rs. Rothsay's sojourn at the fort.

The major thanked the lady, and followed her into the drawing room,
where he sat talking to the colonel, while the ladies went to their
rooms to lay off their bonnets and cloaks. They came down only when
called by the bell to the early Sunday dinner.

As this was the last day of the guests' stay at Fort Leavenworth, many
of the officers dropped in to say good by; so that the party sat up
rather later than usual, and it was near midnight when they retired to
rest.

Corona did not go to bed at once. She sat from twelve to one writing a
letter to her Uncle Clarence, not knowing how the next was to be mailed
to him.

The next morning was so clear, bright, and beautiful that every one
said that it must be the perfection of Indian summer.

On the road outside the walls five strong army wagons, to which stout
mules were harnessed, stood in a line. These were to serve the men as
carriages by day and couches by night. Besides these, there were two
carriages of better make and more comfortable fittings for the captain
and the ladies of his party.

The farewell breakfast at the colonel's quarters partook of the nature
of an official banquet. It was unnecessarily prolonged.

At length the company left the table.

Mrs. Neville and Mrs. Rothsay went to their rooms to put on hats and
cloaks. As soon as they were ready they came down to bid good by to Mrs.
---- and some other ladies who had come to the colonel's quarters to see
them off.

When these adieus were all said, the colonel gave Mrs. Rothsay his arm
to lead her to the carriage, which stood in line with the army wagons on
the road outside the walls.

Captain and Mrs. Neville had gone on before.

"There, the steamer has landed, and here are some people coming up from
it," said the colonel, pausing at the gate with Corona on his arm, as a
heavy carriage, drawn by a pair of powerful draught horses, came up from
the steamboat landing and drew up at the gate.

A tall man, in a long overcoat and a fur cap, jumped down and approached
Corona.

"Uncle Clarence! Oh, heaven of heavens! Uncle Clarence!" she exclaimed,
pale and faint with excess of surprise and joy.

"Yes, my dear; I am going with you. See, I have my own carriage and
horses, brought all the way by steamer from St. Louis. Our own servants,
brought all the way from North End. Now introduce me to your friend
here, and later I will tell you all about it," said the new comer,