I'll
have to resign, of course, but I promised Lieutenant Denton to
talk it over with him before doing anything of the sort, and I'll
keep my word."
Very absent minded did the young cadet become in the midst of
his perplexed musings. He heard the sound of martial music and
unconsciously his feet moved in quicker time.
It was as though he were marching, led on by he knew not what.
Straight toward the music he moved, with the tread of a soldier
responding to the drums.
Then, at last, when he was almost upon the building, Prescott
came to himself and stopped abruptly.
"Cullum Hall!" he muttered, with a harsh laugh. "The night of
the cadet hop. My classmates are in there, free-hearted and happy,
and taking their lessons in the social graces---while I am on
the outside, the social outcast of the class!"
Yet, as there were no cadets in sight, out at this north end of
the handsome building, Prescott presently moved forward, nearer.
"The old, old story of the beggar on the outside! The man on
the outside, looking in!" muttered Dick with increasing bitterness.
"Yet I may as well look, since there is none to see me or deny me."
Around the north end Dick passed, just as the brilliant music
of the Military Academy orchestra was drawing to its close. In
his misery the young cadet leaned against the face of the building,
behind an angle in the wall.
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