The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-31
COULD NOT SAY
NO TO ADELAIDE

wifes testimony. doesn't know how
10 saw 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 a kid party" which she was
TO give at his summer home. he con-
scented with an outward smile and an
inward groan.
II wish," he said to his wife in pri.
yate, that Adelaide hadn't insisted
upon my taking part in this ridicu-
lous affair of hers. In fact. ! don't
see why she wants to give such a
nonsensical party"
"Why 10 you aid and abet herr" de-
manded his wife. "When | suggest
ed that she think Of something newer
and more dignified. 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 l 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 stroked his grazing Van
dyke beard.
The afternoon OF the party Adc-
lat 81 tvsnrp tho ctrinUc nf
quaint little sunbonnet under the ma
jor's beard, drew away and surveyed
him from the top of tho 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 gla! !
found those pantalettes in grandma's
old trunk. They're perfectly killing.
You'll make the hit of the evening"
4 suppose I'm what you'd call 4
screaming success" said tho major,
somewhat wryly. "You don't think
I'm too complete, do you?'
mo, you're just-just lovely" AIDE.
laidc 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"
"Wcll, I must have little smoke
before your guests come, Adelaide.
I'll just take my magazine and read
and smoke on the lawn until tn"
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 a motor car and approach the
major, who rose with his accustomed
courtlincss and greeted them.
Good gracious, Adelaide. Your
uncle appears to be absolutely uncon-
scious Of his absurd attire" cXclaim-
cd Mrs. Atkinson. ole is taking
those people around the garden as
unconccrncdly as if he were dressed
in a business suit. They must think
he is crazy. lInro. III slip on long
coat over my short skirt and run out
and explain"
The major welcomed his wife with
4 smile I'm glad you joined us. my
dear. FOR | wish you 10 meet Profess
sor and Mrs Lee Of the university.
who have heard nattcring reports or
our Garden and have come way out
from the city to soc our rare roses.
We are houcrcd. I'm sure"
Il think" said Mrs. Atkinson 10 the
visitors. after acknowledging the in
PRODUCTION. that you are seeing some.
thing else quite as rare as our
roses" She laughed and looked at
her husband.
Try love. RI forgotten thi fool
rig" exclaimed the major. with some
tcnner. Il wonder whar Won can
ha>2 thought vi me
Well" laughed Professor ior. the
friends who told us about your roses
said that some of Your noiehNots con-
silcrcd fou rather eccentric 20 DO
vote SO much OF your time to lowers.
When We introduced ourselves |
thought Yen We're perhaps 'r.'ie un-
usual in Your dress
Unusual. should th,i, 49," ex-
claimed the major The. ;lrnin@
severely 10 his wife. he SAD: Il
can't see. my dear Why .e! eyer uor-