Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-11-06
FLAG OF TRUCE

Miss SOuthWelIs voice was
little tremulOus. She was over SIX
ty.fve, a slim, fragilelooking wo-
man. Her face reminded you of a
white rose that has lost its early
freshness, but has a delicate love
liness lingering about it still. True,
its lines indicated more sweetness
than strength of character, but the
expression was so good, so pure,
YOU felt instinctively she was one
to be loved and trusted.
In the fair complexioned, hand
some face of the young man beside
her there was not one tell.tale line
of weakness. The hazel eye look
ed down affectionately into his
aunts but his voice, though good
humored, kept its decided ring az
he replied
sBut, dear Aunt Lefty, what am
| to dol There's no getting along
with Laura unless you give up to
her in everything and Pm not dis
posed to make myselfa slave to
the little lady,
d fear we have petted and spoil
ed her among US Aunt Lefty
broke off with a sigh.
yes; that's just the trouble,
aunty. You ara so sweet tempered
YOU can't bear to find fault with
anybody, and Uncle Arthuris just
like you. Between you both, you've
made a perfectlittle despot OF Laura.
It's too bad, for the girl is natural
~ frank, generous, warm hearted
creature. But come, aunty, y0u
ought to box my ears for an imper-
tinent young puppy, as | am. | was
always a great hand to preach you
know
YES: but Pm afraid there's a
great deal of truth in what you've
said, Alfred, in an anxious tone.
You won't let the foolish child
drive you away 2
Alfred gave a good humored
laugh. 'Aunty, do you think |
take it so much to heart as that ?
No, no; Lauia's little airs and
tempers are rather amusing than
otherwise. Only | hate to see her
growing up into an unamiable
woman
A sharp tap at the door inter
rupted him. Without waiting for
an answer, his cousin pushed it
open and marched IN.
You could scarcely find more
beautiful little face than Laura's,
and perhaps it looked all the pref
tier for the flush Of anger that Grim
soned it just then. She threw up
her head with the air OF a spoiled
princess as she said, fixing her
eyes on her cousin:
'As the door happened to be
ajar, sir, | had the pleasure of
hearing your last sentence. | see
you've added backbitting to your
other amiable qualities, but l think
you might be better employed than
in trying to set annty against me,
for Pm the same az an own child
to her. I'm sure
Alfred's cheek Redeemed, but he
said, facing her with an uDmOved
front: you were perfectly welcome
to hear every word. AS for your
insulting remark about me, l think
you owe me an apology, though
I've not the slightest expectation
of receiving one
The young gentleman marched
wrathfully out, while Laura looked
after him with a mixture of resent.
ment aud triumph
'Pve actually made his highness
angry. Well, that's something,
anyway. It's so provoking, the
cool, smiling way in which hell sit
and look at me when he's worked
me into a perfect rage
Tauriap said her aunt, with un-
wonted sharpness, 'how can you
treat your cousin so? Pm afraid
what he says is too true, that we've
spoiled you among us. And he did
| justice to your good qualities, Pm
sure. He thinks you are frank and
generous and warm-hearted.'
Something softer than anger
sparkled in Laura's saucy blac k
eyes for a moment; but forcing
back the tell-tale drops, flung heI
arms around Miss Southwell
neck. you sweetest aunty, I'm SO
thankful you and dear uncle
brought me up instead Of a tyrant
| like Mr. Allied Hitler. Don't cal
him my cousin he's three degrees
removed, Pm sure, and 1 won't owl
him for a relation. But come, nov
cheer up and get dressed as quicl
as you can, or you won't be read,
to receive the company
you would better run and dress
yourself, little lady;it more you
company than mne.
Dress ? Yes, III try and look N,
prettlest,' thought Laura, as sh
skipped away, 'and III flirt a littl
with Mr.. Palmer, too. That AL
fred despises him 50, I'll do it jus
| toprOvoke him. 80
Laura's room was next to Alfred
and after her toilette was complet
ed she could not help putting on
bar head IN spe if she couId catch