Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-12-30

nftn story or business block sat
three girls before three easels. They
were still girls, though contact with
the world had rubbed off some Of the
freshness Of youth.
On each easel was fastened a mega
tive which these Photographic artists
were retouching, enlivening their work
by divers comments upon the faces be-
fore them, the originals of which were
unknown to the workers.
"Oh, Daisy, do look at this face!
Just see the wrinkles, and Mr.. Board
said most Of them must come out"
called the girl with the auburn hair.
Daisy Barradell leaned over and
looked at her neighbours negative.
"A vain old woman, I should call
her." was her comment.
The door opened, and Mr.. Board, the
photographer, entered. Nina Carr at
once appealed to him.
There's a lot Of work to do on this
face. 1t won't look like her if you
take out all those wrinkles"
Nevertheless, it must be done. The
old lady has a daughter who has been
away from home for several years, and
the picture is for her. The daughter is
to be kept in ignorance Of her mothers
wrinkles, and 1 promised to humor the
old lady's whinl.'
Does she live here?" queried the
girl at the third easel, looking at the
negative with an air OF interest. IN
til now her attention had been wholly
concentrated upon her own work.
NO." answered Mr.. Board; "she
lives in Keithsburg, thirty-f1ve miles
west She said she couldn't get any
one there to take a picture to suit
her"
But why does she want to look so
different from what she really isY'
asked Nina.
''Well, I suspect her daughter has
been the cause of some of those wrin-
kles, and she wishes to keep the knowl-
edge Of that from her." was the pho
tographer's response, as he closed the
door.
The girl at the third easel took her
negative from its position and brought
1t to Nina, saying in voice that trem-
bled a little in spite Of herself: "Win
you change with me, Miss Carr? I'd
rather do yours if you'll finish mine"
Nina Carr looked at the likeness Of a
dimpled baby which Elsie Coen held in
her hands, and quickly made the ex-
change.
Elsie fastened the negative on her
easel, and sat motionless while she
studied the face before her. Present
Iy she took up her pencil, and some
Of the wrinkles began gradually to dis
appear.
Elsie Coen was a recent addition
to their force OF workers. She was
rather slight, with light hair and blue
eyes, and a fact that always seemed
ready to break into smiles at the slight
est provocation. She was an acknowl-
edged expert in her line, and had late
ty arrived there from Chicago.
My! she looks any amount better,
doesn't she, girls? She doesn't look
so very old now" remarked Daisy Bar
radel, coming up behind Elsie's chair.
81 should say she didn't" said Nina.
craning her neck TO get a good view
Of the picture without leaving her seat.
isn't that a dear face? If my moth
er had lived, should want her to look
just like that"
Elsie buried her face in her hands
and commenced TO sob. Daisy knelt
beside her and tried to quiet her.
Neither she nor Nina felt very much
acquainted with Elsie Coen, but they
had the kindest Of feelings for their
fellow worker.
Miss Coen-Elsie, tell us what is
the trouble?" they both pleaded, but
her sobs only increased.
Suddenly she stood UP, and, brushing
away the tears. said: That is my
mother as she looked when l saw her
last. Several times since l left home.
six years ago, she was written me ask
ing if l wouldn't come home, and every
time 1 refused to GO
'Oh, you poor dearw exclaimed sym
pathetic Nina.
MY poor mother, you should say
answered Elsie. Girls, I'm going
home tonight. can't wait another
day"
When Elsie Coen asked Mr.. Board to
release her from her engagement ne
Ras very much astonished and refused