He was fully awake now, alert and eager.
This town of Nashville was full of promise.

It had been the home of the great Andrew Jackson, and it was one of the important cities of the South, where cities were measured by influence rather than population, because all, except New Orleans, were small.
As the train slowed down, Harry arose and stood in the aisle.

The stranger also stood up, and Harry noticed that his bearing was military.
He looked around, his eyes met Harry's--perhaps he had been observing him in the night--and he smiled.

It was a rare, illuminating smile that made him wonderfully attractive, and Harry smiled back.

He did not know it, but he was growing lonely, with the loneliness of youth, and he wanted a friend.
"You are stopping in Nashville ?" said the man with the friendliness of the time.
"For a day only.