The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-05-07
BIanche's
Makeup
By KATE EDMoNDs
20. 1921. Western newspaper .n.oll.j


hallway of her home, listening idly
to the gay chatter and laughter of a
group of merry girls. There were four
OF them--Nellie Day, her niece; two
cousins. Agnes and Frances Wood,
and Blanche Virden, the latter visi-
tor of tile Wood girls, whose home ad-
Joined that of Mrs. Peaslee.
Except for the loss of her husband,
life had been very pleasant to the
wealthy widow. She had an ample
fortune and many valued friends, and
in adopting her favorite niece she had
added new joy to existence. Her
heart warmed as she listened to the
pretty prattle of Nellie and her COM
panions. A token of interest was added
as she thought OF another favorite-
Design Moore. He, too was an orphan,
and his mother had been the closest
schoolgirl friend Of Mrs. Peasee The
latter had felt bound to interest her
self in the lonely boy, and size had
given him good college education.
Now she was very proud of the prog
ress he was making as chemist in
nearby city. Every summer Design
spent two weeks at the Peaslee home.
He was expected TO make his annual
visit during the present week.
1t was concerning him that the
bright quartette of young ladies' were
making so much noise. They all knew
Design except Miss Virden. Even
her dark Spanish-like face had glowed,
however with interest at sight of
his photograph, treasured by Nellie.
Design had good prospects. He was
not engaged
1--WE must all look our prettiest, you
know" laughed Agnes. "Aunt Laura
says Design is surely going to carry
one of us away with him."
swell. don't flatter yourself, plain
| homebody sister of mine," retorted
| the mischievous Frances. at was al
ways Nellie with Deslyn, and Nellie
will certainly be the fairy princess"
"Yes." remarked Miss virden in her
| feline way, with that cream and
peaches complexion of yours. Nellie
ordinary and artificial charms like
ours will stand little show"
| Artificial !" bridled the circumspect
| Agnes.
l
was exclusively to myself, DEAR" ex-
planned Blanche. Il confess to the
guilt of makeup, girls. Come. Mel
lie, you were so kind as to invite me
to visit with you overnight, and 1
brought my toilet case with me. l
hardly thought you would be interest
ed. but l look so dreadful when l get
up In the morning that l didn't want
to terrify you with my wrinkles Of
care and cross face lines"
Blanche envied the strong. healthy
natural girl, whose bright eyes aht
glowing cheeks told of sunshine, pur,
air, a quiet home life and-love.
They had a great time of it a,
Blanche opened the toilet case. Sh,
showed them how she brought tn,
cherry red to her lips.
And at night, dears-you see thi.
muslin cloth. 1t Is beauty mask
Now look-I saturate 1t from the greer
bottle. l lay 1t over my face, and in the
morning when / take 1t off the skin i.
clear and smooth as baby's."
The next morning hurry call came
from Agnes, an unexpected invitation
to picnic. Blanche had to fit early
She left her toilet case behind her
Nellie did not go. Design was expect
ed on the afternoon train
Nellie paused with smile as she
observed the open toilet case Their
she looked into the mirror. Suppose
take my nap in beauty mask. Why
I'll fry ii just for fun
She laughed as she saturated the
piece Two hours later, just as Mrs
Peaslee entered the house, she was
startled by n frantic scream She
rushed up the stairs. There was Mel
lie. staring into the mirror. Her beau
tiful face was raw blotches.
A doctor was hastily sent for. He
ordered a dressing, examined the toilet
case, and discovered that Nellie had
used a strong acid used for burning
away proud flesh instead of the harm
less beauty preparation.
That afternoon there came a tele-
gram stating that Design was delayed
till the next day. A slight accident
detained him. the message said.
Miss. Virden smiled softly to herself
when she heard of Nelle's mishap.
Nellie told her aunt she simply
would not meet Design. To her sur
prise her aunt appeared leading Des-
lyn, who had a bandage across his
eyes.
You can come down, Nellie. dear"
announced her aunt, appearing in her
room. Poor Desynl While expert
menting in his laboratory chemical
exploded. nearly binding him.
Two weeks later Nellie's disiigur@
ment had totally disappeared, few
days later the happy Deslvn was al
lowed 20 use his eyes He viewed his
radiant fancee tenderly. She told Him
all about her mishap, and her tears
/ and misery over IT.