Weekend With Shades - October 10

PRESENTS

PENELOPE DREADFUL


FIRST EPISODE OF A SERIES IN TWO PARTS

Dear Reader, the story I am about to share with you bears witness to the powers of Fate. Sometimes it is not rigorous research that uncovers Truth. Instead, it may merely be the kind smile of the Mistress Fate turning her head to the sunshine and extending her hand with a gift. Such is the provenance of the tale I will share with you.

As is her custom, Miss Maven presented me with scores of photographs as potential subjects for our feature at Shades of the Departed. I was only a few cards into the stack when my hand paused as if frozen above the next image; I recognized those bright and watchful young eyes peering back at me from the paper. In fact, I was certain that I had seen the same gaze in real life!

A closer examination of both subjects in the photograph confirmed my suspicion. The form and intensity of the eyes was none other than the noted Dreadful Gaze worn by generations in our family line; this must be the oft-described photograph missing from the family album. A smear of paste testified to its place in the precious book, but I felt as if I knew the missing photo merely from my ancestor’s careful descriptions. A mother, a babe, and far-away grandparents. Perhaps the photograph was about to come home.

STAY TUNED DEAR READER

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!