The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-12-04
LAURA'S FLAG OF TRUCE.
BY CLARA

~~@' - " NH
"Alfred, / do wish you and Laura
could be friends. You are both so
dear to mel"
Miss Souti1 Wells voice was a little
tremuious. She was over sixty-five,
a slim, fragilelooking woman. Her
face reminded you of a white rosethat
has lost its early freshness, but has a
delicate loneliness 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, handsome
face OF the young man beside her there
was not one tell-tale line OF weakness.
The hazel eyes looked down af-
aectionately 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 Pm not disposed
TO make myself a slave to the little
lady"
a fear we have petted and spoiled
her among us" Aunt Lefty broke
off with a sigh. ...
eyes; that's just the trouble, aunty.
You are SO sweet-tempered you can't
Fbear to find fault with anybody, and
Uncle Arthur is Just likeyou. Between
You both, you've made a perfect little
deapot of Laura. It'stoo bad, forthe
girl is naturally a frank, generous,
warm-hearted creature. But come,
aunty, you ought to box my ears for
an impertinent youngpuppy, as | am.
4 was always a great hand to preach,
you know"
eyes; but Pm afraid there's a great
deal of truth in what you've said, AL
fred You won't let the foolish child
drive you away?" in an anxious tone.
Alfred gave a good-humored laugh.
t.Aunty, do you think | take it SO
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
ulnamiable woman
n 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 aspoiled princess as she said,
fixing hereyes on her cousin;
AS the door happened to be aiar,
sir, l had the pleasure of hearing your
last sentence. / see you've added
backbiting 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 0wn child to her, I'm sure"
Alfred's cheek Redeemed, but hesaid,
facing her with an unmoyed front:
sfYou we're 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 ofreceivirg one"
The young gentleman marched
4rathfully out. while Laura looked
after him with a mixture of resent
ment and triumph.
Eve actually made his Highness
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"
f14aural" said her aunt, with I'M
wonted sharpness, sshow canyon treat
your cousin SO? I'm afraid what he
says il 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 q
moment; but forcing back the tell-tale
drops, she flung her arms around Miss
auntie, Pm so thankful you and dear
uncle brought me up instead Of d
xyrant like Mr.. Alfred Hitler. Don't
call him my cousin; he's three degrees
removed, I'm sure, and / won't own
him for q relation. But come, now,
cheer up and get dressed as quick as
youoan, Or you won't be ready to re
ceive the company
you had better run and dress
yourself, little lady; it's more youl
company than mine
eDress7 Yes, TAI try and look my