"Isn't it strange? You know I've always wanted to live at an army post--but I'm not engaged yet,"--then Cadet Kindred grew silent, and as soon as possible resigned in favour of Mr. Clinker. So the hope-gilded days flew on: but with the end of May came a check. Magnus got back from a long walk, to find two letters on his table. I know it is the correct thing for hero and heroine to "tear open" their letters, but Magnus cut his as carefully as if the very envelope might hold its quota of words. "Dear Magnus," so the clear handwriting began, "I am afraid--no, I suppose I hope--that you will be very sorry. For I cannot go East with Mrs. Kindred and the girls." And here, truth compels me to say, Cadet Kindred threw down the letter, and stamped about the room in a small tempest of displeasure. "What's up?" queried Rig, who had noted the postmark. "Hasn't gone back on you, has she?" For which harmless suggestion, Magnus promptly tumbled the offender out of his chair, and left him to pick himself up. "I say! Steady on that, you know," commented Mr. McLean. "Girls are plenty; but where will you find a friend like me?" "That was a beastly insinuation!" said Magnus in hot wrath. "Was it? Girls are all alike, old boy." And Rig heaved a sigh. "They're not! And this isn't what you mean by a girl. It's a--a----" "An angel, perhaps," said Rig. "Then allow me to inquire what business you have to be rattled, with anything an angel sees fit to do." "Rig," said Magnus seriously, pausing before him, "do you know whereabouts we are in barracks?" "Second floor, first div.," Rig answered. "Well, you can have a chance to measure the breadth of the window, and the depth to the ground, just as soon as you want it." "Thanks, I'm sure," said Mr. McLean. "At this moment, I am hard at work on the problem of your temper, minus your common sense. What does the letter say?" "Don't know yet," said Magnus. "I've only read three lines." Rig looked at him, and then gathering up his own books, he carried them over to the cold steam pipes, laid them down, and perched himself at one end. "You must excuse me," he said; "you are so plainly insane, that a due regard to my personal safety brings about this temporary coolness. 'Distance lends enchantment'--but you are more irresistible near by." Magnus flung back into his chair again, with a half groan, and took up the letter. If it had been release from quarters he would have gone to Fort Put for the reading. "Cannot come East!" he muttered to himself. "What's the use of reading on? She will not--and that's just where it is." And yet he read. "Papa is not strong this spring; not at all able for the journey; and I cannot leave him alone. He says 'Go'--but I cannot, Magnus. Not this year." ("Bless her for that!") Magnus interlined. "But the girls are to see everything, and remember everything, and tell it all to me; and maybe when you graduate we can all be there."