Wichita eagle., 1889-12-04
POSITIVE MISS KENT.

l. ~
81 wouldn't marry the best man that ever
lvedP' And she meant it, or what answers
the same purpose, she thought she meant it.
After all, how few of us ever really know
what we meant II engaged myself once,
when girl, and the simpleton thought he
owned me. ! soon took the conceit out of
him, and sent him away about his business. u
The voice wal now a little sharp. What
wonder, with 30 CALLING a memoryi mo
man shall ever tyrannise over me--neverl
What the miA do you suppose is the mat
ter with this awning machine."
Annoyed ct your logic, most likely" said
my friend, bright young matron, as she
threaded her needle. "My husband Is not a
tyrant, Miss Kent"
~ am glad you are satisfied" was the la
comic reply.
"It was quite evident by the expression OF
the dressmaksr's face that she had formed
her own opinion about my friends husband
and was quite competent to form and express
an opinion on any subject. Miss Kent was q
little woman, fair as girl and plump q
robin. She wasn't ashamed to own that she
was 40 years old ard an old maid. She had
earned her own living most of her life and
was proud OF It, She was a good nurse, a
faithful friend and jolly companion, but
stroke her TIE wrong way and you'd wish
you hadn't Ia much shorter time than it takes
me to write it, Her views on all subjects
were strikingly original, and not to be COM
bated.
What are you going TO do when you are
oldf' persisted the mistress of the establish
menS.
What other folks do, / suppose"
"But you can't work forever"
"Can't say that I want to"
'Now, Miss Kent, husband with means
a kind, Intelligent mani
81 don't want any man. l tel you, Mrs.
Carlisle, wouldn't marry the best man liv-
ing, if he was rich as Crgsus, and would die
if 1 didn't have him. Now, if you have ex-
hausted the marriage question, should like
to try on your dress"
There was something behind all this
knew we'll My friends eyes danced with
fun; and as Miss Kent fitted the waist, she
threw me letter from the bureau.
Read that" she said, with a knowing
look. "It may amuse you"
"This is what the letter said:
a month with you and your husband. There
must be, however, one stipulation about my
visit-you must say no more about marriage.
shall never be foolish again. Twenty years ago to
day / wrecked imy whole life. (''Better embark
In a new ship. hadn't her" put in Jennie soto
voce) So unsuitable was this marriage, so utter
ly and entirely wretched have been its conse-
quences, that am forced to believe the marriage
institution a mistake. So, for the last time, let
me assure you that wouldn't marry the best
woman that ever lived, if by so doing could save
her life. Your old cousin, MARK LANSING.
"Rich, isn't he?" SAID Jennie, and then
pointed to the chubby little figure whose
back happened to be turned.
shook my head and laughed.
You'll see,n said the incorrigible
'.See whatgn inquired Miss Kent, quite un-
aware of our pantomime.
THAT parties which are chemically attrac-
ted will unite OF course an alkali and an
acid. Don't you think this sleeve a little
too long. Miss Kentf"
Not after the seam is off. But what was
you saying, Miss Carlslea The other day at
Professor Boyntons l saw some wonderful
experiments"
''And did they succeeds" inquired Jennie,
demurely.,
beautifully"
$50 will mine. never yet botched job
inmy life."
Il don't think quite understand you," re-
piled Miss Kent perplexed
"Noi l always grow scientific when talk
ing about marriage, my dear"
"Bothern was all the little woman said
but the tone was much better natured than
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 that gentleman. He had &C
cepted the situation like 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 do
nestle happiness.
Singular as it may appear, Cousin Mark
was the embodiment of good health and good
nature; 50, perhaps, though he didn't look it,
and as rotund and as fresh in his way as the
little dreSsmaker was in hers As l looked a;
him defied anybody TO see one and not be
reminded of the other True, he had more
of the polish which comes from travel and
adaptation 70 different classes and indivld-
uals, but he was not a whit more intelligent
by nature than the bright little woman
whom Jennie determined he should marry
Il was surprised you should think it neces-
sary 10 caution ne about that Cousin Mark "
cooed the plottsr as she stood his by side,
looking out of the window The idea OF
NV being SO ridiculous!' and in the same
breath, With wink at me, Come, let US &C
90 NV Sittjprr room We are AT work there