e was to be
graduated into the Army, with a position in life fine enough for
Laura to grace with him.

It was on this night, that he had determined to find out whether
her heart beat for him, or whether it had already been captured
by young Mr. Cameron back in the home town.

"And very likely she wouldn't think of having either of us," smiled
Dick to himself. "It's easy enough for a girl to be a fellow's
friend, but when it comes to selecting a husband she is quite
likely to be more particular."

It was just after dark as the two young couples sauntered away from
the hotel on their way to Cullum Hall.

"You young men are now sure of your Army careers," remarked Belle,
as the four strolled down the road.

"As absolutely sure as one can ever be of anything," Dick responded.
"Yes, I feel positive that I am now to be an officer in the Army."

"While poor Dave has just started on a two-year cruise, and must
then come back for another examination before he is sure of his
commission," sighed Belle.

"The middies don't get a square deal," said Dick regretfully.
"When Darrin and Dalzell were graduated, the other day, they
should have been commissioned as ensigns before they were ordered
to sea. Some day Congress and the people will see the injustice
of it all, and the unfairness will be remedied."

How could Prescott possibly know that his commission in the Army
was not yet sure?

That same sandy-bearded, bespectacled and stoop-shouldered ex-cadet
Jordan was even now eyeing Dick from a little distance.

"Humph! Prescott feels mighty big at this moment!" growled the
young scoundrel. "I wonder how he'll be feeling at midnight,
down in cadet hospital, when the surgeons tell him he has no chance
of ever being a sound man again? Confound him! I could almost
find it in my heart to kill the fellow, instead of merely maiming
him. But maiming will be the keener revenge. All his life hereafter
Prescott will be thinking what might have been if he hadn't met
me this night! Shall I leap on him when he's coming back from
the hotel, after the graduation ball? No; for he'd have Holmes
with him then. I'll send in word and call him out from the ball,
with a message that an old schoolmate wants to see him on something
most urgent. I'll have Prescott to myself, and all I need is
a few seconds. I'm half as powerful again as Prescott is!"

Jordan was not at all lacking in a certain type of ferocious brute
courage. As he