When she reached West Point, last winter, expecting to go to a cadet hop with you, she remained at West Point until you had been tried by court-martial and acquitted on that unjust charge.

Laura had a right to know the whole story." "She surely had," nodded Dick.
"As to Gridley people in general," went on Mrs.Prescott, "I have not felt it necessary to say anything, and folks generally believe that Bert Dodge resigned from the corps of cadets simply because he did not find Army life to his liking." "He wouldn't have found it to his liking had he chosen not to resign," smiled Prescott darkly.
"Are you going to say anything about Dodge while you are home ?" inquired his mother, glancing up quickly.
"Not a word, if I can avoid it," replied Dick.

"I hate tale-bearers." At this moment the postman came in, blowing his whistle and rapidly sorting out a pile of letters, which he dropped on the counter.
"There are probably a lot here for me, mother," smiled Dick.

"Shall I separate then from the business mail ?" "If you will, my boy." Some dozen of the envelopes proved to be addressed to young Prescott.
Of these two were letters frown West Point classmates.

Three were from old friends in Gridley, sending him congratulations and expressing the hope of meeting him during his furlough.