The Washington times., 1937-01-25
NOW READ ON
By LLOYD G. DOUGLAS
Soon to Appear in Warner Bros.

May I sit by you at dinner?"
Sonia picked up the cool little
hand and rubbed the back of it
against her cheek.
Eyes, dear"
"And will play with me-after-
ward? Or do you have to talk?"
Dean Harcourt will be joining
us in a few minutes" Talbot was
explaining cordially. HE asked
me to keep you company until he
comes down. You are aware, I pre-
sumo, that the dean does not get
about easily"
Il knew Dean Harcourt was
crippled" said Norwood. 81 never
learned the extent of it, or how he
came by it. An acCident?"
1T is an interesting story" re-
Piled the curate. For a full ap-
probation of the Dean, one ought
to know it. When Dean Harcourt
was SO, he was stricken with in
fantile paralysis. For three years
he had been the curate in a sub
urban parish, and had just been
appointed its rector. He was al
ready winning considerable atten-
ton as a brilliant speaker and it
was expected that he might be-
come in time one Of the great pull
pit prophets. Life held out well
coming hands to him. His en-
gagement had been announced to
a beautiful young woman OF dis
tinguiShed social standing.
"Then-like a storm out Of a
clear sky, came this tragic thing
that struck him down. He spent
10 months in bed"
Norwood WINGED, and colored
slightly.
"I have been with him now for
more than six years." continued
Talbot, land in that time he has
spoken to me but once of that
period he spent on his back. That
was in reference to the joy he had
felt when he discovered that he
could wiggle his big toe. What
he must have gone through, in
mental torture, nobody has ever
been informed, so far as I know.
He may have told the Bishop"
II wish had known that" said
Norwood, when I talked with
him, the other day. 1 went to
him very much upset over little
predicament of mine, and"
"Oh, the Dean doesn't want
any Sympathy-if that's what
worries you. But I can assure
you there isn't anything you are
likely to tell him about ourSelf
that can match the troubles he
experienced through those days
=. His fiancee decided, quite nat
urally, presume, that matrimony
was out of the question, and he
cheerfully released her without
any bitterness. His church was
obliged to call another priest to
take his place when it had become
obvious that he could not carry
on with his work. In short, his
career collapsed.
After an almost endless con-
valescence, he was able to sit at
q desk. Eager to give him some
little thing to do, the Bishop had
him brought down, two days a
week, to assist with his office in
tervieWS. After a while it became
apparent that he was Singularly
equipped to deal with wide va
riety TO difficult cases requiring
an understanding sympathy. The
word began to spread. He sat
there, day after day, building up
q reputation probably unlike that
of any other man in our profeS-
sion. And when it was suggested
that he be made the Dean OF the
Cathedral, everybody hailed the
choice with enthusiasm. He car
ried a heavy load. We often won
der how he does it. 1t would
probably have killed a normal
man, long since"
Norwood was spared the neces-
sity of comment by the announce
ment that dinner was served. The
Dean was already in his chair at
the head of the table when they
arrived in the dining room. The
others were there. Celeste DETACHED
herself from her new friend, at
the sight Of her father, and drew
him by the hand while he was
receiving an introduction to
Simpson.
"Sonia, she said, Indifferent to
the interested group that had been
brought to attention by her child
ish treble, this is my daddy"
And then added, with ice-breaking
naivete, "Daddy-she's wonder
full"
Norwood addressed himself to
Mrs. Crandal. but remained quite
conscious of Sonia.
He warmed toward her. and
wondered what manner of person
she was. Sonia instinctively Sensed
his interest. The y was too
small to encourage group converse
tions. and they had almost moth