The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-29


without his looking SO pleased over it.
"Scphie Higley, too, Growing over MT
Palmer and me as she did! 1t was rea
unladylike. And to think of her whisper
ing to Mary Shaw that l was "a little
Singing cockatricep l can never get over
/ that!
"Rut, oh dear! l did say some dreadfully
spiteful things. Well, don't care; Alfred
and Sophie were really aggravating, and
Mr. Palmer thought so, too. How polite he
is. always making you feel so pleased with
YOURSELF / wish he wasn't such fool"
At this moment Maria, one OF their serv-
ants, came running down the piazza
steps. She looked so frightened that
Laura's heart leaped to her mouth.
ooh, Miss Laura, your aunt's hurt her
ankle bad, and Pm most afraid it's broke.
She was halfway down the stairs, when
she fell, and her whole weight come on IL. y
But Laura was in the house by this time.
She found her aunt in her room, a front
chamber, opposite the stairs down which
she had fallen.
Miss SouthwelI lay on the lounge, looking
very pale, but composed, and said, in a
soothing tone to Laura, "Don't be
| frightened, child; my ankles not broken,
only badly sprained. Katy's drawing me
| some hot water to shower 1t with. And
now, dear, as your uncle is away, feel
that you and Alfred must be my main
dependence"
"You and Alfred" 1t seemed an odd
| conjunction. But Laura only murmured,
as she laid her cheek against Miss South
wells. what can we do for you, dearest
aunty?"
Aunt LEFTY kissed the girl affectionately.
'Our friends from New York will be here
this afternoon, as you know, and am
sure they will spend at least week with
US. Judging from past experience, L
| fear / shall be laid up some time with TINS
sprain. Now, Laura, you have proved
yourself such capable little housekeeper
| on one or two occasions that feel L can
trust you even with company in the house.
| And then our girls are so capable"-wlth
a smile at Katy, who came in just then
with the hot water.
"Bless you, ma'am, We'll do beautiful"
said Katy, Though it's sorry am to see
you laid up"
"WeIl, Laura, want you to go to mar
ket first thing. Your cousin will drive you
over, | know. Don't be afraid TO call upon
him for anything. I've always found him
kind and obliging. And then, he has such
good Judgment. Here is the list of things
| I want you to order"
"Whatever misgivings Laura felt, she
did not make them known. "I'll do just
what you tell me, auntv," she said, with
unwonted docility. "Now please attend to
| that Door ankle right away. Sha'n't we
|
rOund:"
mo, no: I'm an old hand at sprains, and
can treat it better myself"
"Well, don't worry, precious aunty, for
Wen all do our very BEST" said Laura.
But as she descended the stairs she felt
half afraid, half rebelliOus. 81 hate to ask
| him. she murmured to herself. "How he
did treat me last night, and this morning,
too! Why, he would scarcely look at me-"
| Yet in her heart there was a secret long
! ing to be friends with her cousin. She was
too proud to apologize, but an idea struck
her Just then. Her face broke into smile
as, taking out her handkerchief, she tied it
to the handle of her parasol..
my flag of truce" she said, giving 1t n
flourish. ~ shall ask for suspension of
hostilities till uncle gets back"
fastening her steps, she trlpped off In
| the direction of the arbor where her cousin
was wont to smoke his morning cigar.
Yes, there he was, enjoying that mascu-
line luxury and the newspaper together.
Laura slackened her gait now, as she
approached, waving her "white flag"
soIemnlv and slowly.
Alfred looked up, aud his face relaxed
into a smile. "Well:" he asked, glancing
humorously at the handkerchief.
Its a flag of truce" said Laura
solemnly. "I've come to request of my
honorable enemy a suspension OF HOSTILE
ties for twenty-four hours"
agreed" said Alfred, rising, and speak
| ing with such cordial good humOr that
Laura felt her heart immensely lightened.
''But may l ask the reason for this move
on my fair enemy's part:"
so, it's n shame to joke when poor
aunty's hurt herself sop said Laura, with
a sudden change of tone. "She's sprained
her ankle badly, Just when she's expecting
company, too. Uncle won't be back till
| -, nd ha Gh q
upon you and me, and so L thought we
"Clasp hands temporarily over the
| bloody chasm," broke in Alfred. "Well,
l agree to it heartily, and you may COM
mand my services at any time. L am
sorry Aunt Lefty has hurt herself, and if
you'll excuse me for five minutes, III run
| up and see her"
-"Well, YOU are a real good natured boy,
after ALL" thought Laura, as he bounded
away.
And now understand we are going to
MARKET" said Alfred, gayly, as he re-
turned to her side.
"Yes, believe that's the first thing on
the programme" returned his cousin.
They started off together, Laura very
happy, though a little embarrassed. II
seemed strange to be on such pleasant
terms with her enemy. But this feeling
soon wore away. The ride in the mountain
air was delightful, and ere long she found
herself talking with Alfred as she had
never talked before. He was an uncom.
monty intelligent young fellow and good
student, but not in the least absent minded
Nothing seemed to escape his observation
and with it all he was so full of fun anC
boyish spirits. Laura found him most
agreeable companion, and he on his par
saw her in new light, and began to fee
decidedly cousinly and affectionate. AL
Ia .,Nl CHI hi.
morning really amiable. Only once did {
little sarcastic remark escape her, where
upon Alfred, without a word, pointed
smilingly to the handkerchief still waving
from the parasol that lay across her lap.
A bright color rose in Laura's cheeks
but she looked up sweetly and frankly int
his face. "Please forgive me-" she said
81 had no business to fire that shot, but
did it from force of habit"
She turned away her head Immediately
but Alfred's keen eyes noticed the Sigh
culver of her lip, and that she had to win
hard to keep the tears back. He changes
the conversation at once, and they wer
soon chatting gayly again.
"Cousin Alfred" broke out Laurs
suddenly-"I beg pardon, Mr.. Hitler,
correcting herself with a laugh.
Suppose we drop these formalitie
! while we are under flag OF truce" sal
the young man, pleasantly. "What is
you want of Cousin Alfred, Laura"
e "Why, there's Sophie Higley aud tho
: Mr.. Palmer" rejoined Laura. They
9 want to stop and speak to us; but don't d
{ it, if you can help it,"
8 A smile of amusement curled Alfred
lin in spite of himself. "How do they com
| to he driving out together"
| 'sOh, he's her cousin, and staying Their,
YOU know. Dear me! Sophie is waving be
]. hand to you to stop; you'll have to do i
!. | Alfred"
Alfred refined up the pony sharply, an
A bowed with his usual politeness to I'd
Young lady, whose eyes were fixed wit