Neither Mr. Rose nor Will had had experience with the power of a big
corporation, and satisfied that they had the only good site for a town
in that vicinity, they declared that the railroad could not help itself.

Dr. Webb smiled pleasantly, and not without compassion. "Look out for
yourselves," said he, as he took his leave.

And within sight of Rome he located a new town. The citizens of Rome
were given to understand that the railroad shops would be built at the
new settlement, and that there was really nothing to prevent it becoming
the metropolis of Kansas.

Rome became a wilderness. Its citizens stampeded to the new town,
and Mr. Rose and Will revised their estimate of their penetration and
business sagacity.

Meantime, the home in Leavenworth had been gladdened by the birth of a
little daughter, whom her father named Arta. As it was impossible for
Will to return for some months, it was planned that the mother, the
baby, and I should make a visit to the St. Louis home. This was
accomplished safely; and while the grandparents were enraptured with the
baby, I was enjoying the delight of a first visit to a large city.

While the new town of Rome was regarded as an assured success by Will,
he had journeyed to St. Louis after his wife and little one. They
proceeded with him to the cozy cabin home he had fitted up, while I went
back to Leavenworth.

After the fall of Rome the little frontier home was no longer the