Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-08-15
Mark II
HeIlinger
Short
Story

~ NUlAA4 "a NNAAt AANAAANf NNAANt
Gus husband, and no gray hairs
But II you think that The
woman was really happy Their
YOU are sally mistaken. For
he desire for romance burned
in Mildred'S ample bosom. And
as far as Homer. the bread
winner. was concerned. romance
was merely a word in the dc
uonary.
Mildred would ADMIT dis
contentedly. tina; Homer Nipple
was sll right in his way The
trouble was that she didn't
care particularly for his way.
Mildren wanted more than
that from life. She sighed for
someone who would pour sweet
words OF love into her ear, hold
her plump hand and gaze soul
fully into her eager eyes.
And that brings us right up
20 Roscoe Lovelock, perhaps the
most misunderstanding individ-
usl who ever lifted a teacup.
Roscoe Was an artist To
prove u. he had long hair and
a bunch OF unfinished cam
vases. He had never had so
much as 4 bowling acquaintance
with success, but there was a
very good reason for that. He
FASTENED to tell u TO Mildred.
Never" he murmured ar
IDENTIFY. "haye l had the right
Inspiration. Never before, l
mean. Dear lady. II YOU would
only consent 10 sit for me l
know I could paint a master
piece"
So the next afternoon at 20
minutes before 3 she was rap
ping on the door OF Roscoe's
apartment.
Mildred could think up any
number .. reasons for consent
ing 10 return day after day. 1t
would not be right. she argued
nobly, TO deny 70 the world the
greatest masterpiece that Ros-
coe was working on. But that
wasn't the real reason by a
long shot. The truth OF the
matter was that Mildred was
in love.
For Homer she felt only the
slightest pity. Wrapped up in
his work. occupied only with
making money.
Hes like n child. really"
she unused. although she knew
very well he was at least forty.
HE needs me to look after him.
Homer could never understand
natures like ours"
When the portrait was al
most finished she preached the
subject that had occupied her
thoughts constantly Of late.
She would. OF course. buy the
picture. And with that money
Roscoe would be more in a po-
Sition to say the things he hesi-
tated over now.
But when she suggested that.
the man refused at first even
TO consider the idea.
"SeIl It," he repeated. Hang
II somewhere for all the world
10 see? No, my sweet. I could
never consent 10 that. This is
all l have Of you. Please don't
tempt me with offers"
There was sadness in Mil
dred's heart the following day
when she gaZed at the finished
likeness OF her. Not because OF
the appearance OF the thing.
although that might easily
have been the reason. But be-
cause IL meant that the roman
tic hours in RoScoe's studio
were over, for the time being
at least.
you like it," he questioned
eagerly.
ITS beautiful" the woman
lied valiantly. And here, dear
Roscoe, is the check. Two thou
sand dollarS-although ] know
II means nothing to you, YOU
impractical dear. Shall I send
for the picture?"
Roscoe showed the check
'csrelessly into the pocket OF his
Smock.
I'll have 10 have Il Grated, +"
he reminded her. But II will
certainly arrive in time for
your wedding anniversary. You
can be sure Of that
With a last sigh and a few
sad words OF farewell. the two
parted. Mildred returned to
the old homestead. wondering
when Roscoe would come 20
claim her for his very own
and just how she could ever
break the news 10 Homer &c..
Two nights later. her lord
and master arrived home from
work an hour earlier than
usual. With a solemn and
Secretiye air. ne summoned her
20 the library. Definitely woI-
RED over what might have hap
pened Mildred marched in.
Look Homer waved his
hand in the direction OF the
fireplace. And there, hanging
above ", was the portrait that
Roscoe had finished just two
DAYS before.