The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-17
TWO NEGATIVES
By HENRY S. WINTHROP

Now, you take care OF Evelyn" he had
said to her when the steamer was about 10
sail, and remember that your European
vacation is going to be cut short the moment
hear that she has entered into communica-
ton with young Ainsworth'
letter which Evan had sent to her had
been returned unopened, with a curt note
from Armstrong Hope intmating that he de-
sired all further communication between Aims
worth and the Hope family to cease absolute
ly and assuring Evan that he had taken steps
to see that this desire would be carried out.
Evan, instead of assuming mournful air
went industriously to work and within two
years advanced himself in his profession
that he was engaged as chief operator in the
most fashionable establishment in town. Two
years of hard study. supplemented by none
too luxurious living the first year. had
wrought marvellous changes in his appear
ance, and none who commented the ex-
celence OF his photographs realized that the
artist a man who at one time had been
welcomed to their homes He was too proud
to remind his old associates Of his existence,
| and they, in turn, had quite forgotten him.
! AS chief operator he was supposed to exer-
| else general supervision over the work, and
one afternoon, going into the darkroom. he
| found a young developer bending over some
plates.
| 'Mr. Ainsworth" he called. 81 wish you
| would look at this negative. Mr.. Jackson
| took it while you were at lunch, and 1t doesn't
seem to be quite right. He only took two,
| and the first one was lost entirely through
| fog
Ainsworth carelessly lifted the plate and
held it up to the ruby light. Then he gave
start, for there was Evelyn's face, tribe
wistful, but still the face of the woman he
| loved dearer than his life. Pulling himself
| together he handed it back to the operator
| with a careless remark, but let the glass slip
from his hand before the other could grasp
it. my fault he said in answer to the
| operators profuse apology. The wet film
| slipped out of my hands. Send down stairs
| and tell Miss Henderson to write the sitter to
! come again."
Two days later Evelyn Hope again assembled
! to the operating groom and noted with Salts
faction that the operator was not the one she
| had seen on her first visit. AS he turned TO
receive her she gave cry of surprise.
| Evan" she gasped. us it really you?"
| Then impulsively she went forward, both
! hands outstretched.
| 1--WE confession to make he said as he
| looked into the tender eyes, shyly upturned
i to his. 81 smashed your last picture pur-
pose so that you would have to come down
and pose again to me-
She gave happy laugh. 'Than you still
care?' she asked earnestly.
| .'Care" he repeated. I'D have smashed
the skylight if it had been necessary. Can't
|
| Of your face for the last two years?''
| .''WeU," she returned, with a tiny pout
| you might at least have written
| but I did, he assured her. II wrote, and
your father sent back the letter, warning me
! that any letter sent to Europe would not
reach you. In spite Of that l wrote half a
dozen times. but received no word in reply"
| ''What did you say?" she inquired half Gu
riously, half bashfully.
| II cant tell you here he answered.
| You re mere to give me negative"
| She smiled rogushly Take two plates, -
| she suggested, and as he looked & little dazed
| she placed her hands on his shoulders. You
| stupid boy she finished, don't you realize
| that two negatives make affirr1ative?"
And you will marry me?" he asked incred-
ulously.
| 81 refused two dukes and count This
| with seeming irrelevance.
| "To marry a photographers assistant"
/ She stood on tiptoe till their lips met ITO
marry the man I love-" she corrected.