San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-22
A Woman Obsessed
(C) 1928 Carolyn Beecher

Calling the waiter he paid the checl;
and hurried out. conscious that Lulu
was watching them and hoping she
had not seen Muriel in tears. Muriel
walked back to the Office with him,
and before leaving urged him IL
come home early.
Bruce was tempted TO return to
the restaurant TO see Lulu and talk
with her. Indeed he started TO re-
trace his steps. But Murici might not
go directly home, might return to the
office or possibly Turk in the vicinity
of the restaurant, although she had
seemed satisfied as far as Lulu was
concerned. He would not risk it
Although Bruce felt he had quieted
Muriel's fears as TO his acquaintance
with Lulu he was far from pleased
with himself, far from happy. He
had told her a direct lie. His open
nature shrank from deceit in any
form and he hated it while excusing
himself.
IN get Lulu fixed and then I'll
not see her again." he decided. bit
of righteous feeling mixed with sad
ness at the thought. Il won't make
another appointment with her." he
added. feeling that not to see her at
all was too great q privatiOn.
That afternoon he received a let
ter from his father asking him 10
visit him soon for a few days and
bring Muriel. He would pay all their
expenses. After much thought Mr..
Conway had determined to try to
get acquainted with his daughter-in-
law and win her affection if possible.
lie realized that Bruce wasn't quite
happy, that he had not looked as Il
young man with business going well
should look and act. He had wor-
ried over him ever since Bruce's last
visit. Perhaps there would be some
thing he could do to lessen Muriel' S
dislike of him because he had OBJ
Jected to their marriage, and after
winning her confidence help them 10
the happiness they seemed somehow
to have missed. IL mOney-that could
be easily fixed. He was old. Bruce
would have it all some day and he
migI as well have part now.
The old man was immensely proud
of the boy who had made his way SC
bravely and so successfully. He had
withheld all assistance at n crucial
time and Bruce had proved his worth
| Occasionally the old regret that his
son hadn't finished his college course
and rounded it off by travel assailed
him. but it was soon swallowed W
in the pride he felt that the boy had
made good. He had kept close waite!
on him. had informed himself as tC
Bruce's business prospects. He knew
he was earning a good living. but
women were queer, and Muriel might
resent her husbands wealthy father
failing TO act more generously.
So the old man planned to invite
them to visit him and while they
were with him TO make over a pOr.
ton Of his fortune 10 Bruce instead
of making him wait until he had
passed away.
Bruce reid his letter with mingled
feelings. Evn if Muriel consented
to make a short visit would she ACT
jealous and make him unhappy and
worried as she had when he visited
them? He longed to have her bc
nice TO his father. TO have them like
each other and to have him feel he
could visit them often. But he was
in no wise convinced this visit would
help to accomplish his desires. Yet
when Muriel consented to go because
she knew he would go without her
if she didn't. he felt n bit of hope
that his father and Muriel might be-
come friends and that the old mans
loneliness might appeal to her.
He'll meet her more than hall
way" he said TO himself. "Hcd love
her il she would let him"
ITO be continued