The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-12-16

lnhn cEayon PORTRAITS during the next
week The women talked them over
when they met in the store, the chill
dren whispered about them in school,
until the teacher forbade all mention
OF the word picture"
To Louisa the week seemed long.
She had never seen any one 80 good
looking or with such fine manners as
the agent.
For some reason, the young man
did not follow the same plan In the
delivery Of his pictures as he had in
their sale. Instead Of starting at the
head Of Main street and going from
house to house. he went. first OF all.
to the Welmers'.
Good morning." he said in his
gentle fashion.
Good morning." answered Louisa.
This is a beautiful morning." he
said hurriedly. II have brought the
pictures. VIII you step out and look
at them?"
Louisa moved toward the door.
Where are you going?" asked Mrs.
Welmer
I'VE shall go out on the porch to
see our pictures"
you tell him he shall bring them
in here" commanded Mrs. Weimer.
Then he would not keep Louisa from
her work.
you shall bring the pictures in
here" translated Louisa unwillingly.
The young man bowed and backed
out on the porch. When he returned
he carried, not the light portfolio, but
two heaVily-framed pictures. One he
leaned against the kitchen wall, the
other he slowly uncovered.
I'VE didn't order frames, Louisa"
said Mrs. Weimer.
We'll, perhaps these are not our
pictures"
At first glance, indeed, the picture
which he held up for their inspection
seemed to belong to neither Of them.
It was the likeness Of a young woman
clad in the pinkest of pink dresses,
which, however. was no pinker than
her cheeks. Her eyes were blue, and
her brown hair was piled into a high
ponpadour.
But that is grand!" sighed Louisa.
"But"-the admiration changed to be-
nt-"but-who-" Suddenly
Louisa flushed a rosy red. rs 1t
me?"
The young man bowed.
who is it?" asked her mother,
then saw her question answered in
Louisas face. rs It you?"
"of course" answered Louisa.
For an instant Mrs. Weimer said
nothing. She looked from Louisa to
the picture, and from the picture back
to Louisa. Surely 1t did look a little
like Louisa.
But we cannot take the frames.
Tell him that, Louisa"
And this" said the young man, as
he turned the other picture to the
light-"this is your mother"
Louisa and her mother both ex-
claimed this time. There was no
mistaking the likeness. The cabinet
photograph had been exactly copied.
Louisa, you go and get my purse"
said Mrs. Weimer. The agent was al
ready folding up the covers which he
had taken from the portraits. Mrs
Weimer laid her hand on one. Not
the frames," she said In German.
The young man shook his head
The jaunty air which he had worn on
the occasion of his first visit had de-
parted. He seemed little frightened
When Louisa returned he was stand
ing with his hand on the latch Of the
door.
"Give him his money, Louisa" said
Mrs. Weimer. Perhaps-but no, they
would never give away such beautiful
frames.
Louisa counted out the money. The
young man no longer looked pleasant
ly at her; in fact, he did not look at
her at all. Suddenly he made an in
coherent remark.
What did you say?" asked Louisa.
"The pictures are 1898 apiece. The
firm have decided they cannot sell
any without the frames. This is a
fine quality Of gilt, warranted never to
wear of"
what did you say?" demanded
Louisa again.
1.-THE pictures are 1898. The
firm"
what does he say. LouisaY asked
her mother.
"He says the pictures are $685."
Tell him we do not want the
framea We only want the pictures"
Louisa repeated her mothers words.
"But we cannot sell the pictures
alone The firm have decided"
The young man seemed to be taking
a frmer hold on the door-latch. He
had never delivered crayon portraits
before, and was new to the tricks it
involved. you see, you'll have to
have the frames anyhow. You might
as well have them now" He spoke
as though he were reciting from
book. "They are the finest gilt on
the market. The firm"
What does he say, Louisa?"
HE says we will have to have the
frames anyhow, Mom," translated
Louisa wistfully.
Il cannot afford frames. / did not
order frames. You tell him to take
his pictures from the frames and take
his money"
"she says" repeated Louisa, you
shall take the pictures from the
frames. We don't want the frames"
"But the firm" The young man
paused and laid hand on each Of the
1,icturaa 1Tha Arm have decided that