Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-17
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER


way elopes with Muriel Dangerf1eld be-
fore finishing college. MurieI loves him
madly but is intensely jealous and un-
sympathetic with his sociable, fun-loving
nature. She endeavors to prevent recon-
Citation with his father and insults his
friends because she wants him all to her
self. Bruce rescues a drowning woman
but says nothing to Muriel about it be
cause Of her jealousy. Later he and
Muriel meet the girl, Lulu Hammond on
the street. They speak arousing the an
cry suspicion of Muriel and George
Downey, the girls escort. After quar-
rel with Muriel over the acceptance of
an invitation to a reception Bruce leaves
his home in Anger Lulu overtakes him
on the street and asks him to take her to
dinner. She proves very attractive.
Bruce gives her $50 He returns home
and finds Muriel distracted over his alb
sence.-NoW go on with the story.
CHAPTER XXXH
TTEIR breakfast was eaten almost in 81
lence, although Bruce made several
spasmodic attempts at conversation. But
Muriel was displeased with him She would
not be responsive. He must understand he
could not so offend her.
"You look tired, Muriel. Better get out
in the air this morning. I hate to see you
losing your freshness" he remarked.
eff I look tired it is your fault How can
[ sleep when you are cruel?"
Better get out just the same Blondes
can't stand loss of rest. 1t shows plainly in
their faces"
"Yoh love my blondness. You have told me
So"
"0f course-but don't like to see you
looking old and haggard.'
GAS I told you, it is your fault if I dent
look we'll. Love me as love you and I never
will look tired and tagged Stay with me and
read and talk and I will look all righI."
Bruce made no reply, but he sighed as he
rose from the table and as usual, kissed her
good-by.
''The tailor will call for that suit 7 wore
yesterday Please give it to him." he said
as he went out.
Delighted that he had asked even such
homely service-he had almost stopped MAX
ing any sort of requests Of her-she hurried
upstairs.
HE is so careless. I'll look through his
pockets" she said.
She picked up the coat, which he had flung
over a chair. AS she put her hand in the
breast pocket her fingers became entangled
in hair. She pulled it away and took it to
the window. A long, silky, jet black hair.
Where had he been the evening before
with whom? He had said he was in res
taurant for his dinner and then had walked
by the lake. How did that long black hair
get on his eoat-a womans hair?
She stood cycling the innocent think in rage
and fear mingled with disgust. Not wasn't
possible he had been with a woman. 1t was
not like him. Ann Mason had dark hair but
even as Ann came into her mind she knew
the long, silky hair never belonged to her.
Could it have chung to his coat from some
passing stranger? Was it possible the wind
had blown it there? After a long time she
crossed to her desk, took an envelope and
carefully coiledAthe hair inside, then hid the
envelope. Then she methodcally examined
his pockets. But they yielded nothing I'M
usual Only couple of handkerchiefs, a
business letter or two, which she did not hest
tate to read, some matches and a pencil
Her thoughts bUSV she folded ho
suit neatly and placed it on chair ready for
the tailor
If Bruce were ever unfaithful she would
die. But he couldn't be when he knew she
loved him. She was his wife Bruce was hon
orable even if he headstrong, not as
easily managed as she had thought he would
be- There was some other way to account
for the hair his coat. She would say
nothing 1t always seemed to lower her in
his eyes when she gave way to jealousy
spoken jealousy He knew her nature, knew
she never for moment would divide him
with any one even as a friend. He shouldn't
have any women friends-nOt the wives of his
business associates or others. She would see
to that
Later in the day she RECALLED the flush that
mad oyerspread his face when she looked at
him after asking where he had his dinner.
Had he met some there?
When he came in to dinner she Immediate
ly referred to the events of the previous eve
ming.
Where was the restaurant at which you
had dinner? Was the food good?"
Just common little place. Yes, the food
was very good Again he flushed Was she
going to ask more questions? he wondered.
Fortunately just then the doorbell rang and
Tom Mason came in.
The boys are having some bridge at the
club" he said you'll forgive me- Mrs Con-
way, If | carry Bruce off. I was ordered not
to return without him.
"Of course I'll come! TickIed to death to
show you fellows how to play" and jumping
up, Bruce hurriedIy kissed Muriel and follow
ed Tom out paying no attention to her face,
which was full of Indignation. It'll be back
early, Muriel," he called from the door.
That was close shave" he said to him
self If Tom hadn't come in just as he did
would have had to tell her I was with Lulu
never! She wouldn't understand
Bruce had made his mista1e-he knew it.
IN not telling Muriel of the night when he had
saved Lulu Hammond from drowning Even
she could not have blamed him for that and
1t would have made his talking to Lulu after
ward seem the innocent thing it was But it
was too late, so he thought Muriel never.
would believe him now and he had taken care
she did not see his wet clothes
1t is cOWardly," he thought as he walked
along beside Tom Mason scarcely hearing
word he said. 81 can't stand the scene she
would make the quarrel that would follow I
mustn't see Lulu again, though. A life of
lying and deceit isn't worth living"
His men friends thought him singularly
distract and when he left them at an early
hour they chaffed him considerably. It was
only 10 O'Clock when he reached home but
Muriel was in bed, pretending to be asleep.