The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-04-18

and it was nearing supper time. so ne
| 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 pars0n, and when he
! learned the result of the interview he
was much disappointed.
Didn't she tell you Why" he asked.
| looking obviously at IchabOd.
81 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 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 l told you these
twenty times that I 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 l may have, though l
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 a girl could. NO. 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 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
friend of us both"
Ichabod hesitated 1t was such
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. 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.
81 didn't know he was sick at ALL"
answered Ichabod, in honest surprise
Hes little sick" said Sally. Hes
gone over to the river meadow now.
but l 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
get through with his FOOLS errand and
be done with it. so he said:
"Fve 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 to
ask you why you won't marry him"
Sally hesitatcd and stroked her work
with her necdl"
"Do You think I ought to tell him.
parSon?' she asked
yes, | do" said Ichabod, with paro-
chial ffrmneSs.
'Will YOU promise to tell him if
N-Nli''iAi my iN''S'lI " ' Vu tC'tllA dSh-
ed. looking sQuarely at Ichabod
Eyes" he answered feeling much re-
lieved and smiling back encourage
ment at the fair girl before him
We'll" 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 send
you word what I decide. and we won't
talk about it any more, please" she
ended, rising.
lchabod 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 it 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 was
writing at his big table. Sallys little
black boy brought him this note:
Reverend Sir-I would be frank in this