The Washington times., 1937-01-21
NOW READ ON
Bv LLOYD G. DOUGLAS


with candid concern, Sonia so i'm
pressed and Stilled by the Spir-
itual majesty of the man that she
accepted his scrutiny of her with
out the slightest sensation of self
consciousness.
1t was a Singularly interesting
face. The upper lip was eXtraor-
dinarily long, giving the firm but
generous mouth an appearance
of being securely locked. Per
haps, reflected Sonia, it was his
mouth that encouraged strangers
to confide in him. A friend had
told her that people found it easy
to tell him all about themselves
without embarrassment or re-
straint. Doubtless it was the
mouth that made them confident.
It seemed to have been built eS-
pecially for the safekeeping of
secrets. And there was something
uncannily preScient in his eyes.
They we're dark. almost cavernouS.
A veritable sunburSt of crows feet
at the outer corners gave the ef-
feet of a residual smile of COM
passion which softened the pene-
trating search and interpreted it
as a comradely quest. His thick
white hair shone silver in the
single light suspended above his
head, a light that intensified, by
strong shadows, the ruggedness Of
his face.
THAT is your real name?"
asked the dean.
Eyes. I know it is a bit fan
tastic. But it is mine. My
fathers people we're Of French
descent and my mother thought
Sonia pretty name. She saw
1t in story"
1T is a pretty name, and I had
not thought it incongruouS, but
you do not look foreign. When
was it and where your
mother read the story?"
In 1901-Cedar Rapids"
''You are unmarried?"
EYES," replied Sonia, her eyes
occupied with the gloves which
she had unbuttoned and was tug
ging off, finger by finger. Glanc-
ing up. she met his gaze, and
added, "No-T was never married"
Am I right in surmising that
you are engaged in something
theatrical?"
Again I must answer-yes and
no"
The dean acknowledged her
honest candor with a slight in
clination of the head. Sonia saw
that she said the right thing.
II am the proprietor of a little
shop, dealing in exclusive gowns.
MY clientS-my customers prefer
to think I am Partisan. I make no
effort to counteract that belief.
The place does have a foreign at
mosphere. Perhaps I am theatre
cal-to the extent of playing a
part in the course Of my daily
business"
do you attend the services Of
the cathedral?" asked the dean,
still smiling a little over her frank
confession.
mo, sir: I have no religion"
very we'll, then. Let us begin.
Tell me all about it. What brought
you here?. And remember that
the more directly you come at it,
the more time we will have to
talk-profitably What has ne
done to you?"
She sat for while with per-
picked expression, her lips parted
slightly barring pretty teeth, tense
ly locked.
Mo- am not a mindreader, :"
explained the Dean gently. but
have had much experience in lis
tening."
It believe that" said Soma.
"Well-he has decided to go back
to his wife. She is not very well,
and thinks she wants him. She
has treated him very shabbily. 1t
was her fault that he lost interest
in their home. Now she begs him
to return. urged him to go. And
I intend never to see him again. =.
IldU "do SCSGCL Nd5' AoOIlld LII
ished pulling off her gloves and
laid them on the desk beside the
handbag with little gesture Of
finality. Her hands were white and
we'll cared for.
so really did not come to
you for advice" she continued
For there is nothing to decide
They told me you were able to
help people who had trouble
That's why I came. I'm glad I did
This is a very restful place.
You will not scold me. I've had all
the punishment I can take"
You love him-I think"
"Devotedly! And he loves me
He needs me, too, for he has been
very unfortunate recently-since
the crash"
Did he contribute to your sup,
port?"
Never! 1t wasn't on that basis,
0t all. In fact, for the past few
weeks"
Dean Haroourts lips tightened