It was with really a sad heart that Clarice Carr felt that she must say farewell to Ruth Arden. She had become greatly attached to her in the few days she had been at the fort, and she recognized what a superior woman she was, young in years but old in experience.
The major and his wife also were sorry to see her depart, for they too had been drawn to her most closely.
When the time came for her departure Colonel Dunwoody came over to the major’s and for a moment saw Ruth alone.
“Miss Arden, I hope and feel that we will meet again, and I wish to say to you that it is my wish that you will command me in any way in which I can ever be of service to you. Will you promise me this, Miss Arden?”
“I will, Colonel Dunwoody, although I am now under the deepest obligations to you.”
“No, I do not so consider it; but there is one thing more, and pardon me for referring to it.”
“Yes.”
“When this is all over, when the end has come, I will have the body of your brother decently buried for your sake, and the grave marked so that it can be found if need be. The major has told me that there was a fortune left by your father, and to get possession of it you may wish to secure a certificate of his death.”
“It is not necessary, Colonel Dunwoody, as my father left the entire estate to me, having disinherited my brother. I would gladly have shared it with him, had he changed his career, or given his share to his wife or children, had he married, which, however, he told me he had not done. If you will give him decent burial, sir, I shall be very grateful, and I desire to leave with you the funds necessary for——”
“No, no, Miss Arden, I will keep an account of the expenses and notify you at the proper time. But here comes the coach, and farewells must be said.”