The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-10-18
COULD NOT SAY
NO 10 ADELAIDE

Major Atkinson. according 10 hi
wife's testimony, doesn't know how
to q no to Adelaide, his niece. This
assertion IL borne out by the fact that
when Adelaide asked him to appear
in Juvenile costume at what she
called . kid party" which she was
to give at his summer home, he con
sented with an outward smile and OH
Inward sfoan.
II wish." he said to his wife in pri.
vate, that Adelaide hadn't insisted
upon my taking part in this ridicu.
lous affair Of hers. In fact, I don't
zee why she wants to give such q
n~onsensical party"
"Why do you aid and abet herr" do
manded his wife. "When I suggest
ed that she think Of something newer
and more d%ignihed, you Immediately
said, Let her have any kind Of party
abe pleases.'"
"Wall, ono doesn't like to be always
interfering with her pleasures. There's
no particular harm in her having q
child's party, is there? But I know
shall feel like a perfect idiot dressed
in the little girls early Victorian cos
tune that Adelaide has picked out for
me" He glanced into the mirror and
sighed az he stroked his grazing Van.
dyke beard. ~sf@xr'H 40 'a~-".--~
The afternoon Of the party Ader
laide, after tying the strings Of q
quaint little sunbonnet under the ma
jor's beard. drew away and surveyed
him from the top Of the sunbonnet to
the tips of his white stockinged and
black slippered feet: -~'tx,p4~sa~~
"Uncle. you're Certainly the most
overwhelmingly funny sight I ever be.
held" she declared. I'm so glad l
found those p%antalettes in grandma's
old trunk. They're perfectly killing.
You'll make the hit Of the evening"
II suppose I'm what you'd call a
screaming success" said the major.
somewhat wryly. "You don't think
I'm too complete, do you?"
mo, you're 1ust-just lovely" Ade-
laide squeesed the large, sun Drowned
hand Of her uncle, half of which was
neatly lncased in a white lace mitt.
"But with that cigar in your mouth
you're a sight to behold"
"Well, I must have a little smoke
before your guests come. Adelaide.
Ill just take my magazine and read
and. smoke on the lawn until the
festivities begin"
A little later, as Mrs. Atkinson and
Adelaide were putting, the finishing
touches on their WI costumes, they
saw a striking looking couple alight
from a motor car and approach the
major, who rose with his accustomed
courtliness and greeted them.
"Good gracious, Adelaide! : You'
uncle appears to be absolutelXfuncon
scious OF his absurd attire" eexclaim
ed Mrs, Atkinson. HE is takinl
those people around the garden q
uncoNcernedly as II he were dressed
In a business suit. They must thinl
he iA crazy! Here, III slip on q 1ona
coat over my short, skirt and run GU
and. explain"
The major welcomed his wite wit
= smile. I'm glad you, Joined us. m,
Idear. for I wish you to meet PROBES
Isor and Mrs. Lee of the university
who have heard nattering reports O
our garden and have. come way on
from the city to seeI,our rane roses
We are honored, Tn sure"
Il think" said MIRA Atkinson to tn
visitors, after acknowledging the II
PRODUCTION, "thzt you are seeing SOM
thing else quite as rare as GU
roses. She :laughed and booked a
her husband. ....
by Jove. IN forgotten this fol
rig" exclaimed the major, with som
temper. 6" wonder what you ca
have thought Of me-"
-Wel7," laughed Professor Lee, 9Th
friendb who told. us about gour rose
said that some Of your neighbors col
Aidered you ir&1her eccentric to de
vote 90 much ct your dule to flowers
When we introduced ourselves
thought you were perhaps q 'trifie ur
usual In your dress"
Unusual! i should think.so," e,
ctaimed the major. Then, turning
severely to th1s wife, he eaid: 50
can't ace, my dear, Why you .ever PEI
united Adelaide to &c up such al
fdiotic party. 1 fear yon give tina
gfrl hef head too much" He glance,
down at his costume again. This ii
really pneposterous. Is thatAysa call
Ing. Adelaide? Yes, we'll be(there a
once. You see, Mrs Lee, theAp2ty !,
beginning and I've promised m11 nlecl
to be in the grand Rarch. YOUTH t0ir
Us. won't ,Nou?"-Chicago DailytNeNs
PET Funny stsrles.
Authors are not above having q net
story to be told over and over again