Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-04

y the mountain air was delightful, and
j ere long she found herself talking with
Alfred as she had never talked before.
He was an uncommonly intelligent
young fellow and a good student, but
not in the least absent minded. Moth
ing seemed to escape his observation,
and with it all he was so full of fun and
boyish spirits. Laura found him a
most agreeable companions, and
he on his part saw her in q new
light, and began to feel de-
cidedly cousinly and affectionate. Al
ways bright and artless, she was this
morning really amiable. Only once did
q little sarcastic remark escape her,
whereupon Alfred, without a word,
pointed smilingly to the handkerchief
still waving from the parasol that lay
across her lap.
A bright color rose in Laura 8 cheeks,
but she looked up sweetly and frankly
into his face. "Please forgive me"
she said; II had no business to fire
that shot, but / did it from force of
habit" .M
She turned away her head imme,
diately. Alfred's keen eyes noticed
the slight culver of her lip, and that
she had to wink hard to keep thetears
back. He changed the conversation at
once, and they weresoonchatting gay
~ again. .~,...,s >...... :.
cousin Alfred" broke out Laura,
suddenly---"1 beg your pardon, Mr..
Hitler, correcting herself with q laugh.
| Suppose We drop these formalities
while we are under the flag of truce"
said the young man, pleasantly.
| "What is it youwant of Cousin Alfred,
Laura7"
"Why there's Sophie Higley and
that Mr.. Palmer" reioined Laura.
'"They'll want to stop and speak to
us: but don't do it, II you can help
v smile of amusement eurled Alfred's
lipin spite of himself. GLOW do they
come to be driving out together?"
ooh, he's her cousin, and Shaving
there, you know. Dear me! Sophie
is waving her hand to you to stop;
you'll have to do it, Alfred" + -
Alfred reined up the pony sharply,
and bowed with his usual politeness
to the young lady, whose eyes were
| fixed with envious scrutiny upon him
! and his companion. Mr.. Palmer
looked equally discomposed, but
Sophie was the first to find her
| tongue.
$50 the two enemies seem to be
reconciled,' she said. with a laugh.
How are you both this morning."
ave are enjoying our USUAL health,
thank you," said Alfred.
'tAliss Laura looks-aw-like rose,
I'm sure,' simpered her companion.
THANK you, Mr.. Palmer" said
Laura; ri always enjoy your compari-
sons-they are so original"
MIR. Palmer looked immensely fat
tered. Alfred Inconsistent mortal!)
felt not the slightest inclination to re-
buke his cousin.
swell, we must bid you. good. morn
ing, as our business is pressing" he
said, gathering up the reins.
"But, Laura, dear Laura" cried
Miss Higley, as they were moving off;
"do let mespeak one word to you'll"
"Well?" said Laura, coldly, for the
expression, "stinging little cockatrice,"
was still ranking in her soul.
my cousin Georges coming in from
New Jersey this afternoon. He can
only spend one night with us, and if
you like will bring him in this even
ing
1--WE shall be very happy to see him."
said Laura, more graciously, for
George was favorite OF hers. ''Then
we shall expect you this evening, and
Mr.. Palmer also if he feels inclined to
call upon u.s.
"When do I feel otherwise?" asked
Mr.: Palmer, sentimentally; "at least
so lar as you are concerned"
''Drive on, Alfred, for PHYS sake or
shall scream!" whispered Laura.
Alfred, with a decided, though per-
fectly amiable, "good-morning,"
started the pony again, and they went
off at brisk trot toward the viii
lage.
That evening about dozen young
people were gathered in Miss South.
| wells pleasant parlors. e..
The Ransoms, who were old family
! friends, had arrived that afternoon.
MIR. and Mrs. Ransom were upstairs
talking with Miss Southwell, while
| the younger members of the family
formed part OF the merry group be-
| low.
Miss Higley had arrived early with
two cousins, and shortly after two or
three other friends dropped in, for
| Miss Southwell's house was very pop
ular with the young people. :.
Laura, sorry as she felt for her aunt,
had found this very happy. day.
she was proving herself indeed ia
capable little house-keeper." Then
Alfred had been 80 kind, so good, so
efficient. He was always on hand to
assist her, and to help entertain the
company, which none could be better
than he.
The evening passed pleasantly away,
while they played games, sang and
danced by turns. a&*5%9
Miss Higley, who admired Alfred in
tensely, and who had allowed herself;
in spite of the difference in their ages,
to entertain hopes in that direction,
marked with displeasure how friendly
he and his fair cousin had become.
Towards the close of the evening they
danced together, and her eyes followed
them Indignantly as, the dance over,
they retreated to q corner of the room
and seemed absorbed in conversation.
! ''They are polite to desert their
company that wayH,' she said with a
sneer. to her cousin, George Lane.
s 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,
| glancing around him. g. EVERY Jack
has his Jill, and nobooddy, lookS neg
lected. Why shouldn't they have a
little friendly chat together?"