"Why," stammered Aleck, "it's—it's—why, her name's Miss Helen Grey."
The colonel began to write rapidly on the blank page of the subscription paper.
"To Miss Helen Grey;
"Principal of the Public School
"Chestnut Hill.
"My Dear Madam:
"I am informed by one of your pupils, Master—"
He stopped long enough to ask the boy for his full name, and then continued to write—
"Alexander McMurtrie Sands, that it is your patriotic purpose to procure an American flag for use in your school. With this purpose I am in hearty accord. It will therefore give me great pleasure, my dear madam, to procure for you at once, at my sole expense, and present to your school, an appropriate banner, to be followed in due season by a fitting staff. I trust that my purpose and desire may commend themselves to you. I wish also that your pupil, the aforesaid Master Sands, shall have full credit for having so successfully called this matter to my attention; and to that end I make him sole bearer of this communication.
"I remain, my dear madam,
"Your obedient servant,
"Richard Butler."
January 12th.
Colonel Butler read the letter over slowly aloud, folded the subscription paper on which it had been written, and handed it to Aleck.
"There, young man," he said, "are your credentials, and my offer."