The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-09-11

| ana II was nearing supper time, SO ne
took his leave and rode away, amused
| and rather sorry ana wondering which
OF the other young men was TO marry
| the prettieS' girl in the parish.
During the Sunday morning Hopkins
came to see the parS0n, and when hp
| learned The result Of the Interview he
was much disappointed
Didn't she tell you why?, he asked.
looking obviously at Ichabod.
Il 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 rcde over
to the Dawes plantation and again
presented himself. with some doubt. il
is true, as to the wisdom of it. Sally
was no1 to be coaXed. and the inter
view was short and much to tlle point
And have a reasoa?' 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 mak,
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 s.
fair a girl could No. James Hop
kfns: will not tell you my reason.
Hopkins rode away in gathering
wrath. and he de ided once mere To
seek the interferen of the church.
Ichabod listened patiently to his tais
and then told him kindly. but firmly
that, in view of his many duties. he
simply could not undertake the care
of parochial iovemaking
But she won't tell me why Hop
kins persisted. I'D feel better about
it if l 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
Ichabod hesitated. 1t was such q
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 wo-
man couldn't be frank and outspoken
in such matters and save her kindly
disposed friends so much needless Ia
bor
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 Ichabod could
not find it 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
Il 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 discounted 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 Hopkins =
Sally smiled in enjoyment of the sit
uation. but she kept silent.
Evidently she wouldn't help him. 50
Ichabod continued. He wants me tn
ask you why you won't marry him "
Sally hesitated and stroked her work
with her needle.
DO you think | ought to tell him.
parson 2? she asked.
Yes. | do said Ichabod. with paro
ehial firmness
VIII You promise to tell him if
explain my reason to you?' Sally ask.
ed. looking squarely at Ichabod
Yes. he answered. feeling much re-
ieved and smiling back encourage.
nent at the fair girl before him
Well" said Sally thoughtfully. u
-hink I'd be willing to tell you my rea-
son: but. you see. it's not wholly my
1Wn. Suppose we leave it this way.
will think about it. and will senG
rou word what decide. and we won't
ak about it any more, please. she
snded. rising.
Ichabod judged that he was expected
o go. and SO he took his leave. His
Tfsit was most unsatisfactory. but he
lad done what be could. and he was
dad the business was ended. so far as
le was concerned. He was sorry for
Hopkins. poor chap. but perhaps he
would be satisfied with Sally's reason.
70 doubt it was a good one, for the
rirI 4SnnYnad Very caneihIa and On Trh.4