can get him to withdraw,” suggested Andy, with a grin.