ething very disagreeable about the
first class at the Military Academy."

"But why?" persisted Dave Darrin. He was disgusted enough over
the action of the first class cadets, but, being in the service
himself, he felt it indelicate in him to criticise the action
of the cadets of the United States Military Academy.

"Why?" repeated Belle. "Why, simply because Laura Bentley will
insist on asking me when I get home what you had to say about
Dick's case. If I can't tell Laura that you said something pretty
nearly awful, then Laura will be terribly hurt."

"Shall I swear?" asked Dave innocently.

Belle opened her eyes wide in amazement.

"No, you won't swear," Belle retorted. "Profanity isn't the
accomplishment of a gentleman. But you must say something about
Dick's case which will show her that all of Dick's friends are
standing by the poor fellow."

"But, Belle, you know it isn't considered very manly for a fellow
in one branch of the service to say anything against fellows in
the other branch."

"Not even---for Laura's sake?"

"Oh, well," proposed Midshipman Darrin, squirming about between
the horns of the dilemma, "you just think of whatever will please
Laura most to hear from me."

"Yes-----?" pressed Miss Meade.

"Then tell it to her and say that I said it."

"But how can I say that you said it if you didn't say it?" demanded
Belle, pouting prettily.

"Easiest thing in the world, Belle. I authorize you, fully, to
say whatever you like about Dick, as coming from me. If I authorize
you to say it, then you won't be fibbing, will you?"

Belle had to think that over. It was a bit of a puzzle, as must
be admitted.

"Now, let's talk about ourselves," Darrin pressed her. "I see
Danny boy coming, with that two-yard grin of his, and we won't
have much further chance to talk about ourselves."

The two young people, therefore, busied themselves with personal
talk. Dan drifted along, but merely raised his cap to Belle,
then stationed himself by Mrs. Meade's side.

It was not until Dave signaled quietly that Dalzell came over
to take Belle's proffered hand and chat for a moment.

The talk was all too short for all concerned. A call of the bugle
signaled the midshipmen to leave friends and hasten back for assembly.

It was not until the train had started away from Philadelphia
that Dave and Dan were all but mobbed by way of congratulation.
Wolgast, Jetson, Farley, Page and others also came in for t