she goes
to return her call."

* * * * *

When Cora reached her chamber that evening, she sat down to reflect on
all that her Uncle Fabian had told her of the past history of her
grandfather's young wife, and to anticipate the possible movements of
her brother. Her own life, since the loss of her husband--now loved so
deeply, though loved too late--she felt was over. The future had nothing
for herself. What, therefore, could she do with the dull years in which
she might long vegetate through life but to give them in useful service
to those who needed help? She would go with her brother to the frontier,
and find some field of labor among the Indians. She would found a school
with her fortune, and devote her life to the education of Indian
children. And she would call the school by her lost husband's name, and
so make of it a monument to his memory.

Revolving these plans in her mind, Cora Rothsay retired to rest. The
next morning she arose at her usual hour, dressed, and went down stairs.

Old Aaron Rockharrt and his young wife were already in the parlor,
waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.

She had but just greeted them when the call came, and all moved toward
the breakfast room.

Just as the three had seated themselves at the table, and while Rose
was pouring out the coffee, the sound of carriage wheels was heard
approaching the house, and a few minutes later Mr. Clarence and Sylvan
entered the breakfast room with joyous bustle.

"What--what--what does this unseemly excitement mean?" sternly demanded
the Iron King, while Cora arose to shake hands with her uncle and
brother; and while Rose, fearful of doing wrong, did nothing at all.

"What is the matter? What has happened? Why have you left the works at
this hour of the morning, Clarence?" he requested of his son.

"I came with Sylvan, sir, for the last time before he leaves us for
distant and dangerous service, and for an unlimited period."

"Ah! you have your orders, then?" said Mr. Rockharrt, in a somewhat
mollified tone.

"Yes, sir," said the young lieutenant. "I received my commission by the
earliest mail this morning, with orders to report for duty to Colonel
Glennin, of the Third Regiment of Infantry, now at Governor's Island,
New York harbor, and under orders to start for Fort Farthermost, on the
Mexican frontier. I must leave to-night in order to report in time."

Cora looked at him with the deepest interest.