Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-12-22
Moonlight and
Money
By Marion Rubincam
LOUISE HAS A FRIGHT
rI DTEp EQ

CHAPTER 50
March came in with melting SHOWS
cold winds, and sunlight warming 10
the promise of better days. AND sun
Mrs. Driscom stayed in bed. Or.
| Drake came faithfully every day and
divided his attention between Louise,
always protesting she needed no
medical care, and the woman VINO
lay fretting in bed. 1t was the doc
tor, finally, who insisted that Mrs.
Driscom have a nurse at night. But
he allowed Louise to attend the in
valid during the day.
Remembering the doctors idea
that some mental trouble was weigh
ing on Mrs. Driscom, and that It's
adjustment might help her. Louise
made several attempts to find out
the mystery that had shrouded the
household since her childhood. But
every attempt failed.
She had thought to lead her
mother on by confessions of her own
disappointment with Harry. But
this brought nothing but a grim II
told you So"
She tried to get her mother to talk
about her own girlhood. To this h
got mainly, what a fool I was, then
worse than you were"
Once, in desperation, on a Sunday
night when her father was to be
home for his weekly dinner, she
asked her mother whether she would
not like dinner served in her room
for the three OF them. Tho invalid
shook her head so violently the fluff
fly, foolish little boudoir cap went
over to one side.
But wouldn't o like to see
Father?" Louise asked finally.
NO" Mrs. Driscom said positively
ND Y,o a~4,HnI e1 che Low f.at,1F
the wall.
After that Louise gave it up. AS
for her father, he vas as gentle and
kindly and vague as always, only he
was becoming more like a friend and
less like an acquaintance every time
she saw him. That was her n
consolation.
One night late in March the nurse
tapped on her door,.
II hate to wake you, Mrs. Norton"
she apologized, but 1 think your
might do her good by sitting with
her"
rs it very s%erious?" Louise asked
anxiously, hunting around In the
cold darkness of the room for her
bathrobe.
No, I don't think so. I hope not.
But o come while / phone for the
doctor"
Her mothers room was warm
enough and the shaded lights gave
q soft but not gloomy appearance
Louise shlvered violently, however,
as she went owe to the bed. Some
thing terrifying and cold gripped
her; she had a frightened idea that
she was in the presence of that
vague, mysterious thing we call
Death.
She sat on the edge of the bed and
looked at her mother. Mrs. Driscom
lay with closed eyes, her mouth
drawn tightly. her hair, braided for
the night, pulled sharply back from
her face. Was this death2 Louise
wondered and s~huddered and started
suddenly when her mother opened
her eyes Slightly and looked at her.
mo need to get you up" she MUIR
INJURED so low she could scarcely be
heard. Il had a sinking spell, that's
all. I'm over it now I'll be all right
I'D rather be here, Mother
Louise said gently, holding one of
the sick woman's hands. The nurse
came in with word that the doctor
would come presently.
why do you drag that poor man
out at this time Of" the sentence
ended in a gurgle Of sound, and Mrs.
Driscom lay quiet suddenly. The
nurse put a gentle hand over her
pulse and Louise watched her in
dread. But the nurse nodded pres
emily as she found the slight hutter
that meant there was still live.
Shell come out of it all right.
lie down until after DR.. Drake
comes" she advised.
But Louise went to the telephone
instead of to bed. She rang up her
fathers club and orderd the sleepy
boy at the other end of the wire to
wake Mr.. Driscom.
Presently she heard his voice,
thoroughly alarmed and startled.
Il want you to come home father"
sne said. NO, I'm all right. Yes,
Mother. She is worse than we
thought n worse than I let on to
No, there's no immediate dam
ger, but I'm afraid n I want YOU"
Tomorrow-Wrecked Lives.
II EhFRAR