Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-01-13

no WIS muCn UifuppOiutCu.
"Didn't she tell you why?'' he asked.
looking dubiously ut Icabod.
Il don't believe she has any reason. I"
Icabod answered. Perhaps she noeds
TO DO coaxed. 60 10 zee her yourself,
man, and don't come bothering me
about It,"
So the next day Hopkins rode over 10
the Dawes plantati a and again pre-
scnted himself with some doubt it Is
true. as 20 the wisdom Of his coming.
Sally was not to be coRxed, and the in
terview was short and much 10 the
point.
"And have l a reascng'' Sally asked
sharply. And haven't l told you these
30 times that 1 don't love your AS IL
that weren't reason enoughP'
you ike somebody else. retortcd
Hopkins. Probably you've been max
ing promises 70 Ed Clark, now"
"And belike l may have, though l
dCu't remember them, " answered Sally,
with no sign Of resentment
Wont you tell mo why2" again de-
manded Hopkins
NO." said Sally. standing very
straight and looking as severe as so fair
a Rirl could. "No. James Hopkins. l
will not tell you my reason"
Hopkins rode away in gathering
wrath, and he decided once more TO
seek tho interference Of tho church.
Icabod listened patiently to his tale,
and then told him kindly but firmly
TINT in view Of his many duties he sim
.lrr .ra1I w,,N r~H.-e,h-- A.. 49, -
~parochinl lovemaking.
but she won't tell mo why, Hop
kins persisted. ''I'd feel better about IL
If / only knew her reason. Two asked
her time and ngain, ind she only mikes
fun of me. Won't you ask her that
much? Please now. just ~ q friend Of
us both"
Icabod hcsitatcd. 1t was such a
bother. Eyes, I'll ask her. " no said.
at the same time feeling angry with
himself for sayins that he would.
The next afternoon found Icabod rid
ing slowly along the shady summer
lanes toward the Dawes plantation and
wondering tho while why a 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 no saw
Sally sitting cn tho low piazza. her
w~orkbasket beside her, bending over
some bit ~ sewing in her hand, a pic
ture framed in the green vines which
grew over the porch, and Icabod
couldn't find 1t 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 10 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.
Hes q little sick. said Sally.
Hes gone over to the river meadow
now, but l couldn't think what else
could bring you again 30 soon. not but
that you're always welcome, " she add
ed, seeing Icabod's evident embarrass-
ment.
He dismounted and sat down on tho
broad piazza bench. He might rs we'll
get through with his FOOLS GRAND and
DO done with It, so no said:
1--WE come on behalf Of Hopkins
Sally smiled in enjoyment Of the sit
u%ation, but she kept silent
Evidently she wouldn't help him, so
IoabOd continued, "He wants me to ask
you why you won't marry him."
Sally hesitated and strokcd her work
with her needle.
do you think l ought TO tell him,
parsoni" she asked.
"Yes. 1 dc, " said Icabcd, with paro-
chial frmnosa
Twill you promise to tell him If l
explain my reason to your" Sally asked,
looking squarely at Icabod.
"YeA" he answered, feeling much
relieved and smiling back encourage
mens at the fair girl before him.
"Well," said Sally thoughtfully, II
think I'D DO willing to tell you my rea-
son, but. you see, it's not wholly my
own. Suppose we leave it this way. l
will think about it and | will send you
word what l decide, and we won't talk
about it any more. please. " she ended.
rising.
Icabod judged that he wns expected
to 60, and 90 he took his leave. His
visit was most unsatisfactory, but he
had done what he could and he was
glad the business was ended, 30 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 a good one, for the girl
seemed very sensible. and so Icabod
rode back very c~ontentedly 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. Purpose TO marry somebody else.
See samuel. twelfth chapter, verse z. With
respect, ! am y'F obed't ALL DAVE
Icabod opened his Bible to the second
book Of Samuel, the twelfth chapter,
and ran his finger down to che seventh
verse and read, "And Nathan said I'M
to David, Thou art the man, and
then Icabod sat vacantl7 looking at the
table for a long time.
Miss Sally told me to fetch an an-
swer. said the little black boy at his
elbow.
NTon wou- ~,t.t-o.. shok ILL h-fuo