But what is this; are we calling the roll after we have broken ranks? Our rocket has scaled the sky, poised, curved, burst, spread out all its stars, and dropped its stick. All is done unless we desire to watch the fading sparks slowly sink and melt into darkness. The General, the Major, his brother, their sister, my mother, Quinn, Kendall, Sergeant Jim, the Sessionses, the Walls--do not inquire too closely; some have vanished already, and soon all will be gone; then--another rocket; it is the only way, and why is it not a good one? Harry and Cecile--yes, they still shine, in "dear old New Orleans." Camille kept me on the tenter-hooks while she "turned away her eyes" for years; but one evening when we were reading an ancient book together out dropped those same old sweet-pea blossoms; whereupon I took her hand and--I have it yet. There, we have counted the last spark--stop, no! two lights beam out again; Edgard and Charlotte, our neighbors and dearest friends through all our life; they glow with nobility and loveliness yet, as they did in those young days when his sword led our dying fortunes, and she, in her gypsy wagon, followed them, binding the torn wound, and bathing the aching bruise and fevered head. Oh, Ned Ferry, my long-loved partner, as dear a leader still as ever you were in the days of bloody death, life's choicest gifts be yours, and be hers whose sons and daughters are yours, and the eldest and tallest of whom is the one you and she have named Richard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OTHER BOOKS BY MR. CABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There are few living American writers who can reproduce for us more perfectly than MR. CABLE does, in his best moments, the speech, the manners, the whole social atmosphere of a remote time and peculiar people. A delicious flavor of humor permeates his stories.--_The New York Tribune_. STRONG HEARTS 12mo, $1.25 "Under the title "_Strong Hearts_," MR. CABLE has grouped three stories of varying length, which we think must stand as among the most charming things he has written. Not even in "_Old Creole Days_," is there found more delicate work, and yet underneath it there is felt the strong grasp of the master. There is so much delicacy, such a fine touch that one is wholly captivated by the handiwork until it is realized how much this is part and parcel of this picture."--_Brooklyn Eagle_. ------------------------- _A New Edition of Mr. Cable's Romances comprising the following 5 vols., printed on deckle-edge paper, gilt top and bound in sateen with full gilt design. Each 12mo, $1.50. The set, 5 volumes, in a box, $7.50_. JOHN MARCH SOUTHERNER 12mo, $1.50 "The most careful and thorough going study of the reconstruction period in the South which has yet been offered in the world of fiction.--_The Outlook_. "In many respects MR. CABLE'S finest work."--_Boston Advertiser_. ------------------------- THE GRANDISSIMES A STORY OF CREOLE LIFE 12mo, $1.50.