lion in his present mood. Come and sit down on the sofa
by me, sister, and let us have a pleasant talk--"

"Pleasant talk! Oh, Sylvan!"

"Well, then, Cora, dear sister, a cozy, confidential talk. Do you know
we have not had one for years and years and years?"

They sat down side by side holding each other's hands in silence for a
little while, when Cora said:

"Do you think you will graduate next year, Sylvan?"

"Yes, Cora, certainly."

"And then you will come home for a long visit."

"For a short one, on leave."

"And afterward, Sylvan?"

"Well, afterward I shall be ordered out to 'The Devil's Icy Peak.'"

"What!"

"That was Aunt Cassy's name for all remote parts, you know. 'Devil's Icy
Peak,' which in my destination means some remote frontier fort, among
hostile Indians, border ruffians, grizzly bears, buffaloes,
rattlesnakes, mosquitoes, malaria, and other wild beasts. There is where
they send all the new-fledged military officers from West Point, and
there they may spend the best part of their lives," said Sylvan.

"Unless they have influence with the higher authorities. If they have
such influence, they may be sent to choice posts near the great cities,
in reach of all the best society, best libraries, and all the luxuries
and advantages of the highest civilization."

"Yes, I know; but--" said the young cadet, hesitatingly.

"You, or rather our grandfather, has influence enough to have you
ordered to Washington, New York, Portsmouth--any place."

"Yes, I know; but--"

"But what, Sylvan?"

"Cora, our grandfather's influence is that of wealth--great wealth--and
it is a mighty power in this world at this age; but, you see, Aaron
Rockharrt would not use it in such a way. He would not consider it
honest to do so. Nor would I have it either. No; since the government
has given me a free military education, I think it my duty to go exactly
wherever they may order me, without attempting to evade orders through
the influence of friends or money."

"You are entirely right, dear brother. And I tell you this: Though I
must and will remain with my grandfather so long as he shall need me--so
long as he shall live--yet, when he departs, if you should be stationed
at one of those border posts, I will go out and join you, Sylvan," said
Cora Rothsay, taking both his hands and pressing them warmly.

"No, dear sister; you shall not make such a sacrifice for me," he
answered.

"But after my aged grandfather, w