“Then next week you will find out what I mean.” “How?” “That’s all.” And that was all, for not another word of explanation could Britomarte get from Elfie. The next morning after this conversation, Justin paid one of his rare visits to the parsonage. He informed his sister that he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and laughingly pointed to the chevrons on his sleeves. Major Fielding, who was much better, and was expecting to be ordered to his regiment, chuckled as he congratulated Corporal Rosenthal. “Your promotion is the second step up the ladder of military fame, on which your enlistment was the first step. And let me remind you, my boy, that half the greatest generals the world has ever known were men who rose from the ranks. Why, Lord bless my soul, boy, I myself enlisted as a private soldier, and see where I am now,” said the major, with a little pardonable egotism. “Good gracious, pap, that was two years ago! If Justin rises no faster than you did, the war will be over before he is a drill sergeant,” said Elfie. “Yes; but he will rise faster, daught’. Young men can rise faster, as well as run faster, than old ones. You see with me there were drawbacks, daught’. For one thing, I wasn’t tip-top at the double-quick!” “Except in retreat, pap!” “Hush, you saucy imp!” “But, in any case,” sighed Erminie, “Justin’s promotion must be very tedious.” “Not at all,” said the major. “He will rise as fast as he learns. A young man like our volunteer here is not going to be overlooked in the lines. He will be promoted as fast as possible. The regiment is not filled up yet, you know. New companies are being formed. And I will guarantee, before the regiment marches, Justin will have received his captain’s commission.” “Heaven send it!” aspirated Erminie. “Dear sister, and good friends,” said Justin, earnestly, “I beg you to understand that I did not enter the army to seek my own advancement, but to do my duty to my country.” “I know that, Justin,” said Erminie—“know it well; but——” “Advancement will be your destiny whether you seek it or not,” said the major. As time was up, and Justin had to be back in camp by the evening roll call, he took leave of his sister and friends and departed. The prophecies of Major Fielding were fulfilled. Justin rose rapidly from the ranks. The next time he visited his sister, he wore the badge of a sergeant upon his sleeves. And he delighted Erminie with the announcement that the colonel of his regiment had notified him that he should have a lieutenant’s commission in a company that was then being formed of new recruits, and had also hinted at still further advancement. CHAPTER IV. THE SOLDIER’S LOVE.