The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-03-16
Treasures Of
Br0okmere
By MARTHA
McCULLOCH.WILLIAMS
Cooyiiaha. 1904, BY Martha McCuDoeh- Villains

"Jessamine, come in at once! Mrs.
Brookmere called acidly from the west
porch. As her granddaughter rose
obediently, but with a little impatient
sigh. her companion, Austin Wills
whissied softly, then said:
"Jessamine! What a wax Madam
Brookmere must be in! You're always
Sunbeam and Fairy and Bright Eyes
when she's in a good humor."
That ts to say when the Beverage
thing Is around" Jessamine said, with
a shrug. "She is in wax-she always
ts when you come-and she feels IN
her bones when you are coming"
Hmm! ought to be fattered, but
I'm not the least bit" Austin answer
ed. also rising and catching Jessa-
mines hand She looked aghast, but
he kept sturduy at her side until they
were facing Jessamines dragon. Then
he said. with his best flourish: 'Oh.
Madam Brookmere, I 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 b too
heavenly to be wasted on land"
"Jessamine, so upstairs and fetch
my embroidery. Be sure you don't for
get my glasses" madam said. as
though the young man had not spo-i
ken. Jessamine made to obey, but wills
held her back. He lifted his hat to
the elder lady, turned and walked OF,
saving 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 a word. Austin
drew Jessamine's hand farther over
his arm and smiled down at her, say
tne: II hope it will be Out Of my
house, ingratey Then, you see, you
will have to come to my house wheth-
er or no."
"Mercy, you do take lot on your
selfv' Jessamine said, pulling away her
hand, her eyes dancing wickedly. \
BEGIN to fear, Mr.. Wills, that you have
taken our little affair seriously
isn't it to be taken seriously? Real
ly you lift a weight off my conscience"
Wills interrupted in her own tone; then'
after a chuckle: "Jess, I must lecture
you-point out the sinful folly Of your
course. Here you might be, by taking
pains and showing yourself properly
devout and submissive, Mrs. Beverage
possibly Mrs. Bishop Beveridge-
really believe the gentleman has 1t In
him to 90 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.
Yet you are passing him up passing
up the chance Of lifetime e-for the
sake Off,
"A very commonplace sinner" Jessa-
mine broke in.
Wills gave her a look Of panied sur
prise. II was going to say for the
sake Of having your own willful way"
be 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 little he drew her
upright, saying softly: VANITY, thy
name is Jessamine. I can't have an
other case Of Narcissus and his image
upon my conscience"
Really! Have you 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,
it goes against their consdences to let
treasure manifestly within reach 60
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 It worth? And how are you going
to save it from clerical clutchesT
"Let me see. 1 believe the Brook
mere rating Is about three millions"
Austin answered refectvely, but with
a twinkle Of the eye, "handy millions
at that" be went ON, 'all in gilt
edged securities. If you were more
than baby, Jess, you would see lit
tie beyond the end Of your nose. Bish-
op-to-be Beveridge did want you-in
fact, he still wants you, being a man
of taste, for all bis SINS"
"Thankst' Jessamine interrupted.
Wills shook his head at her.
"He wanted you rather badly, but
not 80 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
~ herr 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 be
O trnn,n cond for him Now althOuQh