"Engaged to take her to the hop, of course," parried Holmes.

"And engaged to be married to her, as well," insisted Dick.

"Ye-es," admitted Cadet Holmes reluctantly. "Let me see; this
is the fourteenth girl you've been engaged to marry, isn't it?"

"No, sir," blurted Greg indignantly. "Miss---I mean my present
betrothed, is only the eighth who has done me the honor."

"Even eight fiancees is going it pretty swiftly for a cadet not
yet through West Point," chuckled Dick.

"Well, confound it, it isn't my fault, is it?" grumbled Greg.
"I didn't break any of the engagements. The other seven girls
broke off with me. On the whole, though, I'm rather obliged to
the seven for handing me the mitten, for I'm satisfied that Miss---I
mean, the present young lady---is the one who is really fitted
to make me happy for life."

"I'm almost sorry I'm not going to-night," mused Prescott aloud.
"Then I'd see the fortunate young lady."

"Oh, there are no secrets from you, old ramrod," protested Greg
good-humoredly. "You know her, anyway, I think---Miss Steele."

"Captain Steele's daughter?"

"Precisely," nodded Greg.