Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-02-13
Moonlight and
Money
III OVER
BY Marion Rubincam

4AIAAAlN0 H ohIAh
For a week Murray Butler stayed
away from the Driscoms'. TO Loujse's
invitations he phoned an apology ana
pleaded that he was busy. Whlch
was not exactly true, for the only
work he did during the week was 10
finish up the portrait Of Louise 70
his satisfaction. Then n day ne
went down to his club and found, as
he had expected, Mr.. Driscom behlnd
q newspaper at one Of the windows.
II counted eight gray heads
through the windows as passed
along the street" Murray observed
''Why Is It mems clubs always nave
q row Of gray headed men IN the
windows? Don't the young
ever sit here?"
"Perhaps the old ones grab the
best chairs and keep them away
suggested Mr. Driscom with twink
Inns eyes. VII you pull up q char
and add your not so very gray head
e. Gn{ ta' collection you were 'ps'N"s
Murray sat down IN another Of
the deep leather chairs, and started
his usual process OF hunting through
all his pockets for his cigarette case.
Then, having found and lighted n
to his satisfaction, he leaned back
prepared to talk. The two men were
alone in an alcoVe formed by the
deep cushioned chairs and the recess
OF the big window.
II used to unburden my soul to
you regularly here" Murray said af-
ter Il time. Mr.. Driscom blew out a
thick cloud Of cigar smoke ana
smiled en~Couragingly.
"And I always gave you good 3d-
vice" he commented. GO
confess; what is it?"
TITS Louise" Murray began.
"Of course It is" Mr.. Driscom said
eheerfuIly. what about her now?n
II don't know how to tell you
Murray said hesitatingly. L want
her to be happy. yet l can't make up
my mind to move in the one direc-
d reconciliation with her husband"
tWeli2" the other man asked;
Murray thought his eyes twinkled
under their white eyebrows.
you're not very helpful" he COM
planned. "Hang It all, you're her
father, why don't you make the re-
cancellation. It's up to YOU. not me
"Im too selfish, I suppose" Mr..
Driscom answered still cheerfully.
I'm happier having her with mo
than I've ever been; I ave a charm
ting and n happy and a peaceruI
home for the first time In my !lfe. l
feel as though Louise was making up
to me all / missed in my own unfor-
tunate marriage. Besides, I'm not at
ali sure she would be better off II h
ala go back to Harry"
'aThere you are" said Murray.
''I'm not either. AT least, I'm using
that as an excuse to put off doing
what I feel I ought to do. But I'm
not as sure rs you seem to be that
she prefers living with you to MIN.
He had spoken hesitatingly, not
with his usual self-possessed man.
ner. Mr.. Driscom finally broke o.
into a hearty laugh.
my friend" he began, laying a
hand on the other mans knee, 40
you know, you talk to me as though
YOU were coming to me to ask for
my daughters hand? You've all the
Nervous mannerisms a would-be suit
or has"
Murray smiled q little ruefully.
"If she weren't married I'm not
sure but what that isn't just what
I'd be doing" he confessed. II know
I'm old enough to be her father, but
happy marriages have occurred with
as great a difference in age as there
Is between Louise and myself
IT think, rather, I'd like you Tor q
son-in law" Mr.. Driscom said re-
Well" Murray said, Struggling his
shoulders as though to shake of the
subject, "She is married and she 49,
or thinks h is, in love with harry,
and something definite ought to be
done about it. She should either
make up her mind she is still in love,
or know thai she isn't. l do love
her. IL you want the truth of the
matter. and If she were free and
would have me, I can't imagine any
thing more wonderful thar marrying
her. ,
a. 1t Is, I'd like to adopt her!
But you see how it is-an adoring
father on one side, a possibly ador-
ing husband on the other" He lay
back In his chair, putting ~nervously
at his cigarette. Think I'm a senti-
mental loon?" he asked.
mo" Mr.. Driscom said. but
think il you want the present very
happy arrangement disturbed, you'll
have to do it. 1 won't"
Toynorrow-Carol Says She'll Help.