Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-28
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER Il

II bench Bruce had no idea, when he was
- aroused from his bitter thoughts by a
harsh voice, saying:
"If you're waiting here for Lou Hammond,
she won't come"
Looking up Bruce saw the big man he had
noticed with Lulu at the moving picture show
-Downey.
I'm waiting for no one" he said in a tired
voice, scarcely knowing what he answered.
Then, realizing the mans impudence, added:
ut is none of your business if 1 were"
''Ill make it my business if you don't let
my girl<alone and stop putting notions in her
head. I'm giving you fair warning and if
you don't want your skull cracked you'd bet
ter mind what 1 say. I amt no buffer
young Teller. You leave Lou alone. Get
me?" His voice and face were belligerent.
Bruce made no answer but quietly rose and
walked away. He had no wish to precipitate
quarrel with the )brawny Irishman. Not
that he feared him, but he did fear the conse-
quences. Even if Downey had known
Bruce was one of the best boxers in college
he would not have hesitated to anger him, for
the man was no coward physically AS Bruce
moved away Downeys jeering laugh followed
him.
1.-THE brute!" Bruce muttered eff ii
wasn't for Muriel I'd give him what he de.
serves" His anger against her deepened
Because of her he had acted like coward
Lulu his girl! 1t wasn't true. If he had
needed proof THAI this was so Downey had
given it. But how did Downey find out he
knew Lulu? Bruce felt sure she had not told
him. Perhaps he had watched her and seen
them together, yet he had been with her but
half dozen times in all and at long in
tervas.
He had given his word to help the girl and
all the Downeys in the world couldn't make
him break it. But it complicated matters and
made It necessary to be more careful because
of Muriel. This was the excuse always in his
mind: Muriel must not be made unhappy
and could not be told of their acquaintance
because she wasn't sporting enough to under
stand. She would claim his desire to heir
Lulu was proof he did not love her. and she
might think him unfaithful.
The thought Of Mrs. Dangerfield came to
him, her sympathy, her broad-minded charity
Had she been where he could have gone tc
her he might have done so, sure she would
find something for Lulu to do, sure she would
understand his wholly altruistic desire to helI
her
But Mrs. Dangerield was far away Ever
while thinking of her and that she would
understand and help he felt a loneliness would
come to him if Lulu were to go away. She
was such good sort. He had enjoyed theil
chats, so free from determinations and her un.
disguised admiration of him, her understand
Ing of a mans needs
I "f'll find way to help her in spite of them
all" he said aloud, as he put his key in the
door
Muriel was in bed. He thought her asleer
and moved quietly so as not to wake her His
nerves were raw. He couldn't stand another
thing.
But she was watching him through half
closed eyes as he prepared for bed in the dim
light. She noted his pale face, his set look
She would notspeak tonight, but in the morn
ing she would ask him about the night she
had found that black hair on his c0at--ask
hip If he had been with that dark girl, that
Miss Hammond, the night he had rowed on
the lake. She was positive he had. Would
he deny it?
Muriel neven had found Bruce anything
but truthful-that she knew of-and it had
had known it would lead to a scene, to tears
and reproaches, he had answered her ques-
tions and answered them truthfully, she be-
lieved
She had made another resolve as she sat
alone that evening. She would find out where
this Miss Hammond lived and see her. No
definite idea of speaking to her was in her
mind but she would see her. look at her close
ly and learn if she were the sort of girl
to intrigue a young man like Bruce. He was
so careless, so fun-oving, even yet when he
should be settled down devoting himself to
her. That girl might be laying a trap for
him, her Bruce. From what young Wyckoff
had told her she understood she was not at all
in their Glass; and it did not seem probable
that Bruce could be attracted by common
girl.
Then he liked blondes and this girl was
very dark. She recalled the big black eyes,
the, dpsky skin the masses of jet black hair
she had noted the day she saw her coming
out of the store.
Finally she fell asleep, unaware that Bruce
was still awake and planning some way to get
in touch with Lulu to encourage her to be
brave and good, TO assure her he would see
she did not suffer until she found something
to do.
DIV
to leave the house before she was dressed.
Il wanted to talk seriously with you this
morning. Can't you wait while?' she asked
mo, I'm late now" He kissed her and hur-
ried away glad to escape the serious talk,
even though he knew it was only postponed.
He gave no thought to the topic. 1t was sure
to be something dsagreeabe Probably she
wanted\to urge him again to leave the office
or something just as ridiculous
Continued Saturday. Renew your subscrip-
ton now so as not to miss a chapter.