The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-10-31
believed himselfan alien from domestic

Mark was the embodiment of good
health and good nature fifty perhaps
though he didn't look 1t, and "a rotund
and as fresh in his way, as the little
dressmaker was i'm hers.
True, he had more of the polish which
comes from travel, 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 il
necessary To caution me about that,
Cousin Mark" croaked the plotter, as
she looked 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 sitting room.
We are at work there, but it won't
make any difference to you, will it?"
Cousin Mark said "No," innocent rs
a dove about the trap being laid for
him.
'This is my cousin, Mr. Lansing,
Miss KENT
He bowed politely she rose dropped
her scissors blushed and sat down again.
He picked up the refractory imple-
ments, and then Mrs. Carlisle proceed
ed with caution and tact to her labor
oflove.
At her request, Cousin Mark read
aloud an article from magazine, draw
ing Miss Kent into the discussion as
deity as was ever fly drawn into the
web of "a spider.
"Who is that lady, Jennie?n he in
quired in the evening
"You mean Miss Kent?" said Jen-
ME. ''Oh, she's lady I've known for
long time. She's making some dress
es for me now. Why"
''She seems uncommonly well posted
for woman
Under any other circumstances Mrs.
Carlisle would have resented this but
now she only queried:
''Do you think so?'
Two or three invitations to the sew
ing room Were quite sufficient TO make
Cousin Mark at home there, and after a
week he became familiar enough to
say:
"If you are not too busy, | should
like to read you this article"
''Oh, Pm never too busy to be read
to-" Miss Kent would say. ''Sit down
by the window in this comfortable
chair and let's hear it."
But, all what an arch plOtter Mrs.
Carlisle let them skirmish about, but
not once did she give them a chance to
be alone together, until the very even
ing preceding Cousin Marks departure
for California. Then Miss Kent was
very demurely asked to remain and
keep an eye on the baby, whom the
mother did not like to leave quite alone
with his nurse.
'We are compelled to be gone Il coup
le of hours" said she, "but cousin will
read to you won't you cousin >"
Certainly, if Miss Kent would like
it, replied that gentleman.
The infant Carlisle, thanks to good
management, was never awake in the
evening, 80 the victims of this matri-
monial speculation would have plenty
of time.
The back parlor was the room most
in .l.1r N of
that room was large closet with a
blind elevator, and out of this closet a
door leading to the stOOp and garden.
Imagine my surprise when / was told
that Mrs. Carlisle was going to the
lodge, and that We, after profuse warn
ings about the baby and promises not
to I've gone too long, were to proceed to
this closet overlooking, the back parlor,
by way of the hack gate and garden.
In vain | protested.
''Oh, you goosie," said Jennie, laugh
ing, ''there'll be fun enough To last us a
lifetime. John wanted to come awful
ly, but | knew he'd make noise and
spoil everything, 20 l wouldn't let
him.
The willy schemer took the precau-
ton TO lock the closet door from the
outside, so there was no fear of detec
ton.
On high bench, as still rs two mice,
we waited results.
Presently Cousin Mark, as ifarousing
from protracted reverie, asked;
"Would you like to have me read?"
''Oh, am not particular" replied
Miss Kent.
''Here is an excellent article on elect
i've affinities how would you like
that ?''
Jennie's elbow in my side almost
took away my breath.
.'Who is it by ~ she inquired.
Jennie exclaimed clear in my ear:
''That's to gain time. See ifit isn't.
Now for something interesting"
ats by prominent French writer,
/ believe" he answered.
al don't think / care for a translation
tonight" said Miss Kent.
.'Nor /. Nor reading of any kind"
he continued 'This is my last even
ing in New York, Miss Kent"
II hope you've enjoyed your visit"
she returned.
Jennie-into my very head this time
-'She's a shy a a 3-year old colt
''I didn't think | should feel 80 bad
about leaving" Cousin Mark went on.
''He is the wreck, you remember err"
whispered Jennie.
y long pause.
'I think hear the baby" exclaim-
ei Miss Kent.
''Oh, no." said he. "You are fond
of babies, are you not, Miss Kent?'
No answer.
II have been very lonely man." he
resumed, "but never realized how lone
ly the rest of my life must be until
came to this house"
''Oh, how lonelyr ~ echoed Jennie.
'Now | must return TO my business
and my boarding house-boarding
house for man so fond of domestic life
as am, Miss Kent"
Just then we very distinctly heard a
little kind of purr, which sounded like