Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-04-22
Treasures of
BrOOkmere
By MARTHA
Neutrality-suspicious.


obediently, but with "A little impatient
sigh, her companion. Austin Wills.
whistled softly. then said:
"Jessamine. What wax Madam
Brookmere must be in. You're always
Sunbeam and Fairy and Bright Eyes
when she's In a good humor.'
THAT is to say when the Beveridge
thing is around" Jessamine said. with
q shrug 'She is in a wax-she always
Is when you come-and she feels in
her bones when you are coming"
"H-m-m. / ought to be flattered, but
I'm not the least Bit" Austin answer
ed. also rising and catching Jessa
mines hand. She looked aghast, but
he kept sturdily at her side until they
were facing Jessamine's dragon. Then
he said, with his best flourish: 'Oh.
Madam Brookmere. | have brought
this young person to tell you why she
can't possibly come In. She Is to go
rowing with me. We will be back by
late tea time. The afternoon is too
heavenly to be wasted on land"
'Jessamine, go upstairs and fetch
my embroidery. Be sure you don't for
get my glasses" madam said. as
though the young man had not spo-
ken. Jessamine made TO obey. but Wills
held her back. He lifted his hat to
the elder lady. turned and walked off,
saying over his shoulder: ''Send the
maid up. madam. It's bad luck to turn
back l can't allow Miss Jessamine
to risk spelling our cruise"
"Oh, what will she do TO me-" Jessa-
mine cried as they hurried away.
Madam had been too paralyZed by
Wills audacity to say word. Austin
drew Jessamine's hand farther over
his arm and smiled down at her. say
ing: 81 hope it will be Out of my
house. migrate! Then. you see, you
will have to come to my house wheth-
er or no."
MERCY. you do take lot on your
SELF. Jessamine said. pulling away her
hand, her eyes dancing wickedly. Il
begin to fear. Mr.. Wills. that you have
taken our little affair Seriously
isn't 1t to be taken seriously? Real
" you lift weight off my conscience"
Wills interrupted in her own tone: then.
after chuckle: Jess. l must lecture
you-point out the sinful folly of your
course. Here you might be. 10y taking
pains and showing yourself properly
devout and submissive. Mrs. Beveridge
possibly Mrs. Bishop Beveridge-I
really believe the gentleman has it in
him to go high enthusiastically, he's so
suave and silken. just the sort to worm
himself into the minds of rich church
men, not to mention their check books.
up the chance of a lifetime-for the
sake off,
"a very commonplace sinner" Jessa-
mine broke In.
Wills gave her look of panied sur
prise. II was going to say for the
sake of having your own willful way"
he protested.
1t was early afternoon. and the long,
smooth river reach, fecked with sun
and shade. mirrored perfectly the sum-
mer world either side. Jessamine hung
over the boat side. staring at her own
image Austin watched her with hap
py eyes, but after a little he drew her
upright. saying softly: Vanity. thy
name is Jessamine. | can't have an
other case of Narcissus and his image
upon my conscience"
Really. Have you a conscience?"
Jessamine retorted
PIRATES even have consceinces-about
some things" Austin answered. ship
ping his oars and letting the boat drift
toward the other bank. For example.
1t goes against their consciences TO let
treasure manifestly within reach go
to some other fellow. That other pi-
rate. Beveridge. shan't have the treas
ure of Brookmere."
what is the treasure of Brookmere"
Jessamine asked demurely. How much
is 1t worth? And how are you going
to save 1t from clerical clutches?'
LET me see. l believe the Brook
mere rating is about three millions"
Austin answered refiectively, but with
a twinkle Of the eye. "handy millions
at that" he went on. "all in gilt
edged securities. If you were more
than a baby. Jess. you would see lit
tie beyond the end OF your nose. Bish-
op-to-be Beveridge did want youth
fact. he still wants you. being man
Of taste. for all his sins"
"Thanksw Jessamine interrupted.
Wills shook his head ut her
'He wanted you rather badly. but
not SO badly as he wanted the Brook
mere money. And that he means TO
have-in spite of our teeth. Madam is
only sixty and young for her years.
you can't mean he is trying TO mar
~ herT Jessamine cried. aghast.
Wills nodded. That's his present
laudable aim Therefore he would like
nothing better than to have us openly
defy madam. Our elopement would he
a trump card for him. Now. although
we are not mercenary. neither are we
destitute Of common prudence. Three
millions. or even one or two. might
come In handy a heap OF times. More
over, we owe madam certain duty.
n mn mir |. tir,.r