Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-12-10
lHGa}QII1g5
Moonlight and
Money
By Marion Rubincam
NEW PROBLEMS

Louise had slipped out of the
mouse very early in the morning, in
fact, she caught the first train into
h city-a slow affair that trans
ported gangs Of workmen. SO when
h reached her mothers house it
was not yet eight o'clock.
Ann opened tho door and showed
her intense surprise at the unexpect-
ed visit by her lax jaw and staring
eyes.
Good Lord, Miss Louise" she
burst out. Has anything h%appened7
You look like a ghost"
No, nothing has happened"
Louise answered a little YEARLY.
I've come for q visit, that's all. Is
my old room ready?"
"Yes'm, Miss-that is, Mrs. Nor
ton" Anne said. Here, let me lake
your suitcase. It's too heavy for
you" III gave a shrewd glance at
her. II guess that's why you look
so tired" she added cheerfully, quito
as though h believed her expiana-
ton.
Yes, 1t is a little heavy" Louise
said and followed up the stairs to
her old room on the third floor.
The servant urned to her as they
stood in the room.
Seems like old times to have you
back" she began as she helped
&OoAsD lltI COdls NOW lIltll,
vol better lie down and I'll bring you
up some breakfast, like 7 used to"
Il don't think i want any break
FAST" Louise said. "How's Mother?
Is she up YETI"
Nom, not yet. She hasn't been
feeling well, you see, so I've been
bringing her breakfast to her room
every day around ten. But I'll wake
her
mo, don't" Louise objected. II
my anyone who can sleep late too
much to drag them out of bed. Be
sides, 1t isn't important. What IS
the matter, is she ill?"
In many ways Anne showed mus
ual capabilities for q maid. She had
been studying Louise closely as she
talked. Now suddenly she made up
her mind what was needed. She as
sumed a tone of motherly authority.
You just lie down on the couch
until 1 bring you something to eat.
and then III tell you all about it,"
she said, Its nothing to worry
about. Your mother has always been
nervous"
II don't want food" Louise made
n little disguised face.
mo, but you'll drink a little cot
fee, and / won't be long"
When she was alone Louise looks
ed slowly around her old room. A
ray of sunlight was coming in be-
tween the curtains. The radiator,
since Anne had turned on the heat,
was clicking merrily. AS the room
warmed up, and as she herself be-
came warmed through again, a
grateful sense of peace and quiet
stole over her. She followed Anne's
suggestion mechanically and sank
down on the couch In q corner. The
room was beautifully clean-a little
Ao-a hAaof4Ca ~ hnd hnoTN Ctrinnn1 of
her moro personal belongings. but
unusually attractive TO her. She had
not been in 1t since the day OF her
marriage, when her laughing, excited
bridesmaids had helped her on with
her wedding gown.
How pale she had been hat day!
She got up and went over to the long
mirror. The face it reflected was
far paler han the image of the bride
! when she a looked In it last. Her
face now was thin and draWn; the
cheek bones showed plainly; the skin
was so white as to look b~loodless.
Her eyes were red-rimmed from cry
ing and ~lustrelesst her mouth was
pulled down wistfully, her whole
attitude woe-begone. She had not
oven gon to bed the night before,
but had sat at the desk in the guest
room of her little house, worrying
and waiting for the dawn so that
she could slip out and take the first
train to h city.
Now she was back in her girlhood
home again.. She had not planned
beyond that. She must tell her
mother seme~of the events that
made her leave Harry and she must
eventually find something to do to
keep. her busy.
Anne came back carrying a tray.
and filled tho whole room with her
hustle and cheer.
Drink this cup OF hot coffee first"
she commanded gently, as though
Louise were n sick child to be coax
cd She stacked the cushions invit-
dhgly in q corner of the sofa, and set
the tray on a small table nearby.
Louise obeyed n watched her while
she opened the suitcase and put out
the toilet articles on the dressing
table. 1t was infinitely soothing to
have someone working about so deft-
~ and cheerfully and to have a de-
licious meal served daintily. Scarcely
knowing it, she ate the eggs and
toast on the tray and poured another
cup of coffee. Anne smiled to her
self as h watched the breakfast
disappear, Been needing mother
Ing" M said to herself.
With a little Sigh Louise leaned
back against the cushions.
Tomorrow-The Mother.