Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-28
CHAPTER XXTV

II was all a-quivver with delight that he
- had spent it with her.
Bruce says I did awfully we'll" she told
her mother gleefully. HE was as patient as
could be with me. Well play next week when
you come up, won't we, Bruce?"
"You bet We will! I wouldn't miss having
game with you for anything. What lit
tie pig for sport you are" He laughed mer-
rily at her.
Muriel said nothing but her lips frightened
He would not be there the next week. She
would see to that.
This pie is fit for the GODS" Bruce said is
he asked for second piece at dinner,
June nearly whipped the eggs out of
the dish when she found me making 1t for
you" the mother told him.
Il thought it had a particularly thick frost
ing You know how to please man, June.
expect when you get old enough to marry all
the boys will fight for you"
I'm never going to marry any one unless
they're exactly like you.
Even her father roared with laughter at
her reply Muriel sat scowling looking at her
plate and scolding herself for having come
home at ALL
Get your buds on all of you'll" Bruce said
dinner over. "TIl get a car and We'll all take
a ride in the twilight"
"Me, too?" little Kermit asked, his face
beaming.
"Of course, you too, little man. Get your
cap and I'll take you down to the garage with
me-"
Muriel followed them down the walk, white
with anger.
81 thought said get runabout so we
could be alone" she said.
who wants to be alone7 We don't see
your folks often and they are so jolly good
to u.s."
you'll go without me-"
"Suit yourself!' Bruce was thoroughly
angry and he could not understand her seem
ing dislike to going with her family.
When he and Kermit came back with the
car Muriel sent down word that she had one
of her headaches and wouldn't go.
THAT walk was too much for her." was all
the comment Bruce made. Mrs. DangerfeId
sighed and wondered at his consideration, his
patience. How long would it last? Hell
heart ached for her misguided daughter She
had tried to talk to her, tell her that man
as young as Bruce craved col-panionship and
pleasure. But Muriel only answered.:
II am young as he. His society is all
L want. Mine should be sufficient for him.
Arguing and reasoning with her had done
no good, although Mrs. Dangerield had point
ed out the danger of some other woman in
teresting him if she persisted in her mistaken
course. 1t might wake Muriel up to her dan
ger in her foolish way of handling fun-lov
ing fellow like Bruce.
But of his fealty Muriel had no fear. She
knew his principles. She knew how hOnora-
BILE he was She pooh-poohed her mothers
suggestion. No one could take him from
her-ever. So Mrs. Dangerfield had said no
more-What was the use?
In spite of Muriels refusal to accompany
them they had a glorious ride and prolonged
it until late. Kermit was asleep when they
lifted him from the car, but June, who had
sat in front next to Bruce, complained she
wasn't ready to go in and begged to go to
the garage with Bruce so he would 'have
company back
Muriel had sal inNthe dark, waiting, fearing
they had met with some accident and turning
cold as she thought Bruce might be hurt
When she heard them and saw them drive up
to the curb she hurried into a bed and when
Bruce came in pretended to be asleep.
Evidently her head is BETTER" he said to
himself Poor Muriel she should have gone
with us, it would have done her good
Time was when he would have thought she
would enjoy it. But he never used that
word now in connection with anything Muriel
did She never seemed to enjoy anything, es-
pecially if not all alone with him.
Il suppose such devotion should flatter
me-" he soliloquized he quietly prepared
for bed, "but SOmeway it doesn't. I'd almost
rather he-didn't-care-so much" the
last with shamed feeling.
Sunday they all went to church. Kermit
held Bruce by the hand while Muriel walked
on his other side. He was to go back on the
evening train. After the Sunday midday
dinner Muriel disappeared for while. When
she reappeared Bruce said:
What were you doing so long? We missed
you
tracking my thlngs. m gong PACK with
you"
"Why, Muriel!" Mrs. Dan gerfield said, 81
thought you were going to stay another week
or two. Bruce [ know has been planning to
come up, haven't you, Bruce?"
Eyes, l promised June another lesson at
tennis" He looked rather helplessy at Mu-
rel What had made her decide to go back
with him so suddenly? June began to OBJ
ject strenuously but her mother silenced her.
81 am very sorry--I think it was doing
! hTy11~i 81 hAfIA
quainted with our big SON."
"Thank you-mother," Bruce replied. He
made no effort to influence Muriel to change
her mind-it would only be embarrassing.
Continued Tuesday. Renew your subscrip-
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