Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/193

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CHAPTER IX

HARRY almost wept over this letter. To think that Clark, whom he had expected to make proud and happy by the announcement, should view his election in such a spirit!

Harry's disappointment was not accompanied by any bitterness against his brother; and he could not escape the justice of Clark's criticism. He admitted to himself that the Crown had played politics, but he had not himself encouraged this or taken part. There had been no real opposition to his candidacy. Rupert Ormsby, the only other fellow who was seriously considered, had been indifferent to the office; and, as it turned out in the voting, the majority of the school wanted Harry to be their president.

This was the explanation that he made in answering Clark's letter, and he added quite wistfully that he thought he had done some-