Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-02
MOONLIGHT AND MONEY.
By Msyion Rublneam.
TALKING IT OVER.
Chapter CHI.

For n week Murray Butler stayed
away from the Dnscoms' To Louise 8
invitations he phoned an apology and
pleaded that he was busy. Which VIVA not
exactly true, for tho only work he did
during tho week WAS to finish up the por-
trait of Louise to his satisfaction. Then one
day he won't down to his club and found,
"a he had expected, Mr.. Driscom behind .
newspaper at once of tho windows.
II counted eight gray heads through
the windows rs passed along the street,
Murray observed. why is il men =
clubs always have row OF grny-headod
men in the windows? Don't the young
members ever sit here?'
Perhaps the old ones grab tho best
chairs md keep them away, suggested
Mr.. Driscom with twinkling eyes. "Wlll
you pull up chair and ado. your not 90
very gray head to the collection you were
speaking OFF"
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 lit one 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 after time.
Mr. Driscom blew out thick cloud of
cigar smoke and smiled cncouragingly.
"And ] always gave you good adj
vice." he commented Go ahcad-con-
fcs; what is it9'
"It's Louise" Murray began.
"Of course IL IS" Mr.. Driscom said
cheerfully 'What about her now"
II don't know how to tell YOU" MUIR
ray said bcsitatngly. IL want her to be
happy, yet / can't make up my mind to
move in the one direction | think bcst--I
mean. TO force reconciliation with hcr
husband"
well" the other man sskcd. Murray
thought his eyes twinkled under their
white eyebrows.
You're not very helpful" he COM
planned, Hang IL all. you're her father,
why don't YOU make the reconciliation.
It's IN to you, not me-"
I'm too selfish, suppose" Mr.. Dris-
com answered still chcerfully. 'I'm happier
having her with me than I've over been,
/ have q charming and happy and peace
full home for the first time in my life.
feel rs though Louise was making up to
me oil missed in my own unfortunate mar
riage. Besides, I'm not AZ all sure she
would be better off If she did go back to
Harry"
There YOU arc, said Murray. I'm
not either. AZ least, I'm using that as an
excuse to put off doing Whist / feel
ought to do. But I'm not IS sure as you
seem to be that she prefers living with
you to him"
He had spoken hcsitatingly. not with
his ususl self-poesessed manner. Mr..
Driscom finally broke out into a hearty
laugh.
My friend" be began, LAYING hand
on the other mans knee. do you know
you talk to me as though you were coming
10 me 10 ask for my daughters hand?
You've all che nervous mannerisms
would-be sutton has.
Murray smiled a little ruefully.
IF she weren't married, I'm not sure
put what that ism just what Id be doing"
ne confessed. Il know I'm old enough to
DC her father, but happy marriages have /
occurred with rs great a difference IN age /
Is there is between Louise and myself, /
Il think, rather, I'd like you for SON |
n-lsw," Mr.. Driscom said refectivcly /
Well" Murray said. Struggling his /
houlders as though TO shake off the sub
Get. "She is married and she is. or thinks
he is, in love with Harry, and something
definite ought 10 be done about it, She
should either make up her mind she is
,tI.l IN love- or know that she isn't | do
owe her. if you want the truth of the mat
ter. and If she were free and would have
me, can't imagine anything more wonder
Iul than marrying her.
"As IL is, I'd like 10 adopt her. But