Besides, another, a prosperous young merchant back in Gridley,
had been ardent in his attentions to Miss Bentley.
"Of course Laura sends her love," broke in Greg promptly. "Who
wouldn't, when the dear old fellow is in such a scrape? And I'll
deliver the message of love from you both---and from Mrs. Bentley,
too?"
Greg looked inquiringly, but expectantly at Laura's mother, who
nodded and smiled in ready sympathy.
Then Greg made his best soldier's bow and hastened off to his
chum, whose heart he succeeded in gladdening somewhat while the
two made all haste to get ready for parade call.
When the corps marched on to the field that afternoon, Mrs. Bentley
and the girls were there among the eager spectators. Dick saw
them almost instantly, and his heart bounded within him. It was
Laura's mute message of sympathy and hope to him! He held up
his head higher, if that were possible, and went through every
movement with even more than his usual precision.
As the corps was marching off the field again, however, Dick's
heart sank rapidly within him.
"If I have to leave the Army, I can never ask Laura for her love,"
he groaned wretchedly. "If I go from West Point as anything but
a graduate and an officer, I shall have to start life all over
again. It will take me years to find my place and get solidly on
my feet I could never ask a girl to wait as long as that!"
In the early evening Laura, Belle and Mrs.
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