Deming graphic., 1920-01-13
COUNTRY COUSIN
BY ANNA |. FINN.

OF all things" she sollloqulzed. aust
when mother has gone on a vacation
and left me alone to keep house, a
country cousin whom I have not seen
for years decides that she will pay US
vista fine state Of affairs. l 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 n means OF
evadng he lssne, but could not arrive
at any definite conclusion. Finally n
bright thought occurred to her--she
eri Leylnnd was Maran'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 Ma
rian explained the situation TO him.
"YOu see" she began, "she has been
IN boarding school the past year, and
on her way home wishes TO spend
some time with us. or course, it's
impossible, now that mother is away,
because cannot DO the cooking-go0d-
ness knows, | find II hard enough to
get along alone, to say nothing Of en-
eertnlnlng."
"Well. II isn't so bad" Bob re-
marked nfter listening TO Marinns
lnnumcrable excuses. "And I see moth
ing fer you to do but have her come.
think you can manage the cooking
somehow, and I'll promise to do the
entertaining"
"Entertalnlng Marian calculated.
"Oh. Bob, II you could see her"
Bob could not refrain from smiling
at Mnrlan's description OF her "coun'
try cousin" Fortunately, however,
his generous nature always guided him
along the right lines, and he finally
convinced her that there was no al
ternntlve other than the one OF accept
ing the inevitable.
every well. Bob, but remember your
part Of the agreement" Marian con
Guided. You are to do the entertain
Ing"
AEItfNt ifNu Itllifhs We ~ oh''
her a good time, even II she is as
homely as hedge fence. Leave II TO
me--l'll do the hpnors."
Accordingly ull arrangements were
made for the coming Of Flora Winston,
the aforesaid country cousin" Marian
declared that she was entirely too busy
20 take the time and 20 and meet her
so the task fell to Bob.
Now. TO be sent to meet a girl you
have never seen Is not altogether easy.
Starting off In his ,lttle roadster, how
ever. Bob met the situation with his
usual calm demeanor.
Upon reaching the station he learned
that the train had just arrived, so he
lost no time in beginning his search,
He engerly scanned the faces OF what
seemed to be hundreds of girls, but
saw none answering the description OF
Flora. A trim figure at the extreme
end of the platform wns Bob's last
hope. "Surely that must be She" he
thought. but closer inspection revealed
Il wealth of beautiful golden hair, a
perfect nose and not the slightest trace
Of freckle. He was about to depart,
when. to his complete surprise, the
dainty bit Of femininity ne had been
Scrutlnlzlng. tlmidly approaching him,
Inquired If he could direct her to the
Carew home. "Why, you're the very
person I've been looking fort" Bob
glecfully exclaimed.
II was not strange that Bob failed
10 recognize Flora Winston, for time
had worked a marvellous transforms
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
fectlon
The climax was finally reached one
day when Bob and Flora We're motor
ing together. leaving Marian to enter
tain herself as best she could. She had
reached the height Of her endurance,
and determined to give vent 10 her
feelings. Upon returning Flora looked
quite charming, began. to elaborate
ON Bob's fine qualities, and his very
courteous treatment OF her, wholly un-
aware Of the approaching storm.
Every word was n dagger In Marlan's
heart, and she promptly expressed her
opinion on the subject, which was
anything hut favorable one.
"Oh. I'm so sorry" pleaded Flora. u
would not for the world have come
between you. l will leave at once,
never to see him Rgnln, although II
will mean a great sacrifice to me-"
II was not until after Flora had
gone and Marian was alone that she
fully realized all that had happened.
Meanwhile. several hours later, as
Flora was qulckenlng her pace down
the driveway, she stopped short at
the appearance OF a familiar face.
"Oh. Bobl" she exclaimed, you're the
very person I'm trying to avoid" Bob
looked mystlfed. "But l am glad
10 have this opportunity to explain"