nomous reptiles all the days of our married life. What do you think of
us?"

"I think it is unjust that some military officers have to vegetate all
their days in those wilds of the West, while others live for all that
life is worth in the Eastern centers of civilization."

"Bless you, my dear, we don't vegetate. If nothing else should rouse our
souls the Indians would, and make it lively for us, too! It is not an
unpleasant life, upon the whole, Mrs. Rothsay; but you see we are
growing old, and my wife is tired of it, that is all."

"How soon shall we leave for the West?" inquired Corona.

"How soon can you be ready, my dear young lady?"

"I am quite ready now."

"Then on Monday, I think. What do you say, Mrs. Neville?" inquired the
captain.

"Monday will do," replied the wife.

"Now here are some people coming in to interrupt us," said the captain
in a vexed tone.

Corona looked up and said:

"They are Chief Justice and Mrs. Pendletime, come to call on their late
ward, Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt. You know them?"

"Not a bit of it. So if you please, my dear, we will retire at once and
leave you to receive them, especially as we are both engaged to dine at
the arsenal this afternoon," said the captain; and he arose, and with
his wife withdrew from the parlor.

Cora went forward to receive the new visitors. They both greeted her
very warmly, and then expressed the deepest sympathy with her in her
sorrow at the loss of her grandfather, and made many inquiries for the
particulars of his illness.

When Corona had answered all their questions, and they had again
expressed their sympathy, she inquired:

"Have you sent for Violet? Does she know you are here? If not, I will go
and call her."

"Oh, yes; the servant took up our card. And here she comes! And the baby
in her arms, by all that is beautiful!" said Mrs. Pendletime, as she
arose to meet her favorite, and took the infant from the fond mother and
covered both with caresses.

"To think of my child coming to a hotel instead of directly to my
house!" said the elder lady, reproachfully.

"But I wished to stay a day or two with Corona before she leaves for the
West. And after I meant to go to you and stay as long as you would let
me," Violet replied.

"Mrs. Rothsay going West!" exclaimed the old lady.

"Yes; she is," said Violet, emphatically and impatiently. And then there
ensued more explanations, and exclamations, and remonstrances.

And finally Mrs. P