The Prescott daily news., 1912-08-28
COULD NOT SAY
 NO TO ADELAIDE

wife's testimony, doesn't knoW now to say no to Adelaide, his niece. This assertion Is 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 a. his summer home he con sented with an outward smile and an inward groan
 T wish,- he said to hs wife fn prf vate, "that Adelaide hadn't insisted upon my taking part in this ridicu- lous affair of hers In fact, I don't see why she wants to give such a nonsensical party"
 "Why do you aid and abet herr" de- manded his wife. ~When I suggest ed that she think of something newer and more dignifled, you immediately said, Let her have any kind of party she pleases-'
 Well, one doesn't like to be always Interfering with her pleasures. There's no particular harm in her having a child's party, Is there? But 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 as he strolzed his graying Van dyke beard
 The afternoon of the party Ade- laide, after tying the strings of a 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
 Uncle, you're certainly the most excruciatingly funny sight ever be- held" she declared ~I'm so glad I found those pantalettes in grandma's old trunk They're perfectly killing You'll make the hit of the evening"
 'T suppose I'm what you'd call a screaming success" said the major, somewhat wryly. You don't think I'm too complete, do yous"
 ''No, you're just-3ust lovely" Ade- laide squeezed the large sun Drowned hand of her uncle, half of which was neatly incased in a white lace mitt- ''But with that cigar in your mouth you're sight to behold
 well, 1 must have rttle emoke before your guests come, Adelaide I'll just take my magazine and read and smoke on the lawn unt1 the festivities begin"
 A little later. as Mrs. Atkinson and Adelaide were putting the finishing touches on their own costumes, they saw a striking looking couple alight from motor car and approach the major, who rose with his accustomed courtiness and greeted them
 Good gracious, Adelaide! Your uncle appears to be absolutely uncon- scious of his absurd attire" exclaim- ed Mrs. Atkinson "He Is taking those people around the garden as unconcernedly as If he were dressed in a business suit They must think he Is crazy! Here, I'll slip on long coat over my short skirt and run out and explain
 The major welcomed his wtfe with a smile ~I'm glad you Joined us. my dear. for wish yuu to meet ProSes. sor and Mrs Lee Of the university. who have heard fatterfng reports of our garden and have come way out from the city to see our rare roses- We are honored, I'm sure.~
 T think said Mre. Atkinson to the visitors, after acknowledging the in- troduction. that you are seeing some thing else quite as rare as our roses" She laughed and looked at her husband
 By love, I'd forgotten thts fool rig" exclaimed the matog, with come temper. T wonder what you can have thought of ma"
 Well" laughed Professor Lee, the friends who told us about your roses said that some Of your neighbors con- sidered you rather eccentric to de- vote so much of your time to fowerA When we introduced ourselves 1 thought you were perhaps trife un- usual in your dress"
 Unusual should think so," ex- claimed the major. Then. turning Severely to his wife, he said: T can't see, my dear, why you ever per mttted Adelaide to ge up such an idiotic party. fear you give that girl her head too much" He glanced down at his costume again. "This is really preposterous. Is that you call ing Adelaide? Yes, we'll be there at once. You see, Mrs. Lee, the party is beginning and I've promised my niece to be in the grand march. You'll join as. won't ?"-Chicago Daily News.