Crawford avalanche., 1896-05-28
A FLAG OF TRUCE.

could be friends. You are both so dear
to mev'
Miss SOuthwelrs voice was little
tremulous. She was over sixty-five,
slim, fragile-looking woman. Her face
reminde you of a white rose that has
lost its early freshness, but has deli
cate loveliness lingering about it still
True, its lines indicated more sweet
ness 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 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 l to
do? There's no getting along with
Laura unless you give up to her in
everything. and l am not disposed to
make myself a slave to the little lady
81 fear we have petted and spoiled
her among US" Aunt Lefty broke of
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 a frank, generous,
warm-heated creature. But come,
aunty, you ought to box my ears for an
impertent young puppy, as l am. l
was always q great hand to preach,yo
know
''Yes; but I'm afraid there's great
deal Of truth in what you've said, AL
fred" in an anxious tone. You won't
let the foolish child drive you away?"
Alfred gave a good-numored laugh.
"Aunty, do you think take it so much
to heart as that? No, no; Laura's little
airs and tempers are rather amusing
than otherwise. Only hate to see her
growing up into an unamiable
woman" -"~
/. a sharp tap at 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 Laura's, and per-
haps 1t 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,
l had the pleasure Of hearing your last
sentence. see you've added backbiting
to your other amiable qualities, but l
think you might be better employed
than in trying to set my aunty against
me, for I'm the same as an own child
to her, Pm sure"
Alfred's cheek Redeemed, but he said,
facing her with an unmoved front:
"You were perfectly welcome to hear
every word. AS for your insulting re-
mark about me, think you owe me an
apology, though I've not the slightest
expectation Of receiving one."
The young gentleman marched
wrathfully out, while Laura looked af-
ter him with a mixture of resentment
and triumph.
"Pve 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 me when
he's worked me into perfect rage"
Laura" said her aunt, with unwont-
ed sharpness, 'how can you treat your
cousin so? I'm 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 generous and warm
hearted"
Something softer than anger sparkled
In Laura's saucy black eyes for q mo-
ment; but forcing back the tell-tale
drops, she flung her arms around Miss
Southwelrs neck. you sweetest aunty,
I'm SO thankful you and dear uncle
brought me up instead of tyrant like
Mr.. Alfred Hitler. Don't call him my
cousin; he's three degrees removed, i'm
sure, and l won't own him for a rela-
ton. But come now; cheer up and get
dressed as quick as you can, or you
won't be ready to receive the com.
pany."
"You would better run and dress
yourself, little lady; it's more your com.
pany than mine."
Dress? Yes, / will try and look my
prettiest," thought Laura, as she skip
ped away, "and I'll fiirt a little with
Mr.. Palmer, too. That Alfred despises
him so; I'll do it just to provoke him.
Laura's room was next to Alfred's
and after her toilet was completed she
could not help putting her head out tc
see IL she could catch glimpse of he1
enemy. Yes, he was gazing out, too
and their eyes met. She vanished. bu
soon reappeared, fiourishing a stick OF
which she had tied a piece of blacl
silk.
''Mr. Hillierr' she called out.
''Miss Lauraw responded the young
gentleman, with smile of provoking
coolness.
"Do you see this fiagT' waving 1
proudly, "This means war to tn,
knife from this hour between you ant
me-"
"As you please" said Alfred, serene
ly. "But let us keep up at least th'
semblance of civilized warfare befor'
others"
"very good" said Laura, retirin,
with n final wtave. while Alfred laughed
quietly to himself.