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

could lie friends. You are both so dear
TO men'
Miss Southwelrs voice was little
tremulous. She was over 65, a slim
fragile-looking woman. Her face re
minded you of a white ruse that has lost
its early freshness, but has a delicate
loveliness lingering about it still. True
its lines indicated more sweetness than
strength of character, but the expires
sion was so good, so pure, you felt in.
stinctively she was one to be loved and
trusted
In the fair-complexioned handsome
face of the young man beside her, there
was not one tell-tale line of weakness
The hazel eyes looked down affection.
ately into his aunt's, but his voice
though good humored, kept its decided
ring as he replied
''But, dear Aunt Lefty, what am to
do? There's no getting along with
Laura unless you give up to her in
everything, and / am not disposed to
make myself slave to the little lady,
81 feared we have petted and spoiled
her among US" Aunt Lefty broke off
with a sigh.
"Yes, 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 made perfect little
despot of Laura It's too bad, for the
girl is naturally frank, generous,
warm hearted creature. But come,
Aunty, you ought TO box my ear for an
impertinent young puppy, as 1 am. /
was always great hand TO preach, you
know"
''Yes but I'm afraid there's great
deal of truth in what what you've said,
Alfred" in an anxious tone. "fou
won't let the foolish child drive you
away?r
Alfred gave a good-humored laugh.
'.Aunty, do you think | take it so much
to heart as that? No, no; Laura's lit
tie airs and tempers are rather amusing
than otherwise. Only hate to see her
growing up into an unamiable wom-
an
A sharp tap a. the door interrupted
him. Without waiting for an answer
his cousin pushed it open and marched
in.
You could scarcely find more beau
tiful little face than Lauras and per.
haps it looked all the prettier for the
flush of anger that crimsoned it just
then. She threw up her head with the
air of a spoiled princess, as she said
fixing her eyes on her cousin:
"As the door happened to be ajar, sir
had the pleasure of hearing your last
sentence. / see you've added back
biting to your other amiable qualities
but think you might be better EN-
ployed than in trying to set my aunI
dEdiiict lpt Il tAiC oaftAC 80 thh WI
child to her, Pm sure"
Alfred's cheek Redeemed, but he said
facing her with an unmoved front
"You were perfectly welcome to heal
every word. AS for your insulting re
mark about me, / think you owe m'
an apology, though I've not the slight
est expectation of receiving one"
The young gentleman marched
wrathfully out, while Laura looked af
ter him with a mixture of resentmen
and triumph.
"Ive actually made his highness an
CRY. Well that's something, anyway
It's so provoking, the cool, smiling
way in which he'll sit and look at m
when he's worked me into a perfec
rage"
Laura ~ said her aunt with un
wonted sharpness, show can you trea
your cousin so? Pm afraid what h
says is true, that we've spoiled yol
among us. And he did justice to you
good qualities I'm sure. He think
you are frank, and generous and warm
hearted"
Something softer than anger spark
led i'm Laura's saucy black eyes for
moment, but forcing back the tell-tal
drops, she flung her arms around Mis-
Southwell's neck. "You sweetest aun
ty, I'm so thankful you and dear uncl
brought me up instead of q tyrant lik
Mr.. Alfred HITLER. Don't call hin
my cousin he's three degrees removes
I'm sure, and 1 won't own him for
relation. But come now; cheer up an
get dressed as quick as you can, or yo
won't be ready to receive the com
pany."
"You had better run and dress your
self, little lady; it's more your con
pany than mine"
"Dress? Yes, I'll try and look m
prettiest,p thought Laura, as she skiI
ped away, land I'll fiirt little wit
Mr.. Palmer, too. That Alfred despie
him so I'll do ii just to provoke him.
Laura's room was next TO Alfred.
and after her toilet was completed sh
could not help putting her head out I
see If she could catch aglimpse of he