said
Corona.

"Yes, dear; and I also have 'so much to tell, and so much to hear,'"
assented Rothsay, as they sat down at the foot of the young pine tree,
with their backs to the rising cliffs and their faces to the descending
mountain, the brook at its foot, and the vast, sunlit prairie, in its
autumn coat of dry grass, rolling in smooth hills and hollows of gold
and bronze off to the distant horizon.

"Tell me, dear, of all that has befallen you in these dark years that
have parted us. Tell me of your grandparents. Do they still live?"
inquired Rothsay.

"Ah, no!" replied Corona. And then she entered upon the family history
of the last four years and four months, since Rule had disappeared, and
told him of the sudden death of her dear old grandmother on the very day
on which the false report of Rothsay's murder reached them.

She told him of her Uncle Fabian's marriage to Violet Wood a year later.

Of her widowed grandfather's second marriage to Mrs. Stillwater, whom
Rothsay had known in his childhood as Miss Rose Flowers.

Of the recent death of this second wife, followed very soon after by
that of the aged widower.

And finally she told him of her own resolution to follow her brother
Sylvan to his post of duty at Fort Farthermost, to open a mission home
school for Indian children, and to devote her life and fortune to their
service; and of the good opportunity offered her by the kindness of
Colonel Z. in procuring for her the escort of Captain and Mrs. Neville,
who were on their way to Farthermost with a party of recruits.

"And Clarence? How came he to be of the company?" inquired Rothsay.

"Uncle Clarence could not agree with Uncle Fabian in business policy. So
they dissolved partnership very amicably and with mutual satisfaction.
This was after I had left Rockhold. Clarence gathered up his wealth,
brought three devoted servants with him, and set out to follow me. At
St. Louis he purchased wagons, tents, horses, mules, and every
convenience for crossing the plains. He overtook and surprised us at
Fort Leavenworth on the very day of our intended departure for
Farthermost."

"Clarence came for your sake."

"Yes; and he has enjoyed the journey. On the free prairie he has been
like a boy out of school--so buoyant, so joyous--the life of the whole
company."

"What will he do now?"

"I think he will go on to Farthermost for this season. After this I do
not know what he will do or where he will go."

"