with me this morning."

"I'm sorry that I can't," Benson replied, and he meant it. "But I am
engaged to go with Mr. Farnum and our party."

"You prefer to avoid me?" cried Mlle. Nadiboff, reproachfully, raising
her eyes swiftly to his.

"Now, please don't say that," begged Benson. "I wish you could
understand, Mademoiselle, how far from the truth it is."

"Say but the word, and Mr. Farnum will pardon you," coaxed the charming
young Woman.

"I couldn't even think of that," replied Benson. "It is business to go
with one's employer."

"Business?" repeated Mlle. Nadiboff, with an accent half of disdain.
"Surely, you are not sufficiently a petty shop-keeper or serf to think
always of that word, 'business!'"

"I fear I am," Jack nodded.

"Bah! Then you will never be a success with the ladies," taunted
Mlle. Nadiboff, though her eyes were laughing, challenging.

"Of course, I'm only a green country boy," Jack replied, with admirable
coolness, and without any tone of offence. "So my highest ambition is
to be a success in the submarine business."

The young woman had tact enough to perceive that she had not quite
scored by her contempt for business. She was about to change subject
adroitly, when Mr. Farnum called, laughingly:

"Are you coming with us, captain? Or, have you found pleasanter company
for a drive?"

Jack's hand started toward his uniform cap. He was about to excuse
himself, when the young woman answered for him:

"He was just assuring me, Mr. Farnum, that he would gladly go with me,
but that you had the right of prior engagement."

"Oh, I'll release, him," volunteered Mr. Farnum, his eyes twinkling.

"Now, my Captain, you can no longer find excuse, unless you truly prefer
other company to mine."

Though Jack was interested in the vivacious manner of Mlle. Nadiboff, he
had not yet lost his head under any of her flatteries. He was secretly
irritated against Mr. Farnum for letting him off so easily. So Jack
swiftly determined upon his own plan of evening matters.

"The way the affair has turned out, Mademoiselle, I shall be delighted
to go in your cars. Yet I am going to ask one every great favor."

"A thousand, if you wish!" cried the young woman spy, graciously.

"Will you permit me to invite my chum, Mr. Hastings?"

"Assuredly," she replied, with a very pretty pout, "if you feel that you
will find my company, alone, too dull."

"It isn't that," Jack replied, with ready gallantry.