Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-29

looking obviously at Icabod.
81 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 in
terview was short and mucn to the
point.
"And have reason?'' Sally asked
sharply. "And haven't told you these
90 times that don't love you? AS if
that weren't reason enoughp
"You like somebody else, " retorted
Hopkins. Probably you've been max
ing promises to Ed Clark, now.
"And belike / may have, though I
don't remember them, answered Sally,
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 SIM
ply could not undertake the care of
parochial lovemaking.
"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. It was such a
bother. eyes. I'll ask her" he said.
at the same time feeling angry with
himself 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 it in his heart to blame
Hopkins.
Sally saw him and stood up, drop
ping her work about her in pretty con-
fusion.
"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.
"He's gone over to the river meadow
now, but I couldn't think what else
could bring you again SO soon. Not but
that you re always welcome, !" she add
ed, seeing IcabOd's evident eInbarras5-
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 il, SO he said
I've 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 marry him.
Sally hesitated and stroked her work
with her needle.
Do you think ought to tell him,
parson?" she asked.
Eyes, do, said Icabod, with paro-
chial firmness.
''Will you promise to tell him if
explain my reason to your" Sally asked,
looking squarely at Icabod.
eyes" he answered, feeling much
relieved 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. /
will think about it and will send you
word what decide, and we won't talk
about it any more, please, she ended,
rising.
Icabod 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.
No doubt it was good one for the girl
seemed very sensible, and SO Icabod
rode back very contentedly to the par
sonage.
The next morning as Icabod was
writing at his big table Sally's little
black boy brought him this note:
REVEREND SIR-I would be frank in this
business. Ipurpose to marry somebody else.
See II Samuel, twelfth chapter, verse Z. With
respect, am yr obed't SALLY Dawes.
Icabod opened his Bible to the second
book Of Samuel the twelfth chapter,
and ran his finger down to the seventh
verse and read, "And Nathan said un-
to David, Thou art the map, {" and
then Icabod sat vacantly looking at the
table for long time.
Miss Sally told me to fetch an an
swer," +" said the little black boy at his
elbow.
"Tell your mistress that i will bring
it over myself" !" said Icabod. Boston
Transcript.
His Saving Grace.