urmured Dave, gazing
admiringly at her flushed face.

"Did you ever suspect that I wasn't?" asked Miss Meade demurely.

"Never!" declared Midshipman Darrin devoutly. "Nevertheless, it's fine
to be reassured once in a while."

"What a great fellow Dan is!" exclaimed Belle a few minutes later. "See
how gayly he is chatting with Laura. I don't believe Laura guesses for a
moment that Dan Dalzell is just as game a fellow as the Spartan boy of
olden times."

CHAPTER XV

A DISAGREEABLE FIRST CLASSMAN

The hop that night was one of the happiest occasions Dave had ever
known, yet it was destined to result in trouble for him.

Midshipman Treadwell, of the first class, caught sight of Belle as she
entered the gym at Dave Darrin's side.

With Treadwell it happened to be one of those violent though unusually
silly affairs known as "love at first sight."

As for Belle, she was not likely to have eyes for anyone in particular,
save Dave.

Treadwell, who had come alone, and who was not to be overburdened with
dances, went after Dave as soon as that youngster left Belle for the
first time.

"Mighty sweet looking girl you have with you, Darry," observed the first
classman, though he took pains not to betray too much enthusiasm.

"Right!" nodded Dave.

"You'll present me, won't you?"

"Assuredly, as soon as I come back. I have a little commission to attend
to."

"And you might be extremely kind, Darry, and write me down for a couple
of numbers on Miss----"

"Miss Meade is the young lady's name."

"Then delight me by writing down a couple of reservations for me on Miss
Meade's card."

Darrin's face clouded slightly.

"I'd like to, Treadwell, but the card is pretty crowded, and some other
fellows--"

"One dance, anyway, then."

"I will, then, if there's a space to be left, and if Miss Meade is
agreeable," promised Dave, as he hurried away.

Two minutes later, when he returned, looking very handsome, indeed, in
his short-waisted, gold-laced dress coat, Dave felt his arm touched.

"I'm waiting for you to keep your engagement with me," Midshipman
Treadwell murmured.

"Come along; I shall be delighted to present you to Miss Meade."

Since every midshipman is granted to be a gentleman, midshipman
etiquette does not require that the lady be consulted about the
introduction.

"Miss Meade," began Dave, bowing before his sweetheart, "I wish to
present Mr. Treadwell"

Belle's greeting was easy. Treadwell