Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-09-02

took his leave and rode away. amused
and rather sorry and wondering which
OF the other young men was TO marry
the prettiest girl in the parish.
During the Sunday incoming Hopkins
came to see the parson. aud when he
learned the result of the Interview he
was much disappointed.
Didn't she tell you why?'' he asked.
looking obviously at lchabod.
Il don't believe she has any reason"
lchabod 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 rodeCover
to the Dawes plantation and again
presented himself. with some doubt. 1t
is true, as to the wisdom of it. Sally
was not to be coaXed. and the inter
view was short and much to the point.
"And have | a reason?' Sally asked
sharply. And haven't told you these
twenty times that | don't love you?
AS II that weren't reason enoughl"
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.
Wont 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
1t II | 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 rs a
friend of us both"
lchabod hesitated. 1t was such a
bother. "Yes. I'll ask her" he said.
at the same time feeling angry with
himself for saying that he would
The next morning found Ichabod rid.
ing slowly along the shady summer
lanes toward the Dawes plantation
and wondering the while why a wo-
man couldn't be frank and outspoken
In such matters and save her kindly
disposed friends so much needless la
Dor.
AS he came near the house he saw
Sally sitting on the low piazza hRr
work basket 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 could
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 that
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 Ichabod. in honest surprise.
He's 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
ment.
He dismounted and sat down on the
broad piazza bench. He might as we'll
get through with his FOOLS errand 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. so
Ichabod continued, He wants me tc
ask you why you won't marry him"
Sally hesitated and stroked her work
with her needle.
"Do you think I ought to tell him,
parson?" she asked
"Yes. do" said Ichabod, with paro
chial firmness.
"Will you promise to tell him if !
explain my reason to you?" Sally ask.
ed. looking squarely at Ichabod.
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
will think about it, and will senG
you word what decide. and we won't
talk about it any more. please" she
ended. rising.
Ichabod judged that he was expected
to 60. 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 Sallys reason
No doubt 1t was a good one, for the
girl seemed very sensible. and so Icha
bod rode back contentedly to the par
sonage.
The next morning. as Ichabod wa:
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 II Samuel, twelfth chapter, verse
/. With respect am yours obediently
SALLY Dawes.
Ichabod opened his Bible at the sec
snd book of Samuel. the twelfth chap
ter, and ran his finger down to the
seventh verse and read. "And Nathar
said unto David, thou art the man.
and then Ichabod sat vacantly looking
at the table for long time.
| WMiSs Sally told me to fetch an an