The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-10-02
COULD NOT SAY
no TO ADELAIDE

Major Atkinson, according 70 his
4 wifc1 testimony. a1alt know how
To BaT ID u Adelaide, his niece. Ihiai
assertion s. borne out ~ the fact that
F when Adelaite asked him 60 appear
( 10 Juvenile costume al what she
called a id party which she vas
& 10 give 1t his summer home, be con
sentea with al outward smile and an
inward groan.
4 wish be said to his wife in pfi-
Vate, 4that Adelaide hadn't insisted
upon my taking part in this ridiau-
lous affair Of hers. IN fact. don't
see Why she wants 70 give such a
I nonsensIcal party"
why do you aid and abet herr" de-
man5ed hls wife when ! suggest
ed that SIZE think Of something never
and more dignifed. you Immediately
said Let her have any kind Of party
she pleases'
"Weli. one doesn't ike to be always
interfering with her pleasures. There's
ng particular harm in her having
chlld's party, Is there2 But know
shall feel ike a perfect idiot dressed
I ia the little girls early Victorian cos
tune that Adelaide has picked out for
me-" He glanced into the mirror and
sighed as be stroked bis grazing Van-
dyke beard.
I The afternoon Of the party Ade-
laide. after tying the strings Of q
quaint little sunbonnet under the ma
I jor's beard. drew away and surveyed
him from the top Of the sunbonnet to
/ the tips Of bis white stockinged and
black sllDDered feet.
Uncle, you're certainly the most
excFuciatingly funny sight I ever be-
held" she declared. '1'm 50 glad
found those pantalettes in grandma's
old trunk They're perfectly killing.
You'll make the bit Of the evening"
n suppose I'm what you'd call
screaming success" Eaid the major,
somewhat wryly. "you don't think
I'm too complete, do your"
NO, you're just-just lovely" Ade-
laide squeezed the large sun Drowned
hand Of her uncle, half ofswhich was
neatly incased in a white lace mitt.
"But with that cigar in your mouth
you're sight to behold"
"Well, must have a little smoke
before yeur guests come, Adelaide.
m 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 own costumes, they
saw striking looking couple alight
from motor car and approach the
major, who rose with his accustomed
courtliness and greeted them.
Good gracious, Adelaidel Your
nncle appears to be absolutely uncon-
scious Of his absurd attire" exclaim-
ed Mrs. Atkinson. 'He is taking
those people around the garden as
unconcernediy as II he were dressed
In business shit. They must think
be is crazyl Here. I'll slip on q long
coat over my short skirt and run out
and explain"
The major welcomed his wife with
smile I'm glad you joined us. my
dear, for | wish you to meet Profess
sor and Mrs. Lee of the university,
who have heard hattering reports Of
our garden and have come way out
from the city to see our rare roses.
We are honored. I'm sure"
II thi,ls," said Mrs. Atkinson to 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.
by JoYe. I'd forgotten this fool
rig" exclaimed the major, with some
; temper. Il wonder what you can
have thought of me-"
We'll" laughed Professor Lee, "the
friends who told us about your roses
saii that some of your neighbors con-
sidered you rather eccentric to de-
vote so much Of your time to flowers.
. When we introduced ourselves /
thought you were perhaps a trine un-
usual In your dress"
"Unusuali I should think So" ex-
claimed the major. Then, turning
severely to his wife. he said: Il
can't see, my dear, why you ever per-
mitted Adelaide to &c up such an
Idlotlo party. I 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. wen be there at
once. You see, Mrs. Lee, the party is
beginning and I've promised my niece
10 be in the grand march. You'll join
us, won't you ?"-Chieago Daily News.