The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-07-20
CUPID'S DARTS.
How One of Them Pierced Two
Unwilling Hearts.

ever lived.' And she meant it, or. what
answers the same purpose, she thought
she meant it After all, how very few
of us really know what we mean Il
engaged myself once when a 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 a little sharp.
What wonder, with so CALLING mem
ory? No man shall ever tyrannize
over me-never! What the mischief do
you suppose is the matter with the
sewing machine?"
Annoyed at your logic, most like
ly," said my friend, a bright young
matron, as she threaded her needle.
My husband is net tyrant, Miss
Kent"
Il am glad you are satisfied" was
the laconic reply
1t was evident by the expression of
the dressmaker's face that she had
formed her own opinion about my
friends husband, and was quite COM
petent to- form and express an opinion
on any subject. Miss Kent was u little
woman, fair as a girl and plump as a
robin. She wasn't ashamed To own
that she WAS forty ears old and an old
maid She had earned her own living
most of her life, and was proud of it.
She was good nurse, faithful
friend and jolly companions: but
stroke her the wrong way, and you'd
wish you hadn't in much shorter time
than 1t takes to write it. Her views
on all subjects were stril<ingly orig
inal and not to be combated.
What are you going to do when
you are old?" persisted the mistress of
the establishment.
What other folks do, suppose"
But you can't work forever"
Cant say that | want to"
Now. Miss Kent, a husband with
means, a kind, intelligent man
Il don't want any man. l tell. you,
Mrs. Carlisle. | wouldn't marry the
best man living, if he was as rich as
Crnsus and would die if | didn't have
him. Now, if you have exhausted the
marriage question, 1 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 know
ing look. 1t may amuse you
My DEAR JENNIE: 1 shall be delighted TO
spend a month with you and YOUR husband
There must. however. he one stipulation about
my Nlsit-yOu must say more aJout mar
riage- 1 shall never be foolish again Twenty
Years ago today 1 wrecked nv whole life.
tEctIer embark in a new ship. hadn he put
in Jennie. soto voice. so unsuitable was this
marriage. 50 utterly and entirCly wr,tchcd-
nave been its consequence. that forced To
believe the marriage Institution 4 mistake 30.
Tor the last time. let me assure you that |
wouldn't marry the best woman that ever lived
II by 50 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 b. 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
alkali 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
And did they succeed?" inquired
Jennie, demurely.
beautifully"
job in my life"
Il don't quite understand you," re
piled Miss Kent, perplexed.
No? | always grow scientific when
talking about marriage, my dear.
"Bother,' 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. lie had accepted the
situation like "A man, Jennie told me,
and for fifteen years carried 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 happiness
/ Singularly as ii may appear, Cousin
Mark was the embodiment of good
health and good nature; fifty, perhaps,
/ though he didn't look 1T. and as rotund
| and as fresh in his way as the little
| dressmaker was in hers. As | looked
| at him defieI anybody to see one and
! not be reminded of the other. True,
he had more of the polish which comes
from travel and adaptation to different
| classes and individuals, but he was not
whit more intelligent by nature than
the bright little woman whom Jennie
determined he should marry.
Il was surprised you should think If
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 a wink at me: Come, let us go to
my sitting-room. We are at work there,
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 Mis-:
Kent rose dropped her sci ssors. blusheo
and sat down again. Cousin MARI
| picked up the refractory implements
and then Mrs. Carlisle proceeded, witt
rare caution and tact. to her labor o
love Cousin Mark, at her request
read aloud an article from the Science
Monthly, drawing Miss Kent into th'
discussion as dcftly as was ever hl
drawn into the web of a spider
WHO is that lady, Jennie? CousiI
Mark inquired in the evening.
-You mean Miss Kent?" said Jennie
looking up from her paper. ''Oh, she L
IA lady: | have known her for a lonl
time She is making some dresses fo
me now. Why"
'.She seems uncommonly well poste'
for a woman"