Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-03-09

spoken, not wholly pleased to see Jes-
samine sauntering home, her hands full
OF scarlet bloom, with the Rev. Bewly
Beveridgc at 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 at 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
ndulluG Ill tulS 1CcouAAnC URcCk
his calculations; she fairly swept him
off 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.
apna,rro -os foo
elusive to warrant giving over his pur
suit of madam, yet sufficiently unset
Ting 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-madly jealous If only
Beveridge had never begun to court
that old woman! 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,
IL she said '.yes," go to madam for her
blessing, along with an apocryphal tale
of 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 a 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-
tions, 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
well 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 parlors she waved him forward,
running back herself upon some er-
rand he did not understand. What
ever it was, she did it very quickly.
He had hardly found the songs he
wanted when she was beside him, smil-
ing at him In the most bewildering
fashion. AS she reached for the music
her hand, apparently by chance, fell
lightly upon his. He tried to hold it.
but she snatched 1t 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 say
ing hoarsely: "Jessamine, darling, won't
you make music for me always? I'm
less you do my life will be wasted"
"You-you are not in earnest" 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. II should be only burden"
"a blessed burden, one I shall re-
;oice to carry" Beveridge said, trying
to take her hand. She drew away from
him, saying as though in despair: "You
you are playing with me. You really
want grandmother
Grandmother Oh, you jealous
darling! How dare you name any
thing so preposterous" Beveridge said.
catching both her hands. Grand
mother is the most estimable Of old
ladies, but even If knew she would
take me could not think Of marrying
her-not for all the money in the
world"
Hmm! You've been trying to do
1t for a very moderate part Of the
money" grandmother said, stepping
through the French window upon Aus
tin Wills arm. After one look at her
the Rev. Bewly Beveridge stepped out
through the same window. He knew
the treasures of Brookmere were who'll
ly lost to him. no matter how they were
reckoned.