San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-20

By CAROLYN BEECHER


How long he had sat huddied on <lc
bench Bruce had no idea, when NJ
was aroused from his bitter thoughts
by a harsh voice saying;
If you're waiting here Tor Lou
Hammond she won't come.
Loolung UP Bruce saw the big man
he had noticed with Lulu at the NOV
ing picture show-Downey.
I'M waiting for no one he said IN
a tired voice, scarcely knowing what
he answered. Then realizing the
mans impudcncc. added: 1t Is none
of your business if / We're"
SIll make il my business If you
don't Let nv girl alone and stop put
ting notions IN her head. I'm giving
You fair warning and if you don't
want your skull cracked yOud better
mind what | say. | amt no buffer
Young teller. You leave Lou alone.
Get me-" His voice and face were
belligerent.
Bruce made no answer but quietly
rose and walked away. He had no
wish TO precipitute a quarrel with the
brawny Irishman. Not that he feared
him but be did fear the consequences.
Even if Downey had known Bruce
was one of the best boxers in college
he would not have hesitated TO anger
him, for the man was no coward
physically. As Bruce moved away
Downey's jeering laugh followed HIM:
The brute, Bruce muttered. If
it wasn't for Muriel Id give him what
he deserves" His anger against her
deepened. Because of her he had
acted like coward.
Lulu his girl 1t wasn't true. If he
had needed proof that this was so
Downey had given it. But how did
Downey find out he knew Lulu? Bruce
felt sure she had not told him. Per-
haps he had watched her and seen
them together. yet he had been with.
her but half a dozen times in all and
at long intervals.
He had given his word to help the
girl and all the Downeys in the world
couldn't make him break il. But it
complicated matters and made it
necessary to be more careful BECAUSE
of Muriel. This was the excuse al
ways in his mind. Muriel must not
be made unhappy and could not be
told of their acquaintance because she
wasn't sporting enough to understand.
She would claim his desire to help
Lulu was proof he did not love her
and she might think him unfaithfuI.
The thought of Mrs. Dangerfield
came to him. her sympathy, her
broad-minded charity. Had she been
where be could have gone to her then
he might have done so, sure she would
find something for Lulu to do. sure
she would understand his wholly al
truistic desire TO help her.
But Mrs. Dangerfield was far away.
Even while thinking of her and that
she would understand and help, he
felt a loneliness would come to him
if Lulu were TO go away. She was
such 4 good sort. He had enjoyed
their chats, SO free from recrimina-
tions and her undisguised admiration
of him, her understanding Of mans
needs.
iii find a way to help her in spite
of them ALL" he said aloud, as he put
his key in the door.
Muriel was in bed. He thought her
asleep and moved quietly so as not TO
wake her. His nerves .5ere raw. He
couldn't stand another thing.
But she was watching him through
half-closed eyes as he prepared for
bed in the dim light. She noted his
pale face, his set loolE She would |
not speak tonight. but in the morn
ing she would ask him about the night
she had found that black hair on his
coat-ask him il he had been with
that dark girl, that Miss Hammond,
the night he had rowed on the lake.