sy-coated bays, presently drew up before the church. The
negro driver sprang from his high seat, and, bowing obsequiously, let
down the steps and opened the door of the coach, from which emerged,
first, Hiram Gilcrest in all the glory of Sunday broadcloth; next, two
small boys, then a negro woman bearing in her arms the youngest scion
of the house of Gilcrest, an infant in long clothes. Lastly came Mrs.
Gilcrest, a fragile, faded woman in rustling brocade and satin
petticoat. Close behind the coach rode a horseback party of four--Betsy
Gilcrest, two of her brothers, and a young woman in long black
riding-skirt and loose jacket, her features hidden by the gauze veil
depending from her dress bonnet of corded white silk.

Betsy, rosy and dimpling, unencumbered by riding-skirt, dust-jacket or
veil, tossed her bridle to her brother, John Calvin, and sprang from
her saddle to the stile. Her movements were light and graceful, and she
looked like a woodland nymph in a gown of light, gaily flowered chintz,
and a large hat encircled in a wreath of bright leaves. As her
companion, the girl in the corded silk bonnet, drew up, several
gallants from the group of young people near by hastened eagerly
forward to her assistance. After doffing riding-skirt and loose jacket,
she stood a moment upon the block, adjusting her attire, a robe of
misty lavender sarcenet with a pink crepe scarf loosely knotted across
the bosom.

"I wish she'd throw back that veil," thought Abner, as he stood with
Henry a little apart.

"That's Major Gilcrest's niece, come from Virginia to live with them,"
explained Henry, seeing Abner's admiring gaze fixed upon the girl.
"She's as pretty as a rosebush covered with pink blossoms; there ain't
a girl comes to Cane Ridge that can stand alongside her. She makes even
Sally Bledsoe and Molly Trabue look like common hollyhocks."

By this time every one save the group of young people and a few
stragglers out in the shade had entered the church, from which at this
moment a loud voice was heard announcing, "Hymn 642;" while at the same
time Deacon Hiram Gilcrest, standing at one door, and Deacon Bushrod
Hinkson at the other, admonished all loiterers to come in.

As soon as the congregation was seated, Mason Rogers, in a voice of
much power and sweetness, started the hymn already announced. Others
quickly joined in, until soon the building was filled with a swelling
volume of melody which made the walls resound and the