JORDAN MEETS DISASTER

Belle, with her combination of impulsive temperament, good judgment
and bluntness, came to the temporary rescue.

"Greg is trying to conceal the fact that he'll have a desperate
rush to get into his dress uniform in time for parade," Miss Meade
interposed. "Anyway, there's far more about this matter than
we can understand in a moment. Greg, you and Dick can call on
us at the hotel this evening, can't you?"

"We most surely can."

"Then come, as early as you can. We'll eat the earliest dinner
we can get there, and be prepared for a long evening. Now, hurry
to your tent, for I don't want to see you reported for being late
at formation."

Between her visits to West Point, and her trips to Annapolis to
see Dave Darrin, as related in the Annapolis Series, Belle had
by this time a very considerable knowledge of formations, and
of other incidents in the lives of Army and Navy cadets.

"This evening, then," replied Greg, shifting his campaign hat
to the other hand and feeling like a man who has secured a reprieve.

"And give my love to Dick," Belle went on hastily, "and tell him
that the President of the United States couldn't, if he wanted
to, change our opinion of dear old Dick in the least."

"Thank you," bowed Greg, gratitude welling up in his heart.

"And you send him your love, don't you, Laura?" insisted Belle
swiftly.

Laura recoiled quickly, flushing violently.

It was all right for Belle Meade to send her "love" to Prescott,
for they were old friends, and Belle was known to be Dave Darrin's
loyal sweetheart.

With Laura the situation was painfully different. She and Dick
had been schoolboy and schoolgirl sweethearts, after a fashion,
but Dick had never openly declared his love for her.

Would he misunderstand, and think her unwomanly?

She trembled with the sudden doubt at the thought.

Besides, another, a prosperous young merchant back in Gridley,
had been ardent in his attentions to Miss Bentley.

"Of course Laura sends her love," broke in Greg promptly. "Who
wouldn't, when the dear old fellow is in such a scrape? And I'll
deliver the message of love from you both---and from Mrs. Bentley,
too?"

Greg looked inquiringly, but expectantly at Laura's mother, who
nodded and smiled in ready sympathy.

Then Greg made his best soldier's bow and hastened off to his
chum, whose heart he succeeded in gladdening somewhat while the
two made all haste to get ready for pa