The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-02-07
Treasures Of
BrOOkmere
By MARTHA
Neutrality-suspicious.
Copyright. 1904. by Martha McCuIoch- Williams

brOOkmefe cdlleu dcluly IrOn the west
porch. AS her granddaughter rose
obediently, but with little impatient
sigh, her companion, Austin Wills.
whistled softly, then said:
"Jessamine! What a wax Madam
Brookmere must be i'm You're always
Sunbeam and Fairy and Bright Eyes
when she's in good humor."
THAT is to say when the Beveridge
thing is around" Jessamine said, with
a shrug. "She is in a wax-she always
is when you come-and she feels in
her bones when you are coming"
"H-m-ml | ought to be flattered, 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, 1 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 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. 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 word. Austin
drew Jessamine's hand farther over
his arm and smiled down at her, say
ing: 81 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. II
begin to fear Mr.. Wills, that you have
taken our little affair seriously
isn't it to be taken seriously? Real
ly you lift weight off my conscience -
Wills interrupted in her own tone; then,
after a chuckle: "Jess, 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- 4
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 up-passing
up the chance of a lifetime-for the
sake Of
"a very commonplace sinner" Jessa-
mine broke in.
Wills gave her look Of panied sur
prise. II 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, flecked 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
by eyes, but after a little he drew 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 a conscienceY'
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 to let
treasure manifestly within reach go
to some other fellow. That other pi-
rate, Beverage, shan't have the treas
ure Of Brookmere."
What is the treasure Of BrookmereT'
Jessamine asked demurely. "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 refectively, but with
a twinkle of the eye, handy millions
at that" he 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 youth
fact, he still wants you, being man
Of taste, for all his SINS"
''Thanksw Jessamine interrupted.
Wills shook his head at her.
HE wanted you rather badly, but
not so 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
ry herT 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
a trump card for him. Now, although
we are not mercenary, neither are we
destitute of common prudence. Three
millions, or even one or two, might
come in handy heap of times. More
over, we owe madam a certain duty
We can only discharge it by meeting
guile with guile. That means, in plain
English, you have got to turn from
your evil way of preferring my compa
ny and smile instead upon the bishop
to be-
II don't understand. How will thai
help?" Jessamine asked in bewilder
ment.
HE is mighty near committed tc
madam. Wait 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 your
"Thank you again" Jessamine said
tossing her head "Oh, want that
clump of cardinal flower" leaning as
she spoke toward the shelving shore.
Wills shook his head. "Snakesw 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
"Oh, Mr.. Beveridge," Jessamine call
ed eagerly, do come and pick some
flowers for me. want to pick them
myself, but l find l am prisoner "
with whitening glance at Wills.
Beverage ran down to the waters
edge. won't you let me rescue your
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'll agree to sex
| her to the house I'll be glad enough tt
put her ashore. Not in the humor fol
walking myself and still less for botan
izing"
Half an hour later Mrs. Brookmert