, 1898-09-16

~ times tnaG l QOn love you! AS II
that weren't reason enoughr
"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 Sally,
with no sign Of resentment.
went you tell me why?" again de-
manded Hopkins.
"No," said Sally, standing very
straight and looking as severe as 80 fair
. girl could. mo, James Hopkins, l
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 I 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"
Icabod hesitated. 1t 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 a woman
couldn't be frank and o%utspoken in
such matters and save her kindly dis
posed friends SO much needless labor.
As he came near the house he saw
Sally sitting OF the low piazza, her
workbasket beside her, bending over
some bit of sewing in her hand, a 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.
II didn't know he was sick at ALL"
answered Icabod In honest surprise.
Hes a little SICK" said Sally.
Hes gone rel 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 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:
"I've come on behalf of Hopkina
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 needle.
do you think l ought to tell him,
parson?" she asked.
Eyes, l do" said 1cabod. with paro.
chial firmness.
will you promise to tell him il l
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, II
think I'd,bo 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 I will send you
word what I 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 1t was q 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 Still would be frank in this
business. purpose to marry somebody else.
Bee II Samuel, twelfth chapter, verse Z. With
respect. / am y'r obed't SALLY DAvEs-
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 maD,'" and
then Icabod sat vacantly looking at the
table for q 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
1t over myself" said Icabod.-Boston
Transcript.
His Saving Grace.
81 may not like work." said the
tramp, ''but there is mi thing l don't