Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-06
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
1.-The Lady in the Picture" by C1arissa Mackie
Copyrighted b

at is the portrait of my ancestress,
Mistress Elizabeth Mowbray." remark
ed Dickson to his assembled guests.
With one accord the four persons seat
ed ut the table in the great dining room
turned and looked at the picture.
Framed in gold. it hung over the
chimney piece, reaching almost to the
lofty ceiling. II depicted the life size
figure of beautiful young woman in
| pale gray gown in the fashion of a
| century past.
large gray plumed hat rested on
| her dark hair. and about her shoulders
| was a~loose rose pink cloak caught to-
gether 10y one slender hand, while the
| other held plumy spray of white
| lilac.
| Dickson arose. glass in hand. ITO
| Mistress Mowbray; always young. al
| ways beautiful and'-he paused and
| added. with mischievous glance ut
| his Whichever SILENT
There was laughter from the mel
and a merry protest from Mrs. Dick
son as they drank the toast and re-
sumed their seats.
| Rather an unfair advantage to take
of Mistress Mowbray," objected Mark
Randolph. with glance toward the
portrait.
| Il am sure thpt Harry's insinuation
is quite UNJUST said Mrs. Dickson.
| with spirit. Family history relates
that Elizabeth Mowbray possessed Il
very pretty WITT
| Il suppose there Is a story connected
with the fair LADY," insinuated Searles.
with smile at his host.
There is admitted Dickson cheer
| fully. There is some tale about the
| ghost of Mistress Mowbray. who is
| said to step down from her portrait
and walk about this room. leaving a
| fragrance of white lilac in her wake"
| Have you witnessed this appari-
tionT' asked Randolph. with interest.
Never" replied Dickson. helping
himself to walnuts. but | will admit
he continued. with a quizzical glance
at his pretty wife. that l have de-
Elected the odor Of white lilac in this
| ROOM"
"When does the ghost walk" asked
Randolph.
| Invariably on the 18th iOf March"
replied Dickson. leaning back in his
chair and looking fixedly at the por-
| trait I'VE have never seen the ap-
| partition. but some of the servants claim
to have seen it. 1t has SO happened
that we have never been ut the hall on
| the 18th of March since our honeymoon.
| Il recollect that we came downsta irs
one morning on the 14th of March and
detected strong odor Of white lilac.
j AS the conservatory was EMPTY of
4 plants and as there were no flowers OF
any sort In the house. it was rather
| a.
"a shock" interpolated Mrs. Dick
son. with decision. 1T was a positive
shock to smell the odor of white lilac
that morning. especially as old Hannah
had RECALLED us with the stery the night
before"
j And so you have never waited up
/ to see the ghost walk?' queried Ran
dolph as he opened the door for his
/ hostess.
/ NO To tell the truth, we always
run away" she laughed. Suppose you
come down on the 18th Of next month
and watch for Mistress Mowbray
Hannah will take care of you, and then
you can report to us the result of your
investigations"
Agreed" he said readily. and as she
left the room he returned to the table
and remarked to the others. ANY vol
unteers to keep me company
"Not l." returned Searles quickly. 81
shall be south about that time"
And we," said Dickson lightly, twill
be in Egypt"
/ II had forgotten that" said Ran,
dolph. Nevertheless I shall accept
Mrs. Dickson's Invitation to run down
there and make the acquaintance OF fall
Mistress Mowbray.'