The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-07-21
THE GENIUS
BY MILDRED WHITE

G1S15151S1S252S251 S2G1SI525751S1S
Copyright 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
When David Morton first met her,
he thought that he had found the fair.
est and ceyerest of women. After q
months acquaintance he was OF the
same opinion. Josephine lie Mar was
rs sweet tempered as charming. David
congratulated himself that, owing TO
Mrs. Davenport's influence, he was
permitted the boon Of Josephne's
friendship.
Mrs. Davenport chose TO bestow upon
the gifted Miss lie Mar her social IA
yor. II was she, in her pretentlous
home, who brought her two fayorlte
young people together TO her hus.
band alone, she admitted match.mak-
Ing intent. Her interested efforts
heretofore where Josephine WINS con-
cerned, had met with Encouragement,
Dear Mrs. Davenport Josephine
had amusedy remarked, my time Is
devoted to my work. Men outside Of
that sphere do not claim my atten.
ton"
TO which Mazda Davenport replied:
do you. then, intend to devote your
life to drawing twisted letters for adj
vertlsing purposes?"
81 hope" Josephine firmly respond
ed, ito do more than that. Bigger
thlngs-covers for magazines, which
will be admired throughout the coun'
try The twisted letters are but step.
ping stones to my achievement"
And so determinedswa the girl In
this purpose that Mrs. Davenport for
n time despared. Then, along came
David. That Josephine was interested
In David there was no doubt.
The elder woman, fearing to awaken
the girl to this growing interest. APP
peared not to notice the happy CONVEX
satlons between the two.
! Josephine kept solitary house in o
tiny apartment, which even In It's hum
beness was, MS Mrs. Davenport said,
'as charming as the girls own per,
sonallty."
David grew to look forward With ever.
increasing pleasure TO evenings spent
in JosephIne's coy sitting room, with
IT'S golden shaded lights. Mrs. Daven.
port would often be there, playing soft.
ly on Joies piano. Her friends called
her this, after Jole had haltIngly told
them Of her life before coming to the
city.
81 came" she said, latter father
died. There was no opportunity be-
fore. wanted to study art, and earn
my living. Isabel, my youngest sis
ter, had never been strong. but now
she is happy in grandmother's care. Al
home | was called Joie."
David was an inspiration to her;
frankly she told him So He liked to
think out for her, helpful suggestions.
Then, into this mutual confidence came
disturbing element Just as David
was rejoicing in the sweet sunniness
of Josephine's disposition, she met him
one evening, coldly, indlfferently. In
vain he tried to dispel the constraint,
leaving perplexedly. Upon his next
visit Josephine appeared distract; II
was impossible to arouse her interest
When David impatIently remarked that
he would no longer bore her with his
presence, Josephine arose Immediately,
relieved, 1t seemed, to bid him good
night.
4 Nevertheless, David's love insisted
upon the telling and he went one eve
ming to make declaration. He entered
Josephlnes sitting room through a
door left open to the spring air, and
found the girl shaken by silent sob.
bling. Like a desolnte child she lay
curled on the couch, her face buried
In its pillows.
"Joie" cried David tenderly, Jole,
dear"
II wish" same a curt voice from the
pillows, you would so away"
David went, vowing tot to return,
but love Is stronger than a strong mans
will David told himself q would he the
right thing to inquire for Joie, and If all
was well with her he would try 10 for
get. He must first know that she had
no need.
A strange young woman opened the
door of Joie's apartment-yet not a
stranger, surely, with Joie's blue eyes
and her soft voice.
MY sister is not in" said the
wrath of Joie. Il am Isabel" She
led the way to the sitting room. and
David saw that she leaned on a cane.
"Joie does not know that | am here"
she went on. Grandma said we would
surprise her. We came In to see the
great surgeon. Joie will be so re-
tolced when she hears our good news.
OF course we have heard of you from
my sister, MFR. Mortimer. Perhaps you
would like to know the good news,
too"
II am sure that / would answered
David wonderlngly.
THE surgeon assures us that my hip
may be cured by an operation. | think
that I am more glad for Joie's sake
than my own. She has greved all her
life because when she was much
too young to have the care of an or.
phaned baby sister fell from her
arms down a stair. Since she came
to the city she has shaved to give me
the benefit of expert medical advice.