"Then I'm lucky in at least one thing," laughed Darrin good-humoredly.
"When my turn comes I shall be made over by a most capable young
woman. Then I shall be all but flawless."
"Or else I shall take a bride's privilege," smiled Belle demurely,
"and go back to mother."
"You'll have plenty of time for that," teased Dave. "A Naval
officer's time is spent largely at sea, and he can't take his
wife with him."
"Don't remind me of that too often," begged Belle, a plaintive
note in her voice. "Your being at sea so much is the only flaw
that I see in the future. And, as neither of us will be rich,
I can't follow you around the world much of the time."
When Midshipman Dave Darrin reentered his quarters late that afternoon
be found Dan Dalzell sitting back in a chair, his hands thrust
deep into his pockets. His whole attitude was one of most unmilitary
dejection.
"Dave, I've run the ship aground again," Dan confessed ruefully.
"I know you have, Danny," Darrin replied sympathetically.
Dan Dalzell bounded to his feet.
"What?" he gasped. "Is the story going the rounds?"
"It can't be."
"Then did you hear what we were saying this afternoon in Wiegard's?"
"No; we were too far away for that. But I judged that you had
succeeded in making Mrs. Henshaw feel very uncomfortable for a
few moments."
"Then you knew she was a married woman, Dave?"
"No; but Belle did."
"How, I---wonder?"
"She saw the wedding ring on Mrs.
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