---a
wholly safe driving horse.

"I'm not a betting man," quoth Greg, "but I'll lay a wager that
I can guess who gets the next drive behind this horse.

"Post your wager," laughed Dick gayly.

"Lau-----"

"Wrong! My mother gets the next drive."

And so she did, that same afternoon. But the following afternoon
Prescott, after a good deal of attention to his personal appearance,
walked to Getchel's and drove away from there behind the mare.
The next stop was at the house of Dr. Bentley.

Yet, when Cadet Prescott caught his first glimpse of the broad,
cool veranda of the doctor's house, the young man felt a sudden
throb of the heart.

Another young man---he looked to be somewhat under thirty---was
seated in a big rocker, close to Laura. Both young people were
laughing gayly before Miss Bentley caught sight of Dick.

"You're occupied, I see," called Prescott lightly, though the
tone cost him an effort.

"Come right up, Dick," called Laura, so the cadet leaped from
the buggy, hitching the horse. The he turned into the broad walk
and gained the veranda, where he was presented to Mr. Cameron.

Mr. Cameron greeted the cadet pleasantly, yet didn't seem overjoyed
at his presence. Nor did Mr. Cameron seem in the least inclined to
take himself away.

Usually most self-possessed, Dick Prescott fidgeted a trifle,
and felt uncomfortable now. He wondered if good taste did not call
for him to take himself away after a brief conversation. It was
Laura who finally came to the rescue.

"Dick," she laughed, "there's something on your mind. I'm afraid
I shall have to help you out. Did you come to ask me to go driving?"

"Yes," Dick nodded. "But of course I realize that some other time
will be better."

"Oh, don't let me spoil fun," begged Mr. Cameron, half rising,
as though hoping to be asked to seat himself again.

"Mr. Cameron," Miss Bentley replied sweetly, rising also as her
caller completed the act of getting upon his feet, "I know you
will excuse me now, rude as it seems in me to ask it. But Mr.
Prescott's time in Gridley is very limited, and we are all anxious
to see as much of him as possible."

"Say no more, Miss Bentley," begged Mr. Cameron, forcing a genial
smile. "Mr. Prescott, I congratulate you on having such a good
champion. Good afternoon, Laura. Good afternoon, Mr. Prescott;
I am very glad indeed to have had the pleasure of meeting you."

"I am most happy to have met you, sir; if it were