Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-03
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

~ a cur He had deliberately lied. II
Muriel ever found it out she would
never believe him again and he couldnt
blame her. What had she come to the office
for, anyway, after he had asked her not to :?
He kept frowning over his plate hardly hear
ing Muriel when she spoke, and She thinkin &
how len1ent she had been not to push her in
quiries or mention the black hair she had
taken from his coat, was indignant, too at
the thought that he was angry because she
came to the office.
You have to eat lunch and I don't see
why you should object to eating it with me.
You do with others when l don't come down"
Yes, and talk business all the time" he
muttered.
That is all the more reason 1 should come
You need the rest. 1t isn't good for you to
talk business while you eat"
"Oh, for heavens sake stop, Muriel! One
would think you sixty instead of twenty-four
Don't be an old woman before your time!"
Its because | love you so that take care
of you. You are careless. If our baby
had lived"
I'm glad it didn't" Bruce broke in bru-
tally, unable to endure more. THE child is
better off dead than to hear constant quar-
reling"
"Oh, Bruce, you don't mean that you are
glad!' Tears gathered in her eyes. HE
would have kept us close together. We
would have had no Quarrels had baby lived
because you never would have left u.s.
Forgive me, Muriel. Don't cry-not
here, for Gods sake!" A tear splashed on
her plate.
1T is dreadful for you to say such things
just because you are foolishly annoyed with
me because I have claimed only my right
the right to come down and lunch with you"
Have you fnished?" he asked. ignoring
her remark. She nodded. Calling the wal
ter, he paid the check and hurried out, con-
SclouS that Lulu was watching them and hop
ing she had not seen Muriel in tears Muriel
walked back to the office with him. and be-
lore leaving urged him to come home early
Bruce was tempted to return to the res
taurant to see Lulu and talk with her., In
deed, he started to retrace his steps But
Murlel might not go directly home, might
return to the office or possibly Turk in the
vicinity OF the restaurant, although she had
seemed satisfied far as Lulu was con-
cerned. He would not risk it,
Although Bruce felt he had quoted Mu-
r1ePs fears to his acquaintance with Lulu
ne was far from pleased with himself far
from happy. He had told her direct lie
HIS open nature shrank from deceit in any
form and he hated it while excusing himself
I'll get Lulu fixed and then I'll not see
her again." he decided, a bit of righteous
feellng mixed with sadness at the thought
Il won't make another appointment with
her" he added, feeling that not to see her
at all was too great a prvation.
That afternoon he received a letter from
his father asking him to visit him soon for a
lew days and bring Muriel. He would pay
all expenses. After much thought Mr. Con-
way had determined to try to get acquainted
with his daughter-in-law and win her affec-
tlon II possible. He realized that Bruce
wasn't quite happy, that he had not looked
as a young man with business going well
should look and act. He had worried over
him ever since Bruce's last visit. Perhaps
there would be something he could do to-
lessen Muriel's dislike of him because he had
objected to their marriage, and after win
ming her confidence help them to the happi-
ness they seemed somehow to have missed
III money-that could be easily fixed He
was old. Bruce would have 1t all some day
and he might as well have part now
The old man was immensely proud of the
boy who had made his way so bravely and
so successfully. He had withheld all assist
ance at crucial time, and Bruce had proved
his worth. Occasionally the old regret that
his son hadn't finished HIS college course and
rounded 1t off by travel assailed him, but it
was soon swallowed up in the pride he felt
that the boy had made good. He had kept
close watch on him, had informed himself as
to Bruce's business prospects. He knew he
was earning a good living, but women were
queer and Muriel might resent her husband 8
wealthy father falling to act more gener-
|. ously
So the old man planned to invite them to
visit him and while they were with him to
make over portion of his fortune to Bruce
instead of making him wait until he had
passed away.
Bruce read his letter with mingled feel
ings. Even if Muriel consented to make a
short visit would she act jealous and make
him UNHAPPY and worried as she had when he
visited them? He longed to have her be
nice to his father, to have them like each
other and to have him feel he could visit
them often. But he was in no wise convinced
this visit would help to accomplish his de-
sires. Yet, when Muriel consented to go be-
cause she knew he would go without her if
she didn't, he felt a bit of hope that his
father and Muriel might become friends and
that the old mans loneliness might appeal
to her.
He'll meet her more than half way" he
said to himself He'd love her if she would
let him.
Continued Thursday. Renew your
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