And you ?" "I've been engaged nine times in all," sighed Greg.

Yet each and every one of the girls soon felt impelled to ask me to call it off." "Any show just at present ?" persisted Dalzell.
"Why, strange to say," laughed Greg, "I'm fancy free at the present moment." "How did the old affair ever come out between Dick and Laura Bentley ?" asked Dan curiously.
"Why, the strange part of it is, I don't believe there ever has been any formal affair between Dick and Laura," Greg went on.

"That is, no real understanding between them.

And now-----" "Yes ?" urged Dan.
"A merchant over in Gridley, a rather decent chap, too, has been making up to Laura pretty briskly, I hear by way of home news," Greg continued.
"Does the yardstick general win out ?" demanded Dan.
"From all the news, I'm half afraid he does." "How does Dick take that ?" Dan was eager to know.
"I can't tell you," Greg responded solemnly, "for I have never ventured on that topic with old ramrod.

But if he loses out with Laura, I feel it in my bones that he'll take it mighty hard." "Poor old Dick!" sighed Dan, loyal to the old days.