Page:Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days.djvu/275

 turned aside. Dutton took a step forward, in spite of his strained ankle.

"Hamilton," he said, and there was a husky note in his voice.

Dick turned back.

"Hamilton—I—er—I—I—will you shake hands?" asked Button suddenly, and he seemed much affected.

Dick grasped the outstretched hand, and the two, one of whom had been an unrelenting enemy of the other, looked into each others' eyes.

"Hamilton," went on Dutton, still holding Dick's hand, "I don't know how to thank you. Will you—will you forgive me?"

"Oh—there's nothing to forgive," said Dick.

"Yes, there is," said Dutton huskily. "I've treated you—I've been a cad, that's what I have! I didn't like you at first—I thought you were proud of your millions. I didn't like the idea of you being here—I was jealous, I guess. I wanted to make you quit. It was I who tied your dog to the saluting gun, and tried to throw the blame on you. I've done other mean things. I—I"

"Forget it!" said Dick so heartily that the other cadets laughed, and thus broke what was becoming quite a strain.

Major Webster, when he heard the beginning of Dutton's confession, walked away. He was a wise old soldier, and he knew that the lads could best settle those things among themselves.