"
"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?"
"Is he your father or your brother?" Dan inquired.
"My husband!"
Then it was that Midshipman Dalzell's face had gone so suddenly
gray. He fairly gasped and felt as though he were choking.
"Mr. Dalzell," spoke Mrs. Henshaw, earnestly, "let us both forget
that you ever spoke such unfortunate words. Let us forget it
all, and let it pass as though nothing had happened at all. I
will confess that, two or three times, I thought you addressed
me as 'miss.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163