The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-09-28

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other. True, he had more of the pol
ish which comes from travel and
adaptation to different classes and in
dividuals, but he was not a whit more
intelligent by nature than was the
bright little woman whom Jennie had
determined he should marry.
81 was surprised you should think
necessary to caution me about that,
Cousin Mark" cooed the plotter, as
she stood by his side looking out of
the window. "The idea of my being
so ridiculousw and in the same breath,
with wink at me, "Come, let us go
to my sitting-room. We are at work
there, but it won't make any difference
to you, will it?'
OF course Cousin Mark answered
"No," promptly, as innocent as dove
about the trap being laid for him.
"This is my cousin-Mr. Lansing,
Miss Kent" and Mr.. Lansing bowed
politely, and Miss Kent arose, dropped
her scissors, blushed and sat down
again. Cousin Mark picked up the re-
fractory implements, and then Mrs.
Jennie proceeded, with rare caution
and tact, to her labor of love. Cousin
Mark, at her request, read aloud an
article from the Popular Science
Monthly, drawing Miss Kent into the
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drawn into the web of the spider.
"Who was that lady, Jennie?'
Cousin Mark inquired in the evening.
"Do you mean Miss Kent?" said
Jennie, looking up from her paper.
"Oh, she is lady l have known for 4
long time. She is making some dresses
for me now. Why?"
"She seemed uncommonly well post
ed for woman"
Isle would have resented this, but now
she only queried, "Do you think sop
and that ended it.
Two or three invitations to the sew
ing-room were quite sufficient to make
Cousin Mark perfectly at home there;
and after week he became as famil-
lar as this:
eff you are not too busy, should
like to read you this article;'' and this
is what Miss Kent would say:
"Oh, am never too busy to be read
to. Sit down by the window in this
comfortable chair and let's hear it
After a couple of weeks, when the
gentleman came in, hoarse with a sud
den cold, Miss Kent hustled about, her
voice full of sympathy, and brewed
him a dose which he declared he
should never forget to his dying day;
but one dose cured him. After this,
Miss Kent was a really aOonderfH
woman.
Ay, Jennie was an archplotter. She
let them skirmish about, but not once
did she give them chance to be alone
together-her plans were not to be de-
stroyed by premature cOntidences-ln-
til the very evening preceding Cousin
Mark departure for California. Then
Miss Kent was very demurely asked to
remain and keep an eye on Master Car
Isle, whom the fond mother did not
like to leave quite alone with his
nurse.
"We are compelled to be gone a
couple of hours; but Cousin Mark will
read to you, won't you, cousin?'
Certainly, if Miss Kent would like
it," replied the gentleman.
The infant Carlisle, thanks to good
management, was never awake in the
evening, so the victims of this matri-
monial speculation would have plenty
of time. The back parlor was the
room most in use during the evening,
and out of this room was large closet
with large blind ventilator, and out
of this closet door leading to the back
stoop and garden. Imagine my sur
prise when l was informed that Mr..
Carlisle was going to lodge, and that
we, after profuse warnings about the
baby, and promises not to be gone too
long, were to proceed to this closet
overlooking the back parlor cia back
gate and garden. In vain protested.
"Why, you goose" laughed Jennie,
"there'll be fun enough to last a life
time. John wanted to come awfully;
but | knew he'd make noise to spoil
every thing, so l wouldn't let him.
The willy schemer had taken the pre-
caution to lock the closet door from the
outside, so there was no fear of detec-
ton. On a high bench, as still as two
mice, we awaited results.
Cousin Mark (as if arousing from
protracted reverie). "Would you like
to have me read?"
Miss Kent. "Oh, I'm not particu-
lar"
Cousin Mark. "Here is an excellent
article on elective affinities how would
you like that?''
Jennie's elbow in my side almost
took my breath away.
Miss Kent. "Who is it by?"
Jennie (clear into my ear "That's
to gain time; see if it isn't"
Cousin Mark. Its by prominent
French writer, believe
Miss Kent. 81 don't think care for
translation tonight"
Cousin Mark. "Nor L; nor reading
of any kind. This is my last evening in
New York, Miss Kent. .
Miss Kent. 81 hope you've en-
joyed your visit?''
Jennie onto n1y oery head this tinae).
"She's as shy as three-yeaf-old colt. y
Cousin Mark. 81 didn't think l
should feel so sorry about leaving"
Jennie. "He is the wreck, you re-
member"
A long pause.
Miss Kent. 81 think 1 hear the
baby"
Cousin Mark. '.Oh no. You are
fond of babies, aren't you, Miss
| Kent 2"
No answer from Miss Kent.
Cousin Mark. al have been very
lonely man, Miss Kent, but l never
realized how lonely the rest of my life
must be until 1 came to this house,
Jennie. "Oh, how lonely"
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