Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-18
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER LXXII

with her customers Now she never spoke
to Bruce of her former life and her struggles
| for livelihood, but often to herself she
| said
II have made good. have made good"
That she had made good delighted Bruce.
| He had done some good with his money, he
thought with a smile. Lulu was certainly
appreciative and she held closely to the bust
| ness part of the venture.
People speculated as to where she had
! found the money to go into business. Some
looked wise and slyly spoke of Bruce. But
| as her chapeaux were the smartest in town
| her trade did not suffer because OF the sus-
picon.
Now she and Bruce had still another sub
| ject for conversation, added interest. She
Insisted laughingly that untn she had repaid
all he had loaned her he was partner and
that it was only right she should consult him.
Nothing loath for excuse to be more often
with her he agreed.
Mrs. Dangerfied wrote begging Muriel
and Bruce to spend few days with them
The weather was unusually warm and bust
ness was slack. so Bruce insisted that they
60
Gee, but it's good to see you!" June de-
! clared when she met them at the station.
Her remark Muriel noted was addressed to
| Bruce.
And it's good to see you. My. what
young lady you've grown to be- Bruce re-
| piled as he kissed her affectionately. Then
he turned to Muriel saying: Makes us real
| old folks. doesn't it, Muriel? Think what
kid June was when we were married"
''She isn't kid now, and it doesn't show
good taste for her to kiss you in public"
| "You hear, that, June You are to kiss
me privately after this Bruce laughed.
Muriel turned white with anger and wished
| she had refused to come
| Her father and mother welcomed them
effusively and Kermit with a whoop of JOY
| grabbed Bruce by the hand and led him off
to see litter of puppies just arrived that
morning.
I'm going to name one for you the child
/ babbled. Bruce IS nice name for dog
come here Bruce!" he said, swapping his fin
gers. Bruce laughed delightedly. I'll give
you one; too--if Muriel will let you have
it.. June said she bet she wouldn't, but I
told her [ guess you were boss. Men are
| most always, aren't they? Dad don't boss
much, but when he does-Zowie!"
Bruce doubted if MurieF would accept the
dog, but said nothing Kermit could offer
it. He admired the puppies and very seri-.
ously he and Kermit picked out the one to
be called Bruce. There were four of them,
/ dear little roly poly creatures 1t would be
company for Muriel if she would take one.
IF you're going to run away from me like
that I shall wish we hadn't come" Muriel
said as he re-appeared. Where have you
been?"
Looking at Kermits puppies He's going
to name one of them for me-
We'll hope you don't intend to spend
your time with the children while we're here.
I want you to take me for some nice long
rides around the country. Just we two"
Bruce made no reply, butN he had no IN
tention of doing as she asked. He was fond
of them all. He would include them in any,
thing they might do while there,
After dinner they all went out upon the
porch, June taking seat in the hammock
with Bruce
Il haven't seen you since Daddy Conway
died, Bruce. I tried to write and tell you
how sorry was but the minute commenced
to. write L would think how nice he was to
me that time at your house and I would cry
so just couldn't. loved him, Bruce, even
if l was with him only ten days. Nobody
could help loving him"
Thank you, June" Bruce's voice trem-
bled. 1T makes me very happy to know
you appreciated his kind nature.
Bruce, come here! L want to talk to
you" MurieI had overheard June's little
confession, and with a feeling of rage, an
idea that June was trying to make Bruce
love her by saying she cared for his father,
she decided to separate them for the rest Of
! the evening.
| Bruce knew she had heard what June had
said, knew it by the tightening of her lips
/ and her whteness. l: hardened him to think
she begrudged him the sympathy of mere
child while giving him none herself and
he answered:
June and l are very comfortable. Say
what you like. I'm we have no secrets
from your people"
Bully for you, Bruce! Stand UP for your
rights once in a while, June whispered,
"even if she does make it dsagreeable after
ward" And for Bruce let June's i'm
piled criticism of Murel pass.
Continued TIfesday. Renew your subscrip-
ton now so to miss the concluding
chapters of this absorbing story.