The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-07-21


"Jessamine, come in Mt Oncew Mrs.
Brookmere called acidly from the west
| porch. As her granddaughter rose
obcdiently, but with Il little impatient
sigh, her companion. Austin Wills,
whistled softly, then said:
"Jcssamine, What Il wax Madam
Brook mere must be in. You're always
Sunbeam and Fairy and Bright Eyes
when she's in il good humor.'
That is to say when the Beveridge
thing is around" Jessamine said, with
Shrug. she is i'll waX-She always
is when you come-and she feels in
her bones when you are coming"
"u-m-m. | ought to be hattered, 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, l have brought
this young person to tell You why she
can't possibly come III. 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. Its 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 10 say word. Austin
drew Jessamine'S hand farther over
his arm and smiled down at her, say
ing: Il 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 it 10 be taken seriously? Real
ly you lift Il weight Off my conscience"
Wills interrupted in her own tone; then,
after Il chuckle: jess, | must lecture
you-point out the sinful folly of your
course Here you might be, bystaking
pains and showing yourself properly
devout and submissive Mrs. Beveridge
possibly Mrs. bishop Beveridgc-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 |
Yet you are passing him Emphasizing
up the chance of lifetime-for the
sake Of
"A very commonplace sinner" Jessa-
mine broke in.
Wills gave her look of panied sur
prise Il 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. tlecked with sun |
and shade. mirrored perfectly the sum !
mer world either side JcSsaminc hung |
over the boat side. staring at her own |
image. Austin watched her with hap |
by eyes, but after little he Grew 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 conscience:"
Jcssamine 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 consciences to let
treasure manifcstly within reach go
to some other fellow. That other pi-
rate, Beverdge, shan't have the treas
urc of Brookmerc."
What is the treasure of Brookmere?"
Jessamine asked dcmurely. How much
is it worth? And how are you going
to save it from clerical clutches:"
let me see. | believe the Brook
mere rating is about three millions"
Austin answered refiectively, but with
Il twinkle of the eye, handy millions
at that" he went on. ''all in gilt
edged securities. If you We're more
than a baby. Jess. you would see Il lit
tie beyond the end of YOUR nose. Bish-
up-Io-Dc beverluge ma want you-m
fact, he still wants you, being n man
of taste for all his sins"
"Thanksw JcSSamine 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 lie 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
ry herr JeSSamine cried, aghast.
Wills nodded. That's his present
aim. Therefore he would like
better than to have us openly
defy madam. Our elopement would be
a trump card for him. Now, although
we are not mercenary, neither are we
destitute Of common prudence. Three
or even one or two, might
come in handy heap of times. More
oyer, we owe madam a certain duty.