Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-14
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

up housekeeping. Muriel is not only a poor
housewife, but is intensely jealous and I'M
sympathetic with the lght-hearted sociable
nature of her husband. She opens a letter
to Bruce from his fathers old housekeeper
urging the to visit the father who is ILL.,
Muriel destroys it and says nothing about it.
though she later admits it. Bruce visits his
father despite Muriel's protest. She becomes
moody and insulting to his friends. Her
mother warns Muriel she is about to destroy
her husbands love by her unreasonable
jealousy. Their child is born but dies Bruces
excellent work wins promotion at the office,
Mr.. Conway and Muriel's little sister June
visit them Muriel is cold toward them. Now
go with the story.
CHAPTER XVIII
y FTEN now Bruce was late for dinner
J although he tried his best to be at
~ home in time AS he told his father,
when he got man or woman interested in
property 1t was impossible for him to
break away if he wanted to make a sale.
With success, his ambition was growing as
it does with every high-spirited young man.
What Anna Mason had said about an at
tractive personality helping when dealing
with women ranked. Whenever Bruce was
late Muriel visioned him as with some wom-
an smiling down into her eyes In way he
had, an intriguing, boyish way, and she was
miserable. 1t made her sharp when she
spoke and added to her natural somberness
when she said nothing. She rarely cried now
when Bruce at home, although she often
did when alone and her looks were suffer
ing. But instead of tears she fell back uron
that other convenient, and almost as tan
taliZing womans weapon-headaches.
Angered by something Bruce would tell
her she would often leave him in the middle
of a meal, declaring her head ached so badly
she could not sit at the table any longer.
When she was hurt or angry she invariably
grew white. Bruce was sympathetic-very
sympathetic for long time But even head
aches can become so common as to lose their
power in time He did not become quite so
alarmed, quite so worried when she COM
planned of suffering from one.
Bruce thought much of what his father
had said about keeping in trim and not Civ
ing up golf and tennis. One day when Mu-
riel was in good spirits he repeated what Mr.
Conway had said. Muriel at once became
indignant.
iii thank people, I don't care who they
are, to mind their own business,'A she said.
You get exercise enough running about
renting houses. Your time belongs to me-"
He said no more, but occasionally played
game on the club courts or spent couple
of hours on the links. He kept his racket and
CLUBS at the office, his sport toys in locker
at the club. He hated to do anything in an
underhand way but argued it was necessary
Like all men he hated a scene.
Now, too, he would stay down town for the
evening or go down after dinner. Not often
but his home oppressed him. The silent,
often disappearing, attitude of Muriel's got
on his nerves. He was losing much of his gay,
insouciaint manner and was growing silent
about his work as well as his play.
He often spoke of June and wished she
would visit them again. He had known moth
ing about the letter Muriel had written her
mother asking her to send for June. When
he spoke of the child Muriel always became
impatient and didn't see what he saw in kid
like June to want her around Finally he
ceased to mention her. He seldom spoke of
his father since Muriel had become angered
because he advised exercise.
There was small lake at the edge of the
town. small but deep Bruce wandered there
one night after disagreeable session with
Muriel because of his failure to be at home
until late. He had sold house to woman
that afternoon and had gone home in gay
spirits, whistling as he flung into the house
in impetuous fashion. He told of the sale and
the big commission he would make. He also
mentioned that the woman was young ana
pretty. Muriel at once objected his doing
any more business with women. The talk
verged on to the quarrel and Bruce took his
hat and rushed out of the house. 1t was the
nearest to a really serious quarrel they ever
had come.
Plunging along into the gathering gloom
he noticed form standing at the edge of the
was man or woman. Head down he was thinE-
ing bitter thoughts and trying to Danish them.
Suddenly he heard splash-he had come
nearer the figure on the edge of the lake.
A grasping cry sprang from his lips. Some
one had either fallen or jumped in. Throwing
off his coat as he ran, he saw something dark
floating near the shore. Without moments
hesitation he plunged in.
I'm coming!" he cried With the strong
strokes of a practiced swimmer he struck out.
He grabbed something-a dress Then he
saw Womans' face.
LET me be-" she moaned. 81 want to die!"
''No, you DON'T I shan't let you if you do
And despite her struggles he dragged her
ashore.
"You mustn't do that, you know" he said
looking down at her. Where do you live?
I'll take you home"
"No-let me go alone"
mot until you give me your sacred prom
Use you won't do that again. There's always
a silver lining you know. if we look for it..
81 PROMISE she returned in a stifed voice.
"IIl walk little way with YOU, Bruce
said. "Ill find you cab
"No--I only live little way-over there"
She pointed to small group of houses not
far away a district that bore none too good
reputation.
They passed q street light and Bruce stole
a glance at her. She was young and very,
very pretty, even in her bedragg state with
her black hair streaming over her shoulders.
He drew in mis- breath sharply. So pretty
and living there.
Continued Tuesday. Renew your subscrip
ton now SO not to miss a chapter.