The San Francisco call., 1905-08-06

Madam was sadly puzzled throughout
the next week. Wills haunted the house
as much as ever, though JessaInine open
~ flouted him, at the same time smiling
shy Precipitation at the biShop-tO-be. He
also was in a maze. Jessamine's encour-
agement was too elusive Of madam, yet
sufficiently unsettled to make him at
times distrait. Wills glared at him. and
ostentatiously ignored him. 1t was that
which gave him the strongest hope. Wills
must be jealous-madlye jealous. II only
Beveridge had never begun to court that
old womani She was in the beginning
eager to play fairy godmother-its was
sickening to feel that he had disturbed
this pious purpose. making the lady feel
that she was not too old to inspire grand
passion number four.
Presently he began to see light. He
would have il out with Jessamine-ask
her plumply TO be Mrs. Bevertdge, and
IL she said Eyes," go 70 madam for her
blessing, along with an apocryphal tale
of a distant wooer ready TO sue for her
hand He could make 1t appear he had
been finding out her mind toward a fourth
marriage. 1t would go hard with him
but that somewhere he would find man
to make good Indeed, providentially, he
already knew the mana college. presi-
dent. poor and pious, entitled to write
half the alphabet after his name in hon
orary distinctions, with children all
safely married, and much in want of a
good home. So he went straight to Jessa-
mine, begging her to sing to him. The
music-roonl was at the very end Of the
house, thus we'll apart. There was small
chance of interruption; all the rest were
busy with games, or flirting. or walking
in the flower garden under white moon
Jessamine went with him. walking high
headed and joyous. At the door OF the
back herself upon some errand he dtd not
understand. Whatever II was she did 1t
very quickly; he had hardly found the
songs he wanted when she was beside
him. smiling at him in the most be-
wildering fashion AS she reached for
the music her hand. apparently by
chance fell lightly upon his, He tried
to hold 1t. but she snatched II away,
turned from him and began to sing very
softly. He. watched her with burning
eyes. his breath coming hard and fast.
AS she made to rise he put his arms
about her and gathered her to his breast.
saying hCarsely; Observation-Disclosures
Won't you make music for me always?
Unless you do my life will be wasted. ="
''You-you are not In earnestr' Jessa-
mine said. slipping from his arms and
averting her face. You, who are so
great, so wise. so good, need another sort
of wife-somebody who can help you'll
should be only burden"
"A blessed burden. one shall rejoice
to carry" Beveridge said. trying to take
her hand She drew away from him, say
ing as though in despair: 'YOu-you are
playing with me-you really want grand
mother"
Grandmother! Oh, you Jealous darlingl
How dare you name anything so prepos-
terousr' Beveridge said, catching both
her hands. Grandmother is the most
estimable Of old ladies, but even II
knew she would take me, I could not
think of marrying her-not for all the
money in the world"
Hmm! You've been trying to do It,
for a very moderate part of the money"
grandmother said. stepping through the
French window upon Austin Wills arm
After one look at her the Rev. Bewly
Beveridge stepped out through the same
window. He knew the treasures Of Brook
mere were wholly lost to him, no matter
how they were reckoned.