The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1919-11-20
COUNTRY COUSIN
BY ANNA L. FINN.

Y Marian Carew aimiessiy fingered the
letter she had finished reading. swell
Of all things" she soliloquized. "just
when mother has gone on vacation
and left me alone TO keep house.
country cousin whom have not seen
for years decides that she will pay US
vista fine state of affairs. | sim
ply cannot entertain her, but how ] am
going TO avert II is more than know"
For several minutes she sat in deep
thought, trying to devise a means OF
evading the Issue. but could not arrive
at any definite conclusion. Finally a
bright thought occurred to her-she
would call Bob into conference. Rob
ert Leyland was Marian's devoted suit
or, and she had great confidence in his
superior Judgment. She felt certain
Bob would find the right solution.
So that evening when he called sla-
rian explained the situation 10 bin.
"You see," she began. 'she has been
In boarding school the past year, and
some time with us. or course. it's
t@possible. now that mother is away,
bseauRs cannot do the cooking-g0od-
asm knows, find II hard enough to
Rst along alone, to say nothing of en-
kstainins."
swsal. Il isn't so bad" Bob re-
0erkeA. after listening 10 Marian's
lAaumersble excuses. "And see moth
tne FOR you to do but have her come.
Z think you can manage the cooking
somehow, and I'll promise to do the
m1sstainins."
understanding" Marian CALCULATED.
-. Bse. n you could see her"
- could not refrain from smiling
q Marian's description Of her "coun-
~ cousin" Fortunately, however,
~ generous nature always guided him
e1eaa the right lines. and he finally
esavinced her that there was no al
esrnative other than the one Of accept
nc the inevitable.
"vesy we'll, Bob, hut remember your
part Of the agreement" Marian con-
s1sded. you are to do the entertain
As."
agreed" Bob replied. "We'l show
Der a good time. even II she is as
AoDeiy as a hedge fence. Leave 1t TO
ms-I1i do the honors."
Accordingly all arrangements were
made for the coming Of Flora Winston,
the aforesaid country cousin" Marian
declared that she was entirely too busy
60 take the time and go and meet her,
90 the task fell to Bob.
Now, TO be sent to meet n girl you
have never seen is not altogether easy.
Starting off in his little roadster, how
usual calm demeaDor.
Upon reaching the station he learned
that the train had just arrived, so he
to,t no time In beginning his search.
He eagerly scanned the faces of what
eeemed to be hundreds of girls, but
saw none answering the description OF
Flora. A trim figure at the extreme
end of the platform was Bob's last
hope. "Surely that must be she," he
thought, but closer inspection revealed
a wealth of beautiful golden hair,
perfect nose and not the slightest trace
81 freckle. He was about to depart,
when. to his complete surprise, the
Dainty bit of femlninity he had been
ecrutinizing, timidly approaching him,
Inquired If he could direct her to the
Carew home. "Why, you're the very
person I've been looking for" Bob
Hieefully exclaimed.
II was not strange that Bob failed
% recognize Flora Winston, for time
lad worked Il marvellous transforma-
Ton In the little country cousin
Happy were the days for Flora
which followed. A series of tennis,
golf and canoeing served to while away
the idle hours. and Bob. in the role
Of entertainer, played his part to per
eectlon.
The climax was finally reached one
cay when Bob and Flora were motor
Gag together, leaving Marian to enter
tain herself as best she could. She had
reached the height of her endurance,
and determined to give vent to her
eselings. Upon returning Flora looked
Aaite charming, began to elaborate
o Bob's fine qualities, and his very
asuFteOus treatment of her, wholly IN
nWare Of the approaching storm
Every word was a dagger in Marian's
heart. and she promptly expressed her
spinion on the subject. which was
anything but a favorable one.
"Oh. I'm so sorry" pleaded Flora. 81
would not for the world have come
ketween you. / will leave at once
Aever to see him again, although II
will mean a great sacrifice to me-"
1t was not until after Flora hat
gone and Marian was alone that she
fully realized all that had happeneu
Meanwhile, several hours later, rs
Flora was quickenlng her pace dowr
the driveway, she stopped short a
the appearance OF familiar face
"Oh, Bobl" she exclaimed, you're th'
very person Pm trying TO avoid" Bol
looked mystified. But | am glat
to have this opportunity to explain,
she continued. Il never realized wha
Marian meant to you" But that wa
as far as she got. "She never mean
anything to me compared to you" BIOL
interposed. "And you're not going of
like this--at least not until you prom
Use 10 make me the happiest man II
the world"
Floras cup of Joy was filled 4
overlooking. and smiling through he
tears she fondly inquired: fBut hoy
about Marianf" With ever-ready sc
1..,tor Dot x,ro,ontIv ranIfad ,aOh wei