The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-08-01
A CONSPIRACY.

II wouldn't marry the best man that
ever livedP' And she meant it, OF, what
answers the same purpose, she thought
she meant it. After all, how very few of
us really know what we means II en-
gagged 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 The voice was
now little sharp. What wonder, with
SO calling a memory? mo man shall
ever tyrannize over me-neverl What the
mischief do you suppose is the matter with
this sewing machine?''
Annoyed at your logic, most likely"
said my friend, bright young matron,
as she threaded her needle. my husband
is not a tyrant, Miss Kent
II am glad you are satisfied" was the
laconic reply.
1t was quite evident by the expression
OF the dressmaker'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 little woman, fair as
girl and plump as robin. She wasn't
ashamed to own that she was 40 years old
and an old maid. She had earned her own
living most of her life and was proud of
it. She was a good nurse, faithful
friend and jolly companion, 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 original and not to be
combated.
NWhat are you going to do when you
are oldp' persisted the mistress Of the es-
tablishment.
What other folks do suppose"
But you can't work forever
Cant say that want to-
"Now, Miss Kent, husband with
means, kind, intelligent mani
IT don't want any man. I tell you,
Mrs. Carlisle, wouldn't marry the best
man living if he was as rich as Croesus
and would die if / didn't have him. Now,
if you have exhausted the marriage ques-
ton, should like to try on your dress.
There was something behind all this, I
knew well. My friends eyes danced with
fun, and as Miss Kent fitted the waist she
threw me letter from the bureau.
Read that, y she said, with knowing
look. LII may amuSe you
This is what the letter said:
MY DEAR JENEIE-I shall be delighted to
spend month with you and your husband
There must, however, be one stipulation about
my visit-you must say no more about mar
riage. shall never be foolish again. Twenty
years ago today I wrecked my whole life,
l'Better embark in new ship, hadn't he?'' put
in Jennie. soto voce.l So unsuitable was this
marriage, SO utterly and enterly wretched have
ISaor ffca = I.
heve the marriage institution mistake. So,
for the last time, let me assure you that l
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," said the incorrigible.
s'See what?" inquired Miss Kent, quite
unaware of the pantomime
''That parties which are chemically at
tracted will unite-of course an alkali
and an acid. Don't you think this sleeve
little too long, Miss Kent?"
mot after the seam is off But what
were you saying, Mrs. Carlisle? The 9th
er day, at Professor Boynton's, saw some
wonderful experiments
And did they succeed?'' inquired Jen-
ME demurely.
sBeautifully!'
so will mine. I never yet botched a
job in my life.''
II don't think Iquite understand you"
replied Miss Kent, perplexed
mo? l always grow scientific 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 gen
tleman. He had accepted the situation
like man, Jennie told me, and for IS
years carried a load of misery that few
Eould have endured. Death came to him
at last, and now the poor fellow actually
believed himself an alien from domestic
happiness.
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 dressmaker
was in hers. As looked at 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 adap-
tation 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, - coed the plotter as she stood by
his side looking out of the window 1.-The
GC,1 f L.
same breath, with wink at me: Come,
let us go to my sitting room. We are at
work there, but it won't make any diff
ference to you, will it?''
OF course Cousin Mark said "No,"
promptly, as innocent as dove about the
trap being laid for him.
This is my cousin, Mr. Lansing, Miss
Kent
Mr.. Lansing bowed politely, and Miss
Kent rose, dropped her scissors, blushed
and sat down again. Cousin Mark picked