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

4 ABOUT Lulu. POOR girl, the world was
hard for such she. He must find her
some occupation. That was absolutely nee
essary.
He laid awake. studying the problem Of
how he to get work for Lulu. Then he
thought of his impotence with the sleeping
] girl at his side and again. as so often it had,
| pity for her stirred him. She was doing,
loved him. She all wrong about it, OF
course, pitifully wrong, but she meant all
right.
Thinks belong to her, body and soul, -
he murmured.
He longed to have her taste some of the
joys of social life, but he lacked the power
to unmake her what she was. He was sorry
he had spoken so GROSSLY to her. He re-
solved not to let his temper run away with
him again. He must think of some way,
gradual, perhaps, to wean her from her
| Obsession.
She stirred in her sleep and spoke. Draw
ing her into his armsFhe said contritely:
I'm sorry 1 cross, Muriel. I'll try
! not to be any more. Honest. I will"
She cried just little as she told him over
and over of her love, how he broke her
heart when he preferred any ones society to
hers, that as she was his wife she should be
the one he considered always that she want
ed to see, to know no one but him, and she
knew it was only right he should feel the
same.
1t was the same old story, the same selfish
demand. He dried her tears and in the morn
| ing tried honestly to be good friends, to say
gothing to annoy her. He even tried to joke
when she said she would call for him at the
| office around o'clock.
On the way to the office he stopped and
ordered her some flowers. They would cheer
| her perhaps, and God knows she needed it..
| Poor girl, she took life, herself so seriously.
! He found some important work ready for
| him. 1t was clinching the sale of I. piece Of
| property in which man was plainly inter
| ested, but would not agree to pay the price.
GO to it, Conway" Mr.. Longworth said.
! "There's a big commission in it and the
| price is reasonable. = He's a tough customer,
| though, my boy, and you'll have to use all
your wits to nail him
| "If anybody can sell him the baby cam
Tom Mason, a privileged employe because
of his long service, broke in.
That's why I'm giving him the opportu-
nifty Mr.. Longworth replied.
Proud of his employers faith in him and
determined to make the sale, Bruce spent
most of the day with the prospective custom
er. Neither Muriel nor Lulu had any place
in his mind. He must justify Mr.. Long
worth's faith in his ability.
He's a hard NUT he thought when he
snatched a bite at luncheon, but III crack it
or my name isn't Bruce Conway"
In the afternoon he went over the prop
erty with Mr.. Dormer and before he left
him at udII-pdSt HV6 ndQ MS promise TO
"think it over
Tired but optimistic, Bruce rushed to the
office, forgetting entirely that MurireI had
said she would call for him at 5. He gave
start as he saw her sitting at his desk
Sorry to have kept you waiting" he said
breezily, 'but 1 couldn't help it." In reply
to Tom Mason's inquiry as to how he had got
on with that tight-wad Dormer," he ex-
pressed belief that he would land him."
Good for you, Bruce! It's your winning
ways that do the business" one of the men
spoke up. Il would not wonder at it if it
was a woman, but who would think they
would land man like Dormer."
Are you ready to gO?" Muriel asked as
Bruce turned to her after a laughing re-
joinder. Her face was frowning, her eyes
cold. .
In minute, dear" Bruce replied won
dering what had upset her. He was soon
to know. In the street she burst out:
Il wish you'd leave that firm Bruce.
Leave them-what for?" Genuine aston
ishment was in his voice
) 1T is insulting the way they talk insult
ing to your wife. I hate them ALL Talking
about your winning ways, saying they
wouldn't be surprised if you were dealing
with women, because with them you would
be successful It's an insult. Do leave
them
Don't be unreasonable, Muriel. The boys
were only Kidding" He felt like telling her
that if she would stay away from the office
she would not be bothered by their nonsense
but he only bit his lip and said nothing to
anger her.
well, L don't like it, and I shall write
father that it is place for you and see if
he won't find you something eIse,'
"You will do no such thing Muriel." He
spoke calmly, although hot with anger. II
won't allow even you to NEEDLE with my
business. l am just beginning to make good
have worked harder than you know to get
where | am"
Father got you that place. He can get
you another" She was stubborn as usual
once she took a notion into her head. Per
haps in some other place, where we can
start right, where you will spend your time
with me. l waited half an Lour for you
and you knew I was coming"