a big dog would his
master, kept blowing his nose and walking around the room. And by the
fire sat the old Cottontown preacher, his back turned to them and
saying just loud enough to be heard: "_The Lord is my shepherd, I
shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, ... he
restoreth my soul-- ... my cup runneth over...._"

And then sillily, as Alice thought, she threw her arms around the
neck of the man she loved and burst into the tears which brought the
sweetness of assurance, the calmness of a reality that meant
happiness.

And for an hour she sobbed, her arms there, and he holding her tight
to his breast and talking in the old way, natural and soothing and
reassuring and taking from her heart all fear and the shock of it,
until at last it all seemed natural and not a dream, ... and the
sweetness of it all was like the light which cometh with the joy of
the morning.

CHAPTER XV

THE TOUCH OF GOD

The news of Captain Tom's return spread quickly. By noon it was known
throughout the Tennessee Valley.

The sensational features of it required prompt action on his and
Alice's part, and their decision was quickly made: they would be
married that Sunday afternoon in the little church on the mountain
side and by the old man who had done so much to make their happiness
possible.

For once in its history the little church could not hold the people
who came to witness this romantic marriage, and far down the mountain
side they stood to see the bride and groom pass by. Many remembered
the groom, all had heard of him,--his devotion to his country's flag;
to the memory of his father; his gallantry, his heroism, his
martyrdom, dying (as they supposed) rather than turn his guns on his
brave old grandsire. And now to come back to life again--to win the
woman he loved and who had loved him all these years! Besides, there
was no one in the Tennessee Valley considered more beautiful than the
bride, and they loved her as if she had been an angel of light.

And never had she appeared more lovely.

A stillness swept over the crowd when the carriage drove up to the
little church, and when the tall, handsome man in the uniform of a
captain of artillery lifted Alice out with the tenderness of all
lovers in his touch and the strength of a strong lover, with a lily
in his hand, the crowd, knowing his history, could not refrain from
cheering. He lifted his cap and threw back his iron-gray hair,
showing a head