The Cairo bulletin., 1905-02-04
Treasures of
BrookTere
BY MARTHA
McCULLcCH-WILLIAMS

copynGh,. 1904. By Manila Mccullocb- William.

.'Iessaniine, come ia at onee!" Alr
Brookmere called acidly from the ives
porch. AS her granddaughter ros
obediently, but with a little impatiea
sigh, her companion, Austin Wills
nhistled softly. then said;
sJessamine What wax MADAM
Rrookmerei must helm! You're Away
Sunbeam ana Fairy and Bright Eye
when she's in a good humor.
'.That is to say when the Beveridg,
thing is around" Jessaniine said. witt
shrug. "Shc is in wax-she Away,
is when you come and she feels il
her bones when you are coming"
Hmm. ought to be battered, but
I'm not the least Bit Austin answer
esi. also rising and catching Jessa-
annie land She looked aghast, but
Ise kept st .r,lily at her side until they
Ngc faclnf Jcssamine's dragon. Then
lse said, with his best flourish: "Oh.
Aiadaisl Brookmere, | have brought
fshts yeEng Ierson to tell YOU why She
csln't posslbly GENE in. She IS to go
rowing with ne. we win be back by
late ina tic. The afternoon is too
ley en!y 70 IAe wasted on land
Jcssamine. go upsiairs ana fetch
any embroidery, BE sure you don't for
get my slo seS." madam said, rs
though the yorag man had not spo-
ken. Jcssaip'fc lnadcto obey. but Wills
he'd her * lie lifted his hat to
The elder Andy. Naed and walked off,
saying over rs shoulder; "Send the
niaid up. Lia.lah. It's bad luck to turn
basG. CANT allow Miss Jessamine
foEiak spelling or cruise
Oil, what WillfF Z 40 10 mes" .Iessa
mine cried as they hurried away.
Madam had been too paralyzed by
Wills audacity to say word Austin
drew Jessgmine's hand farther over
bis arm aud SMILED down at her, say
INK: Il hope 1t will be out of my
house. ingrate,' Then. you see, You
willhave to come to my house wheth-
er gbr no.
Mercy you do take lot on your
seifr Jessamine said, pulling away her
hand, her eyes dancing wickedly. II
begin to fear. Mr.. Wills, that YOU have
talseh our littleafTair seriously
isn't il 70 be taken seriously? Real
II you lifta weight off my conscience"
Wills interrupted in her own tone: then.
after chuekle: 'tIess, must lecture
you- point out the sinful folly of your
course HGse you might be, by taking
pains and showing Yourself properly
devout aud submissive. Mrs. Beveridge
possibly Mrs Bishop Beveridge-I
really bplleie The gentleman has it in
him 70 81, high enthusiastically, he's so
suare and silken, just the sort to worm
himself Into the minds Of rich church
men. not % mention their check books.
Ycs you ae passing him up passing
up the chance Of a lifetime for the
saHc Of
- very commonplace sinner" Jessa-
nilnc broke in.
Wills gave her look Of panied sur
Prise II was going to say for the
sake Of having your own wlllful way
he protested.
! was early afternoon and the long,
smooth river reach, hecked with sun
and shade. mirrored perfectly the sum
mer world either side. Jessamlne hung
over the boat side. staring at her own
image Austin watched her with hap
by eyes, but after a little he drew her
upright saying softly Vanity. thy
name Is Jessamine. / can't hdvtr-ah
ether case Of Narcissus and his image
upon my conscience"
Really, Have you a consclencef"
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 consciences 10 let
treasure manifestiy within reach go
to some other fellow. That other ri
rate, Beveridge, shan't have the treas
ure Of Brookinere."
~Nhat is the treasure OF BrookmereY'
Jefsamine asked demurely. "How much
is It worth2 And how are YOU going
10 save It from clerical cluiehes;"
let me see. ! believe the Brook
mere rating is about three Millions
Austin answered reilectiveiy. but with
a twinkle Of the eye, "handy millions
at that be went on. AL in gilt
edged securities. II you were more
thsn baby. Jess. you would see lit
tie beyond tie end OF your nose. Bish-
op.to-be Beveridge did want you-in
fact, he stu wants you. being man
Of taste. for all his sins
Thanks Jessamlne interrupted
Wills shook his bead OF her
lie wanted you rather badly. but
moi 50 badly rs he wanted the Brook
mere money And that be means to
hate-in spite Of our teeth. Madam is
only sixty and young FOR her years
-Yeu can't mean he Is trying 10 mar
r herr Jessamine cried. aglIast
Wills nodded That's his present
laudai,ie aim. Therefore De would like
nothing better than to have ms openly
defy madam. Our elopement w0nld be-
a trump card for him Now. slthongh
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 a certain duty.