“That wasn’t all, Os,” said Tom; “that Frenching you did, at least the fact that you were caught Frenching, had a good deal to do with the clean sleeve they gave you,” and a look of great interest came into Bollup’s eyes. “Now, Os, we’re all here, far away from the Academy, tell me why you Frenched that night; I’ve been more curious about that than anything that ever happened at Annapolis. You see,” Tom continued, turning to Gladys, “Os Frenched one night last spring; that is he went out of the Academy when he had no right to do so; to leave academic limits without authority is one of the most serious breaches of discipline a midshipman can commit. It’s nothing against his honor; I Frenched a dozen times last year and never got caught. The wrong in violating regulations is being caught at it. Now this was the only time in his life that Os Frenched and he had the hard luck to get spotted. The queer thing about it is that he has never told a soul why he Frenched that night. Really, it’s a mystery. I’ve always been wild to know the reason; come now, Os, old boy, let’s have it. We’ll all keep it secret, won’t we?”
“Oh, Ralph, do tell us the secret. I just love secrets,” cried Dorothy, her eyes opened wide, thinking she was going to learn something of mighty moment.
“Perhaps Ralph doesn’t want to tell,” said Gladys, but much interested and hoping nevertheless that Ralph would explain the mystery.
Ralph colored up quickly and was most uncomfortable. “Now, Tom,” he said, “this isn’t at all kind of you. I’m sorry I can’t talk about the matter but I’ll just say one thing, I did nothing then that I’ve since regretted or been ashamed of; and if it did result in a clean sleeve for me, why I’m satisfied. Please don’t ask me to say anything more about it.”
“Of course we won’t, Ralph,” said Gladys gently. “I’m sure you had a good reason for doing what you did. But I’m awfully sorry you are not a cadet officer just the same. I’m sure you ought to be.”
“Indeed he ought to be,” broke in Tom; “everybody in the class knows that, and Himski is dead right about the four stripes. They should have gone to Os by right, and it’s a matter of hard luck they didn’t. He’s got a clean sleeve, but everybody in the class knows he’s the best man in it. I’m awfully sorry, Os, indeed I am.”
“Thank you very much, all of you, for thinking of me so highly. Indeed I’m happy enough to have the right to wear the uniform. I never had the faintest notion of getting stripes and I’m not a bit disappointed.” Yet all the same, Ralph was secretly very happy with Himski’s remark and with the friendly comments of Bollup.
The end of September soon came and the two midshipmen prepared for their return to Annapolis. But before leaving it was decided that Gladys and her mother would be present at the graduation of these two classmates. Gladys was wild with delight at the prospect; she had heard of the glorious times girls have at the Annapolis June week. Dorothy was quite hurt; she didn’t see why she should not go with her mother and sister.
Who can tell of the last long walks in the dying sunlight and in the cool evening breezes of Ralph and Gladys? of what they said to each other, of the important thoughts they exchanged? Surely not you or me, Himski; and it wasn’t very important either, and must have been forgotten long ago. But on the morning they left Tom turned to his sister and said: “Gladys, I’ll try to get you a partner for our class german and for the graduating ball. Partners are scarce those times and girls are plenty, but I hope I’ll find you one,” to which Gladys instantly replied:
“Don’t you bother about getting a partner for me, Tom Bollup; don’t you worry a bit about that.” And then she colored up and blushed prettily, and it must be confessed that Ralph looked conscious and suddenly became much interested in some cirrus clouds in the far distance.