The Washington times., 1937-01-29
NOW READ ON
By LLOYD G. DOUGLAS

Parker had experienced many a
dark hour since his remuneration
of everything that life held dear.
This hour was the darkest.
He felt sure Elise had the let
ter today, for he received one from
Eugene stating that hers was 60
ing forward by the same post. Eu-
gene had said that instructions
were being followed in every de-
tail. There was a pen-written
postscript chatting him. LAS if it
wasn't enough for you to lose
your job and your name, you seem
now to have lost your heart. Do
you still have your dog?"
At eight, he Strolled down to
the GrahamS.' Elise met him at
the door in a grand state of exul-
tation, threw her arms about him
and stood on tiptoeS to be kissed.
He was happy to meet this i'm
petuous display Of gratitude, ten
dered in the presence Of her grand
father, who, with beaming eyes,
lowered close behind her. Every
thing now was exactly as it should
be, Parker felt.
She hurried him by the hand
into the living room, pushed him
down on the end of the davenport
under the reading lamp. thrust
the epoch-making letter at him,
and with all the spontaneous en-
thuSiaSm of a delighted child
pressed her cheek against his
shoulder, following the lines Of the
impressive denouement while he
read aloud.
The firm Of Corley, Corley and
Corley was pleased to advise Miss
Graham that their client, Mrs.
Norma Phelps, who frequently
made small "courtesy-loanS" tc
promising artists in need of ian
encouraging subsidy" having
learned through Mr.. Nathan
Parker of Miss Graham'S unusual
talent, desired to place at her dis
poSal sufficient funds to insure
her a deserved recognition.
For all of two hours she bu5-
bled with plans for the stupendouS
event which was to put her in line
for distinction, Parker amazed
and touched by the evident time
and thought she had previously
given to this matter. 1t showed
how paSsionately she had longed
for some such thing to come to
pass.
And it wouldn't have been pos
sible but for you, Nat"
Next day, Nat Parker went TO
the city, at EliSe'S request, and
laid her case before an expert
enced advertising man. They
lunched with feature writer who
was quick to interest herself in
the fascinating story of the "dis-
covery" that had been made in
little Leeds.
"Of course, there is no reason
why anyone should try to tell
you, Miss Davidson, who Mrs.
Norma Phelps is or what all she
had done to put unknown artists
on their feet" remarked Mr..
Parker craftily. He had prepared
himself to expect that Mis- David
son might be bit hesitant here
and accept the Statement-if she
accepted it at all-on the first
bounce. To his happy surprise,
she caught it on the fly, running
eagerly to meet it.
Mrs. Phelps! To be sure! Why,
the girl will be made!"
Free discussion was had of Miss
Graham's relation to the late
Colonel Brock, a beloved figure
still well remembered by the
Old Guard. A tender note was
sounded concerning her grand
fathers long service, largely un-
rewarded, in behalf of the poor
for whom he had travelled the
back roads by day and by night
for more than two score years.
It was a good story, Miss David
son said.
Having given this effective
publicity a couple of days to soak
into the imagination of the city's
musically inclined, Mr.. Parker
made another journey, taking
Elise with him. They contrived
to secure an interview with Darien
Moore, the best-known accompaniSt
in that zone, whose sponsorship
of an unfamiliar name would
carry great weight. He had seen
the story about Miss Graham, and
agreed that whoever received the
sanction of Mrs. Phelps was sure
ly worth attention. Elise sang for
him in his studio and he was de-
lighted. She asked him if he
would preside at the piano on the
night of her recital and he con-
sented.
The movement was gathering
gpeed and momentum with such
amazing ease that Parker was
heartened to unplanned audac-
ities. A parlor recital for an ex-
elusive group of potential patron
esses was arranged for the COM
ing week. 1t was q notable sue
cess.
RJaE HoarLa,. bod naTtai nIIaInnS