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

Il. don't understand. How will that
help" JeSSamine asked in bewilder-
ment
He is mighty near committed to
madam. Wat until he is quite com
mitted, then do your best to take him
away from her. You can do it, never
fear. He's human, if he is preacher,
and no mere man yet born. of woman
Is able to stand against YOU
Thank you again." Jessamine said,
tossing her head. ooh, | want that
clump of cardinal flower" leaning as
she spoke toward the shelving shore
| Wills shook his head. "Snakesr' he
said laconically. speaking very loud;
then, in low aside: Here's where we
| quarrel, Jess. Insist upon getting out
| The bishop to be is coming down the
path
| ooh, Mr.. Beveridge," Jessamine call
ed eagerly, do come and pick some
| flowers for me- | want TO pick them
| myself, but l find l am Il prisoner"
| with whitening glance at Wills.
Beveridge ran down to the waters
y y
he cried, holding out his hand. Jump,
l promise you shall get nothing worse
than pair of wet feet by it,"
"She needn't have even them" Wills
said boorishly. If you'u agree to see
her to tie house I'll be glad enough To
put her ashore. Not in the humor for
walking myself and still less for botan-
iZing."
Half an hour later Mrs. Brookmere
was surprised and, if truth must BE-
spoken. not wholly pleased to see Jes-
saminc Sauntering home, her hands full
of scarlet bloom, with the Rev. Bewly
Beverldge ut her elbow. Now the min
lister had been madam's own compan-
ion all through the earlier afternoon,
and, though he had not said much
quite too little to make madam aware
of her own state of mind-he had look
ed unutterably things. She had found
the looking pleasant-she was of the
women made to be married, childless.
although she had buried three huS-
bands. and still possessed of an alert
and lively vanity. She liked to see her
name at the head OF lists of patron
esses, especially missionary and rescue
bands. Further, fiattery was meat her
soul loved to feed on. The Rev. Bewly
had found that out ut about the second
minute and acted upon the knowledge.
Indeed, his mind was pretty well made
up to marry her before the interview
ended. But then he had not seen Jes-
saminc in this mood. Jessamine upset
his calculations; she fairly swept him
of his feet
Madam was sadly puzzled through
out the next week. Wills haunted the
house as much as ever, though Jessa-
mine openly fouted him, at the same
time smiling shy Precipitation at the
bishop to be. He also was in a maze.
Jessamine'S encouragement was too
elusive to warrant giving over his pur-
suit of madam, yet sufficiently unset
Ting to make him at times distract.
Wills glared at him and ostentatiously
ignored him. 1t was that which gave
him the strongest hope. Wills must
be jealous-madly jealous. If only
Beveridge had never begun to court
that old womanI She was in the be-
ginning eager to play fairy godmother.
1t 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 it out with Jessamine-ask
her plumply to be Mrs. Beveridge, and,
if she said yes" go to madam for her
blessing, along with an apocryphal tale
of distant woocr ready to sue for her
hand. He could make it appear he
had been finding out her mind toward
fourth marriage. 1t would go hard
with him, bat that somewhere he
would find man to make good. In
deed. providentially he already knew
the mana college president, poor and
pious. entitled to write half the alpha
bet after his name in honorary distinc-
tons with children all safely married,
and much in want of good home. So
he went straight TO JeSsamine, begging
her to sing to him. The music room
was at the very end of the house. thus
we'll apart There was small chance
of interruption. All the rest We're busy
with games or flirting or walking in
the flower garden under Il white mO>h.
JcSsamine went with him, walking
high headed and joyous. At the door
OF the paIlors she waved him forward,
back herself upon some CT
rand lie did not understand. What
ever it was, she did it very quickly.
He had hardly foand the songs he
wanted when she was beside him, smil-
ing ut him in the most bewildering
fashion. AS lie reached for the music
her hand, apparently by chance, fell
lightly upon his. He tried to hold it,
but she snatched it away. turned from
him and began to sing very softly. He
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, say
ing hoarsely: "JesSamine, darling, won't
you make music for me always! Tn
less you do my life will be wasted"
"YOu-you are not III earnest Jessa-
mine said, slipping from his arms and
averting her face. You, who are so
great, so wise, SO good, need another
you. II should be only burden"
a blessed burden, one l shall re-
Ioice to carry" Beyeridge said. trying
10 take her hand. She drew away from
MIN, saying as though i'll despair: You
you are playing with me. You really
want grandmother
Grandmother! Oh, you jealous
iarllng! How dare you name any
hing so preposterous: Reveridgc said.
,atching both her hands. Grand
mother is the most estiSable of Old
aides, but even if l knew she would
AXE me l could not think of marrying
for all the money in the
world"
Hmm. You've been trying to do
t for a very moderate part of the
Money" grandmother said, stepping
through the French window upon Aus.
in Wills arm. After one look ut her
he Rev. Bewly Reveridge stepped ont
hrough the same window He knew
he treasures of Brookmere We're Who'll
y lost to him, no matter how they were
After the DcfaIcntiOn.
Junior Partncr-I never suspected
him ut all. Senior Partner Neither did
|, although it did seem Il little singular
o me that he should be able to pay
5000 year rent out of salary Of
j, 500.-New York Press.
No man will lie found who does not
sometimes hope or fear beyond the lin