The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-12-02
The Call Of Talent
By VICTOR REDcLlFFE
%. 1920. western Newspaper union.) J

'&ilI Ilere was SOIueluluS dWAy Ia LAY
mating Of Norena Wilton and Mark
Blake. people said. Mark was a big,
bluff, hearty fellow cut out for q nat
ural comedian, and never knew ut
through his earlier years of manhood,
although always ready with merry
uuip and jest. His life had been in
measure an indolent one, for his
uncle had adopted him and about all
he required of his heir expectant was
good nature and contentment.
There came new element into the
lives sof both when Mark was twenty
three. An artist friend of his uncle
died and committed his daughter,
Norena, to the charge of Marks uncle.
II send you what little have saved"
wrote Jasper Wilton on his death bed,
"and I know that for old friendships
sake you will treat Norena as though
she were your own child. She Is
song bird, dear little treasure! Don't
curb her prediction for music. Mar
~ her to some genial, indulgent young
man who will appreciate her, gift IN
that direction" v@r- A. .,
But within six months after Norena
had become the ward Of John Blake
the old MAJ had contaminated the de-
sire of his heart. Mark liked the VOL
atile, happy spirited Norena and she
could not help but return the senti-
ment. :. They married. Mark found a
humdrum position in a local bank. hat
ing the same. The only musical enjoy
ment Norena had was in the church
choir and at local social amusements.
Within a few months the discovery
was mutually realised that they were
mismated. Old John Blake died.
After that the home was lonely. Marx ri
would come home evenings and doze
and read, sluggish, yet secretly dream
ing Of ambitions he had always enter
tanned Norena felt an outside world
calling. for her and wondered when the
opportunity would come to heed it's
| call.
They did not quarrel, but gradual
ly the affection that might have BIOS
somed and bloomed well nigh became
Indifference. They did not exchange
confidence as to their respective
wishes and aspirations. for there
seemed a barrier between them ana
they utterly misunderstood one an
other. These facts were noted ana
speculated upon by their friends and
! neighbors, and one day there was
climax that startled the little town.
| It was Judge Slocum who hailed the
leading merchant of the place with an
intimatiOn Of conditions. ="
understand that Mark Blake has
! sold the old homestead" he said.
"Yes," nodded the other. Il heard
So"
sand he and his wife have parted"
.You mean that Mrs. Blake has LETT
the village r. IA .s..s 5.
Last night. It was all pleasant and
harmonious though, according to out
ward seeming, for Mark took her
trunks to the station and kissed her
! goodby.":
At that moment Mark Blake, turn
| ing a street corner came unexpected
" upon the two gossippers and over
heard the last remark of the judge.
He approached them and halted.
"You two are pretty good friends Of
mine" he said, ''and think ! can
trust you with the true story of the
separation of myself and wife. The
fact is we don't seem happy with each
| other. NOrena was never made for
the dull, meaningless life she leads
here. She is dreaming Of more use
| full or entertaining one, l am sure, but
| what it is I don't know for l have
never tried to find out. We have part
| ed in friendly way. sold the old
home and divided the money ! got
from it equally with Norena. she
has gone her way. In day or two
when have settled up a few little
! odds and ends of my affairs l shall
| 60 mine"
"What. is your program, Mark?'
asked the civil judge.
Drifting, till find what ! am best
intended for. 1t isn't sitting at
clerks desk, / can tell you that. I've
often considered If my old liking for
| the circus hasn't stayed with me In
a longing sort of way. Or the stage"
.'Weli, hope you come out we'll
whatever you do" said the judge sin.
cerely, and within the week Mark hao
departed and he and his wife were
practically forgotten in the quiet lit
tie village.
| What ,Norena did in the course Of
a very few weeks was to find posi-
ton in the chorus of an operate COM
pany Within year she had devel-.
oped her magnificent gifts as natural
born singer. and was happy and earned
| good income as minor star In the
combination as time went on. 1t was
strange freak of. fate, but at the
rehearsal Of new comic opera one
day she again met her husband. cast
| for q comedy part. She was glad to
see him, and he was pleased to think
that in each finding the place of pro-
fessional activity for which they were
adapted, they seemed to come to a ST.
lent. but forceful better understand