Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-11-06
NOT ALL HE HAD TO DO.

After He Had Aimed the Camera and
Pressed the Button the Trouble Began.
"All You have to do" said Mr..
Trap, as he showed his wife the cam
era he had purchased, sis to press this
little knob, and there you have a pic
ture.
I'm sure that doesn't seem hard.
at isn't hard. It's as easy as any
thing you ever heard of. There" he
exclaimed, as he held the camera up III
front Of her face, II have q picture Of
you.
do you mean to say that my like
ness is in that boxF'
"Ycs, indeed, he answered proudly.
GLOW nice. Let's take it right out
and look at it. "
"No. You mustn't do that. " And he
entered into an elaborate but unappre-
ciatcd explanation Of the effects Of sun
light On the sensitive film. She was
very eager to sec the portrait, and he
promised TO develop the contents Of the
camera that night and print the picture
the next day. She was not very highly
pleased with the arrangement, but ac-
ceptod it because there was no altcrna-
tive. When he got home, he had with
him the chemicals for developing q
negative.
Here they are" he said cheerily as
he waved the package over his head.
"I've got the whole business in this
bundle You have the kitchen table
cleared Off, and I'll get the lantern
ready, and well send the hired girl out
Of the house and make all the mess we
want TO- "
The only response to his greeting was
an icy stare.
What's the matter? Have you lost
your interest in the camera
"No. On the contrary, my interest
has been enormously increased. have
read Of unexpected discoveries in story
books, but / never expected to find ont
myself how true it is that perfdious
plotter is almost sure to be discovered
in his impurities. To think Of You haunt-
ing that camera in my face and me
trusting you all the time.
"When you say 'perfdious plotter,
DO you allude to me-"
Il certainly do You yourself placed
in ny hands the proof Of your trcach-
cry. You probably chucklcd as you
thought # how You were leaving the
evidence Of your guilt with RE for safe
keeping. But l have found you out
There is only one thing that | want to
know now, She id in "a louder tone
as She tragically l,ld "a photograph be-
fore his face, land that is, who Is the
woman
"Whcrc did you get that:' be asked
in surprise
81 Was anxious to see what was IN
the camera, sho replied, so | took it
over to ny brother, Who Is an expert IN
such things, and got him to make the
pictures for me lie sent thcm over 20
me AN hour ago, and this was among
tie lot. Now, sir, have answered your
question frankly and promptly Can
YOU answer mine? Who - Is - this
wcman:'
Don't you know who that is;'
Il certainly do not. "
"Why, that IS yourself. "
Don't libel he. You have injured
me deeply. Do not, oh. do not mock
me as well.
Maria, wish you would not behave
so much as if you We're performing at "a
matinee. l tell You that il your picture.
You can recognize it by the way tbs
bow az your neck is tied and by the pat
tern Of the goods your waist il made Of
if you can't recognize the features.
She looked at 1t steadily, and he held
out his hands to her for "a reconcilia-
ton. The gaze she turned on him was
even chillier than before
do you mean to say" she asked in
finty accents THAT you intended that
picture q lantern jawed monster as a
portrait Of the woman whom you prom
ised to cherish aud protect:'
"Why, It wasn't my fault, D" be said
soothingly, but the door slammed.
That evening the sailors who were
hanging about a wharf saw a man hur-
~ To the waters edge, take several
packag from ms pockets, put them all
inside cubical, leather covered box
and drop the entire outfit into the Wa
ter twas the lat Of Mr. Traps cam
ra.-Chicago Times-Hcrald.