Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-22
CHAPTER XXXIY

one worth knowing in town was there
and several out-of-town people as well.
Bruce felt elated. Murel couldn't help but
enjoy a bang-up function like this She
looked well, he thought, and dressed becom-
ingly. If only she would look bit interest
ed. But her coldly impressive face when
greeted by host and hostess, her dsdain when
presented to the handsome daughters threat
ened to spoil his evening. He wouldn't let it I!
He moved about, chatting, a favorite with
those who knew him, while Murtel watched
with glowerfng eyes from a quiet corner
where she had almost hidden herself but
where she had good view of the guests
and him.
AT supper he found her and turned her
over to the man with whom she had been
paired off by the hostess. A charming man
Of middle age, whose arm she gingerly &C
copied with reprovng eyes on Bruce, who
took Elizabeth Longworth, the girl he had
called "a beauty"
There were many tables to accommodate
the guests. Muriel sat where it was impos-
sible for her to Bruce, try as she might.
Frequently she heard him laugh, and it
torture. What was he saying? What was
the girl saying to him? She scarcely answered
the man at her side when he tried to interest
her, although he was both witty and inter-
esting talker. He thought her shy and tried
to draw her out, but in vain Finally he be-
came bored by her lack of responsiveness
and remained silent, ALSO wondering, as did
all who met her, how that likable chap, Bruce
Conway, came to marry so uninteresting a
woman.
The supper over-to Muriel 1t had been
one long hour Of rorture-an orchestra ap-
peared and the rooms were rapidly cleared
for dancing.
Anxiously Muriel looked about for Bruce,
but not until she haw him on the floor dam
cling with Elizabeth had she been able to To-
cate him. Once again she blamed herself for
lack of tact. He had told her If there was
dancing he would have the first dance with
her, and she had coldly refused, thinking if
she didn't dance he would not.
AS he whirled past her again and again,
with the beautiful Elizabeth Longworth, her
anger grew, and her jealousy became unbear
able. Watching her opportunity, the next
time they came near she caught his sleeve
and stopped him.
81 want to go home, Bruce. am ILL.," She
could scarcely move her stiff and tightly
drawn lips She was Ehite as chalk and
really looked it,
ooh, L so sorry, Mrs. Conway" Eliza
beth said before Bruce could control himself
to answer LET take you to the guest
room. If you lie down few moments per-
haps you will feel better. 1t is warm here"
II want to go home" Muriel paid no at
tentton to Elizabeth. Her eyes, hard and
compromising, were fixed upon Bruce.
every we'll" He was almost white as
she was as he answered. Then, turning to
Elizabeth, he said:
please excuse me. | am sorry you lost
part of the dance"
Don't think of me-" she murmured, mot
understanding why Muriel ignored her kindly
suggestion. "Can I help you find your
things, Mrs Conway"
"No-the maid don't need help" Mu-
riel said and, taking Bruce's arm, dragged
him along with her. He could not break
from her without making a scene, so he
quietly let her lead him to the door of the
room where she had left her wraps. He
waited, Iivid with anger, until she appeared
again. He felt no sympathy for her, and had
no faith in her plea of illness, Intuition told
him she had come only because she knew ne
would go without her, and that she mad
planned to compel him to take her home, just
as she had at the smaller affair of Ann Ma
sons. ''You must say good night to Mrs.
Longworth, he said they started down the
stairs.
every well, although I don't think 1t nee
essafy Her daughter will tell her was i'll"
She made no further objection when Bruce
led her up to their hostess and made his ex-
cuses.
81 am so sorry you are i'll, Mrs. Conway.
I shall send tomorrow to learn how you are
The kindly woman looked distressed.
"There will be need. My headaches
usually last but night
Bruce was amazed by Muriels rudeness.
What possessed her to answer woman so
much older a woman of position, in that
manner? He spoke more warmly than he
otherwise would, thanking Mrs. Longworth
for the pleasant time he had had and re-
GREETING their early departure
He helped Muriel into taxi, then sat back
In his corner of the seat. trembling with an
ger, not daring to trust himself to speak.
cit is nice to be alone with you" She
moved closer.
He kept silence.
81 love you so when we are alone. You
see, it always makes ill when you insist
upon being with others. can't bear it
can't bear to have you dancing and talking
with them. At supper-oh, how I suffered!
I could hear you laughing while I was so un-
happy knew you were with that girl
hate heri How can you laugh and joke with
people when you know it makes me i'll? 1t is
only because of my love for you that I get
these awful headaches-aNn't you sorry for
me?"
Sorry for you! I'm devilish sorry for my
self! You had charming man take you in
to supper. Why couldn't you enjoy yourself?
Don't talk If you do 1 shall say things l
don't want to say. Sorry for you!"
Continued Thursday. Renew your sub
ScriDtiOn IN miss chantpr