Mr. McRae's method's of speeding matters up were soon forgotten in the excitement of wedding preperations and the arrival of a fine bay steed. James was delighted and almost had to be pried off the animal at suppertime. Harry declined riding lessons at that time saying, "I'd like to be in one piece for my wedding. Remember what happened last time I was on a horse?"
James grinned, "I would have taken him in for you, but I didn't figure you felt like being shown up that day."
The young men laughed together remembering that stressful afternoon two years before. Then James added softly, "I'm glad that fellow never came back."
"Me, too," Harry responded, "Me, too..."
***************************************************************
Harry Finch and Meredith Drewry were wed shortly thereafter. Meredith wore a pale blue gown--made of cotten, for they could afford nothing else. Harry was surprised when he was presented with a gray woollen uniform--an exact replica of the one he had worn in defense of his beloved Georgia. Laid in state upon the neatly folded uniform was his old battered kepi, lovingly brushed and cleaned. The man's eyes filled with tears in rememberance of the dead and the failure of their struggle. His Confederate pride showed itself as he stepped forth in his new gray uniform. He stood a little straighter and squared his shoulders a little broader. His jaw was well defined as he placed the kepi firmly on his head. A grim, proud, tender smile gleamed in his eyes as he offered his arm to his bride, as unconventionally they walked side by side to the church.
Life was not easy for the South and yet, with peace in their hearts, looking forward to continued trials, Harry and Meredith pledged themselves to one another for life. Together, they would help rebuild the South, together they would praise the Lord in joy and sorrow, together they would face life--united in love and faithfulness.
As they walked home, the late afternoon sun streamed down kissing Meredith's beautiful brown hair as she looked up with loving pride into Harry's strong, broad face crowned with an old gray kepi.
THE END
James grinned, "I would have taken him in for you, but I didn't figure you felt like being shown up that day."
The young men laughed together remembering that stressful afternoon two years before. Then James added softly, "I'm glad that fellow never came back."
"Me, too," Harry responded, "Me, too..."
***************************************************************
Harry Finch and Meredith Drewry were wed shortly thereafter. Meredith wore a pale blue gown--made of cotten, for they could afford nothing else. Harry was surprised when he was presented with a gray woollen uniform--an exact replica of the one he had worn in defense of his beloved Georgia. Laid in state upon the neatly folded uniform was his old battered kepi, lovingly brushed and cleaned. The man's eyes filled with tears in rememberance of the dead and the failure of their struggle. His Confederate pride showed itself as he stepped forth in his new gray uniform. He stood a little straighter and squared his shoulders a little broader. His jaw was well defined as he placed the kepi firmly on his head. A grim, proud, tender smile gleamed in his eyes as he offered his arm to his bride, as unconventionally they walked side by side to the church.
Life was not easy for the South and yet, with peace in their hearts, looking forward to continued trials, Harry and Meredith pledged themselves to one another for life. Together, they would help rebuild the South, together they would praise the Lord in joy and sorrow, together they would face life--united in love and faithfulness.
As they walked home, the late afternoon sun streamed down kissing Meredith's beautiful brown hair as she looked up with loving pride into Harry's strong, broad face crowned with an old gray kepi.
THE END
