The Wilmington morning star., 1947-06-10

found the girl who's like the one
you've lived with in your thoughts
II you've been knocking around
fol- a long time, alone"
Diane went close to the side Of
his chair. RUFUS it's a longer
time, ahead! On, | wish ! knew
how to say it! But you hate cow.
~ardice-and wouldn't you be COW
ardly, if you gave in? Wouldn't
you have to despise yourseE-a1]
the rest of your life?"
He lifted his head. His face WA
strained but his haif-grin touched
1t. Funny that g little feather
weight like you can speak such
wisdom!" He closed his hand over
hers where hers lay Oh the chair
arm.
1t was his answer. a pledge 70
her as well as tc himself.
Diane drew her harc away. "I'r
tell Mrs. Brill 10 bring some
whisky and soda with our tea"
Size was grateful for the excuse
tc go out Of the room, to get Tn
der control this stirring OF feeling
in her, sympathy for Rufus, and
with 1t a warm satisfaction, close
to triumph. Perhaps he was crazy
and she was, too! But she was
glad, glad!
She was aware that Mrs. Brill
Was observing the heightened
color on her cheeks. IF he knew
color on her cheeks. eff she knew
"Well have our tea now, Mrs.
Brill"
She herself carried the whisky
and soda and glasses back to the
library. Rufus was lifting his glass
tc her. with a little gesture of
gaiety, when Mrs. Brill came in
with the tea tray.
The housekeper gave RUFUS a
long look before she withdrew.
Diane made a little face at her
departing back. The old goose
is shocked because l have O
here!"
with Sadie Poole on my trail.
l thought it was a swell idea,"
Rufus laughed. If we'd gone into
any lounge in town, we'd probably
have found her at the next table.
las it is, she may be waiting
outside! l remember she used tc
follow me around"
But they only laughed.
Drinking his tea, Rufus looked
about him with interest. "a beau
tiful room, this, A lot of hooks!"
Father ordered them in n pig
lot. And never looks into ore Of
them. He'd say. that himself He'd
say the shelves had to be filled.
SC what? Rufus, / think you'd like
my dad. He's a grand, si,npl.e
sort"
Like your" Rufus put in, his
eyes on Diane, warn with friendli.
ness.
Diane shook her head. No
she said soberly. Dad knows
more how to go after what he
wants than l Go: He follows a
straight line and l 90 in circles.
OF course, he's had to, and J
haven't"
How much do you know of
your fathers business affairs,
DIP"
She was more surprised at the
SoberneSS of hiS topo than Of tho
question. Very little. l couldn't
have kept up with them if I'd
tried. 1t was always one thing and
thel another" She remembered
that the piling up of wealth for
the wealth itself was anathema to
Rufus. She added quickly: Il
don't think Dad actually cares
about the money he makes-it's
the making it. Each thing a big
gamble with him and gambling is
in his blood. Perhaps, if he could
have gone to school and college,
he'd have been an engineer and
built bridges where n 10 one be-
lieved bridges could be built-that
sort of thing. He's in New York
this winter about something big
ger than anything he's undertake
en- yet"
He may over-reach himself"
mot Dad!" Diane laughed. con
fidently.
The quiet of the room, the letup
of the tension which had held
them both, that while after Rufus
coming, the intimacy of sitting
side by side like this, with the tea
things before them, invited Diane
to tell more about her father,
about her mother. about Paula, to
admit that she mad only begun
tc appreciate them.
She said with an earnest can
dor: i've been utterly selfish. l
was always rushing after what l
wanted. Il" She wrinkled her
forehead, trying 10 find the words
for her thought. If only you could
make your heart stand still long
enough to know the truth In It
RUFUS was smiling, but she did
not think it was in amusement al
the inadequate way she had ex-
pressed herself. He knew what
she meant! That was VIVA! vas SO
always satisfying about him
When he answered, it was as
scberly as she had spoken. Loss
I believe, brings such revelation.
But then it's too late!"
A clock chimed five and Rufus
got up from his chair with obvl'
Gus reluctance.
Diane got to e feet.
He took both her hands. For
this hour l must be eternally
grateful to you. You've been a
light in a fog!"
"Rufus, you've helped me SO
often! With just some little thing
you've said" Diane answered
simply.
They went out to the street TO-
eether. Rufus hand under Diane