The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-08-18
CUPID'B DARTa

81.
How Ono OF Them Pierced Two
Unwilling Hearts.
81 wouldn't marry the best man that
ever ived!'' And e~meant it, or. what
answers the same purpose, she thought
she meant It. After an. how svefysfew
of us really know what we mean. 'I-
engaged myself once when = girl, and
the simplcton thought he owned me.
soon took the conceit out Of him and
sent him away about his business"
The voice was now . little sharp.
What wonder, with SO Calling a men,
ory? mo man shall over tyrannize
over me-never! What the mischief do
you suppose As the matter with the
sewing lnachine?"
Annoyed Mt your logic, most like
ly,'' said my friend, bright young
My husband is not tyrant. Miss
Kent" la
s-S''1 am glad you are satisfied, !" was
the laconic reply.
1t was evident by'th expression of
the dressmaker's face that she had
formed her own opinion about my
friends husband, and was quite COM
on any subject. Miss Kent was a little
woman, fair as a girl and plump Is q
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, a faithful
friend and jolly companions; but
stroke her the wrong way, and you'd
wish you hadn't in much shorter time
than it takes to write it. Her views
on all subjects were strikingly orig
fnal and-not to be combated.s
what are you going to do when
you are old?" persisted the mistress Of
the esta blishment.
"What other folks do, 1 suppose"
but you can't work forever"
Cant say that want to-"
s'Now, Miss Kent, a husband with
means, a kind, intelligent man.
Il don't want any man. / tell, you,
Mrs. Carlisle, I wouldn't marry the
best man living, if he was as rich as
Croesus and would die if I didn't have
him. Now, If you have exhausted the
question, should like to try
on your dress"
There was mething behind all this.
1 knew we'll. My friends eyes danced
with fun, and as Miss Kent fitted the
waist she threw me a letter from the
bureau.
.'Read that" she said, with a know
ing look. 1T may amuse YOU"
my DEAR JENNIE: I shall be delighted to
spend month with you and your husband.
There must however be one stipulation about
my visit-you must say more about mar
riage. 1 shall never be foolish again. Twenty
years ago to-day wrecked my whole life.
In Jennie, soto voice. So unsuitable was this
utterly and entirely .wretched
believe the marriage institution 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"
erich, isn't hep said Jennie, and
then pointed to the chubby little figure
whose back happened to he turned.
! shook my head and laughed.
you'll see,'' said the incorrigible.
..See what?'' inquired Miss Kent,
quite unaware of the pantomime.
THAT parties which are chemically
attracted will unite. OF course. an
alhali and an acid. Don't you think
this sleeve a little too long, Miss Kent?'
Not after the seam is off. But
what were you saying, Mrs Carlisle?
The other day, at Prof. Boynton's
saw some wonderful experiments
Jennie, demurely.
'sBeautifully."
- $50 will mine. 1 never yet botched
a job in my life
II don't quite understand you," re-
piled Miss Kent, perplexed.
mo? I always grow sciepti6c when
talking about marriage. my dear
"Bother!' was all the little woman
said, but the tone was much better
natured than I 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 accepted the
situation like a 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 him
self an alien from domestic ha ppiness.
Singularly 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 in his way as the little
dressnaker was in hers. AS 1 looked
not be reminded of the other. True,
from travel and adaptat ton to different
classes and individuals, 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
necessary to caution me about that,
Cousin Mark cooed the plotter, as
she stood by his side looking out Of the
window. The idea of my being so
ridiculous!' and in the same breath,
with wink at me: Come, let us go to
my sittingroom. We are at work there.
butt won't make any difference to
you. will it?''
OF course, Cousin Mark said: NO