Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-20

49,
may tell James Hopkins the same and
give him my best good wishes, repiled
Sally, with all sweetness.
so the Interview ended. 1t seemed
10 lchabod useless to discuss the SUD-
Ject farther. lie had done his duty,
ana II was nearing supper time, SO ne
TOOK MS leave and rode away, amuSed
and rather sorry and wondered which
oil the young men was to marry the
pretuest girl in the parish.
her picture came back TO him as she
stood on the low piazza, one arm rest
ing against the vine-covered post, the
sunshine playing on her fair hair,
which had blown little over her
brown eyes, so filled with mischief.
She certainly was the prettiest girl in
the parish Ichabod thought.
During the Sunday morning Hopkins
came 10 see the p2rSon, and when he
learned the result of the interview he
was much disappointed.
Didn't she tell you why?" he asked,
looking obviously at Ichabod.
Il don't believe she has any rea-
son. Iehabod answered. Perhaps she
needs TO be coaXed. Go to see her
yourself, man, and don't be bothering
me about it,"
So the next day Hopkins drove over
TO the Dawes plantation and again pre-
scented himself, with some doubt, il is
true, as TO the wisdom OF his coming.
And have l reason?" Sally asked.
sharply. And haven't l told you
these twenty times that l don't love
you? AS If that weren't reason
/ enough?'
Wont you tell me why?" again de-
manded Hopkins.
! No said Sally. standing straight
and looking as severe as SO fair a girl
| could. No, James Hopkins, l will not
| tell you my reason"
| lchabod listened patiently to his tale
and then told him kindly, but firmly,
that in view of his many duties, he
/ simply could not undertake the care OF
parochial loyemaking.
But she won't tell me why" Hop-
/ kins persisted. I'd feel better about il
if | only knew her reason. I've asked
her time and again, and she only makes
fun of me. Won't you ask her that
much? Please, now, just as a friend
Of us BOTH
Ichabod hesitated. Yes. I'll ask
her, he said. at the same time feeling
angry with himself for saying that he
would.
/ The next afternoon found Ichabod
/ riding slowly along the shady summer
/ lanes toward the Dawes plantation, and
/ wondering the while why a woman
couldn't be frank and outspoken in
such matters and save her kindly dis
4 posed friends so much needless labor.
I've come on behalf OF hopkins.
Sally smiled in enjoyment of the
situation, but she kept silent Evident
. ly she wouldn't heip hlm. 50 lchabod
continued.
lie wants me to ask you why YOU
VOL. marry him"
DO you think | ought to tell him,
parson?" she asked.
Yes, | do, said lchabod, with paro-
chial firmness.
"Will you promise to tell him If l
explain my reason TO you?' Sally ask
ed, looking squarely at lchabod.
Yes" he answered, feeling much
relieved and smiling Dack encourage
ment at the fair girl before him.
Well" said Sally, thoughttully /
4 think Ill be willing to tell YOU my rca-
\ son, but, you see, it's not wholly my
1 own. suppose We itdNt IL tiIlS way
will think about it and | viii send
word what | decide, and we won't
! about it any more please, she
I rising.
Ills visit was most unsatisfacV
but he had done what he could andV
was glad the business was ended, so fan
4 as ne was concerned. lie Was sorry
! for Hopkins. poor chap, but perhaps
4 he would be satisfied with sally red-
/ son.
The next morning, as Ichabod was
writing at his long table. Sal!ys little
| boy brought him this note:
Reverend Sir: | would be frank in
! this business. l purpose to marry
somebody else See III Samuel, XII
| Chapter. Verse, :. With respect, ! am,
! y'r obed't SALLY DAWES.
| Ichabod opened his Bible to the Sec
! ond book OF Samuel, the twelfth chap
| ter. and ran his finger down to tho
seventh verse and read: And Nathan
said unto David, Thou art the man"
and then Ichaboid sat yacantly looking
at the table for a long time.
Miss Sally told me to fetch an
answer said the little boy at his ell
bow.
TELL your mistress that | will bring
it over myself, said Ichabod Chicago
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