The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-08-27
ENDS POSTER
~ SOPHIA .. COHEN.

accompaniment to the ri0t0us song Of
Joy In Enid Blair's heart. After an
absence Of five years she was coming
back to the little village where she was
born and had lived until the lure OF
the city grew too strong for her to re-
sist. Her heart beat quickly as she
thought Of the old folks and OF Tom
Marvin.
Tom Marvin-his name brought up
long-forgotten memories. 81 Would he
be the same? They had been cvu,-
rades In Millville and had faithfully
promised to write to each other when
she left. At first her letters had gone
and come quite regularly. Enid was
working hard. and soon her efforts ut
painting gained recognition. Then,
with her triumphant success, came
harder work and a gradual forgetful-
ness OF the old Millville associations,
and their correspondence ceased alto
gether. Tom also was busy. She
heard vaguely that he was the life and
soul Of the movement on foot to arouse
the sleepy, picturesque village Of Mill
vile and make busy, enterprislng
town of 1t. She hedrd, too, that he
had been highly successful and was
now one of the leading citizens of the
town. A cold fear clutched at her
heart. Had he married7 ses,
Enid took short vacation from her
work and during the time met Tom
only once. He had nodded to her a
perfunctory greeting and they had
passed on as casual acquaintances.
The next three weeks were busy ones
for Enid. The establishing Of her
studio left her no time to think Of
Toms coldness- Finally the last
touches had been added and a near
placard outside announced that Miss
Blair needs a model for war post
err" Many applicants came, but none
seemed to be just what she wanted.
Even Uncle Billy. the town patri-
arch, offered himself as q model. and
hobbled out of the studio very much
hurt at having been firmly refused In
spite Of all his pleading. He could not
seem to understand that what Enid
needed was young man, upright and
and poor old Billy was almost
ninety and bent double with rheuma-
tism. w
After q month of anxious waiting,
Enid despaired and had almost decld-
ed to go back to the city, where she
could easily obtain a model at an
hours notice. Then, at the beginning
Of the fifth week, as Enid was just
starting to pack, Tom Marvin walked
In with the placard under his arm.
Enid dropped the box she was hold
Ing and stared.
"Er-Miss Blair" he began awkward
Iy. "You need model; maybe will
tio?r
Enid thought she detected twinkle
Of laughter through his diffidence, and
Immediately regained her composure.
LET me see," she said, deliberately,
and appraised him with cold profess
sIonal calm while he squirmed under
her impersonal gaze.
"Yes, you'll do, Mr.. Marvin" she
said briskly, and Tom felt strangely,
eiateQ.
The sittings began Immediately, and
we're source Of pain and Joy to them
both. Tom thought Enid looked pref
Ter than ever In her long smock as
the bent her fair head critically this
way and that to observe the effect Of
he poster, but he could not break
Town the barrier Of reserve that stood
them. And Enid could not
but notice how strong and manly Tom
had grown. So the sittings went on.
They spoke Of many things, but never
If that which lay nearest the hearts Of
10th. The poster grew, and the
,plotches OF color took on definite
'orm. Enid saw with Joy that 1t was
ar exceeding DISQUALIFICATION, and In
her mind attributed this to her inspir-
ng model.
Finally the poster was done. Tom
tat duly for q moment when he re-
llized that there were to be no more |
'ittings. Then a happy thought came
o him.
"WilI you sell that poster to met"
le asked. mi
The abrupt words brought Enid out |
II her reverie. She looked at him In \
"Will you sell that poster to meT he
'epeated.
"But intended to donate It for the
rive next week." she faltered. afyl
Then she suddenly realized that she
would see him no more after she left |
Why not keep the poster AZ
remembrance
mo. won't sell 1t to you she add
ID somewhat nercely.
"Whyr He stepped nearer.
Enid could keep the tears back no
onger.
"Can't you understands she sobbed.
He did understand. and she was In
lis arms Immediately.
ENID, do you mean" A stified
yes" from his shoulder told him all
10 wished to know. There was no
iced Of explanations.
The next week a wonderful poster
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