Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-12-10
A Sacrifice for
Harmony
By RICHARD HILL WILKINSON
@ Associated Newspapers.
WNIJ Service
Mr.. HARLOW sat bolt upright il

~ his chair. The psychology lee
turer was saying: "And in the nor
NAL family, when the daughter
reaches the age of twelve or thirteen
it is quite likely that her fixation will
shift from her mother to her fatAer.
They will become great friends,
pals. Often this fixation on father
will remain until the daughter trans
fers her affections to a mate. How
ever, If father does not respond to
daughters fixation, the child will,
nconsciously, shift back to mother,
who, in many cases has resented
the original transfer"
Mr.. Harlow rose. He made his
way down the long aisle, paying no
heed to the annoyed glances of other
listeners, gained the outside lobby
and paused there, dabbing at a
moist brow with his handkerchief.
So that was It'll he told himself. So
that was the cause of his wife's
indignation and wrath and resent
ment. In his minds eye the pieces of
the puzzle that had troubled him for
the past month fell into place. He
understood now what had hap
pened; he could see it taking place,
! step by step. Virginia, his only child
had attained the age of thirteen. She
was nearing maturity. Gradually,
unconsciously, her fixation had
transferred from mother to father.
The two had become great friends,
pals. Mr.. Harlow had been ire
mendously proud and happy.
Not so Mrs. Harlow. Mrs. Harlow
was annoyed. She hadn't understood
the natural process Of the human
mind, and presently her annoyance
/ changed to resentment against her
husband.
Providence or fate or something
had guided Mr.. Harlow's footsteps
into the psychology lecture this
night. Now everything was clear.
If there was one thing that Mr.. Har-
low cherished more than his
daughters fixation it was harmony
in his home. Somehow this harmony
must be restored, regardless of con-
sequence. Mr.. Harlow's brows con-
tracted. He was in possession of a
| great understanding, and of the
three of them he alone possessed it.
He doubted the capabilities of the
other two to grasp its significance
even though he explained it. It was,
therefore, up to him to utilize his
knowledge and restore harmony
once more in the household Of
Harlow.
Mr.. Harlow returned late that
night. It was not his habit to return
home late, but tonight there was a
definite purpose, Mrs. Harlow had
retired, and ten minutes after he
entered the house his daughter Vir-
ginia came in. Virginia had been to
a party, a fact of which he was
well aware.
Seeing a light in the living room,
! Virginia came to the door. At sight
of her father sitting there alone
she uttered a little cry of delight
and bounced up on his knee, with
the full intention of providing him
with details concerning her evening s
activities. Something about the ex-
preston on her parents face, how
ever, restrained her.
Mr.. Harlow smiled at her in a
manner that bespoke faint embar-
rassment. He attempted to brush
something from his coat but failed.
Thus having had her attention at
tracted to the something, Virginia
investigated and found it to be a
daub of powder. She looked at it
and frowned. Looking further she
discovered a long strand of blond
hair. For moment Virginia didn't
understand what these things
meant; presently she looked into
her fathers eyes and knew.
Horror filed her eyes, hurt look,
an expression of awe and wonder
and incredulity, gradually giving way
to something bordering on accusa-
ton and scorn. She drew away. Mr..
Harlow cleared his throat. He al
lowed his eyes to filter about the
room. He succeeded in conjuring q
creditable blush.
"Why, Da ddyi Whatever -
who-?" Mr.. Harlow interrupted,
gesturing airily, saying something
about an apology, presently lapsing
into a lengthy, but rather stupid.
discourse and ending by stating that
1t would not be wise or necessary
to mention the matter to her mother.
Virginia stared. A tear brimmed
in her eye and coursed down her
cheek. Abruptly she flung her arms
about her fathers neck and prom
ised him that no matter what hap
pened she would keep his secret.
It would be their secret. Poor
motherl She must never know. But
he must promise
Yes, yes. OF course he'd promise.
It was all very silly, anyway. Just
one Of those regretful things that
would never be repeated.
After awhile Virginia rose and left
him. Her attitude brought a lump
into Mr.. Harlow's throat. But when
she had gone he sighed in vast relief.
Beginning tomorrow, he knew, his
daughters fixation, out Of pity and
sympathy, would be transferred
back to her mother. Mrs. Harlow
would cease to be irritable and re-
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