West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-22
A FADING PICTURE.
by GEORGE HALE

1t was brilliant day in early summer.
but the outer blinds on the windows of
the waiting room of Henry Milford s
Photographic establishment were closed
so that the room seemed almost dark
to one just come i'm from the sun-lit
street. AS the eye grew accustomed,
however, TO the semi-twilight, the relief
from the outer glare was grateful. Al
one side through an opening partially
closed by heavy curtain little GLIMPSE
could be had of the operating room, or
STUDIO, as Milford preferred to have it
called.
Mr. Milford was busily engaged in pre-
pairing for the printing of some pictures
which seemed TO him to require moro par
ticular care and attention than usual, and
1t did not please him TO be interrupted.
such day for work seldom came to him.
1t did not allay his irritation any to be
asked abruptly, as he was, upon entering
the waiting room.
"Mr. Milford, can you take a picture
for me2'
The young lady who asked this turned
her attention almost Immediately to some
examples of Mr.. Milford's work hanging
ON the walls. .
1T is almost impossible to see these. it
is so dark" she said, "but il is so pleas.
ant to escape the horrid glare Of the
street"
Henry Milford was fond Of his work.
which he considered art, and he had car
RED 1t TO a rare degree Of perfection. He
was very conscientious, too, and in DOS
ing his sitters before the camera he would
take as much care and exercise as much
intelligence as could any artist in arrang-
ing his models or draperies. He was
proud OF his finished work, and alwavs
impatient of criticism. II was for this
reason, perhaps, that he had made him
self somewhat exclusive. At all events.
whatever the reason, he would discrimin-
ate as he pleased among the many appli-
cants for sittings. To those whose an
pearance or manners did not please him.
he would always say that he had too MANY
engagements to take their pictures. In
truth, he had obtained such a reputation
and had so many applications that he was
almost compelled to select from them.
II am very busy--I do not know" he
replied.
Miss Mitchell, his present caller, was
little annoyed and perhaps little sur
prised as well.
"You see," Mr.. Milford continued,
"ln this climate Of ours one has so few
days in which he can work. Unfortu-
nateiy, am compelled 10 think very much
about the weather."
On this particular day there seemed to
be very little reason for this backward
ness Indeed, inasmuch as he had made
up his mind that he would really like 10
take Miss Mitchell's picture, this pretence
OF not wishing 10 do so was folly but habit
was much too strong for him.
pardon mel" she said. 81 did not
know. ! thought that this would be
just the sort Of day"
And so it really is, he said quickly.
of you sit here a few minutes / will ar
range the room and camera
lie answered with such alacritv and
his manner had 50 changed that Julia
Mitchell was surprised more than ever
She was not sure that she was not fright
cned little. He, however, had carefully
studied her and had decided just the pose
which he thought would suit her. lie
was now as enthusiastic as he had before
been otherwise.
"These perhaps will interest you while
you arc waiting" be said rs he placed
in her hand several photographs
''But, she replied, 81 ought TO make
some preparations, too"
"Oh, your hat, he said, 'tand your
hair. But | wish you would let me take
the first one Of you just as you arc"
10 seemed 10 him that he could not
quickly enough make the necessary ar
rangements; but at last everything wass
ready and Julia Mitchells wish was graft
fed at least, four negatives had been
made and she hoped soon TO receive n
finished picture Of herself which would
please her
Time went on and Miss Mitchell did
not receive her pictures as promptly as
she had hoped she might She called upon
Mr. Milford TO urge him TO greater haste.
but he met all her complaints with good
humor, yet made very little effort 90
please her In truth, he cnioyed her
visits, and perhaps, he purposely delayed
the completion Of her pictures IN order
that she might bc led IN as often as pos
sible Her impotence with the delay
rather amused him, and their talk was I'm
ieresting to him And so, indeed. twas
20 her. although. 80 may be, sine would
not have 50 cSuoRledged, 81 She had