Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-17
AMENITIES.
Cousin Mark and Miss Kent, and
 Their Broken Declarations.

Cousin Mark and Miss Kent, and
 Their Broken Declarations.
 VI wouldn't marry the best man that ever ived! And she meant it, or, what an- swers the same purpose, she thought she meant it After all, how few of us ever really know what we mean! T en- gagged myself once, when girl, and the simpleton thought he owned me- I soon took the conceit out of him and sent him away about his business" The voice was now little sharp. What wonder, with 50 galling memorys "No man shall ever tyrannize over me-neverl What the mis- chief do you suppose is the matter with this sewing-machineH
 "Annoyed at your logic, most likely" said my friend, 8 bright young matron, as she threaded her needle. My husband is not a tyrant, Miss Kent"
 II am glad you are satisfied" was the la- comic reply.
 It was quite evident by the drcss-malscr's face that she had formed her own opinion of my friends husband, and was quito compc- tent to form and express an opinion any subject. Miss Kent was a little woman, fair as girl and plump as robin. She wasn't ashamed to own that she was forty years old and an old maid. She had earned her own living most of her life and was proud of it. She was good nurse, faith full friend and jolly companion, but stroke her the wrong way and you'd wish you hadn't in much shorter time than it takes me to write it. Her views on all subjects | were strikingly original, and not to be con- l bated.
 "What are you going 10 do when you arc oldW persisted the mistress of the estab. ment.
 'What other folks do, suppose" 'But you can't work forever" "Can't say that want to.' ''Now, Miss Kent, 8 husband with means, | 8 kind, intelligent man. 'I don't want any man. I tell you, Mrs. | Carlisle, wouldn't marry the best man liv- l ing, if he was as rich as CrGsus, and would die if didn't have him. Now, if you have exhausted this question, I should like to try l on your dress" There was something behind all this knew well. My friends eyes danced with | fun, and as Miss Kent fitted the waist she l threw mo Q letter from tho bureau.
 "Reat that" she said, with knowing look; Sit may amuso you" l This is what the letter said
 '.My DEAR JENN1E-I shall be delighted to l spend Q month with you and your husband | There must be, however, one stipulation about my viSit-you must say no moro about mar | rage. l snail never De lOOleQ aS3ln. twenty years ago to-day I wrecked my whole life." ("Better embark in a new ship, hadn't her" put In Jennie, sOtt0 U0cs.l 'So unsuitable was this marriage, so utterly and entirely wretched | nave been its consequences that am forced l to bel ieve the marriage institution q mistake So, for the last time let me assure you that I wouldn't marry the best woman that ever lived, if by SO doing could save her life. Your old cousin, MARK LANSING.''
 ssR. oh, isn't he?" said Jennle, and then pointed to tho chubby little figure whose back happened to be turned
 shook my head and laughed.
 "Youu see," said the incorrigible.
 ''See what?" inquired Miss KeNt, quite unaware of our pantomim
 ssThat parties which are chemically at tracted will unite. Of course an allsall and an acid. Don't you think this sleeve little too long, Miss Kents"
 s'Not after tho seam is off. But what were you saying, Mrs. Carlisles The other day at Prof. Boynton's I saw some wonderful experiments"
 "And did they succeedf inquired Jennie, Idemurely.
 Beautifully"
 "So will mine. Inever yet botched a job in my life.''
 "I don't think I quite understand you," replied Miss Kent, perplexed.
 ''No? always grow scientific when talk Ing about marriage, my dear"
 "Bother p' was all the little woman said, but the tone was much better-natured than expected.
 The next week Cousin Mark arrived, and I liked him atonce. An unhappy marriage wonld have been the last thing thought of (n connectiea with that gentleman. He had accepted the situation like 8 man, Jennie told me, and for fifteen years carried a load of misery that few could have endured. Death came to him at last, and now the poor fellow actually 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 as fresh Tn his way as the little dressmaker was in hers. As looked at him defied any body to see one and not be reminded of the other True, he had moro of tho polish which comes from travel and adaptation to differ ent classes and individuals, but he was not a whit m ore intelligent by nature than the bright little woman whom Jennie deter mined he should marry.
 1T was surprised you should think 1t necessary Lo caution me about that, Cousin Mark" !" cooed tho p1otter, ns she stood by his side, looking out of tho window. ''The idea of my being so ridiculous!' and in tho same breath, with wink at me: "Come, let us go to my sitting=room. We are at work l there, but 1t won't m ike any difference to
 you, will itl'' :.
 Of course Cousin Mark answered: sNo," DEMONSTRATING