Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-12-05

very happy though a little embarras
ed. It seemed strange to be on such
pleasant terms with her enemy.
But this feeling soon wore away.
Ths ride in the mountain air was de-
lightful and ere long she found her
self talking with Alfred as she had
never talked before He was an I'M
commonly intelligent young fellow
and good student, but not in the
least absentminded. Nothing seem
ed to escape his observation, and
with it all he was So fall OF fun and
boyish spirits. Laura found him .
most agreeable companion, and be on
his part saw her in a new light, and
began to be decidedly cousinly and
affectionate. Always bright and art
less, she was this morning really ami
able. Only once did little sarcastic
remark escape her, wherenpon AL
fred, without word, pointed smiling
~ to the handkerchief still waving
from the parasol that lay across her
lap.
A bright color rose IN Laura's
checks, but she looked sweetly and
frankly into his face. please for
give me- she said: II had no busi-
ness to fire that shot, but I did it
from force of habit
She turned away her head imme-
diately, but Alfred 9 keen eyes noticl
cd the slight CULVER Of her lip, and
that she had to wink hard to keep
the tears back He changed the COM
versation at once, and they were
soon chatting gayly again.
That evening about q dozen young
people were gathered in Miss South
wells pleasant parlors.
Miss Higley had arrived early with
her two cousins, and shortly after
two or three other friends dropped
in, for Miss Southwell's house was
very popular with the young people.
Laura, sorry as she felt for her
aunt, had found this, very happy
day. She was proving herself in
deed "a capable little housekeeper "
Then Alfred had 5een so kind, so
good, so efficient. He was always on
hand to. assist her, and to help enter
tain 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
intensely, and who had allowed her
self in spite Of the difference in their
ages, to entertain hopes in that di
rection, marked with displeasure how
friendly he and his fair 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 a room and seemed abb
sorbed in conversation.
"They are polite to desert their
company that way ~ she said, with
sneer, to her cousin, George Lane.
"Why, they've been doing their
best to entertain us all the evening,
and the company seems happy
enough, I'm sure" said good-natured
George, glanced around him eve
ny Jack has his day." and nobody
looks neglected. Why shouldn't
they have little friendly chat to-
gether :"
Meantime Laura is saying with
sigh, "We have telegram from I'M
cle--he will be home tonight"
"Are you sorry" asks Alfred,
with q kindly twinkle in his eyes
'sNot sorry to see uncle, but well,
on the whole, I think prefer peace
to war, and should be really sorry to
have hostilitiss commence again."
replies Laura, glancing up with ro-
guish but wistful look.
"Well, is it necessary to resume
the csmpaign!" says her cousin,