Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-11-27

Only once did little sarcastic remark
escape her, whereupon Alfred, without
a word, pointed smilingiy to the hand
kerchief still waving from the parasol
that lay across her lap.
A bright color rose in Lauras
cheeks, but she looked up sweetly and
frankly into his face. "Please forgive
me-" she said; 81 had no business to
fire that shot, but did it from forcA
of habit"
She turned away her head immeli.
ately, but Alfred's keen eyes noticed
the slight quiver OF her lip, and that
she had to wink hard to keep the tears
back. He changed the conversation
at once, aud they were soon chatting
gayly again. "
That evening about dozen young
people were gathered in Miss South
wells pleasant parlors. 4
Miss Higley had arrived early with
ltcr twv cOItsIs,s, SA,.- tH:1l
or three other friends dropped in, for
Miss Southwell's house WAS very
popular with the young people.
Laura, sorryas she felt for her aunt,
had found this happy day. She was
proving herself indeed ''a capable
little housekeeper. Then Alfred had
been so kind, 50 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
intensely, and who had allowed her
self, in spite Of the difference in their
ages, to entertain hopes in that direc-
ton, marked with displeasure how
friendly he and his fair cousin had be-
come. Toward the close Of the even
ing they danced together, and her eyes
followed them Indignantly as, the
dance over, they retreated to corner
; of room and seemed absorbed i'll
! conversation.
"They are polite to desert their
company that way!' she said, with Il
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, Z" 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 received q telegram
from uncle-he will be home tonight. "
"Are you sorry?" asks Alfred, with
a kindly twinkle in his eyes.
"Not sorry to see uncle, but--welI,
OH the whole, I think I prefer peace
to war, and should be really sorry to
have hostilities commence again, re-
piled Laura, glancing up with
roguish but wistful look.
"Well, is it necessary to resume the
campaign?" says her cousin, kindly.
"I find the present atmosphere very
refreshing myself. Suppose We swear
a perpetual poaoof
Laura tries to laugh, but the bright
eyea are full of tears, and her voice
trembles as she answers: ''Cousin
Alfred, you are SO kind; you give me
courage to do what I've longed to do
all day-apologize formy badness, and
promise to try and be good from this
time"
His fair enemy has surrendered at
last, unconditionally; 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 a moment. ''For my
self feel I've been dictatorial, over
bearing sort of fellow, and + want to
ask your pardon in my turn. And now
may I ask as great favor that you'll
give me that blessed little flag of
truce? want it for memento OF
this auspicious day
"Pll give YOU half of it with
pleasure" says Laura, with a musical
little laugh. "But I'd like to have
| half 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 a sharp tone: "Well, they
really seem almost 'spooney::' and tt
think how they've been sparring eve,
since he came! George, 10 you think
you see any signs ofwell you know
what mean--over there?"
"Weli," said George, his Shire Wi
face breaking into u kindly smile,
'Im not great judge OF such mat
ters, and i don't like to Jump at con
clusions; but Judging from appear
ances, should say there Were signs
not only OF solid peace. but OF life
long union between the two belliger
ants" ....