Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-08-25

a jump OF eight or ten points. Take
my word for It, old chap"
MECH Obliged TO you, Morris"
Blake took out his memorandum book
and carefully made note OF the prof
fered advice. Il imagine you've got
control of the stock. You needn't tell
me, old man-I1l do my own guess
ing. We Yankees are great on guess
ing"
Blake ordered his coachman 20
drive to the Bishop residence. He
lay back on the cushioned seat and
laughed softly. ITO think that such a
hound 10 engaged to Jessie Garden! l
fear Miss Garden is too fond Of
money. Well, moneys a good thing,
but IL I we're a woman l wouldn't
marry Morris IL he had a billion. And
Johns got enough to buy and sell
him"
The carriage drew up at the Bishop
residence. General Garden greeted
Blake in the drawlng.room. 1t was
restful to contemplate this abode, to
breathe the air Of domestic luxury,
and to contrast It with the frigid ele-
gance OF the bachelor apartments
where his recent years had been
spent. Blakes eyes wandered along
the walls until they rested on a por-
trait-that or Jessie Garden. He paus-
ed in the middle Of a sentence, his
eyes riveted on the canvas.
"A portrait of my daughter, Jessie
one of Steinbach's best productions"
exclaimed General Garden, with faith
erly pride, installing Blake's amaze
ment for polite admiration. She
returned from abroad only a few days
ago. All, here she comes now!"
AS he spoke Blake heard the faint
rustic of silk and the music Of laugh
ing voices. The portieres parted, and
Mrs. Bishop entered with Jessie and
her cousin, Edith Hancock. With
old-school dignity General Garden pre-
scented James Blake.
There Is born in every mans brain
the image Of an ideal woman; the
ignis fatuus of fancy lowering above
the swamps Of realism. James
Blake's ideal was dethroned the mo-
ment he looked into Jessie Gardens
eyes he felt the mysterious thrill Of
her presence.
After a delightful hour spent over
dinner, during which Blake was in
lively humor, the young ladies left
the general and his guest to the en-
joyment Of cigars. For the first time
in his life Blake would willingly have
sacrificed the soothing delights of the
weed. He was glad when his host
gave the signal and conducted him
to the drawing-room, where they found
Jessie and Edith awaiting them.
At the generals request Jessie
played several of his favorite selec-
tons, Edith standing by her side and
deity turning the music pages for
her. Then they sang a duet; a Ger
man folk song. Jessie's voice was a
pure coatralto-tender, rich and won
derfully expressive in its timbre,
Blake was passionately fond Of music
and, though he had been given little
opportunity to cultivate his decided
natural talents, was nevertheless an
excellent singer and a capable critic
THAT was grand" he exclaimed
his handsome face aglow with ad
miration of the music. 81 have never
heard Wanderers Nachtleid rendered
more exquisitely. Please favor me
with Der Tannenbaum, will you?"
Willingly" said Jessie, as Edith
smiled her assent. But Der Tannen
baum is much more effective with q
tenor part You sing, do you not, Mr.
Blake? Something tells me you do
I'm sure Mr.. Blake sings" assert
ed Edith. Come, Mr.. Blake, the gen
eral shall be our audience"
II have been charged with singing
but never by such fair accusers,
laughed Blake, stepping forward. 4"
trust the general will not mete out +;
punishment To ht the crime. Sing thu
English translation and will do m!
best to carry a part"
Blake acquitted himself famously
In San Francisco clubs and socia
circles his clear, strong voice had add
ed to his popularity, but never did h,
sing so well as on that night standing
by Jessie Gardens side.
| (ro ba continued