The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-29
A FLAG OF TRUCE.
It Secures a Solid Peace and a
Lifelong Union.

It Secures a Solid Peace and a
Lifelong Union.
r Alfred, do wish you and Laura could
be friends. You are both so dear to me-"
Miss Southwell's voice was little trem-
ulous. She was over sixty-fve slim,
fragile-looking woman. Her face reminded
you of a white rose that has lost its early
freshness, but has delicate loneliness lin
gering about it still. True, it's lines indi-
Gated 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.
La 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 affectiOnately into his
aunt's, bnt his voice. though good-hu-
mored, kept its decided ring as he replied:
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 slave to the
little lady"
II fear we have petted and spoiled her
among US" Aunt Lefty broke off with
a sigh.
"Yes; that's just the trouble, auntv. You
find fault with ANYBODY, and Uncle Arthur
is just like you. Between you both you've
made perfect little despot 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 young puppy, as | am. |
was always great hand to preach, you
know"
"Yes; but Pm afraid there's great deal
of truth in what you've said, Alfred" in
an anxious tone. "You won't let the fool
ish child drive you away"
Alfred gave a good-humored laugh.
"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 unamiable woman"
A sharp tap at the door interrupted him.
Without waiting for an answer, his cousin
pushed it open and marched in.
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 a spoiled
princess as she said, fixing her eyes on her
cousin:
'As the door happened to be ajar, sir, 1
had the pleasure of hearing your last SEN
fence. | see you've added backbiting to
yonr other amable qualities, but l think
YOU might be better employed than in try
Ing TO SET aUnbN dHdlISG lie. LOT Ill JUe
same as an own child to her, Pm sure"
Alfred's cheek Redeemed, but he said,
facing her with an unmoved front: ''Yo GU
were perfectly welcome TO hear every
word. As for your insulting remark about
me, think you owe me an apology, though
pve not the slightest expectation of re-
ceiving one"
The young gentleman marched wrath
fully out, while Laura looked after him
with mixture of resentment and triumph.
'I've actually made his Highness angry.
Well, that's something anyway. It's sc
provoking, the cool, smiling way in which
he'll sit and look at me when he's worked
me up into a perfect rage"
Laura" said her aunt, with unwonted
sharpness, show can you treat your cousin
so? Pm afraid what he says is too true
that we've spoiled you among us. And ~
did justice to your good qualities, Bn
sure. He thinks you are frank and gener'
Gus and warm-hearted."
Something softer than anger sparkled il
Iaura'S Saucy black eyes for moment
but forcing back the tell-tale drops, sh,
flung her arms around Miss Southwell':
neck. "You sweetest aunty, Pm so thank
full you and dear uncle brought me up in
stead of tyrant like Mr.. Alfred Hitler
Don't call him my cousin; he's three de
grees removed, Pm sure, and won't owl
him for a relation. But come, now. chez
up, and get dressed as quick as you can, o
You WOu6 DO W IcColfo buc Gull
pany."
"You would better run and dress your
self, little lady; it's more your company
than mine"
"Dress? Yes, I'll try and look my pref
test" thought Laura, as she skippet
away, "and I'll firt a little with Mr.
Palmer, too. That Alfred despises him so
I'll do il just to provoke him."
But in spite of this careless talk, the CIR
could not keep her heart from warming
little toward her cousin, as she thought o
his expressions of praise.
Generous, frank, warm-hearted" sh
said, half aloud. swell, Pm glad he doe
me that justice. But don't care; 1 hat
him. He's done nothing but contradiC
and cross me ever since he came into thi
house."
Laura's room was next to Alfred's, an
after her toilette was completed she coul
not help putting out her head to see If sh
could catch glimpse of her enemy. We:
he was gazing out too, and their eyes me
She vanished, but soon re-appeared, flour
fishing a stick on which she had tied
piece of black silk.
"Mr. Hillierl" she cried out.
"Miss Laurap responded the youu
gentleman, with a smile of provokin
GOODNESS.
apo you see this black fiag:" waving
proudly. "This means war to the knit
from this hour between you and me-"
t'But let US keep up at least the semblanC
of civilized warfare before Others"
every good" said Laura, retiring wit
O final ware, while Alfred laughed quietl
20 himself.
s.You are a child, and no mistake"
thought, contemplating his cousin patron
fzingly from his lofty summit of twenty
three years. cit would be comical enoug
if the black flag should be exchanged for
white one before leave, young lady"
Early the next morning Laura stood
the garden waiting for her aunt. III
horse was harnessed, waiting TO take the
TO the village where Miss Southwell did q
her marketing. She had been trying +
some weeks to indoctrinate Laura into
mysteries, and the young lady proved he
self an apt scholar.
The old-fashioned, pleasant house wh1t
Miss Southwell and her brother had occl
pied now some thirty years stood on b
I'm the outskirts of the village. The groun'
were tsstefully laid out, the mountain 8
delicious and invigorating.
There could not be more glorious NOR
ing than this, yet the expression OF trouh
on Laura's pretty face showed that n
mood was not in harmony with the gay.
$50 provoking" she muttered, that