Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-09
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER XIII


- Murers face when they took their
seats in the theater. But Bruce had chosen a
lively comedy and she became Interested and
laughed a little, which delighted him. He
must take her often.
The supper table he had chosen was in a
prominent part of the room and he bowed to
several acquaintance. Once he excused him
self and left the table to speak to Tom
Mason and guest He was gone but a mo-
ment, yet Muriel's face had again hardened.
isn't that nice Mr.. Mason I met when
was here before?" Mrs. Dangerfield asked. Il
remember he had charming wife"
Eyes, that's Tom. great boy and Ann is
the best little sport ever. He said that bad
cold kept her in the house but that she in
sisted upon his coming without her"
NATURALLY, unless she was really ILL.,"
II think she'd be that way il she were dy
ing. never knew such a couple. They have
a great big boy and you would think they
were sWeethearts."
That's the way 1T should be-" Mrs. Danger
field was not unaware that the conversation
was distasteful to Muriel but 1t might do her
good. Once started on the subject, Bruce
talked on about the likable qualities of his
friends until Muriel said angrily:
eff you can't talk of anything but Ann
Mason, [ prefer to go home"
Bruce caught his breath sharply Would he
never learn to check his enthusiasm before
Murtel?
"An right, dear, the Masons are taboo for
his best, seconded by her mother, the good
feeling that had prevailed did not return
Before going to bed he spoke of his fathers
gift.
Write him nice letter, dear. he said.
He is getting old and will appreciate it"
Il suppose l shall have to acknowledge mis-
check but have nothing further to say that
would interest him.
Bruce bit his lips to keep back the bitter
words. But as he lay thinking he muttered:
VIZ oil
he had hoped to make so gay, that he had
hoped would bring them closer together
Mrs Dangerfield, too, lay awake thinking.
Mur1el always had been of a selfish nature
but this horrible jealousy, this colossal sell
f1shnesS-what could it mean? Had she as a
mother failed in any way? Unaccustomed
tears wet her pillow at the thought. How did
Bruce come to marry Muriel? The answer
came readily. M1riel loved him, was Jealous
and afraid she would lose him. so at the first
suggestion that they elope she had seen her
way to possess the bright-natured, lovable
boy. She, older than he, even If not in years
had married him. Had she been twenty years
older than Bruce and fearful of losing him be-
cause of that she could have acted no worse.
And now there was nothing anyone could do.
Nothing to save her from the suffering
bound to come to her.
She suffers now, poor mistaken child" the
mother murmured pityingly. Yet in many
ways she good wife. True economical
never deceitful but would-could-these
qualities overbalance that other her selfish
ness?
Mrs. Dangerfield saw the sad resentful
look in Bruces eyes at breakfast and said
I'll walk a little way with you, Bruce The
air will do me good" Had Muriel been in
street costume she would have gone also, but
she always wore a negligee at breakfast.
From the window she watched them go down
the street together.
Bruce, what is the matter this morning.
You look troubled"
It's not much. About father" Unable to
resist her sympathy he repeated what Muriel
had said; that she would acknowledge the
check but had nothing else to say to him
Though why she should feel jealous of dad
can't conceive" he added.
She isn't jealous of him. 1t is your love
Tor MIN she resents. am going to talk plain
ly, Bruce, although it is hard. In some way
Murlel must be cured of this almost insane
Idea that you can speak or think of no one
but her. The poor child is killing herself
spelling your life. If I did not know YOU
were true to her, kind and did all you could
| should not talk in this way I couldn't But
the TACT that she is my daughter doesn't blind
one"
But what can I do mother? I determine
never to be cross, never to do anything to
hurt her. | know she loves me. If [ play golf
or tennis, If [ go out any one comes in to
spend the evening | grow impatient at her ac-
lions and become angry I'm such blunder-
ing fool, too. I shouldn't have spoken of nv
love for father before her or talked of the
Masons 1 try to think but it's the way have
been all my life, always hurting out things.
Keep right on, my son. Never deceive her.
Ihat is something no woman forgves. I have
talked to her, Bruce, talked in vain I cannot
ADVISE, but don't give up your friends. Don't
allow her to injure you in your business re-
lattons. She tells me the Longworths have
tried to be friendly and that she wouldn't
nave It, Father and both know Mr.. Long
worth to be favorably inclined toward you. In |
TACT he was the man father applied to for a
position for you when you were first married. |
! can't say any more, only that | shall pray
for you both"
Continued Tuesday. Renew your subscrip-
ton now so as not to miss a chapter of this |
absorbing story ~ '