of the Yard that afternoon.

Dave, too, requested and secured leave to go into town, though
he stated frankly that he had no visit to make, and wanted only
a stroll away from the Academy grounds.

Darrin went most of the way to the Prestons.

"Come right along through, and meet Miss Preston," urged Dan.

"If you ask it as a favor I will, old chap," Dave replied.

"No; I thought the favor would be to you."

"So it would, ordinarily," Darrin replied gallantly. "But to-night
I just want to stroll by myself."

"Ta-ta, then." The grin on Dan Dalzell's face as he turned away
from his chum was broader than usual. Dan was thinking that,
this time, though his call must be a short one, he would be in
no danger on his return. He could report unconcernedly just before
taps.

"No doughface need apply to-night," chuckled Dan. "But Davy was
surely one awfully good fellow to get me through that other scrape
as he did."

All thought of football fled from Dan Dalzell's brain as he pulled
the bellknob at the Preston house.

After all this was to be but the third meeting. Dan fancied,
however, that absence had made his heart fonder. Since the night
when he had Frenched it over the wall Dan had received two notes
from Miss Preston, in answer to his own letters, but the last
note was now ten days' old.

"May I see Mrs. Preston?" asked Dan, as a colored servant opened
the door and admitted him.

This was Dan's correct idea of the way to call on a young woman
to whom he was not engaged, but half hoped to be, some day.

The colored maid soon came back.

"Mrs. Preston is so very busy, sah, that she asks to be excused,
sah," reported the servant, coming into the parlor where Dan sat
on the edge of a chair. "But Mistah Preston will be down right
away, sah."

A moment later a heavier step was heard on the stairway. Then
May Preston's uncle came into the parlor.

"You will pardon Mrs. Preston not coming down stairs to-night,
I know, Mr. Dalzell," said the man of the house, as he and the
midshipman shook hands. "The truth is, we are very much occupied
to-night."

"I had not dreamed of it, or I would not have called," murmured
Dan reddening. "I trust you will pardon me."

"There is no need of pardon, for you have not offended," smiled
Mr. Preston. "I shall be very glad to spare you half an hour,
if I can interest, you."

"You are very kind, sir," murmured Dan. "And Miss Preston----"

"My niece?"

"Yes, sir.