The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-07-23

and for fifteen years carried il load Of
misery that few could have endured.
Death came TO his relief at last, and
now the poor fellow actually believed
himself an alien from domestic happi-
hess.
Singular as it may appear, Cousin
Mark was the embodiment OF good
health and good nature; fifty perhaps,
though he didn't look il, and a. rO-
tund and fresh in his way as the little
dre>Smaker was in hers. As ! looked
at him deli.d anybody to see one ami
not be reminded of the other. True,
he had more of the polish which comes
from travel and adaptation to differ
ent classes and individuals, but he was
not a whit more intelligent by human
nature than the bright little woman
whom Jennie determined he should
marry.
II was surprised you should thinkit
necessary to caution me about that,
Cousin Mark" coOed the plOtter. as
she stood by hi, side, looking ont OF
| the window. .'The idea of my beings so
ridiculous" and in the same breath.
with a wink at me. ''COme let us 90 to
my sitting room. We are at work
there. but it won't make any differ
ence to you. will it,
OfcOurseC Cousin Mark answered No.
promptly. As innocent AS n dOveabOut
the trap being laid for him.
This is my cotisin-Mr. Lansing.
Miss Kent" and Mr.. Lansing bowed
politely. and Miss Kent arose, dropped
her scissors. bushed, and sat down
again. Cousin Mark picked up the re-
factory 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
discussion as deity as was ever fly
drawn into the web OF the spider.
"Who was that lady. Jennie?"
| Cousin Mark inquired in the evening.
You mean Miss KENT" said Jennie
looking up from her paper. ooh, she
is Il lady have known for IA long time.
She is making some dresses for me
now. Why"
"She seemed uncOmmonly well post
| ed for a woman"
Under any other circumstances, Mrs.
Carlisle would have resented this. but
now she only queried, do you think
so?" and that ended it.
Two or three invitations to the sew
ing room were quiet sufficient to make
Cousin Mark perfectly mt home there,
and after a week, he became as famil-
lar as this:
"If 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 sud-
den cold, Miss Kent hustled about,
her voice full ofsympathy, and brewed
him a dose which he declared he should
never forget to his dying day; but one
dose cured After this, Miss Kent was
really wonderful woman.
All. what an arch-plotter. She let
them skirmish about, but not once did
she give them "a chance to be alone to-
gether-her plans were not to be de
strOyed by premature condolences
until the very evening preceding Cousin
Marks departureforC California. Their
Miss Kent was very demurely asked to
remain and keep an eye on Master Car
Isle whom the fond mOtherd did not liks
to leave quite alone with his nurse.
1--WE are compelled o be gone a couple
of hours but Cousin Mark will read tc
you. won't you cOusin?"
Certainly, if Miss Kent would like
it," replied the gentleman.
The infant Carlisle. thanks to GOO
management, was never awake IN tn
; evening. 40 the victims OF this matri
; monial speculation would have plent.
! OF time. The back parlor was tn
room most in Use during the evening
and out of this room was a large close
, with large blind ventilatOr, and on
of this closet door leading to tn
4 back stoop and garden. Imagine m.
surprise when I was told that Mr.. Car
, Isle was going to the lodge. and tina
we, after prof,,se warnings about tn
I baby, and promises not to begOne to-
long, were to proceed to this close
' overlooking the back parlor, via tn
: back gate and garden. In vain pro
. tested.
"Why, you little goose" laughe
lifetime. John wanted to come aw
fully, but I knew he'd make an NV
1 full noise and spoil everything, so
g wouldn't let him."
The willy schemer took the precar
ton to lock the closet door from til
outside, so there was no fear OF dete'
!, ton. On a high bench, still as tw
mice, we awaited results.
l. Cousin Mark las If arousing from
9 protracted reverie): "Would you lii
u to have me read"
$ Miss Kent: "Oh, am not partic,
lar"
4 | I'll: NF..l txuo-o q m ovoo1lor