Uriah was only forty-five years old when Mary left him.

People came from miles around and all walks of life to pay their respects to the Mrs. Carson who delighted so many with her love and her jokes. She was laid to rest not far from the house, on a hill so the flood waters would never touch her grave. A large carved stone was placed at the head. It displayed the Rodes crest prominently above her name. For two months, people came to lay flowers on her grave.

Finally, it was time for John and Uriah to see the other side of the Appalachian Mountains.

Uriah stood alone on the front veranda of the house, looking out across the river. Landholders were ending their day's work, while horses grazed and cows moved toward barns to be milked. The fullness of spring was all around Mahala. The trees were green, the sky was blue, and the flowers bloomed in shades of red, pink and yellow. A soft breeze swayed the long grass and the river again bustled with activity.

Elizabeth opened one of the huge double doors, slipped out and closed the door be­hind her. Smiling up at him, she slid her hand around his arm and lightly hugged him. "You will need this for your journey," she said, handing him Mary's Bible.

Uriah stared at the book for a time before he took it. "I confess I had forgotten it. I would not have been pleased to find I had left it behind."