SYLVAN'S ORDERS.
While the amiable Mr. Fabian was engaged in soothing the woman whom he
was resolved to make his instrument in gaining the whole of his father's
great business bequeathed to him by will, carriage wheels were heard
grating on the gravel of the drive leading up to the front door of the
house, and a few minutes afterward the master's knock was answered by
the hall waiter, and old Aaron Rockharrt strode into the drawing room.
"I did not know that you had gone out again. I left you on the library
sofa asleep," said Rose, deferentially, as she sprang up to meet him.
"I was called out on business that don't concern you. Ah, Fabian! How is
it that I find you here to-night?" inquired the Iron King, as he threw
himself into a chair.
"I brought Cora home from the Banks," replied the eldest son.
"Ah! how is Mrs. Fabian?"
"Still delicate. I can scarcely hope that she will be stronger for some
weeks yet."
"When are you going to bring her to call on my wife?" demanded the Iron
King, bending his gray brows somewhat angrily and looking suspiciously
on his son; for he was not pleased that his daughter-in-law's visit of
ceremony had been so long delayed.
"As soon as she is able to leave the house. Our physician has forbidden
her to take any long walk or ride for some time yet."
"And how long is this seclusion to last?"
"Until after a certain event to take place at the end of three months."
"Ah! and then another month for convalescence! So it will be late in the
autumn before we can hope to see Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt at Rockhold!"
"I fear so, indeed, sir!"
"I do not approve of this petting, coddling, and indulging women. It
makes the weak creatures weaker. If you choose to seclude your wife or
allow her to seclude herself on account of a purely physiological
condition, I will not allow Mrs. Rockharrt to go near her until she goes
to return her call."
* * * * *
When Cora reached her chamber that evening, she sat down to reflect on
all that her Uncle Fabian had told her of the past history of her
grandfather's young wife, and to anticipate the possible movements of
her brother. Her own life, since the loss of her husband--now loved so
deeply, though loved too late--she felt was over. The future had nothing
for herself. What, therefore, could she do with the dull years in which
she might long vegetate through life but to give them in useful service
to those who needed help? She would go with her brother to the frontier,
and find some field of labor among the Indians. She would found a school
with her fortune, and devote her life to the education of Indian
children. And she would call the school by her lost husband's name, and
so make of it a monument to his memory.
Revolving these plans in her mind, Cora Rothsay retired to rest. The
next morning she arose at her usual hour, dressed, and went down stairs.
Old Aaron Rockharrt and his young wife were already in the parlor,
waiting for the breakfast bell to ring.
She had but just greeted them when the call came, and all moved toward
the breakfast room.
Just as the three had seated themselves at the table, and while Rose
was pouring out the coffee, the sound of carriage wheels was heard
approaching the house, and a few minutes later Mr. Clarence and Sylvan
entered the breakfast room with joyous bustle.
"What--what--what does this unseemly excitement mean?" sternly demanded
the Iron King, while Cora arose to shake hands with her uncle and
brother; and while Rose, fearful of doing wrong, did nothing at all.
"What is the matter? What has happened? Why have you left the works at
this hour of the morning, Clarence?" he requested of his son.
"I came with Sylvan, sir, for the last time before he leaves us for
distant and dangerous service, and for an unlimited period."
"Ah! you have your orders, then?" said Mr. Rockharrt, in a somewhat
mollified tone.
"Yes, sir," said the young lieutenant. "I received my commission by the
earliest mail this morning, with orders to report for duty to Colonel
Glennin, of the Third Regiment of Infantry, now at Governor's Island,
New York harbor, and under orders to start for Fort Farthermost, on the
Mexican frontier. I must leave to-night in order to report in time."
Cora looked at him with the deepest interest.
Rose thought now she might venture on a little civility without giving
offense to her despotic lord.
"Have you had breakfast, you two?" she inquired.
"No, indeed. We started immediately after receiving the orders," said
Sylvan. "And we are as hungry as two bears."
"Bring chairs to the table, Mark, for the gentlemen," said young Mrs.
Rockharrt, who then rang for two more covers and hot coffee.
"Cora," whispered Sylvan, as soon as he got a chance to speak to his
sister, "you can never get ready to go with me on so short a notice.
Women have so much to do."
"Sylvan," she replied, "I have been ready for a month."