Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-17
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER IVIH

* hoped Muriel would learn to run IL
49, and get good deal of pleasure out of
it. But she had no wish to ride unless he
were along and protested that she was too
tmid to drive. SO Bruce used the car in his
business except on Sundays, when he took
her for long drives in the country. She
looked frail, and a good deal of the time III.
Her blond beauty had faded under the strain
of constant worry and weeping until scarcely
a trace of it was left.
They had been back nearly a month be-
fore he again saw Lulu Hammond. Not that
he hadn't thought Of her and often. But he
intended to keep his resolution not to see
her again unless it was to help her, because
he was needed.
He had left the office and was fussing
about something on his car, which was stand
ing at the curb Lulu passed, saw him, and
waited for him to look up.
I'm glad to see you, Lulu" he said, shak-
ing hands. 'How are you?"
Are you?"
mighty glad" Then; where are you
gong?"
nowhere IN particular, Just out for a
walk"
well, hop in I'll take you home"
what a dandy little car" she said as they
started. How I'd love to run one.'
Not timh?"
Me, timid? Mercy, no! Take me for
little ride, Bruce. Don't take me straight
home. No one has given me ride in ages"
AS he turned the car toward the park he
glanced at her and the warm blood surged
over her face as she lifted her eyes to him.
AS she cbatted on in the old laughing way
all his little wayerings, and his big ones,
were swept away.
"We'u make a lark of it tonight" he said.
Lets have dinner somewhere in the coun-
try. How about it,"
''Wi1l Won really Bruce? Oh how good
you are to me!' She laid her hand OH his
coat sleeve.
I'll stop here and Telephone" He left
her in the car while he entered booth in
drug store and told MurieI he would not be
home for dinner, perhaps not until late. He
added:
Don't sit up for me-" then hung up be-
fore she could answer.
1t was late in the season and darkness
came early. Even now it was dusk and it
was not likely that they would be recognized.
AS they rolled swiftly along the smooth
country roads their laughter frequently rang
out Bruce was thoroughly enjoying him.
self. Lulu complimented him on his driving,
of which he was rather proud, and declared
the car ''little beauty She was a delight
full companion.
/ They dined at an inn many miles from
town and the dinner. too, was a gay one.
But before they returned he grew more Sc
been doing and if anything had turned up.
mo, Bruce, and I guess there never will.
I'm no nearer job than l was when you
first met me-" They both flushed as she
recalled the incident 1.-The only difference
now is that 1 have a real friend Then had
no one"
II am your friend. Lulu, and that is why
I am anxious you should find employment.
You'll be far happier and--it will be better
for you
1t was nearly midnight when he left her at
her rooming house with another hundred of
the money his father had given him to spend
for himself in her pockets She was so
grateful and thanked him enthusiastically
for her pleasant evening, saying:
Il don't think was ever so happy in my
life"
Poor girl! bought to be willing to stand
a little unpIeasantness to give her one even
ings pleasure" Bruce muttered as he drew
near home.
where have YOU been?" Muriel asked.
"Oh. l hadn't stayed out for so long I was
getting rusty, so 1 thought I'd play hooky for
one evening" He hoped his gay answer
would ward off further questions. He eX-
pected reprOaches.
Instead the steady eyes looked at him for
what to Bruce seemed minutes instead of
seconds. In those eyes he could read nothing
of her intense desire to probe his soul, drag
from him anything he was trying to conceal.
His facetious answer had the opposite eff
feet to what he had hoped for. There was
something about him, lifNng of the spirits,
that aroused suspicion, And Muriel had
sensed that something out Of the usual had
caused his buOyancy.
Bruce flushed under her gaze and moved
uneasily away. Still she said nothing. He
threw himself into chair and lighted
cigarette.
Don't wait for me, Muriel, run on to bed.
[ want to look at the paper"
Very we'll don't be long" and she went
slowly up the stairs, a chill in her heart.
Why hadn't she questioned him? Had Mshe
been afraid he would not tell her the rBsh?
HE was with that woman-that Miss
Hammond" she muttered she prepared
for bed Il know it as surely as if I had
seen them. He was different, some way
different" sob caught in her throat and
she put up her hand as if it panied her.
I'll find out, I'll know" her soliloquy
went on. "He never comes home in that
mood when he has been with man. His
eyes lit up like that, his excited manner.
I'll know"
Continued Thursday. Renew your
subscription now so as not to miss