"I must be a most remarkably fine fellow myself," remarked Midshipman Darrin modestly. "Why do you think that?" "Why, a girl with eyes as sharp as yours, Belle, would never have accepted me if there had been a visible flaw on me anywhere." "There are no very pronounced flaws except those that I can remedy when I take charge of you, Dave," replied Belle with what might have been disconcerting candor. "Then I'm lucky in at least one thing," laughed Darrin good-humoredly. "When my turn comes I shall be made over by a most capable young woman. Then I shall be all but flawless." "Or else I shall take a bride's privilege," smiled Belle demurely, "and go back to mother." "You'll have plenty of time for that," teased Dave. "A Naval officer's time is spent largely at sea, and he can't take his wife with him." "Don't remind me of that too often," begged Belle, a plaintive note in her voice. "Your being at sea so much is the only flaw that I see in the future. And, as neither of us will be rich, I can't follow you around the world much of the time." When Midshipman Dave Darrin reentered his quarters late that afternoon be found Dan Dalzell sitting back in a chair, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. His whole attitude was one of most unmilitary dejection. "Dave, I've run the ship aground again," Dan confessed ruefully. "I know you have, Danny," Darrin replied sympathetically. Dan Dalzell bounded to his feet. "What?" he gasped. "Is the story going the rounds?" "It can't be." "Then did you hear what we were saying this afternoon in Wiegard's?" "No; we were too far away for that. But I judged that you had succeeded in making Mrs. Henshaw feel very uncomfortable for a few moments." "Then you knew she was a married woman, Dave?" "No; but Belle did." "How, I---wonder?" "She saw the wedding ring on Mrs. Henshaw's left hand." Dan Dalzell looked the picture of amazement. Then he whistled in consternation. "By the great Dewey!" he groaned hoarsely. "I never thought of that!" "No; but you should have done so." "Dave, I'm the biggest chump in the world. Will you do me a supreme favor---kick me?" "That would be too rough, Dan. But, if you can stand it, Belle offered me some good advice for you in your affairs with women." "Thank her for me, when you get a chance, but I don't need it," replied Dan bitterly. "I'm through with trying to find a sweetheart, or any candidate to become Mrs. Dalzell." "But you'd better listen to the advice," Dave insisted, and repeated what Belle had said. "By Jove, Dave, but you're lucky to be engaged to a sensible girl like Belle! I wish there was another like her in the world." "Why?" "If there were another like Belle I'd be sorely tempted to try my \ luck for the fourth time." "Dan Dalzell!" cried Dave sternly. "You're not safe without a guardian! You'll do it again, between now and graduation." "You can watch me, if you want, then; but I'll fool you," smiled Dan. "But say, Dave!"