The Forrest City times., 1892-04-01
long time She is making some dresses for me now. WhyP'
 She seems uncommonly we'll posted for a woman


 Two or three invitations to the saw. ing room were quite sufficient to make Cousin Mark at home there, and after week he became familiar enough to say; 'lf you are not too busy I should Ike to read you this article"
 Oh' l am never too busy to be read to. " Miss Kent would say. ..sit down by the window in this comforta- Die chair and lets hear it
 After couple of weeks. when the gentleman came in hoarse with a sud den cold Miss Kent hustled about her voice full of sympathy. and orewed him a dose which he declared be should not forget to his dying day; but one dose cured. After this oc. currence Miss Kent was a really won. derful woman.
 An! what an arch plotter. She let them skirmish about but not for once did she give them chance to be alone together. Her plans were not to be destroyed by premature confi- dence until the very evening preced- ing Cousin Marks departure for Cali fornia Then Miss Kent was very demurely asked to rerain 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 De gone a couple of hours" said she but Cousin Mark will read to you won't you, cousin?n
 Certainly. if Miss Kent would like 1t " replied that gentleman.
 The infant Carlisle, thanks to good management was never awake in tho 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 ot that room was a larpe closet with large blind elevator, and out Of this closet door leading to the back stoop and garden Imagine my surprise when 1 was told that Mir. Carlisle was going to the lodge. and that we, after profuse warnings about the baby and promises not to be gone too long, were to proceed to this closet overlooking the back parlor by the way of the back gate and garden. In vain l protested.
 Oh you little goosie," laughed Jennie; "there'll be fun enough to last lifetime John wanted to come aw- fully but knew he'd make an awful noise and spoil everything so l wouldn't let-him."
 The willy schemer took the precau. tion to lock the closet door from the outside, so there was no fear of de. lection. On high bench, as still as | two mice We awaited results. i Presently Cousin Mark. as if arous. ing from a protracted revery asked: Would you like to have me read?'
 'Oh. am not particular, replied Miss Kent
 Here is an excellent article on elective affinities How would you like that?"
 Jennie's elbow in my side almost took away my breath.
 Who is it by3" she inquired. Jen- nie exclaimed (clear in my ear): That's to gain time see if it ain't?'
 dts by prominent French writer I believe. answered Cousin Mark.
 Il don't think l care for transla l tion tonight said Miss Kent.
 Nor I; nor reading of any kind II he continued This is my last even ing in New York, Miss Kent"
 T hope you've enjoyed your visit " | she returned. Jennie Gnto my very head this time): She's as shy as a three year-old colt"
 Fl didn't think I should feel so bad aOout leaving" Cousin Mark went on.
 "He is the wreck you remember whispered Jennie.
 A long pause T think hear the baby exclaimed Miss Kent
 Oh no said Cousin Mark. "You are fond of babies are you not Miss KentP"
 No answer from Miss Kent. "I have been a very lonely man. Miss Kent ' Cousin Mark resumed. but never re- alized how lonely the rest of my life must be until came to this house.
 .Oh. how lonely" echoed Jennie.
 Now l must return to my business and my boarding house-boarding- house for a mau so fond of domestic life as am. Miss Kent"
 Just then we very distinctly heard a little kind of a purr which sounded very like a note of intense sympathy from Miss Kent T have friends in San Francisco. of course. said Cousin Mark, but no ireside like this-no one to care for me if I'm ill nobody to feel very bad if l die. !"
 .Thatll fetch her said Jennie.
 .I wish that lived in San Francis co said Miss Kent in little quiver. inc voice. You could call upon me at any time if you needed anything.
 Jennie in convulsions. If you will 90 to California with me. Miss Kent I'll wait another week. !"
 Why. Mir. ansing. what do you mean? What would folks sayP she said.
 We don't care for folks ' said Mark. ''If you will go. we will have house as peasant as money can make it. You shall have birds and flowers and horses and all the scientific monthlies that you want deuced if you shan'ti and you shall never sew another stitch for any body but me. Will you be my wiie?n Just then Jennie and stepped up another peg. and there was that little old maid. who would not marry the best man that ever lived, hugged close to the mans breast who wouldn't marry the best woman thai