Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-08-18

resting 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 maiden
in the parish, Icabod thought; mere
candor compelled the admission, and
he wondered if the tea cakes would be
overdone, and accordingly applied his
riding stick and hurried on towards
the parsonage.
During the Sunday incoming Hopkins
came to see the parson, and when he
learned the result of the interview he
was much disappointed.
Didn't she tell you why?" he asked,
looking obviously at Icabod.
II don't believe she has any reason"
Icabod answered. perhaps she needs
to be coaxed. Go to see her yourself,
man, and don't come bothering me
about it,"
So the next day Hopkins rode over
to the Dawes plantation and again pre-
sented himself, with some doubt, it is
true, as to the wisdom of his coming.
Sally was not to be coaxed and the
interview was short and much to the
point.
sand have I reason?" Sally asked,
sharply. "And haven't told you these
20 times that / don't love you? AS if
that weren't reason enough"
you like somebody else" retorted
Hopkins. probably you've been max
ing promises to Ed Clark, now"
"And belize may have, though I
don't remember them," answered SAL
ly, with no sign of resentment.
won't you tell me why?" again de-
manded Hopkins.
"No," said Sally, standing very
straight and looking as severe as so
fair girl could. "No, James Hopkins,
/ will not tell you my reason"
Hopkins rode away in gathering
wrath, and he decided once more to
seek the interference of the church.
Icabod 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 making.
''But she won't tell me why" Hop
kins persisted. 'I'd feel better about
it 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 friend
| of us both.''
Icabod hesitated 1t was such
| bother. eyes, I'll ask her." he said, at
| the same time feeling angry with him
self for saying that he would.
The next afternoon found Icabod rid
ing slowly along the shady summer
| lanes toward the Dawes plantation,
| and wondering the while why woman
couldn't be frank and outspoken in
| such matters and save her kindly dis
posed friends so much needless labor.
AS he came near the house he saw
Sally sitting On the low piazza, her
| workbasket beside her, bending over
| some bit of sewing in her hand, pic
| ture framed in the green vines which
grew over the porch, and Icabod
| couldn't find il in his heart to blame
| Hopkins.
Sally saw him and stood up, dropping
| her work about her in pretty confu-
| sion.
THANK you, fathers not so sick we
should be bothering you," she said,
| coming down the first step to greet
| him.
81 didn't know he was sick at ALL"
answered Icabod, in honest surprise.
"He's little SICK" said Sally. Hes
gone over to the river meadow now,
but I couldn't think what else would
bring you again so soon. Not but
you're always welcome" she added,
seeing Icabod's evident embarrass-
| ment.
He dismounted and sat down on the
broad piazza bench. He might as well
| get through with his FOOLS errand and
| be done with it, so he said:
."Ive come on behalf of Hopkins"
Sally smiled in enjoyment of the sit
uation, but she kept silent.
Evidently she wouldn't help him, so
Icabod continued: "He wants me to
ask you why you won't marry him."
Sally hesitated and stroked her work
with her Eeedle.
ado you think I ought to tell him,
Parson?" she asked.
Eyes, do" said Icabod, with paro-
| chial frmness.
"Will you promise to tell him, If I
explain my reason to your" Sally
asked, looking squarely at Icabod.
"Yes," he answered, feeling much re-
lieved and smiling back encourage
ment at the fair girl before him.
"Well," said Sally, thoughtfully, 81
think I'd be willing to tell you my rea-
son; but you see, it's not wholly my
own. Suppose we leave it this way. I
will think about it and will send you
word what decide and we won't talk
about it any more, please" she ended,
rising.
lcabod judged that he was expected
to go, and so he took his leave. His
visit was most unsatisfactory, but he
had done what he could and he was
glad the business was ended, so far as
he was concerned. He was sorry for
Hopkins, poor chap, but perhaps he
would be satisfied with Sally's reason.
L. L.