The Washington times., 1929-01-26
NEWS OF WASHINGTON SOCIETY
Kathleen Norris Sponsors
Perfect Short Story

SOUP at Celebrity Break
fast
Kathleen Norris told the
perfect short story at the
Celebrity Breakfast of the
League Of American Pen
Women yesterday. It has
never been published and it
can't be told as she told it.
with pathos and subtle hui
NOR, but it is too good for
private circulation.
Unofficial Miracle"
1t concerns an unofficial"
miracle which has never been
passed upon by the Vatican.
Some years ago, when Mrs.
Norris and her sons were IN
Palermo, they chanced into 3
little shop to find it in an up
roar because one Of the village
women had lost her entire for
tune-67 lira--whi1e her hus-
band was at sea. The money
had been stolen. The woman
and her children we're facing
starvation. She was distraught,
so that she didn't know what
was happening when Mrs. Nor
ris pressed q crisp 1OOlira
note into her hand with 3 muir.
INJURED "This is from the Ma
DONNA" in her best phrase book
Italian, of which she was very
proud. Then the little group OF
Americans slipped away.
Unknown Tongue
Returning a few days later,
they found the village en- fete.
There had been y miracle. The
Madonna had appeared. with q
gift from Heaven. Moreover, the
thief, moved to remorse, had
made restitution through the VII
lage priest, and the little Italian
family was again in comfort
boasting a fortune of a little oyer
$3.50. Incredulous and declaring
that as an American she needed
much more convincing. Mrs. Nor
ris persisted in inquiring whether
or not anybody had seen the Ma
donna. Well. no, but she had put
her arm about the weeping wo-
man and had pressed into her hand
"a note never before touched by
mortal hand" And, to make the
proof complete, the villagers all
persisted that the Blessed Lady
had spoken ''in 4 language that
had never been heard before. .
Mrs. Norris. advising persis-
one of her early stories had been
sent to 36 magazines. beginning
with the Atlantic Monthly, end.
ing, with Young's, and had been
returned by all--oIlly to be fea.
tured by tho Atlantic Monthly,
when it was sent to them a second
time. Whereupon four other
periodicals wrote to inquire why
1t had not been sent to tnem--to
be answered with their rejection
slips.
Immortality
George Horton, who spent many
years ais United States consul In
far places, spoke on t'Imnnor-
tality," with the engaging conf
dence that 80 years ago. as the
author of several best sellers, he
was Immortal. whereas now his
name was forgotten. II viii not be
forgotten, however, by those privi.
legged to hear his engaging ad-
dress. And beside he was q bit
too modest. for he is well known
as a writer of delightful vet
erudite travel tales. He also con-
fided that he had a book Of verses
ready for the press. but was watt
ing until he had outliVed his
enemies to publish II.
Paul kester, whose drama,
''The Great Lady Deadlock, =
made from Dickens Bleak
HOUSE, Is now playing In New
York, proved q blushing lion and
absolutely refused to roar. But
Thomas Hunter read some Of his
charming verses. Elizabeth Lip.
pincot Dean, author Of Dolly
Madison. the Nations Hostess, :
spoke briefly after an historical
prelude by Mrs. Wolff Smith, and
the program closed with q group
OF piano numbers BY Mary Lind
say Oliver.
Between drinks at the Pierian
spring. celebrities among the
groups OF guests were entertain.
ingly introduced by Mrs. Swain
Reed, the toastmistress, among
them DR.. Henry Washington, de-
scribed as Knowing all about the
private life OF the volcano =
The series OF Celebrity Break
fasts, arranged by the League
under the leadership OF its presi.
dent, Mrs. Clarence M. Busch.
has been organized TO sweel the
fund for the proposed national
clubhouse. Mrs. Busch presided
Yesterday. The breakfast was at
tended by several hundred women
and sprinkling of men.
Mai. Gen. and Mrs. NJ w. Ire.
land will be at home informally
this afternoon from until
o'clock. Among those assisting
will be Mrs. James M. Kennedy,
Mrs. Leartus j. Owen, Mrs. Joseph
f. Siler and Mrs. Samuel ). Nor
ris.