Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-04
LAURA'S FLAG OF TRUCE.
ny CLARA BROUGHTON.

'|oASAA"Ot SCiCo was u Iltoit
eremulo!us. She was over sixty-tive,
slim, fragile-looking woman. Her
tace reminded you. of q white rose that
has lost it's 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-
"ertionately into his aunt's, but his
voice, though good-humored, kept it's
decided ring as he replied: 81 . -
''But, dear Aunt Lefty, what am
to do? There's no getting along with
Laura unless you give up to- her
in everything, and Pm not disposed
to make myself q slave to the little
lady"
~ fear we have petted and spoiled
'hcr among It's" Aunt Lefty broke
,tff with a sigh.
eyes; that's just the trouble, aunty.
You re.so sweet-tempered you can't
bear TO find fault with anybody, and
Uncle Arthur is Just likeyou.> Between
you both, you've made q perfect little
'aespot of Laura. It's too bad, for the
girl is naturally frank, generous,
'warm-hearted creature. But come,
'aunty, you ought to box my ears for
an impertinent oungpuppy, as l am.
was always q great hand to preach,
you know"
eyes; but I'm afraid there's a great
deat OF truth in what you've said, AL
fred. You won't let the foolish child
drive you AWAY" in all anxious tone.
Alfred gave q good-humored laugh.
"Aunty, do you think I take it 50
much to heart as that? No, no;
tAaura's little airs and tempers are
rather amusing than otherwise. Only
hate to see her growing up into an
unamlable woman
a sharp tap at the door interrupt
cd him. Without waiting for an an
swer, his cousin pushed it open and
marched in. o. =. b.
You could scarcely find a more
beautiful little face than Laura's, and
perhaps it looked 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,
Axing her eyes on her cousin:
As the door happened to be ajar,
air, had the pleasure OF hearing your
last sentence. see you've added
backbit!ng to your other amiable
qualities, but l think you might be
better employed than in trying to set
nunty a~tinst me, for Pm the same as
an own child to her, I'm sure"
Alfret's cheek Redeemed, but hesaid,
facing her with an unmoved front:
"sYou 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 ofreceiving one
The young gentleman marched
wrathfully out, while Laura looked
after him with @ mixture OF resent
<nent and triumph.
owe actually made his Highness
angry. Well, that's something, any.
way. It's SO provoking, the cool,
smiling way in which he'll sit and look
at me when he's worked me up in q
perfect rage"
'Laural' said her aunt, with I'M
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 warrn-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 a.
tyrant like Mr.. Alfred Hitler. Don't
call him my cousin; he's three degrees
removed, I'm sure, and l won't own
him for q relation. But come, now;
cheer up and get dressed as quick as
you can, or you won't be ready to re-
ceive the company" 5t#
"You had better run and dress
yourself, little lady; it's more your
company than mine" 800" z'.'s
''Dress? Yes, III try and look my
prettiest," thought Laura, as she
skipped away, "and I'll firt a little
with MIR. Palmer, too. That Alfred
despises him SO I'll do it just to pro-
woke him"
But in spite OF this careless talk, the
girl could not keep her heart from
warming a little toward her cousin as
she thought of his expressions OF
praise. Ia f.
Generous, warm-hearted!" she said
half aloud. "Well, I'm glad he does
me that justice. But I don't care;
hate hlm. He's done nothing. but
zane into this house."
e Laura'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 o glimpse
Of her enemy les, he was gazing out,
and their eyes met. She vanished,
E but soon reappeared, Aourishing q
stick on which she had tied q piece 81
3 black silk
u NJ. Iiillierl''' she called out.
{. Mss L.aural' e resp nded The young
& gentleman, with q smile Of provoking
d GOODNESS. III. \ s. {
B 10 you see this black iag!' waving
4 It proud his means war to the
knife, fromsthis hour between you and
ina q
81 You please, 3 said Alfred, =.