The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-08-05

That evening about a 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 popu-
lar with the young people.
Laura, sorry as she felt for her aunt
had found herself indeed "a capable
little housekeeper." Then Alfred had
been so kind, so good, so efficient. He
was always on hand to assist her, aud
TO help entertain 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 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.
Toward the close of the evening they
danced together, and her eyes followed
them Indignantly as, the dance over,
they retreated TO a corner of the room
and seemed absorbed in conversation.
'They are polite TO desert their com-
pany that way ~ she said 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, glanc-
ing around him. Every Jack has his
JILL and nobody looks neglected. Why
shouldn't they have little friendly
chat together?'
Meantime Laura is saying with a
sigh:
1--WE had a telegram from uncle-he
will be home tonight"
"Are you sorry ?" asked Alfred, with
kindly twinkle in his eyes.
"Not sorry to see uncle, but-well, on
the whole, | think prefer peace to war
and should be really sorry to have hos
tilities commence again." replied Lau-
ra glancing up with roguish but wist-
ful look.
s'Well, Is it necessary to resume the
campaign ~ said her cousin, kindly.
al find the present atmosphere very re-
freshing, myself. Suppose We swear a
perpetual peace?
Laura tries to laugh, but the bright
eyes are full of tears, and her voice
trembles as she answers:
Cousin Alfred, you are so kind, YOU
give me courage to do what have long.
ed to do all day-apologize for my bad
ness, and promise to try and be good
from this time."
His fair enemy had surrendered al
last, unconditionally; out if Alfred felt
any masculine triumph, he did not be
tray il by word or look.
"We'l both start again." he said
heartily, taking the little hand in his
large grasp for morlent. "For my
self, I feel I've been dictatorial, over
bearing sort of fellow, and want t.
ask your pardon in my turn. And now
may ask as great favor that you'll
give me that blessed little flag of truce
| want it for memento of this auspic
ious day"
"Tll give you half of il with pleas
ure,- said Laura, with musical littl,
laugh. ''But I'd like to have half of il
myself to remind me always to keel
the peace"
Miss Higley, who, while pretending
to talk with her cousin, had been watch
ing the couple furtively, now said in ;
sharp tone:
"Well, they really seem almos
'spooney'; and to think how they'v
been sparring ever since he came
George, do you think you see any sign
of-well, you know what mean-ove
there ?n
"Well," said George, his shrewd fac
breaking into kindly smile, "I'm no
great judge of such matters, and
don't like to jump at conclusions; but
Judging from appearances, should sa.
there were signs not only of solid peac
but of lifelong union between tn