The Washington times., 1937-02-04

Learning after breakfast that
Dean Harcourt was available for
private interviews between ten and
noon, Paige had set out for the
Cathedral early arriving as the
clock was striking ten. The reCep-
ton room was apparently unoc-
cupied.
Sauntering in quietly, Paige
noticed that he was not alone. A
young woman stood in the bay, at
the far end of the room, looking
out through the window. She was
without hat or coat, and evidently
belonged to the establishment. The
sunshine lighted her gold hair.
Intent upon what she was seeing
or thinking, the girl remained un-
aware of his presence. He walked
slowly toward her, momentarily
expecting her to hear his step.
His position was bidding fair
to produce an awarkward moment.
To proceed any farther in her
direction was to take the risk of
oUdL IAA44S 4lS4. ~ DC OduSIIO DCdI-
ing a retreat would be equally en-
barrassing. He waiting. At
length she seemed to sense that
she was not alone and slowly
turned her head. Paige caught his
breath at the sight of her profile.
She faced him directly now.
She was the living image of
Mrs. Dexter as she might have
appeared in the full bloom of her
youth!
Just how long they stood star
ing at each other neither of them
knew. At length, the girl stirred,
smiled tentatively, advanced a
short step, and said in a low
voice You came to see Dean
Harcourt?"
YES" replied Paige, still search
ing her eyes-same heavy laShes,
same patrician arch of the broWs
same dark-amber iris. My
name is Parker" he added. "I
am a stranger to the Dean. I do
not live here"
please be seated, Mr.. Parker,
"she said, with a little indication
of outspread fingers toward a big
leather chair-the same trick Of
hand that had made Mrs. DeXter's
brief and restrained gestures so
strikingly expressive Il shall tell
Dean HarCourt you are here"
She took a few steps toward the
door. his eyes following her grace
full movement as she walked. Ap-
parently on impulse, she halted,
faced him again, and said, i am
Miss Dexter"
Paige bowed and replied, al
most inaudibly, "YeS. Miss DeX-
ter"
When she returned to the recep-
ton parlor, Mr.. Parker was stand
ing by the window where he had
found her upon his arrival. She
hesitated in the doorway, diSlik-
ing to speak to him from that
distance. 1t would sound too per-
functory. She hesitated also to
cross the room to where he stood
for she did not feel herself dis
posed to face another direct en-
counter with those searching eyes.
He glanced in her direction
walked toward her The barest
suggestion of a smile on his lips.
He will see you now" she said,
leading the way.
THANK you-Miss Dexter" said
Mr.. Parker, as they halted before
the closed door of the library.
Phyllis glanced up into his
eyes and seemed about to speak;
to ask a question, perhaps; but,
deciding otherwise, opened the
door, and, without accompanying
him into the room, closed it
softly behind him. Then she
walked very slowly through the
hall, past the door of the recep-
ton parlor and toward the front
entrance.
Sylvia rose, as she approached,
and sat on her launches. Phyllis
stroked her silky head, murmuring
little phrases of friendly atten-
ton.
II believe you like me-" whis-
pered Phyllis confidentially. you
think you know NEEDN'T you?
Well-you don't. I never saw
you before" She toyed with the
eetter's long ears. "But-no mat
ter" she murmured softly. I like
you-just the same We will be
friends-won't we?"
CHAPTER K
Dean Harcourt did not extend
his hand or offer any word Of con.
ventional greeting as his caller ap-
preached the desk. Pushing aside
the pile of correspondence and
slowly removing his gold pincenez,
he indicated the vacant chair with
a gesture that was hospitable but
not effusive.
MY name is Paige, sir" he re-
piled, after a moment of heSita-
ton. Newell Paige"
The Dean SLOWLY raised his head