s in his very worst fit of sullen ferocity. He had not been
able to get a charter for clearing out the channel of the Cumberland
River (another pet project of his), or even to form a company strong
enough to undertake the enterprise.

After a while, out of restlessness, he started with his wife,
granddaughter and grandson for a tour to the Northern Pacific Coast. He
spent some time in traveling through that region of country, and
returned East.

He stopped at West Point to leave Sylvan Haught, who had successfully
passed his examination and received his appointment at the military
academy.

Then he took his womenkind home to Rockhold.

A few days later young Rothsay was elected senator.

Some weeks later Rothsay again pressed his suit on the attention of Mr.
Rockharrt.

But the old man was adamant.

"No, sir, no! You must have a firmer foundation to build upon than the
fickle favor of the public. Wait a year or two longer. Let us see
whether your success is to be permanent."

"But," urged Rule, "my chosen bride is twenty-three years of age, and I
am twenty-seven. Time is flying."

"What has that got to do with the question? If you were to marry this
morning, would that stop the flight of time? Would not time fly just as
fast as ever? Suppose you should not marry for two years? My
granddaughter would then be twenty-five and you thirty, and many wise
philosophers think that such are the relative ages at which man and
woman should marry. Then the Iron King cast a thunderbolt. He said:

"I am going to take my girl on a trip to Europe this summer. When we
return, it will be time enough to talk about marriage."

Rule bowed a reluctant admission to this mandate. He knew well that
argument would be thrown away upon the Iron King, and he knew that, even
if he himself were tempted to try to persuade Cora to marry him at
present, she would not do so in opposition to her grandfather's will.

Mr. Rockharrt had not as yet said one word to his family concerning his
intended trip to Europe, although he had been thinking of it, and laying
his plans, and making his arrangements, preparatory to the voyage, all
the winter.

So it was with amazement that Cora first heard of the matter from Rule
Rothsay, who came to her to report the result of his last attempt to
gain the consent of the old gentleman to his marriage with the
granddaughter.

A few days later the family despot announced to his subjects that he
should start f