Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-02
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER XXXIX
~ RUCE deposited his fathers check. He
K lad decided to say nothing to Muriel


X had decided to say nothing to Muriel
49, about it at present. Her birthday was
not far off and he would buy her a piece of
jeWery. She was a good girl in many re-
spects, so economical. spent SO little for her
SELF He would spend the whole $500 for her
and get her something really nice.
He felt glad boyishness in the idea. He
stopped and looked in the jewelers. window,
wondering if in that little town they would
have what he wanted In a few days he would
run in and see, and if not they could order
something for him. Muriel and he would
have little celebration, too, not company,
she would not consent to that, but seats at the
theater and supper afterwards at the best
restaurant in town. To blaZes with the eX-
pense! They could afford 1t now.
He wished they could have a little party at
the house, but even the thought that they
could not did not affect his eXuberance. He
would give Muriel glorious time and a lovely
birthday gift.
He'd buy her roses, a great box of them.
She would be twenty-three years old. He d
get twenty-three long-stemmed roses. Like
boy he planned, also resolving to be more
patient, to try harder to make their home life
happy Muriel looked badly. Poor girl, she
did love him, cared for nothing but to be
with him. He was all kinds of a brute to get
so angry with her even when she was unbear-
able. Lots of wives cared nothing for the men
they married.
almost a week, but only twice had she found
Bruce in. Once he had reached home before
she arrived. True to his resolve, he kept
back the bitter words and greeted her pleas
antly, telling her he was sorry she had her
long walk for nothing, but adding that he
warned her. On the days she found him at
the office he chatted pleasantly, refusing to
take notice of the glances directed at him.
He realized the boys in the office thought
it strange she should come every day. 1t
CALLED him unspeakably yet he held his peace.
1t was none of their business anyway, he
thought.
"They act as if they knew she was watch
ing me- he. said to himself, and was the more
determined to give no sign. Muriel was fool
ish where he was concerned and nonsensical.
1t was really pathetic the way she loved him.
One night she called after he had promised
to stay downtown for dinner and billiards aft
erward. 1t had been some time since he
had done so and he looked forward to the
evening with zeal.
"Are you almost ready to go?" Muriel's
voice at his elbow startled him.
I'm not going home tonight, dear. l have
promised to stay down with the boys"
"Then shall stay, too
'You can't, dear. Women aren't allowed
in the billiard room"
Then I'll wait outside"
Their low-vOiced conversation had not at
tracted the attention of the others but when
Bruce rose hurriedly, his face flaming, slight
stir in the room told they sensed that some
thing unpleasant was going on.
9TH walk home with you, Muriel," he said
huskily, although he desperately tried to con-
troll his voice. Then, turning to Tom Mason:
It'll be back in little while. I'll join you at
dinner
Muriel said nothing, but Tom afterward
told his Wife Her face spoke volumes"
Young Wyckoff snickered audbly as Bruce
! and Muriel passed him. Bruce was sure he
Wlnkpd again
him.
In the street Bruce walked with compress
ed lips, his gaze straight ahead. Could he
ever keep his vow-not to be angered by Mu-
riel? With her face also set she walked
beside him, silent for a time. Then:
you're not going back, Bruce" 1t was a
statement not a request
Yes, Muriel, I am going back. I haven't
been out an evening with the boys in long
time and 1 promised them this morning. l
shall not break my promise
You also made a promise to cherish me-
to do all that was in your power to make me
happy. If you go back you break that prom
ise Do you hold it more lightly than one
made to those fellows who try to keep you
from me?" She spoke calmly as if she, too,
had determined not to lose her temper or
make a scene.
Nonsense, Muriel! do try to make you
| happy. Honest l do. don't succeed very
we'll admit, but it isn't because [ don't try"
"Then you will stay with me tonight"
'No-I shall keep my word to the boys.
You don't want me to be unpopular, do your
Eyes, dol" and she began TO cry. Never
before had she wept in the street and Bruce
looked anXiously about to see if any one were
looking.
There, don't get Mysteries in the street."
"Im not hysterical. l never am and you
know It. All ask is to live as I have right
to live. The happiest thing I can imagine is
for us to be together every hour you have
/ cfi
ing bitterly as they reached the house. Bruce
refused to go in and wretchedly unhappy
turned back to meet the boys. He had not be-
come visibly angry, yet never had he been
more disheartened, more utterly discouraged
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