Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-10
LAURA'S FLAG OF TRUCE
BY CHARA BROUGHTON.


ALFRED. do wish you and Laura could b,
friends. You are both so dear to mer'
Miss Southwells voice was little tremulous
she was over sixty-fve. q slim, fragile.lookins
woman. Her face reminded you of a white ross
that has lost its early freshness, but has deli
cate loveiness lingering about it STILL True. Its
lines indicated more sweetness than strenett
OF character, but the expression was so good. &c
pure. you felt instinctively she was one to be
loved and trusted
In the fair-complexioned, handsome face OF
the young man beside her there was not one
tell-tale line of weakness. The hazel ewes
looked down affectionately into his aunt's. but
MS voice, though good-humored, kept its de
cided ring as he replied:
IT,, But, dear Aunt Lefty, what am to do.
lheres no getting along with Laura unless YOU
give up to her in everything, and IN not dis
posed to make myself slave to the little lady. y
rs lear we nave petted and spoiled her among
us Aunt Lefty broke off with a sigh.
Yes; that's just the trouble, aunty. You are
so sweet,tempered you can't bear to find fault
with any body, and Uncle Arthur is lust like Won
Between you both, you've made a perfect little
despot of Laura It's too bad tor the girl is nat
orally frank, generous, warm-hearted creature
but come, aunty, you ought to box my ears for
an inpertinent young puppy, as am / was
always great hand to preach, you kn owl
yes, but Tam afraid there's great deal OF
truth In what you've said, Alfred" in an
anxious tone. you won't let the foolish child
drive you away?'
Alfred gave q good-humored laugh. "Aunty,
90 yOu think take it 80 much to heart as that
NO. no; Laura's little airs and tempers are
rather amusing than otherwise. Only hate To
see her growing up into an unamiable wo-
-, 4 sharp tap at the door interrupted him.
without waiting for an answer, bis cousin
pushed 1t open and marched in.
You could scarcely find more beautiful little
Iace than Laura's, and perhaps it looked all the
prettier for the flush of anger that Grim soned
ar OF spoiled princess as she said, fixing her
eyes on her cousin:
AS the door happened to be aJar, SIR had
see you've added exhibiting to your other am
liable qualities, but think you might be bet
ter employed than in trying to set aunty against
me- me- Ior n 10 the same as an own child to her,
Alfred's cheek Redeemed, but he said, facing
her with an unmoved front: You were perfect
ly welcome to hear every word. As for your in
sulting remark about me, think you owe me
an apology, though I've not the slightest expec-
tatlon OF receiy ng one"
The young gentleman marched wrathfully
out, while Laura looked after him with q mix
ture OF resentment and triumph.
Well, that's something, anyway. It's so bro
voking, the cool, smiling way in which he'll sit
and look at me when he's worked me up into q
perfect rage"
Laura said her aunt, with unwonted sharp
ness, "how can you treat your cousin SO? I'm
AFRAID what he says is too true, that we've
your good qualities, I'm sure. He thinks Won
are frank and generous and warm-hearted."
Something softer than anger sparkled in Lau-
IA s saucy black eyes for moment; but forcing
back the tell-iale-drOps, she flung her arms
around Miss SOuthwelfs neck. "You sweetest
aunty, I'm so thankful you and dear uncle
brought me up instead of a tyrant like Mr.
Alfred Hitler. Don't call him my cousin; he's
three degrees removed, I'm sure, and 1 won't
own him for relation. But come, now; cheer
up and get dressed as quick as you can. or you
wont be ready to receive the company"
You would better run and dress yourself,
little LADY; it's more your company than
Dress? Yes, I'll try and look my prettiest,n
thought Tn Laura, as she skipped away, land I'll
despises him so, I'll do it just to provoke him. !"
But in spite OF this careless talk the girl could
not keep her heart from warming little
stons of praise.
Generous, frank, warm-heartedw she said,
half aloud. well, I'm glad he does me that
done nothing but contradict and cross me ever
since he came into this house,
Laura's room was next to Alfred's, and after
putting out her head to see if she could catch
glimpse OF her enemy. Yes, he was gazing out
too, and their eyes met. She vanished, but soon
re-appeared, fourishing stick on which She
had tied piece of black silk.
'Mr. Hillier.' she called out.
Miss Laura. responded the young gentle
man. with smile of provoking coolness
'DO you see this black flag?" waving it prOud-
". This means war to the knife from this
hour between you and me-"
LAS you please" said Alfred, serenely. "But
let US keep up at least the semblance of civil
lied warfare before Others"
Every good, said Laura retiring with final
wave, while Alfred laughed quietly to himself
~ GU are child, and no mistake" he thought,
his lofty summit of twenty-three years. at
would be comical enough If the black flag should
be exchanged for white one before leave,
Early the next morning Laura stood in tho
garden waiting for her aunt. The horse was
harnessed, waiting to take them to the village
where Miss Southwell did all her marketing
She had been trying for some weeks 10 indoc-
trlnate Laura into Its mysteries, and the young
lady proved herself an apt scholar
The old-fashioned pleasant house which Miss
Southweil and her brother had occupied now
some SC thirty years stood on hill in the out
skirts of the village. The grounds were taste
fully laid out, the mountain air delicious and
inyigOrating.
There could not be a more glorious morning
Laura's pretty face showed that her mood was
not in harmony with the day.
$50 provoking" she muttered, "that should
nave lost my temper that way! But it was bad
enough TO have my ball crOqueted way to the
ends of the earth without his looking so pleased
over it.
sophie Higley, too, Growing over MI. Palmer
and me as she did! II was real unladyIike
And to think of her whispering to Mary Shaw
that was "a little singing cockatriceP 1 can
But, oh dear! did say some dreadfully spite
full things Well, don care; Alfred and Sophie
were really aggravating, and Mr. Palmer
thought so too. How polite he is, always max
ing you feel so pleased with yourself! l wish
he wasn't SUCH fool"
At this moment Maria, one of their servants.
came running down the piazza steps. She
looked so frightened that Laura's hear. leaped
to her mouth.
"Oh, Miss Laura, your aunt's hurt her ankle
bad. and m mos, afraid it's broke. She was
halfway down the stairs, when she fell, and her
whole weight come on it,"
But Laura was in the house by this time, She
found her aunt in her room, a from: chamber
opposite the stairs down which she had fallen.
Miss Southwell lay on the lounge looking
very pale, but composed, and said, in a sooth.
ing tone TO Laura, Don't be frightened, child:
my ankles not broken, only badly sprained,
Katy g drawing me some hot water to shower
Il 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 con-
But Laura only murmured as she
aid her cheek against Miss SouthweII's, "What
IAN we do for you, dearest aunty?'
Aunt Lefty kissed the girl affectionately
our friends from New York will be here this
as you know, and 1 am sure they
Will spend at least a week with us. Judging
rom past experience, fear shall be laid up
some time with this sprain. Now. Laura, you
nave proved yourself such a capable little
on once two occasions that feel