It is summer again, the summer of 1893, for two years have passed away since the occurrence of the events related in our former chapter.

There have been few changes among our friends at Ion, Woodburn, and the other plantations belonging to the family connection, except such as time brings to all.

The elder ones seem scarcely any older, but the younger ones are growing up.

Elsie's sons, Harold and Herbert, are now practising physicians, still making their home at Ion, but having an office in a neighboring village; Rosie has attained her twentieth year and entered society; but Walter is still one of Captain Raymond's pupils, as are Lulu and Grace, now blooming girls of fifteen and seventeen, their father's joy and pride and as devotedly attached to him as ever.
Max is still a cadet in the Naval Academy, pursuing his course there in a manner altogether satisfactory to his father and friends.

The captain thinks no man ever had a brighter, better son than his first-born, or one more likely to do good service to his country in his chosen profession.