Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-10-07

demurely.
Beautifully"
$50 will mine. 1 never botchod a
job in my life."
"I don't think quite understand
you, 3" said Miss Kent, perplexed.
"No2 L always grow scientific when
talking about marriage, my dear.
Botherl" was all the little woman
said, but the tone was much better ma
turcd than 1 expected.
The next week Cousin Mark arrived,
and liked him at once. An unhappy
marriage would have been the last thing
thought of in connection with the gen
tleman. He had accepted the situation
like man, Jennie told me, and for fif-
teen years carried load of misery that
few could have endured. Death came
to his relief at last, and now the poor
fellow honestly believed himself an
alien from domestic happiness.
Singular as it may appear, Cousin
Mark was the embodiment of good
health and good nature; fifty, perhaps,
though he didn't look it, and as rotund
and fresh in his way as the little dress
maker was in hers. AS 1 looked at him,
| defied anybody to see one and not be
Immediately reminded of the other.
True, be had more of the polish which
comes from travel and adaptation to
different classes and individuals, but he
was not whit more intelligent by na-
ture than was the bright little woman
whom Jennie had determined he should
marry.
81 was surprised you should think
necessary to caution me abont that,
Cousin Malk, cooed the plotter, as she
stood by his side looking out Of the win
dow. 1.-The idea of my being so ri
diculous |" and in the same breath, with
a wink OF me: "Come, let us go to my
sitting room. We are at work there,
but it won't make any difference to you,
will it2"
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, aud then Miss Jen-
ME proceeded, with rare caution and
tact, to her labor OF love. Cousin Mark,
at her request, read aloud, drawing Miss
Kent into the discussion as deftly as was
ever fly drawn into the web Of the
spider.
"Who was that lady, Jennie2" Cous.
in Mark inquired that evening.
"Do you mean Miss Kents" said
Jennie, looking mp from her paper.
"Oh, she is lady l have known for q
long time. She is making some dresses
for me now. Why9"
"She seemed uncommonly well post
ed for woman"
Under other circumstances Mrs. Car
Isle would have resented this, but now
she only queried: "Do you think SO e.
and that ended it.
Two or three invitations to thesewing-
room we're quite sufficient to make Cous
in Mark perfectly at home there; and
after week he became as familiar as
this:
eff you are not too busy. L should
like to read you this article;" and this
is what Miss Kent would say
ooh, l am never too busy to be read
to. Sit down by the window in this
comfortable chair and let's hear it,
After couple of weeks, when the
gentleman came in, hoarse with 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
| yxyac q 1oo1Iu Iarf,I xr1o,,oon
Ay. Jennie was an arch plotter. 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 confdences-untl
the very evening preceding Cousin
Marks departure for California. Then
Miss Kent was very demurely asked to
remain and keep an eye on Master
Carlisle, whom the fond mother did not
like to leave quite alone with his nurse.
"We are compelled to be gone q
couple of hours but Cousin Mark will
read to you, won't you, cousin 2"
Certainly, if Miss Kent would like
it," replied tho 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 ol
time. The back parlor was the room
most in use during the evening, and out
of this room was large closet with 6
La ge blind ventilator, and out OF this
closet door leading to the back stoor
and garden. Imagine my surprise whel
[ was informed that Mr.. Carlisle was go
, ing to lodge, and that we, after profust
warnings about the baby, and promises
not to be gone too long, we're to proceed
to this closet overlooking the bacI
parlor Via back gate and garden. I,
vain protested.
"Why, you goose, laughed Jennie
"therell be fun enough to last life
time. John wanted to come awfully
but I knew he'd make a noise and spoi
everything, so I wouldn't let him." Th,
| willy schemer had taken the precautio1
= to lock the closet door from the outside
SO there was no fear of detection. On
| high bench, rs still as two mice, W,
awaited results.
+ Cousin Mark (as if arousing from
protracted reverie). "Would you lilz,
} to have me read 2"
i Miss Kent. "Oh, I'm not particu
lar"
Cousin Mark. Here is an excellen
/ article on elective afinities; how woult
/ you like that ?"
l Jennie's elbow in my side almost tool
my breath away.
Miss Kent. "Who is it by2"
4 Jennie (clear into my ear). "That'
3 to gain time; see if it isn't.
Cousin Mark. "It's by prominen
French writer, believe"
: Miss Kent. 81 don't think care TO