Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-03-31
A FLAG OF TRUCE.
It Secures a Solid Peace and a
Lifelong Union.

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-lve, a slim,
fragile-looking woman. Her face reminded
you of white rose that has lost its early
freshness, but has delicate loneliness lin
gering about it still. True, its 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.
In the fair complexioned, handsome face
OF the young man beside her there was MOI
one tell-tale line of weakness. The hazel
eyes looked down affectionately into his
aunt's, but his voice. though good -hu.
mored, kept its decided ring as he replied
"But, dear Aunt Lefty, what am to dol
There's no getting along with Laura unless
you give mp TO her in everything, and Pm
not disposed to make myself slave to the
little lady"
~ fear we have petted and spoiled her
among US" Aunt Lefty broke Oft with
a sigh.
Eyes; that's just the trouble, aunty. You
are so sweet-tempered you can't bear to
find fault with ANYBODY, and Uncle Arthur
is just like you. Between you both you've
u.
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 a great hand to preach, you
know"
"4es; but Pm afraid there's great deal
o, truth in what you've said, Alfred" in
ish child drive you awayW
Alfred gave a good humored laugh.
"Aunty, do you think take il so much to
heart as thati No, no; Laura's little airs
and tempers are rather amusing than
otherwise. Only hate to see her growing
up into an unamiable woman"
sharp tap ut the door interrupted him.
Without waiting for an answer, his cousin
pushed 10 open and marched in.
You could scarcely find more beautiful
little face than Laura's, aud perhaps il
looked all the prettier for the flush of
anger that crimsoned it just then. She
threw up her head with the air of spoiled
princess as she said, fixing her eyes on her
cousin
"As the door happened to be ajar, sir, I
had the pleasure of hearing your last SEN
tence. l soc you've added backbiting to
yonr other smiahle qualities, but think
you might be better employed than in try
ing to set aunty against me, for I'm the
same as an own child to her, Pm sure"
facing her with an unmoved front: "You
were perfectly welcome to hear every
word. AS for your insulting remark about
me, l 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 a mixture of resentment and triumph.
1--WE actually made his Highness angry.
Well, that's something anyway. It's so
provoking, the cool, smiling way in which
he'll sit aud look at me when he's worked
me up into perfect rage"
"Lauraw said her aunt, with unwonted
sharpness, "how con you treat your cousin
so? Pm 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 gener-
GUS and warm earted."
Something softer than anger sparkled in
Laura's saucy black eyes for moment
but forcing back the tell-t drops, she
flung her arms around Miss Southwell's
neck. "You sweetest aunty, I'm so thank
full you and dear uncle brought me up in
stead of a tyrant like Mr.. Alfred Hitler.
Don't call him my cousin; he's three de.
grees removed, Pm sure, and won't own
him for a relation. But come now, cheer
mp, and get dressed as quick as you can, OF
you won't be ready to receive the COM
pany."
"You would better run aud dress your.
self, little lady; it's more your company
than mine.o
"Dressi Yes, III try and look my pref.
away, "and I'll flirt 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 girl
could not keep her heart from warming q
little toward her cousin, as she thought OF
his expressions Of praiso.
Generous, frank, warm -hearted" shs
said, half aloud. "Well, Pm glad he does
me that justice. But don't care; I hate
him. He's done nothing but contradict
and cross me ever since he came into this
house."
Laura's room was next to Alfred's, and
ter her toilette was completed she could
not help putting out her head to see IL she
could catch a glimpse of her enemy. Yes
he was gazing out too, and their eyes met
She vanished, but soon re-appeared, -four
ishinga stick on which she had tied q
piece of black silk.
"Mr. Hitler! !" she cried out.
Miss Lauraw responded the young
gentleman, with a smile of provoking
GOODNESS.
"Do you see this black nagi" waving il
proudly. "This means war to tho knife
from this hour between you and me-"
"As you please" said Alfred, serenely
"But let us keep up at least the semblance
OF civilized warfare before Others"
Every good" said Laura, retiring with
a final wave, while Alfred laughed quietly
to himself.
"You are q child, and no mistakes he
thought, contemplating his cousin patron
izingly from his lofty summit of twenty.
three years. at would be comical enough
IL the black flag should be exchanged for 9
white one before / leave, young lady"
Early the next morning Laura stood In
the garden waiting for her aunt. The
horse was harnessed, waiting TO take them
to the village where Miss Southwell did al
her marketing. She had been trying fol-
some weeks to indoctrinate Laura into is
mysteries, and the young lady proved her.
self an apt scholar.
The old-fashioned, pleasant house which
Miss Southwell and her brother had occu.
pied now some thirty years stood on hill
in the outskirts Of the village. The grounds
were tastefully laid out, tho mountain air
delicious and invigorating.
There could not be more glorious morn.
Ing than this, yet the expression of trouble
on Laura's pretty face showed that her
mood was not In harmony with the Gay.
$50 provoking," she muttered, "that
should have lost my temper that way
But IL was bad enough 10 have my ball
without his looking SO pleased over II.
"Sophie Higley, too, Growing over Mr..
Palmer and me as she did IL was real
unladylike. And to think of her whisper
ing to Mary Shaw that was a little
singing cockatricev can never get over
thati
"But, oh dear I did say some dreadfully
spiteful things. Well, don't care; Alfred
and Sophie were really eggravating, and
Mr.. Palmer thought so, too. How polite he
IL. always making you foel so pleased with
YOURSELF L wish he wosn't such fool"
At this moment Maria, one Of their ssrv-
ants, came running down the piazza
steps. She looked so frightened that
Laura's heart leaped TO her month.