The reporter, though Dick invited him to don a costume, thought it better not to, and, when the night of the gay affair came, Larry was in sober black, forming a strange contrast to the lads in gay uniforms. The dresses of the young ladies and the uniforms or costumes of the cadets, with the hundreds of electric lights, the gay streamers and flags festooned about the gymnasium, made the apartment a brilliant picture. The Academy cadet band struck up a lively march, and the dancers paraded around the room, two by two. Dick was not in this, as he had not yet made the acquaintance of any of the girls, and after ascertaining that Larry Dexter was in a position where he could see well, our hero retired rather disconsolately to a secluded corner. He saw Paul Drew dancing with a very pretty girl, and was just beginning to envy him, when his roommate walked up, and introduced her to Dick. "Allow me to present my friend, Dick Hamilton," said Paul with a low bow. "Mr. Hamilton--Miss Fordice. Dick is a better dancer than I am," added Paul. It was plainly a hint to Dick, who at once took advantage of it, and asked: "May I have the honor?" "If it pleases you, sir," replied the girl, with a mischievous smile, and an old-fashioned courtesy. Dick led her into a two-step, and they were soon whirling about. But Dick was not selfish, and he knew better than to keep Paul's partner away from him for long, so, making some excuse, he led Miss Fordice back to his roommate. "I'll introduce you to some other girls, after this dance, Hamilton," Paul called back to him. Dick noticed that a tall, dark girl, who was standing near one of the pillars, started at the sound of his name. A moment later she advanced toward him, appeared to hesitate, and then came forward. "Excuse me," she said, "but are you Dick Hamilton?" "I am," said our hero, secretly delighted at the chance of talking to the girl. "I thought I heard Mr. Drew call you that. You must think it dreadfully forward of me to speak to you without an introduction----" "Nothing of the sort," said Dick promptly. "But I know friends of yours," went on the girl. "I am Miss Mabel Hanford, and I know Birdy Lee, who lives in your town--I mean in the place where you come from. She and I used to be great chums. We went to school together." "Indeed," said Dick. "Birdy Lee and I are well acquainted." "So she said when I wrote to her, telling her I was coming to this ball. She suggested that I might meet you, and when I heard your name mentioned, I couldn't help speaking." "I am glad you did," said Dick, smiling. "Won't you come over and let me introduce you to my mother?" went on Miss Hanford. "I feel as if I had known you a long time, for Birdy often spoke of you in her letters to me." "I am glad she did," said Dick, gallantly. Mrs. Hanford greeted him kindly, evidently approving of her daughter's action. "May I have the next dance?" asked Dick of the daughter.