ust failed to graduate."

"Naturally," murmured Belle. "Poor boy, I'm sorry for him."

"But what's the matter?"

"Did you notice Miss Henshaw's jewelry?"

"Not particularly. I can see, from here, that she's wearing a
small diamond in each ear."

"Dave, didn't you see the flat gold band that she wears on the
third finger of her left hand?" Belle demanded in a whisper.

"No," confessed Midshipman Darrin innocently. "But what has that
to do with---"

"Her wedding ring," Belle broke in. "Dan has gotten her title
twisted. She's Mrs. Henshaw."

"Whew! But what, in that case, is she doing strolling around
with a midshipman? That's no proper business for a married woman,"
protested Dave Darrin.

"Haven't you called on or escorted any married women since you've
been at Annapolis?" demanded Belle bluntly.

"Yes; certainly," nodded Dave. "But, in every instance they were
wives of Naval officers, and such women looked upon midshipmen
as mere little boys."

"Isn't there an Admiral Henshaw in the Navy?" inquired Belle.

"Certainly."

"That's Mrs. Henshaw," Belle continued.

"How do you know?"

"I don't, but I'm certain, just the same. Now, Dan has met Mrs.
Henshaw somewhere down at the Naval Academy. He heard her name
and got it twisted into Miss Henshaw. It's his own blundering
fault, no doubt. But Admiral Henshaw's young and pretty wife
is not to be blamed for allowing a boyish midshipman to stroll
with her as her escort."

"Whew!" whistled Dave Darrin under his breath. "So Dan has been
running it blind again? Oh, Belle, it's a shame! I'm heartily
sorry that we've been here to witness the poor old chap's Waterloo."

"So am I," admitted Belle. "But the harm that has been done is
due to Dan's own blindness. He should learn to read ordinary
signs as he runs."

No wonder Dan Dalzell's face had gone gray and ashy. For the
time being he was feeling keenly. He had been so sure of "Miss"
Henshaw's being a splendid woman---as, indeed, she was---that
he decided on this, their third meeting, to try his luck with
a sailor's impetuous wooing. In other words, he had plumply asked
the admiral's wife to marry him;

"Why, you silly boy!" remonstrated Mrs. Henshaw, glancing up at
him with a dismayed look. "I don't know your exact age, Mr. Dalzell,
but I think it probable that I am at least ten years older than---"

"I don't care," Dan maintained bravely.

"Besides, what would the admiral say?"

"I