Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-09-15
BIanche's
g. Makeup
By KATE EDMONDS
o. 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

Mrs. Laura Peaslee sat in a comfort
able rocking chair in the broad airy
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 a yisi-
tor of the 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 a 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. Peaslee. The
latter had felt bound to interest her
self in the lonely boy, and she had
AA'' +" SVoN NOhtSc III.
Now she was very proud of the prog
ress he was making as a chemist in a
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 a 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."
"Well, don't flatter yourself, plain
homebody sister Of mine," retorted
the mischievous Frances. 1T was al
ways Nellie with Design, 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.
"Oh, on that score the reference
was exclusively to myself, dear" ex-
planned Blanche. II confess to the
guilt Of makeup, girls. Come, Nell
lie, you were so kind as to invite me
to visit with you overnight, and
brought my toilet case with me. I
hardly thought You would be interest
ed, but l look so dreadful when / get
up in the morning that 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 and
glowing cheeks told of sunshine, pure
air, quiet home life and-love.
They had great time Of 1t as
Blanche opened the toilet case. She
showed them how she brought the
cherry red to her lips.
"And at night, dears--you see this
muslin cloth. 1t is a beauty mask.
Now look-I saturate it from the green
bottle, lay it over my face, and in the
morning when / take it off the skin is
clear and smooth as baby's."
The next morning hurry call came
from nnnynnafnH invita- IN
to a 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 a smile as she
observed the open toilet case. Then
she looked into the mirror. Suppose
i take my nap in beauty mask. Why,
I'll try it just for fun"
She laughed as she saturated the
piece. Two hours later, just as Mrs
Peaslee entered the house, she was
startled by a 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 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 10 herself
when she heard of Nellie's mishap.
Nellie told her aunt she simply
would not meet Design. To her sur
prise her aunt appeared leading Des-
Ign, who had bandage across his
eyes. .#
You can come down, Nellie, dear"
announced her aunt, appearing in her
room. Poor Deslynl While expert
menting in his laboratory a chemical
exploded, nearly binding him."
Two weeks later Nellies disfigurN
ment had totally disappeared. A few
days later the happy Design was al
lowed to use his eyes. He viewed his
radiant fiancee tenderly. She told him
all about her mishap, and her tears
and misery over IT,
"'Cream and peaches" quoted the
ardent lover. Yes. Nellie, and roses
and lilies, and all things that are pref
fv and Swppt-that'S vnu 20