The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-29
.n.;ra IN Alfred for PHYS sake, or

"Driye on, Alfred, for PHYS sake, or
shall scream" whispered Laura.
Alfred, with decided though perfectly
amiable ''good morning" started tne pony
again, and they went of at DISK trot
toward the village.
| That evening about dozen young peo-
nile were gathered in Miss SouthwelPs
pleasant parlors. .:-
The Ransoms, who were old family
friends, had arrived that afternoon MT.
1 and Mrs. Ransom were upstairs TALKING
with Miss Southwell, while the younger
members of the family formed part oE 'ne
| merry group below. 80
Miss Higley had arrived early with her
two cousins, and shortly after two or three
other friends dropped in, for MISS SOUTH
Wells house was very popular WIN 1he
young people.
| found this very happy day. she was
nrovine herself indeed ga capable little
| housekeepero Then Alfred had been so
kind. 80 good, so efficient. He was always
on hand to assist her, and to help entertain
the company, which none could do better
| than he.
The evening passed pleasantly away,
while they played games, sang and danced
| by turns.
Miss Higley, who admired Alfred in
tensely, and who had allowed herself, in
spite of the difference in their ages, to en-
| terrain hopes in that direction, marked
with displeasure how friendly he and his
cousin had become. Toward the close OF
| the evening they danced together, and her
eyes followed them Indignantly as, the
dance over, they retreated to corner OF
! the room and seemed absorbed in CONVEX
| sation.
"Thev are polite to desert their company
that way." she said with a sneer to her
cousin, George Lane.
"Why, they've been doing their best to
entertain us all the evening, and the COM
pany' seems happy enough, Pm sure" said
| good-natured George, CHANGING around
him. "'Every Jack has his Jill, and no.
body looks neglected. Why shonldn't they
have little friendly chat together"
Meantime Laura is saying with sigh,
eve have telegram from uncle-he will
be home tonight"
Are you sorry!" asks Alfred, with a
kindly twinkle in his eyes.
mot sorry to see uncle, but-well, on the
whole, think l prefer peace to war, and
should be really sorry to have hostilities
commence again." replies Laura, glancing
up with a roguish but wistful look.
"Well, is it necessary to resume the
campaign" says her cousin, kindly. 81
| find the present atmosphere very refresh :
| ing myself. Suppose we swear perpetual
peace:"
Laura tries to laugh, but the bright eyes
ere full of tears, and her voice trembles as
she answers: cousin Alfred, you are so
kind; you give me courage TO do what Eve
| longed to do all day-apologize for my
badness, and promise to try and be good
| from this time"
His fair enemy has surrendered at last,
Internationally; but if Alfred feels any
masculine triumph, he does not betray it
by word or look.
"We'll both start again" he says, heartily
taking tho little hand in his large grasp for
a moment. "For myself, l feel I've been
and | want to ask your pardon in my turn.
And now NAV L ask as a great favor that
you'll give me that blessed little flag of
truce? l want it for a memento of this
suspicious day"
"I'Il give you half of it with pleasure"
saws Laura, with a musical little laugh.
But I'd like to have half myself to remind
me always to keep the peace"
Miss Higley, who, while pretending to
talk to her cousins, had been watching the
couple furtively, now said, in sharp tone:
"Well, they really seem almost spoony;
and to think how they've been sparring
ever since he came! George, do you think
you see any signs of-well, you know what
| mean-Over there"
"Well," said George, his shrewd face
breaking into q kindly smile, Pm not a
great Judge of such matters, and don't
| like to jump at conclusions, but Judging
| from appearances, | should say there were
signs not only of solid peace, but of a life
| long union between the two belligerentS."
Clara BrOuqhtOn in Hdrper'S Bdzdr.