By the time Dick finished his recital the raw beef was properly bound over his eye and the grime of battle washed from his face by his gentle nurse, who completed her task by kissing him as she exclaimed with enthusiasm: "Good for you, Dick, I hope you thrashed him well while you were about it, for he certainly deserved a beating. Now run along and get a bath and clean up properly before Mother comes home. She has gone to the station to meet Father. You have no time to spare; the New York express is about due," and with the words she shoved him towards the doorway leading to the hall. "Call me when you are ready, and I’ll come and paint you up like an Indian," she added as he disappeared up the stairs. A half hour later when Dick appeared in the living-room and greeted his parents, Ursula’s efforts at facial decoration proved so successful that no one other than his fond and adoring mother discovered the deception. Her searching eye was not to be deceived, however, and once again Dick was obliged to recount the details of his afternoon’s experience. "No one will notice my black eye, Mother, and if so half of the audience will have heard how I got it, so you need not worry." Dick’s father said nothing, but the look of pride and approbation in his eyes was enough to quiet any qualms as to his father’s attitude. John Comstock, having laid aside the evening paper he was reading when his son entered, now began searching through its pages, speaking as he did so: "Have you seen to-night’s paper, Dick?" "No, Dad. Why, is there anything of particular interest in it--that is aside from the announcements of the big event being staged at the theatre?" inquired Dick. "Unfortunately, yes," replied his father. "When I left home last week I told you I would see Senator Kenyon while in Washington and try to get him to give you that appointment to the Naval Academy we all have been hoping for and which we believed as good as settled in your favor until a few weeks ago." "Did you see him? What did he say?" asked Dick in one breath, his face lighting up with excitement. "Yes, I saw him, but my visit was fruitless. He politely but firmly told me he could not give it to you; and he would not tell me at the time who was to be the lucky boy. In to-night’s paper I have just read that the selection has been made." The look of disappointment which came over Dick’s countenance was reflected in the faces of both his mother and sister. He gulped once or twice before he finally mustered up courage to reach out his hand for the paper, and the tears blinded his eyes while he read the brief article which so certainly delayed if it did not entirely destroy his boyhood’s dream. For a few moments silence reigned in the little group, and Ursula, rising quietly, walked to her brother and placed an affectionate, consoling arm over his dejectedly drooping shoulders.