Crawford avalanche., 1896-05-28

but she looked up sWeetiy and frankly
into his face. please forgive me,
she said; IL had no business to firt
that shot, but did 1t from force Of
habit"
She turned away her head immedi
ately, but Alfreds keen eyes noticed
the slight CULVER of her lip, and thai
she had to wink hard to keep the tears
back. He changed the conversation al
once. and they were soon chatting gay
ly again.
That evening about dozen young
people were gathered at Miss South.
wells pleasant parlors.
Miss Higley had arrived early with
her two cousins, and shortly after two
or three other friends dropped In, fol
Miss Southwelps 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 "a capable
little housekeeper." Then Alfred had
been so kind, so good, so efficient. He
was always on hand to assist her, and
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 I'm that direction,
marked with displeasure how friendly
he and his fair cousin had become. To
ward the close of the evening they
danced together, and her eyes followed
them Indignantly as, the dance over,
they retreated to n corner Of a room
and seemed absorbed in conversation.
",rhey are polite to desert their COM
pany that wayw she said with a
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,
glancing around him. Every Jack has
his JILL and nobody looks neglected.
Why shouldn't they have a little
friendly chat tOgether?'
Meantime Laura is saying with a
sigh, "We have telegram from uncle
he will be home tonight"
'Are you sorry?" asks Alfred, with
kindly twinkle in his eyes.
mot sorry to see uncle, but-well, on
the whole, think prefer peace to war
and should be really sorry to have hos
tilties commence again." replies Laura
glancing up with roguish but wistful
look.
"Well, is 1t necessary to resume the
campaign" says her cousin, kindly. II
find the present atmosphere very re-
freshing, myself. Suppose we swear a
perpetual peaceT
Laura tries to laugh, but the bright
eyes are full of tears, and her voice
trembles as she answers: "Cousin AL
fred, you are so kind; you give me cour-
age to do what I've longed to do all day
apologize for my badness, and prom
ise to try and be good from this time"
His fair enemy has surrendered at
last, Internationally; but If Alfred
feels any masculine triumph, he does
not betray it by word or look.
"We'll both start again." he says,
heartily taking the little hand in his
large grasp for moment. For my
self feel I've been dictatorial, over
bearing sort of fellow, and l want
to ask your pardon in my turn. And
now may / ask as a great favor that
you'll give me that blessed little flag
Of truce? l want 1t for mOmento of
this auspicious day."
'I'll give you half of 1t with pleas
ure," says Laura, with a musical little
laugh. "But I'd like to have half Of 1t
myself to remind me always to keep
the peace"
Miss Higley, who, while pretending
to talk with her cousin, had been
watching the couple furtively, now
said, in sharp tone: "Well, they real
ly seem almost 'spooney'; and to think
how they've been sparring ever since
he came! George, do you think you
see any signs of-well, you know what
l mean-over thereT'
"Well," said George, his shrewd face
breaking into kindly smile, "Pm not
a great judge Of such matters, and I
don't like to jump at conclusions; but
Judging from appearances, l should
- tI,a,.n MANA ctnpS not only nf ssoIid