The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-11-10
may tell James Hopkins the same an
give him my best good Wishes. r.
piled Sally, with all sweetness.

mdy zen JdNlcS 1Ol'hiuS tuC Su'hS H"'
give him my best good Wishes. r.
piled Sally. with all sweetness
So the interview ended. IT. seem"y!
to Ichabod useless to discuss the Sui'
ject further He had done his duty.
and it was nearing supper time. SO ne
took his leave and rode away. amused
and rather sorry and wondering whi,h
of the other young men WAS to marry
the. prettiest girl in the parish.
During the Sunday nooning 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 icli:s'od.
II don't believe she has any reason"
IchabOd 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
presented himself. with some doubt. it
is true, as to the wisdom of IT, Sally
was MOI to be coaxed. and the inter
view was short and much to the point
And have reason?" Sally asked
sharply. And haven't told you these
twenty 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 |
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 mo. James Hop
kins; | will not tell you my reason
Hopkins rode away in gathering
wrath. and he decided once more to
seek the interference of the church.
Ichabod 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 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 ont !,
makes fun of me. Won't you ask her
that much: Please, now. just us n
friend of us both.''
Ichabod hesitated. 1t was such :,
bother. "Yes. I'll ask her," he said.
at the same time feeling angry will,
himself for saying that he would
The next morning found 1chabod rid
ing slowly along the shady summer
lanes toward the Dawes plantation
and wondering the while why wo-
man couldn't be frank and outsroken
in such matters and save her kindly
disposed friends so much needless Ii.
Dor.
AS he came near the house he saw
Sally sitting on the low piazza. trl
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 Ichabod cou d
not find 1t in his heart to blame Hop.
kins
Sally saw him and stood up. drop
ping her work about her in pretty con
fusion.
THANK you, fathers not so sick thai
we should be bothering you." she said
coming down the first step to greet
him.
81 didn't know he was sick at all. y
answered Ichabod. in honest surprise
Hes little SICK" said Sally. Hes
gone over to the river meadow now
but couldn't think what else would
bring you again so soon. Not but
you're always welcome" she added
seeing Ichabod's evident embarrasS
sment.
He dismounted and sat down on the
broad piazza bench. He might as wei
get through with his fools GRAND and
be done with it. so he said:
1--WE come on behalf of Hopkins.
Sally smiled in enjoyment of the sit
uation. but she kept silent
Evidently she wouldn't help him. 81
Ichabod continued. HE wants ME I,
ask you why you won't marry him
Sally hesitated and stroked her worl
with her needle.
"Do you think l ought to tell him
parson?' she asked
Eyes. do" said Ichabod. with paro
chial firmness.
"Will you promise to tell him II
explain my reason to you?" Sally ask
ed. looking squarely at 1chabod
"Yes," he answered. feeling much re
lieved and smiling back encourage
ment at the fair girl before him.
WELL said Sally thoughtfully. ''
think I'd be willing to tell you my rea
son: but. you see. it's not wholly nj.
own. Suppose we leave it this way
will think about it. and l will sem
you word what decide. and we won
talk about It any more. please" sh
ended, rising.
Ichabod judged that he was expecte
to go. and so he took his leave. Hi
visit was most unsatisfactory. but h
had done what he could. and he WI,
glad the business was ended. so far Al
he was concerned He was sorry TO
Hopkins. poor chap. but perhaps h
would be satisfied with Sally's reason
M doy1ht II uvoa n nond ono for FL,