There was keen interest in it and its final adoption seemed assured.

It was of sufficient importance to make his name one of those conspicuous in army affairs.

He had already several lesser things--devices pertaining to equipment--to his credit and was looked upon as one of the most promising of the army's men of invention.
And aside from her pride in him, Katie's affection for her brother was deep, intensified because of their being alone.

Their father had died when Katie was sixteen, died as a result of wounds received long before in frontier skirmishes, where he had been one of those many brave men to serve fearlessly and faithfully, men who gave more to their country than their country perhaps understood.

Their mother survived him only two years.