The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1932-04-15
Observation-Disclosures
!: THE OPEN DOOR !
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS

By DOROTHY DOUGLAS i
iiss-ss-i-ss-isi-i-s'
60 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate,
fwNU servicel
uNT DEAR" advised Ends moth
4vI er. "you would be very fool
!sh girl not to accept your uncie's gem
erosity. He has to take the trip to
London and wants you with him. 1t
will give you chance to meet many
men on board ship and have no doubt
you will come back quite ready to
marry George Danbury."
II know ought to love him, moth
er, and his money could, perhaps, do
lot for Edward-but just can't
make up my mind"
ut is difficult, my daughter" agreed
Mrs. Walker, "but after all George is
thoroughly good man. has heaps Of
money. and think you would be hap
py with him in year or two"
Enid sighed. eyes, suppose 1t Is
much the same, In few years time,
SO long as one married a considerate
type of man."
SO Enid went on the ocean trip with
Uncle Henry. George Danbury sent
her great sheafs of flowers and bas-
kets of fruit on the day Of departure
and Enid felt reasonably sure that
upon her return she would give him
the promise he wanted. But deep In
her heart she knew that the great big
thing called love was not in her life
and that lack OF money and her little
brothers crippled state were the rea-
sons for decision.
She met many men on board ship
and found herself studying them and
comparing them with George Danbury
as a possible future mate. She was
using all her wisdom over the trying
problem but the more she tried to real
ize the future the more confused II
became.
They reached London safely and
Uncle Henry was obliged to tend busi-
ness much Of the time. Consequently
Enid was left to wander about by her.
self. The idea Of going back to New
York and marrying George troubled
her night and day. She felt that Ed
ward might be cured II they could pay
for the services Of great specialist.
Every crippled man she saw stabbed
her, for Enid could see little Edward
growing up helpless cripple and she
herself in a position to perhaps pre-
vent 1t.
Enid found herself frequently visit
ing the wonderful old churches-St.
Paul's, Westminster, st. James-and
finding In the shadowed, silent walls
great amount of spiritual help.
And then her feet led her into the
door Of old ST. Martins In the field
that church whose doors are never
shut, night or day, to the worn and
weary. Human driftwood. asleep on
the cushions, found safety, rest and
help through the dark night.
Enid slipped in softly and found a
seat in a darkened corner. A great
surge of emotion swept over her and
made her conscious OF tremendous
and wonderful power working within
the walls Of that old church. There
was tragedy, despair, poverty, SCARED
and besmirched bodies Of human be-
ings. Yet underneath and round
about all spirit of exaltation.
She went down on her knees and
found herself praying for enlightment,
seeking the path which she should
take and thereby do the most good
during her span of life. She prayed,
too, for those other poor souls that
were so utterly, bopelessly detected.
Enid found herself weeping softly.
She didn't know exactly why-but
perhaps she felt that way was being
! opened up for her to follow. Perhaps
she had drawn nearer her God and he
was showing her a path.
She did not start when she felt the
young curates hand drop lightly, un-
derstandingly, on her shoulders but
she looked up and into the most kind
ly eyes she had ever seen-sympa-
thetic, helpful and plainly asking her
| for the reason of her weeping.
She had watched him going slowly
about the church, offering words of
help here and bit OF money there
man happy in the performance OF
his duty.
Before Enid knew 1t she was telling
J him about her problems and her Grip
| pied brother and Danbury and all that
her marriage to him might mean to all
| members Of her family.
He listened quietly as one used to
| the outpourings Of the heart and all
| the time Enid felt herself being drawn
| toward him.
"This is a tremendous sacrifice you
are asking Of yourself" the young
| curate admitted, marriage without
love. But, on the other hand, pure
love matches are not always happy
So many people seek personal happl.
ness in marriage rather than looking
upon it as the stepping stone toward
the fulfillment Of greater destiny"
Enid looked up with such sudden
comprehension in her big eyes that
the young curate smiled. He had not
underestimated the worth OF this
young girl who had sought light in olt
St. Martins in the Field. His work
had made Of him keen reader OF hu
man possibilities ''YOu would not bt
here" he added gently, III you were