Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-11-27
he young lady proved herself an apt

| The Old-fashlOned, pleasant house
which Miss Southwell and her brother
had occupied now some thirty years
stood on hill in the outskirts Of the
village. The grounds was tastefully
and inyigorating.
There could not be more glorious
morning than this, yot the expression
Of trouble Oh Laura's pretty face
showed that her mood was not in har-
mony with the day
$50 provoking, "she muttered, "that
! should have lost my temper that
way! But it was bad enough to have
my ball croqueted way to the ends Of
the earth without his looking so
pleased over it.
''Sophie Higley, too, Growing over
Mr.. Palmer and me as she did! 1t
was real unladylike. And to think of
her whispering to Mary Shaw that ]
was "a lit little M 81 singing eockatriee,' ] can
At that moment Maria, one Of their
servants came running down the
! piazza steps. She looked SO fright
ened that Laura's heart leaped to her
mouth.
''Oh, Miss Laura, your aunt's hurt
her ankle bad. and I'm most afraid
it's broke. She was halfway down
the stairs, when she fell, and her
whole weight came on it.
But Laura was in the house by this
time. She found her aunt in her
room, front chamber opposite the
stairs down which she had fallen.
Miss Southwell lay on the lounge,
looking very pale, but composed, and
said, in soothing tone to Laura,
"Don't be frightened, child: my
ankle not broken, only badly sprained
Katy's drawing mo some hot
water to shower it with. And now,
dear. as your uncle is away feel that
You and Alfred must be my main de-
pendence.
"You and Alfrel.' 1t seems nh odd
. conjunction. But Laura only mnr-
INJURED, as she laid ler cheek against
| Miss Southwell's, "What can we do
for you, dearest sunty?"
Aunt Lefty kissed the girl affection
ately. ''Our friends from New York
! will DO here this afternoon, as you
know, and ! AM sure they will spend
at least week with us. Judging
from past experience. fear I shall be
laid up some time with this sprain.
Now, Laura, you have proved yourself
such capable little housekeeper on
one or two occasions that I feel that l
can trust you even with company i'll
the house And then our girls are so
! capable with another smile at Katy.
who came in just then with the hot
water.
''Bless you, maam, we'll do beauti-
full" said Katy, ''though it's sorry /
am to see you laid up
''Well, Laura, want you to 60 to
market first thing. Your cousin will
drive YOU over, I know. Don't be
afraid to call upon him for anything.
! I've always found him kind and oblig-
ing. And thon he has such good
judgment. Here is the list Of things
I want you to ORDER" --.-..-.
Whatever misgivings Laura felt, she
did not make them known. "Ill do
Just what you tell me, aunty,' she
said, with unwonted docility. "Now
please attend to that poor ankle right
away. Sha'n't We stop at the doctors
and ask him to come round?'
"No, no; I'm all old hand at sprains,
and can treat it better myself"
"Well, don't worry, precious aunty,
for we'll do our very best, " said
Laura.
But as she descended the stairs she
felt half afraid, half rebellious. II
hate to ask him." she mlrmured to
herself. "How did he treat, me last
night, and this morning too! Why,
he would scarcely look at me-"
Yet in her heart there was secret
longing to be friends with her cousin.
She was too proud to apologize, but
an idea struck her just then. Her face
broke into smile, IA, taking out her
handkerchief, she tied it to the handle
Of her parasol.
"My flag Of truce" she said, giving
it a flourish. II shall ask for sus-
pension of hostiities till uncle gets
back.
Fastening her steps, she tripped of
in the direction of the arbor where
her cousin was wont to smoke his
morning cigar.
Yes. there he was, enjoying that
masculine luxury and the newspaper
together. Laura slackened her gait
now, as she approached, waving her
"white flag" solemnly and slowly.
Alfred looked up, and his face re-
laxed into smile. "Well?" he asked,
glancing humorously at the handker-
chief.
"Its flag Of truce said Laura,
solemnly. 'tI've come to request OF
nv honorable enemy suspension OF
hostilities for twenty-four hours.
I "Agreed." said Alfred, rising aud
speaking with such cordial good humor
that Laura felt her heart immensely
lightened. "But may ask the reason
for this move on my fair enemy $
part?" ...
'Oh, it's a shame to joke when poor
aunty's hurt herself so!' said Laura,
with u sudden change Of tone. ''She
sprained her ankle badly, just when
she's expecting company, too. Uncle
won't be back till tomorrow, and she
must depend upon You and me,
and so I thought we might
"Clasp hands temporarily over the
bloody chasm,'' broke in Alfred.
well, I agree to it heartily, and you
may command my services at any
time. lam sorry Auut Lefty has hurt
herself, and if you'll excuse ME for
| Ave minutes, I'll run and see her.
"well. you are real good natnred
boy, after all, " thought Laura, as she
bounded away.
"And now understand We are
going to market" said Alfred, gayly,
AZ he returned to her side.
eyes, I believe that's the first thing
ON the program" returned his cousin.
Thsv started of together, Laurs