San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-03
Chapter MI.

Chapter MI.
Bruce had done well at the Office.
At first 10 had taken on the insur-
ance end only. AS the heads of the
firm say his adaptability, his tact
fulness. his laughing good nature that
made him popular with everyone in
the office. they shrewdly shifted him
10 the real estate department This
delighted Bruce as it meant greater
opportunity to make good-to show
his father. Muriel wouldn't care, he
thought with little bitterness. She
would even be displeased because
when he had said he wished he were
in that department she had scowled
and said she preferred him TO remain
where he was. She did not care to
have him running in and out Of peo-
pies houses all day.
As usual he didn't understand. That
she might feel jealous Of unknown
people, people whom one saw only IN
the course of a business transaction,
he never dreamed. With his open ma
ture he did not even guess her FIRST
thought was that he would be thrown
where there were women, that they
would show him their houses, look at
others.
That her love for him was selfish
obsession he, stupid man, had no idea.
He thought it just love and tried to
be the more tender as he grew dis
illusioned.
EVERY one has something TO put up
with. I guess" he would sag to him
self when his disappointment with his
home life grew intense. Il will have
TO make the best of it,
Bruce was sorry for Muriel. At
times dreadfully sorry. Her almost
clustered life although of her own
choosing, her lack of the spirit OF
youth, her refusal to engage in any
sport or join him in visiting the wives
of his friends and her refusal 10 en-
terrain them was a constant irritation.
Yet he was infinitely sorry for her, for
what she missed. He, too. missed much
that made life worth living and it be-
gan to annoy him. 1t was her right
10 choose what she would do but he
couldn't stand her demand that he
should do only the things she wished.
Yet in the two years he seldom had
really done anything in contradiction
10 her expressed wishes.
Her wishes were purely selfish, al
though he never thought of them in
that way but accepted her own defini-
ton of love for him.
well, Muriel. I'm getting on at
last" he told her poyously the dag
he had been put into the real estate
end Of the office. I'm to buy and
sell houses. Rent them, too. l shall
have to work harder, may not be able
TO be so regular to my meals. When
a fellow gets to talking house ! can't
run away. But I'll make more money
and I like it better. Seems more dig
nified than the insurance end he
added with a boyish laugh.
II think you were all right where
you were" was all she said. as usual
dampening his ardor. Had she ex-
planned her reasons he might have
laughed and explained them away. at
least in part. But that she never
did. She objected, her mind worked
along paths he could not understand,
but seldom explained why she objected.
Bruce entered upon this new phase
of his work with enthusiasm. He had
written a long letter to the still dis
appointed but forgiving father telling
of his advancement. of his hope Of
making good, and had received long
encouraging letter in return. But it
was typical of the relations now exist
ing between him and Muriel that he
neither mentioned his own letter nor
that of his father.
Not that he wanted to be secrctive.
He hated to keep silent about the let
tiers. He wanted TO discuss them. his
hopes. with Muriel. But he couldn't
Her silence seemed TO hold him aloof
His confidence died upon his lips
Her unresponsiveness chilled him.
~ He also wrote Mother Dangerfield,'