Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-24
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER LXI

DRUCE never had analysed his feelings
Is toward Lulu Hammond, never dared
49, ask himself If he loved the beautiful
girl whose society banished his depression.
He had been good to her because others
had failed her, and he longed to make 1t
possible for her to enjoy some of the pleas
ures of life. Her salary must be small
He would be her real friend still He would
help her when help was needed.
But he saw her only occasionally and
then only when they met Unexpectedly in
the street. Once he refused to spend the
evening with her and regretted his refusal
before five minutes had elapsed. Her bright
CHEEKY companionship, her merry stories
were intriguing to the man who knew that
the best he could expect at home either
an almost silent companion, content to
merely sit in the same room with him, or a
complaining one because her love could not
influence him to give up everything for her.
Muriel studied his every word, his
every look. In some way he might uncon-
sCiously give her clue to what she sought
the proof of either deceit or truthfulness.
And feeling her constant espionage he be-
came restless and impatient, although he
was far from suspecting its cause.
He thought her hurt because of his re-
fusal to buy house and live In the coun-
try-to become an idler Why, he hadn't
begun to live yet and would have him bury
himself, bury himself alive with all his
youthful ambitions unsatisfied.
He was not 25 years old, yet he lived
through a bitter time and his soul was
sick He had done his best even when
Inundated and angered. Was this new at
titude of Muriels a good augury for the
future, or was it simply a respite?
Not yet had she consented to accede to
his wish to open their home to his friends;
to play her part in the little social world
about them; the world he enjoyed. He
saw, or thought he did, how her repulsion
became stronger, how 1t grew each day and
year that passed
Taking advantage of a quiet acceptance
of something he had done which presum-
ably would have brought protest and
which she passed without comment, he
proposed giving small dinner party.
IF it is too much work for you, Muriel,'
he said, I'LL have the dinner sent in from
the club. But I should like to entertain
those to whom we are indebted in my own
home, not in a restaurant.
Her lips opened to refuse, but closed as
thought flashed through her mind He
would perhaps give the dinner anyway in
public place where she could not easily
watch him even should she consent to go.
Obsessed by the idea that something must
soon show her if her suspicious were well
founded, she replied:
"You know how I dislike the idea but
if you wish it so much, | love you well
enough to receive them once" She had
conquered herself, but in doing so she suf-
fered. He would be with the people she
detested, the people who stood between
them.
That's fine! Well make Out the list
embarrassed because we have been so
aloof." He said we purposely. "Well give
them a bang-up dinner and have cards or
music or both to round out the evening"
She made no objections to his list OF
guests. 1t included Mr.. and Mrs. Longworth
and Elizabeth, Tom and Ann Mason and
two other men from the office and their
wives Then there were a couple of bachel-
ors and young lady, friend of Ann Ma
sons who had called upon Murier with
Ann.
Must provide those fellows with girl"
Bruce said loosely. "They might steal you
if I didn't"
Don't talk nonsense!" Muriel answered
sharply, seeing no humor in the light
speech
"Get a new dinner dress, Muriel. don't
want the other women to outshine my
wife. And don't get black"
"Why not? You used to say you ad-
mired me in black, and that a blond never
But you were younger and fresher then,
1t seems to make you look old now" He
bit his lips as the tactless words escaped
them. But it was too late.
"If I look old it is your faulth' There
was bitterness in her voice. eff you would
do I ask. go away from all this rffraff
and make home by ourselves I would soon
look young again.
My, should hate to have Longworth
hear you call him riffraff My head would
come off sure!" He tried to divert her.
81 don't care what he or anyone thinks,
and the sooner you lose your head in that
office the happier I'll be-"
Bruce made no answer and went on plan
ming his party. But when she left the
room moment he took himself to task:
why the devil do I always put my fsot
in my mouth every time 7 open it?" he
muttered, Disguised with his tactlessness.
Seems as though I would have learned by
this time"
Continued Thursday. Renew your sub.