Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-21

wv Bruce severely to task because of his
manner toward June and hers toward
him.
81 shall forbid her to kiss you and act as
she does" she declared.
"Muriel, for goodness sake be reasonable
and don't put things into that child's head.
She looks upon me as a brother, and thinks
no more of kissing mes than of kissing Ker-
nit Or her father 1t would be crime to
make her .self-conscious."
"Thcn keep away from her. or shall do
as I say
Muriel had refused the puppy, much to
Kermit's disgust. How anyone could be
without a dog, especially when it was given
to them, he couldn't understand.
shes afraid Bruce will pet it a little
June said scornfully to herself. She'll
make a regular mollycoddle out Of him if
he doesn't look out. l wonder what als her.
anyway"
Their visit lasted only three days but in
that time Mrs. Dangerfeld had one good
talk with Murel She spoke of the change
in Bruce, the loss of his gay spirits, and his
somberness when she was with him. She
talked of how fast he had aged. He look ed
thirty-ffve when his features were in reposeI
she told Muriel, and she felt the cange in
him was due, at least in part to her ac-
tons She did not spare her daughter but
confessed afterward to Mr.. DangerfeId that
she ad done good.
MuIuel VIII not De convinced she is doing
wrong, that Sc asn't a perfect right to rule
Bruce, and to make her preposterous de-
mands upon him. l can only hope and pray
she doesn't drive him from her. Selfish and
unreasonable as she is, l think it would kill
her,
Don't worry so about it., mother. You
have done all you can, and they'll have to
work it out themselves Murlcl is peculiar
girf-always was
Bruce had enjoyed his holiday He felt
very much at home with MuriePs people. He
liked them, and felt that the liking was re-
ctlprocated. He played with Kermit and the
puppies, golfed with Mr. Dangerfeld and
had several tennis matches with June He
talked with his father-in-law of business. He
talked freely, deferring to the older man in
tactful way that added to his growing lik-
ing for the boy he had at first censured be-
cause of the way he and Murel were mar
ried.
He was sorry to leave, but Muriel, as al
ways, was more than ready to So
We hardly seen you since we came" she
reproached him when the train started home
ward. 1T is ridiculous for you to think lust
because we are making them visit that
you have to give so much time to. those chill
dren."
They're great kids! Kermit and his
puppies amused me immensely I'm sorry
you wouldn't accept one. 1t hurt the little
chaps feelings"
Nonsense He didn't care whether I had
it or not. He thought you would like it and
make fuss over it because he gave it to
YOU"
Life went on in the same dreary round for
Muriel, and for Bruce also when he was at
nome. Muriel had ceased arguing with him
about living in the country, realizing he
never now would consent to leave the bust
ness in which he was junior partner But
she often retired to it, spoke Of how happy
tehy might have been had he been willing to
please her.
AS MureI grew older her habit of nagging
Bruce about his slightest movement became
almost unbearable to him. For some time
he had avoided replying to such questions as
he could not honestly and truthfully answer
but to be "quizzed as he called it, about
how he spent every moment of the day to
whom he had sold or shown houses, whether
any woman had been in the office, etc, was
more than his frayed nerves could stand.
And so he told Muriel.
II won't stand all this questioning, Mu-
riel! One would think me about seven to
hear You. There's an old saying, Ask me
no questions and III tell you no lies When
you feel like quizzins me, remember it,"
You wouldn't lie to me. Bruce?" she
asked in Mortified tone.
81 certainly shall not be questioned any
longer. l have reached the limit. You pre-
fer to stick in the house. you have no
friends, and go nowhere. That is your priv
llege. L shall not shut myself up or give up
my friends, and shall go where please.
shall not give you account of what l do.
Neither will l talk over my business with
you. You have tried to keep me back and
to stand in my way ever since we were mar
ried. Whether I sell to men or women is
none of your affair."
"Why, Bruce You never talked so ter
ribly to me before. You don't mean what
you say know you don't! You couldn't
when you know how | love you"
81 mean every word and more! Hence
forth you do as you please. [ claim the
same privilege!" He waited for no reply
but hurried from the house. He had not in
tended to say so much, or say it in such
spirit, but as he walked down the street he
muttered.
81 meant it, every world I am glad I
took stand at last"
Continued Thursday. Renew your subscrip-
ton now not to miss the concluding
chapter of this absorbing story.