Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-23
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

AF had been a new ring in Bruces
voice something she never had felt be-
fore warned her he telling her the
truth. He would do as he pleased henceforth
without reference to her Or her wishes. Her
heart sank, her eyes filled. He couldn't mean
all he said! Yet even as she tried to assure
herself she knew nstinctively that he would
never answer her questions as he had. She
would never know what he was doing who
he was with.
why he would shut me out of every
thing." she said aloud. 81 should be UNI
happy all the time because l didn't know
things Oh he shan't treat me so-his wife
and I love him so--he shan't! He must
take back what he said!'
Bruce now had small private office. He
had young stenosrapher because
Muriel had threatened If he hired a girl TO
come down to the Office and stay in the
room all day. Her threats of this sort were
always faithfully kept.
An hour AFTER Bruce reached the office
she came in.
II want to talk to you" she said to
Bruce, motionng for him to send the
stenographer out. He did so, then waited
al couldn't stay at home and wait for you.
was 100 unhappy. You must take back
what you said this morning. You must
promise to tell me where you so and what
you do You shut me out of everything the
way you talked"
"You wasted your time coming down
here" Bruce answered coldly. II meant
every word [ said-and more. Except to beg
you 10 keep away from my office, l ask
nothing of you. l shall not interfere with
you in the slightest way. AS | told you this
morning l intend to claim the same privi-
lege.",
you're angry. You will be sorry-you are
hurting me dreadfully."
you have hurt me always. Turn about is
fair play" Hot anger against the fratl, faded
woman possessed him. Why had he married
her? Why had he let her ruin his life as she
had? 1t wasn't too late. He'd snatch some
happiness yet! But could he with her drag
gng. The words leaped over each other az
he lost all self-restraint. All the bitterness
of years ran from his heart to his lips and
never halted until he had voiced it all. She
stood white and trembling. unable to speak.
had he given her the opportunity.
"You-Bruce-I love YOU" was all she
said
Don't. ever say that to me again! I've
heard about that wonderful love of yours
until I am sick to death. You never loved
me, never thought of me or my happiness
in your life. You loved youEself! That's the
only one you ever loved. 1t is wonder
your selfishness hasn't driven me from you
long ago. Now I'm busy" he added in an
other tone-one of intense WEAKNESS.
please CO.
Like one in trance, Mure walked from
the room Yet even as she stumbled along
the street she kept on saying to herself;
He didnt mean what he said--he didn't
he couldn't"
Bruce hated himself for letting 60" yet
he exulted that at last he had told her the
truth.
For it was the truth" he muttered.
'Yet what good will it do?" Intense weari-
ness was sti1l in his voice.
For days neither talked much when to-
gether except about the most trivial things.
Then gradually things became once more as
they had been except that Muriel refrained
from questioning and wore look of martyr
dom A reproach was in her eyes and man
ner. If he remained out, her eyes searched
long and beseechingly. Finding no an
sWer to her unspoken questions, she would
throw herself into his arms and rave Of her
love. her faith in his love, her anguish be-
cause he cross with her.
Bruce tried. but was unable TO respond
in any way to her advances. He knew he had
hurt her cruelty, yet was not even sorry.
Oftenef than before he sought Lulu Ham
mond. She helped him to forget. She brought
brightness into his drab, uncomfortable exis"s
tence.
The gossips were buster than ever, but
Muriel at home grieving, without friends
or ntimates, heard nothing of it. Those
who had met her had scant sympathy for
the lonely misguided wife. Those had not
wondered why she never was seen with her
even went so far as to claim belief that
she wanted to be rid of him, perhaps was
in love with some one herself and so shyt
her eyes to what was patent to every one.
But Bruce with his more complete with
drawal from Muriel and his home had also
drawn in measure from Lulu-from Lulu
the woman At times he was anomaly to
himself for he now knew that she cared
for hm-cared more than she should for
her happiness. Not that she ever had
put her feeling for him into words. She was
too afraid of losing the companonship he
gave her freely. But in many little ways
she was different.
II can't make myself love Muriel. ! can't
give UP all pleasure in life because of her,
but I be true" Bruce would say al
though at times the temptation to take Lulu
in his arms and accept the love he know
his almost conquered him.
Continued Saturday. Renew yOu Subscrip.
ton not to miss the concluding
chapters of this splendid story.