A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
name of a man high in the Naval affairs of the nation.
"Excuse me, sir, I didn't know" began
Nelson in some confusion.
"Naturally you wouldn't," laughed the other. "I'm not tagged, thank goodness! You see, I've been on liberty too," he added smiling, "but not, I am glad to say, in hospital. I've been visiting my family for a week. And now, like you, I'm going back to duty."
"Yes, sir," murmured Nelson. As the Navy man made no offer to take his card back the boy held it in his hand, wondering what to do with it. "I guess there's plenty to do in Washington just now, sir," he hazarded.
The other nodded. "A terrific amount of work, yes. I felt guilty most of the time I was away; maybe I enjoyed my vacation more for that reason," he added with his contagious chuckle. Nelson smiled in sympathy.
"It's like playing hookey, sir," he suggested.
"That's it. How do you like the Reserve service—er—by the way, what's your name?"
"Troy, sir. I like it very well, only—I'd rather be on the other side."
"I see. Yes, of course. Well, I dare say
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