San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-30
A Woman Obsessed
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
Copyright. 1928, by Carolyn BeeeheF

face, added: But you must have some
one, even if she is as old as Methu-
selah."
Before that first dinner was finished
Mrs. Dangerfield know there was some
thing wrong. Neither Mural nor
Bruce was as happy as she had hoped:
Bruce acted as if under a strain and
Muricl seemed inclined TO resent every
thing be said, unless it were addressed
to her or in praise Of her
After two or three days 'he was con-
WINGED of trouble. yet inst what it was
she couldn't quite make out. Bruce
uttered no word of complaint. When
she tried to sound Muriel she refused
to talk.
The third day after her arrival Bruce
said at dinner:
Now at mother is here TO keep
you company l told the boys I'd come
down town tonight" He had scarcely
left her side since he knew they were
to have a child. He had heen tender,
patient, loving.
II don't want you to go and leave
me-"
But. Muriel," Mrs. Dangerfield sai1
you mustn't be selfish dear. Bruce
needs little recreation. Why object
as long as you won't be alone:'
II do object. ~'other."
"All right ',r-. I'll stay. Suppose
we play three-handed bridge" Bru,e
said lightly. then after a moment bur
ried to the telephone.
Mrs. Dangerfield noticed that Murie!
listened intently.
Hello, Masonw Bruce called. 81
won't be able IN Join you fellows TO-
night-yes, I'm sorry too. Some other
time. Goodby."
What could that hard angry look on
MuriePs face mean? Mrs. Dan"erfield
wondered. Could this Mason. the man
to whom Bruce was telephoning, be an
undesirable companion? Bruce was
dreadfully young. so boyish that he
might easily be led astray. Yet he
seemed to have such good principles,
was so open in all he said and did.
Save for the matter Of his elopement-
and might not Muriel have been as
much to blame for that as he-she had
seen nothing in his cond"ct to find
fault with. He had worked hard. don:
! well. He had told her Of his raise, OF
the kindness Of his superiors.
She made Muriel go into the living
room with him while she cleared away
the dinner things. 1t had been good
dinner. She had cooked il. As yet nc
maid had been engaged. Muriel OBJ
| iected IN all who hn1 apnlied.
"As she crossed the hall to join them
she heard Muriel say: :.
When my baby comes you won
wont TO go out"
Bruce made no answer end hearing
| Mrs. Dangerfield. rose in his usual po'
| lite manner. drew up a chair for her
and set up the card table. But she haC
seen his face, the look OF discourage
ment.
II must do something-I can't le
her ruin both their lives" the mother
thought. They had a pleasant evening
Muriel seemed for once to exert her
self to be pleasant until just before the!
separated for the night Then a ques
ton about Bruce's father brought agar
that look the mother could not under
stand.
Have you heard from YOUR father
Bruce" Mrs. Dangerfield hal asked.
NO. and l am anxious. ] wrote hin
| was making good, that j didn't MIN
a bit not having the money but that
loved him and wanted TO be friends
When did YOU writer
Only a few days ago-after my las
raise. Hes an awfully good scout
must have hurt him d~nadfully by nc
finishing college" Not a word abou
his marriage hurting. 1t showed a de
icacy Mrs. Dangerfield appreciated.
Ito Be Continued.)