The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-12-11
LAURA'S FLAG OF U
BY A B]RoUGHroN.

dear to me!'
Miss Southwelrs voice was q little
sremulous. She was over sixty-five,
q sim, fragile-looking woman. Her
lace reminded you OF a white rose that
mas lost its early freshness, but has a
nellcate loneliness lingering about it
'olil' True, its lines indicated more
sweetness than strength OF character,
out the expression was so good, so
pure you telt instinctively she was
to be loved and trusted.
In the fair-complexioned, handsome
lace OF the young man beside her there
was not one tell-tale line OF weakness.
lhe hazel eyes looked down af-
eSilonately into his aunt's, but his
voice, though good-humored, kept its
decided ring as he replied:
but, dear Aunt Lefty, what am l
TO DO? There's no getting along with
Laura unless you give up to her
in everything, and I'm not disposed
to make myself a slave to the little
lady"
81 fear we have petted and spoiled
her among U.s." Aunt Lefty broke
off with a sigh.
'les; that's Just the trouble, aunty.
You are SO sweet-tempered you can't
bear to find fault with anybody, and
Uncle Arthuris iustlikeyou. Between
you both, you've made a perfect little
aespot OF Laura. 1t'stoo bad, forthe
ylrl Is naturally a frank, generous,
warm-hearted creature. But come,
aunty, you ought to box my ears for
an lmpertlnent young puppy, as | am.
was always a great hand to preach,
you know"
Eyes; but I'm afraid there's a great
deal OF truth i'll what you've said, Al
tred. You won't let the foolish child
drive you away" in an anxious tone.
Alfred gave Il good humorcd laugh.
"Aunty. do you think | take it SO
much to heart as that? No, no:
Laura's little airs and tenlpers are
rather amusing than otherwise. Only
hate to see her growing up into an
unamiable woman
a sharp tap at the door interrupt
ed him. Without waiting for an an
Swer, his cousin pushed it open and
marched in.
You could scarcely find a more
beautiful little face than Laura's, and
perhaps itlooked all the prettier for
the flush OF anger that crimsoned it
just then. She threw up her head with
the air OF aspolied princess as she said,
fixing hereycs on her cousin:
As the door happened to be aiar,
sir, had the pleasure OF hearing your
last sentence. l see you've added
backbitlng to your other amiable
qualities, but | think You might be
better employed than in trying to set
aunty against me, for I'm the same as
an own child to her, I'm sure"
Alired's cheek redeemed, but esaid,
facing her with an unmoved front:
"You were perfectly welcome to hear
every word. AS for your insulting re-
mark about me, | think you owe me
an apology, though I've not the
slightest expectation ofreceivirgone."
The young gentleman marched
%wrathfully out, while Laura looked
after him with q mixture OF resent
ment and triumph.
give actually made his Hishness
angry. Well, that's something, any
way. It's SO provoking, the cool,
smiling way in which he'll sit andlook
at me when he's worked me up in a
perfect rage"
sJ ,,r,if' co,l bo, ,,,,t u,,+l 49,.
wonted sharpness, chow can you treat
your cousin so? Tn afraid what he
says is too true, that we've spoiled
you among us. And he did justice to
your good qualities, I'm sure. He
thinks you are frank and generous
and warm-hearted."
Something softer than anger spark
led in Laura's saucy black eyes for a
moment; but forcing back the tell-tale
drops, she flung her arms around Miss
Southwell's neck. "You sweetest
auntie, I'm so thankful you and dear
uncle brought me up instead OF q
tyrant like Mr.. Alfred Hitler. Don't
call him my cousin; he's three degrees
removed, I'm sure, and | won't own
him for Il relation. But come, now;
cheer up and get dressed as quick as
youcan, or you won't be ready to re-
ceive the company"
"You had better run and dress
yourself, little lady; it's more your
company than mine"
"Dress? Yes, III try and look my
prettiest," thought Laura, as she
skipped away, land III tlirt a little
with Mr.. Palmer, too. That Alfred
despises him so I'll do it just to pro-
yoke him.
But in spite of this carelesstalk, the
girl could not keep her heart~from
warming u little toward her cousin as
she thought OF his expressions OF
praise.
Generous, warm-hearted'" she said
half aloud. "Well. I'm glad he does
me that Justice. But | don t care; !
hate HIM. He's done nothing but
contradict and cross me ever since he
zane into this house"
Lar,:a's room was NEXT Alfred's
and after her toilette was completed
she could not help putting out her
head to see if she could catch glimpse
of her enemy. Yes, he was gazing out,
and their eyes met. She vanished, |
but soon reappeared, tlourishing a
stick on which she had tied a piece OF
black silk
Mr.. Hilbert" she called out.
"Miss Laura!" responded the young
gentleman, with a smile OF provoking
GOODNESS.
do you see this black lag?" waving
it proudly. This means war to the
knife from this hour between you and
me-"
"As you please" said Alfred, Sc