tartle the preacher. "Glad to know
it, Miss. I'll go out and look at your hoss, Jasper."

"After the wedding," Margaret suggested.

"And then you can swop hosses all day," said Jim.

"A good idea no doubt, Brother Jim Starbuck. And how are the people over
in your highland district?"

"In need of the gospel as they are here," Jim replied.

"Yes, here and everywhere, Brother Jim Starbuck. Your breed of hosses up
there are very sure-footed. I had one that could climb a hill-side like
a goat. Many professions resultant from the revivals last fall, Brother
Jim Starbuck?"

"Yes, and a number of additions to the church."

"That is indeed encouraging. I preached just beyond there one conference
year, and aside from the death of a very valuable hoss, I was quite
successful. Do you know a good brother named Adsit, big double log house
on the left bank of the creek?"

"Yes, I am acquainted with him."

"A fair minded man, is he, Brother Jim. Let me have a colt very
reasonable once."

"Shall we now go to the hill-top," Jim suggested.

"Yes, Brother Jim. But I should think that the ceremony could as well
be performed here in the house."

"That was not our plan," said Mrs. Mayfield. "We are going to be married
among the vines, and if such a temple is distasteful to you, sir--"

"Oh, not at all, Miss, I assure you."

"And we are going dressed just as we are," she continued.

"Oh, the dressing, Miss, makes no difference to me. Well, if
everything's ready we might as well go on."

Among the vines they stood. In the leaves above them the birds were
twittering. The sweet air came cool from up the creek. In the short
grass, stirred by a breeze, a harebell seemed tinily ringing. And down
the hill they went, brides and bridegrooms, all wound about with a rope
of white clover.

CHAPTER XIX.

OLD FOLKS LEFT ALONE.

Early the next morning a wagon drew up at the gate. It was to convey the
bridal party to a little village high up among the mountains. Margaret
was tearful and Jasper was sad, hiding his countenance as he fussed with
the harness. Tom insisted that it was no time for sorrow. "We'll be back
in a week's time," said he. "And even after I take her down to town I'll
bring her back here every month." But Margaret continued to sorrow. "I
don't never expect to see you ag'in," she said and Lou laughed with
tears in her eyes. "Why, it's nothin' to be away from home a week,
mother. And just think how happy I am."