The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-01-18

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 a
large blind ventilator, and out of this
closet door leading to the back stoop
and garden. Imagine my surprise when
l was informed that Mr.. Carlisle was
going to lodge, and that we, after pro-
fuse warning about the baby, and prom
ises not to be gone too long, were to pro-
coed to this closet overlooking the back
Parlor, via back gate and garden. In
vain protested.
"Why, you goose" laughed Jennie,
"there'n be fun enough to last lifetime
John wanted to come awfully, but I
knew he'd make noise and spoil every
thing, so l wouldn't let him" ~be
wiley schemer had taken the precaution
to lock the closet door from the outside
so there was no fear of detection. Ona
high bench, as still as two mice, we
awaited results.
Cousin Mark las if arousing from q
protracted reverie) Would YOU like
to have me read?'
Miss Kent: "Oh, lam notparticular."
Cousin Mark Here is an excellent
article on elective af6nities; now would
you like that?"
Miss Kent: ''Who is it by"
Jennie (clear into my ear): That's to
gain time; see if it isn't"
Cousin Mark; cts by a prominent
French writer, I believe"
Miss Kent II don't think care for
translation tonight"
Cousin Mark: "NorI; nor reading OF
any kind. This is my last evening in
New York, Miss Kent"
Miss Kent: Il hope you've enjoyed
your visit ?"
Jennie Unto my very head this time):
"She's as shy as a three-year old colt"
Cousin Mark: 'EIdidn't think should
feel so sorry about leaving"
Jennie: "He is the wreck, you re-
member"
A long pause.
Miss Kent: II think hear the baby"
Cousin Mark: ooh, no. You are
fond of babies, aren't you Miss Kent ~
No answer from Miss Kent.
Cousin Mark: II have been a very |
lonely man, Miss Kent, but l never
realized how lonely the rest of my life |
must be until I came to this house"
Jennie: ooh, how lonelyn
Cousin Mark: 'sNow must return
to my business and my clearinghouse.
Think of that, Miss Kent-boarding-
house--bOarding house, for a man as
fondof domestic life as am, Miss Kent"
Just then we very distinctly heard
little kind of a purr, which sounded very
like a note of intense sympathy from
Miss Kent.
Cousin Mark "I have friends in San
Francisco, of course. but no ffreside like
this, nobody to care for me if I am ill
nobody to feel very badly if I die"
Jennie: "That'lI fetch her"
Miss Kent (yOice little quivering):
II wish lived in San Francisco. You
could always call upon me if you needed
anything.
(Jennie in convulsions.)
Cousin Mark (abruptly): ''If you
will go to California with me, Miss Kent,
I'll wait another week"
Miss Kent: "Why, Mr.. Lansing
what do you mean? What would folks
say%
Cousin Mark: owe don't care for
folks, Miss Kent. If you'l go, we will
have house as pleasant as money can
make it. You shall have birds and
flowers and horses, and all the scientific
monthlies you want-deuced if you
shan t-and you shall never sew a stitch
for anybody but me. Will you be my
wife,"
Just then Jennie and | stepped up
another peg, and there was that little
old maid, who wouldn't mary the best
man that ever lived, Rugged close to the
mans breast who wouldn't marry the
best woman that ever lived, not even to
save her life. We came away then, but