The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-05-13
The Lad y lin
The Picture,
By cLAR!SSA MAcKIE.
1908. by Associated
ii.a-ory IpraSs
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Literary Press.
osaaaSes1ea~sree9Ha
ut is the portrait of my ancestress,
Mistress Elizabeth Mowbray," remark
ed Dickson to his assembled guests.
With one accord the four persons seat
ed at 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. 1t depicted the life size
figure of beautiful young woman in
a pale gray gown in the fashion of a
century past.
A large gray plumed hat rested on
her dark hair. and about her shoulders
was loose rose pink cloak caught to-
gether by 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 a mischievous glance at
his wife-"ever silent!'
There was laughter from the men
and 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 that Harry's insinuation
is quite unjust" said Mrs. Dickson.
with spirit. Family history relates
that Elizabeth Mowbray possessed a
very pretty wit!'
81 suppose there is 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
tion?" asked Randolph. with interest.
Never" replied Dickson. helping
himself to walnuts. "but will admit y
he continued. with quizzical glance
at his pretty wife, chat have de-
| tected the odor of white lilac in this
room"
"When does the ghost waikiki" asked
Randolph
Invariably on the 18th Of March,
replied Dickson, leaning back in his
chair and looking fixedly at the por
| trait. I'VE have never seen the APP
| partition, but some of the servants CLAIM
| to have seen it. 1t has so happened
| that we have never been at the hall OF
the 18th of March since our honeymoon
I recollect that we came downstairs
one morning on the 14th of March ant
detected strong odor Of white lilac
1 AS the conservatory was empty o
plants and as there were no flowers o
any sort in the house, it was rathe
a.
"a shockw interpolated Mrs. Dick
son, with decision. ut was positiv
shock to smell the odor of white lila
that morning. especially as old Hannal
had RECALLED US with the story the nigh
before"
"And so you have never waited u
to see the ghost waikiki" queried Ran
dolph as he opened the door for hi
hostess.
NO. To tell the truth, we Away
run away" she laughed Suppose yo
come down on the 18th of next mont
and watch for Mistress Mowbray
Hannah will take care of you, and the
you can report to us the result of you
investigations"
agreed" he said readily, and as sh
left the room he returned to the tabl
and remarked to the others, ANY vo
unteers to keep me company?''
"Not L." returned Searles quickly
shall be south about that time"
And we," said Dickson lightly, "wi
be in Egypt"
81 had forgotten that" said Rar
dOlph. "Nevertheless l shall accer
Mrs. Dickson's invitation to run dow
here and make the acquaintance of TAI
Mistress Mowbray."
lie was looking at the picture wit
dreamy abstraction in his eyes
You admire my beautiful ancestres
then, Mark?" Dickson shot kee
glance at his friend
Yes" was the low response. "Sh
reminds me of another whom l one
knew"
On the 18th of March Randolph jou
neTed down to the sleepy Old Ne
England village where the Dickso
homestead spread its comfortable wing
behind sheltering elms, now leafles
and soughng mournfully in the cas-
wind. Within doors all was cheerines
ard comfort. with soft lamplight an
blazing fires.
When Hannah had cleared the di,
ner table and departed, Randop
threw himself into huge easy chai
before the fire in the dining room an
looked up at the pictured face of Nj.
tress Mowbray. He compared her fac
with that of another Elizabeth Nov
bray, cousin of Harry Dickson an
also a descendant of the lady in til