The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-03-25
MY COUSIN OLIVER.
ny THOMAS COBB.

my cousin Oliver, with solemn face
81 think you are the most foolish boy l
know" assured him.
Anyhow, l can give you three years and
hall" he said.
eyes, but woman Of two and twenty"
care you two and twenty?" asked Oliver,
thoughtfully stroking his fair mustache.
Twenty-Five, Oliver'
'"That is a ripping dress you've got on
today" he exclaimed, abruptly.
"Never mind my dress"
sfSuch jolly color"
we were discussing Ivy Romer," re-
minded him.
Upon my word,' he said, cts rather
nice to have cousin
''To give you good advice?"
"To talk to about things, you know an
swered Oliver.
Besides" | said, ''if l am your cousin,
nobody can say how many degrees we're
removed"
81 like this color immensely he cried,
and, leaning forward, he took a portion of
my sleeve between his fingers.
$50 you really think of marrying Ivy
Romer?" suggested.
'I've been thinking about it all night"
he admitted.
90, there's not scrap of doubt about
that" he said, with an air of perfect assur
ance. "Of course" he added, with engag
ing candor, 81 was consummate IDIOT"
ITO dance FIVE dances with her last
night?"
"Only somehow" he answered, cas- soon
as we finished one dance, she limited at the
next. After ALL" he muttered, "Ivy's no
end of decent girl -
You found her mother pleasant also?"
/ asked.
81 was never quite so surprised in my life"
said Diver.
what did you say to Mrs. Romer?" l
asked.
81 told her had an appointment"
''Whom with, Oliver?"
80, WE'LL" he returned, 81 came along to
you, you know"
"To ask me to help you make up your
mind?" l suggested.
He looked gravely into my face, although
it was not often that he was grave for many
consecutive minutes.
81 believe you have got your hair done
differently" he exclaimed.
Nonsense" 1 said. you will tell me
/ have altered the color OF my eyes next"
NO." cried Oliver, ''when look at your
eyes, Always 1dHcs you He'ei Soolu
change"
please don't be absurd"
'sBy Jove!" he said; 81 never saw you
with such color before"
Don't you know | answered, sitting
more erect, "that it is Objectionable to
make personal remarks!'
mot to a cousin
elbow often have ! told you that we are
op1y yery very distant cousins1"
"Still,' he urged, "you always seem rath-
er near, YOU know | always think of you
in that way" he added.
"Henceforth,' = suggested, you viii only
think of Ivy Romer.'
Don't you think of me in that way, too?"
asked Oliver, quite eagerly
Really, 1 have more important things to
trouble about" / retorted
80, well" he said, 81 shouldn't like to be
brute enough to trouble you.''
"Then you should mend your ways, Div
err"
How" he asked.
'Try to be little more CONSTANT"
81 think will" he said, heartily.
''It is to be hoped so for Ivy's sake" re
marked.
80, bother Ivy!" he exclaimed.
81 understood you had made up your
mind"
81 told you I had changed it," he said,
hastily.
For no apparent reason!'
81 don't know how it is, he answered,
thoughtfully, "but chat with you always
seems to make a fellow more sensible
"When you get outside the house." [ sug-
gested, you will most likely forget my good
influence and change back again. Besides,
Il.
81 thought of going out of town."
"He who fights and runs away"
cit isn't exactly fighting, you know" he
interrupted
''You can't tell what it might come to, u
said; but obviously Oliver was not listen
ing.
81 feel certain you've done your hair diff
ferently," he exclaimed.
''Indeed l have not, assured him.
But those waves, or whatever you cal
'em-"
''They happen to be as nature made
them," | answered.
"All l can say is that nature made them
most awfully well, said Oliver.
"But about Ivy" | reminded him.
81 shall write to Mrs. Romer tonight"
''What shall you say?"
20, well, I'll make up something" he an
swered, casually. Anyhow, I'm not goini
to be forced into marrying the girl"
Poor Ivy" murmured.
''Of course" he cried, I'm awfully SORT,
if l."
eff you have raised false hopes?"
Perhaps | have" he admitted.
Because she danced five times with yo,
last night?" l asked.
why, yes"
st did not occur to you that she nigh
have had reason?"
Il suppose she rather liked it, you know.
''Not at all. Ivy was here an hour ago,
l explained. "She danced with you because
she likes Mr.. Wentworth"
"a nice way to show it, muttered Oliver
with start.
"You must understand" l continued
"that Ivy is something of diplomatist, ane
she had the idea that Mr.. Wentworth tool
rather much for granted-like you, 70,
know, Oliver!" He stared at the carpe
as he tugged at his mustache, and l reall.
believe that he blushed. "There wasl al