The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-11-10
FOREWARNEDIN VAIN

Notwithstanding that Uncle George
could not come till later in the after
noon, Mrs. Elliott was kind enough to
insist that I should so to lunch. And
l G enjoyed myself extrcmely-not only ut
lunch. but also while Adelaide showed
me around the picture gallery after
ward. Adelaide was really enchanting;
tall, stately yet Slender, pale with relief
OF delicate rose. l had met Adelaide
one or twice before, and the second
time had been unnecessary; wherefore
this third was an opportunity.
We were alone in the picture gallery.
l had just thrown the cigarette, which
had been graciously allowed to me,
u OF the window, and Seeing that we
were, as [ say, aloue), I was just about
to But suddenly Adelaide spoke.
ID YOU see that %Dicturc"
What. that fat old lady,"
Eyes, the fat old lady," said Adelaide,
laughing. 'lt's mammals sister, Lady
Hamlyn."
oh, l beg pardon" l murmured. II
took her for a more remote relative"
Adelaide threw her charming head
back and surveyed Lady Hamlyn.
Mamma always says" she observed,
that Aunt Lucia was exactly like what
l am now when she was a girl"
l started violently.
"Oh, it's prepos-' I began, but the
word fell unfinished. l drew nearer to
Lady Hamlyn's portrait.
The features are just the same" OBJ
served Adelaide. And that sort of
complexion GETS"
Deeper l put in, pleading for a
merciful word.
Yes, deeper. And I believe Aunt
Lucia was a very slim girl; thinner
than I am. even.'
l was silent now; not in indigna-
ton, but in speeches. recognition Of ir-
resistible, mournful truth.
II dare say you don't see the like
ness" said Adelaide, archly. But the
family does"
Alas! I did; even as the family did.
ID you see the likeness?" asked .Ade.-
laide, with the slightest hint Of uneasi-
ness in her tone.
''There-there's q look" said apollo
getically.
Adelaide looked at me, and then Mt
Lady Hamlyn's portrait. But I could
not meet Adelaide's eye, 0 now, for
the matter of that, Lady Hamlyn's Ell
ther.
Just 4 look" 1 repeated, guiltily. I
wished I could deny it altogether.
There was a pause. Then Adelaide
said tentatively:
II don't call her bad looking for an
old woman. do you?"
"She looks good natured," / managed
to gasp.
'Oh, that means you think her very
ugly" and Adelaide turned q shoulder
me in high dudgeon.
Not ugly" I cried, '!,ut rathar--'
well, MI. Dandy?
"Rather-rlther stout and-and-"
well, Mr.. Danby?"
Honey" l murmured, stealing q
furtiyc, fearful glance at Adelaide.
There was a long silence. Then Ade-
.laide said very coldly:
DO you care to see any more pict-
'ures, Nh. DaIby?"
Not for the world" I cried impul-
.sively.
We walked out Of the gallery in
gloomy silence. I was enraged at my
sself-full of sorrow for the wounded
pride which was evidently depressing
.Adelaide-full .of resentment against
that un%conscionable old lady who had
her portrait painted with the express
object $50 l accused herr of spelling
my romantic dream.
''What did she want to be painted
U exclaimed petulantly, as we
reached the door which led into the
garden.
Adelaide said nothing at all. She
lkept her face turned away from me.
The tension .Of u uncomfortable
attitude to n auother-so different
from what 1t had been when we had
entered the :gallery-was happily re-
,lieved by the approach of Mrs. Elliott.
Z saw a question in Mrs. Elliott's eye.
and I'avoided her eye as I had avoided
.Adeliide's eye and Lady Hamlyn's eye.
q knew that we had not been sent
Mound the picture 70" nothing.
swell, Mr.. Dandy, I hope you like
.oux' .p%lctuYes:" said my hostess.
''..Ihey are delightful" I answered.
II am so grateful to Miss Elliott for
showing them to me-"
I could hardly have put it more I'M
fortunately. Adelaide shot Il glance Of
angry scorn at me. Il know you're
grateful" the glance said.
THE one OF my sister has only just
come. We consider it so like Addie."
Its not the" I began desperate
". but Adelaide was too quick.
mir. Dandy was immensely struck
with the likeness" she said. with an
Icy mir.
-He saw IT. did he::" cried Mrs. El-
liott, apparently much pleased but
really everybody must, l think.
Then why dent you burn the
vretthed thing?" WA on the tip OF NY
tongue, when Mrs. Elliott most luckily
prevented it's utterance by crying:
: why, here comes Sir Geroge! Ear
licr than he said! How delightful"
Across the broad lawn. slowly CON
ing toward us, was Uncle Georges
heavy, broad figure. He had the govt,
poor old man, and walked leaning on