ff--see the very last of
you, Cora, until the carriage takes you out of sight. Oh, dear, it may
indeed be the very last that I shall ever see of you, sure enough."

"I hope not. Why do you speak so sadly?"

"Because I am not strong. My father died of consumption; so did my elder
brothers and sisters, the children of his first marriage, and often I
think I shall follow them."

Mrs. Rothsay looked at the speaker. The transparent delicacy of
complexion, the tenderness of the limpid blue eyes, the infantile
softness of face, throat, and hands, certainly did not seem to promise
much strength or long life; but Cora spoke cheerfully:

"Such hereditary weakness may be overcome in these days of science,
Rose. You must banish fear and take care of yourself. Now, I really must
go and put on my bonnet."

"Very well, then, if you must. I will meet you in the hall. Oh, my dear,
I am so very grateful to you for these precious jewels, and more than
all for the friendship and kindness that prompted the gift," said Rose;
and perhaps she really did believe that she prized the giver more than
the gift; for such self-deception would have been in keeping with her
superficial character.

Cora left the room and hurried to her chamber, where she put on her
bonnet and her linen duster. She had scarcely fastened the last button
when her brother knocked at the door, calling out:

"Come, Cora, come, or we shall miss the train."

Cora caught up her traveling bag, cast

"A long, last, lingering look"

around the dear, familiar room which she had occupied when at Rockhold
from her childhood's days, and then went out and joined her brother.

In the hall below they were met by Rose

"Be good to her, poor thing," whispered Cora to Sylvan.

"All right," replied the young lieutenant.

Rose's eyes were filled with tears. It seemed to the friendless creature
very hard to lose Cora, just as Cora was beginning to be friendly.

"Good-by," said Mrs. Rothsay, taking the woman's hand. But Rose burst
into tears, threw her arms around the young lady's neck, hugged her
close, and kissed her many times.

"Good-by, my pretty step-grandmother-in-law," said Sylvan, gayly, taking
her hand and giving her a kiss. "You are still

'The rose that all admire,'

but the best of friends must part."

And leaving Rose in tears, he opened the door for his sister to pass out
before him. But she, at least, passed no farther than the front porch,
where s