Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-19
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

What has gone before-Bruce Conway
elopes with Murie1 Dangerfield before
finishing college. Muriel loves him mad
ly but is intensely jealous and unsym-
pathetic with his sociable, fun-loving ma s.
ture. She endeavors to prevent recon- .
Citation with his father and insults his
friends because she wants him all to her
| self. Bruce rescues drowning woman
but says nothing to Muriel about it be-
cause of her jealousy. Later he and
Muriel meet the girl Lulu Hammond, on
! the street. They speak, arousing the
angry suspicion of Muriel and George
Downey, the girls escort. After quarrel
with Muriel over the acceptance of an in
vitation to a reception, Bruce leaves his
home in anger. Lulu overtake3 him on
the street and asks him TO take her TO
| dinner. She proves very attractive.
Bruce gives her so dollars Now go on
with the story.
= CHAPTER XXXIU.
" RJTCE had almost decided before he
! X reached home to tell Muriel about Lulu.
~ She might be with himGMhen he net
her in the street and be curious. He had not
enioyed himself with the boys and had been
anxious, dreading Muriel's returning to the
subject of the previous night-his dinner at
the restaurant, his walk along the lake.
But the moment he saw his wife's wet face
her uncompromising expression, ne wavered,
ing, would not understand.
'You see I kept my word and got home
earlv." He held his watch before her.
81 wish Tom, Mason was dead" she de-
cIared violently. II wish he'd die tonight!
What right has he to come and drag you
out?"
HE did not drag me out 1 went because
wished to-" Bruces tone was quiet, cold
He was more than glad he had not told her
ANYTHING about Lulu. He'd be an ass to con-
fide anything to her.
"You've no right to wish to go. You
wouldn't have thought of it, if he hadn t
come for you! I wish you never had rented
this house. It's too near them. 1 hate them
alI-eYery single one of them
''Theyu return your hate with interest If
YOU continue to act as you do"
.What do care about them or their hate
as long as you are mine, belong to me?'
ooh, Muriel! For Gods sake stop" Then
changing his tone to pleading: Muriel
dear can't you see what you are dong! are
you trying to drive me away from you! l
cart stand these constant quarrels-1 can 7:
IT belittles us both, units me for business,
spoils our life together. Try and overcome
this feeling you have against people. IL ISM :
YOU real self. The girl I married was soclable
!
81 still enjoy good time-~wlth you.
"There's no use going over that again,
Muriel like companionship, men and WON
en- of brains and good nature. 1t braces one
to mix with sothers, gives one new ideas, a
new point of view. Be good fellow DEAR
and ioin in with them. They'll meet you more
| than half way. -.
She made no reply. Simply pressed her lips
more tightly together
After bit Bruce asked:
decided
worths with me? l wrote an acceptance To-
| day"
'You-you dared do that when you knew
I wasn't going?'
if YOU choose to remain at home | can make
your excuses Well say no more about IL, out
! it would please me If you went AongWorth
can do lot for me in business as wen as a
social way. You'll like his daughters. Beatrice
the oldest is beauty. She comes into the
office occasionally" Bruce Numbered on
! land would be nice friend for you =.
~ don't want any friends!" She was white
with passion SO Elizabeth Longworth visited
the office, perhaps to see Bruce. ana lie
called her a-beauty."
/ Muriel could net conceive of any one know
ing Bruce and not trying to win him. 1t was
immensely flattering to him-had ne really
thought she meant it. But he only laughed
when she limited such things. 49,,
"You mean you will defy me, my w1shes?'
she asked.
I am going to the reception. You do as you
please"
There we're three days in which she could
make UP her mind what to do. she could re-
main at home quietly, showing her dlspleas-
ure bv refusing to accompany him. Or pre-
tend illness, swallow her dislike and be-
cause she hated to have him go alone, go
with him. =,
If she hoped he would change his mind
she knew on the day preceding the reception
she could indulge that hope no longer. he
had his dress clothes pressed, sent home a
new shirt and made his arrangements. Meth
er had mentioned the party again.
HE won't stay home even. If L do pretend
to be sick" she said as she turned the mat
ter over in her mind. He'll go just rne same,
and those women and girls will make love
him and the men will flatter him. III go,
but he shall bring me home early. He shant
dance! I won't have him putting his arms
around those women"
$50 you have decided to go?' Bruce said
as she dressed cit is sensible in you" But
someway, when he looked at her set face,
her cold expression he could not feel any
citation. He remembered the Masons' party
and how she had acted.
Eyes. So long as you have no respect for
my wishes 1 have decided to try and respect
yours"
| "Fine! You'll have good time" He tried
to put some warmth into the words.
81 don't expect a good time. I know 1
shall be perfectly miserable"
"Well, don't act like martyr after you get
| there. A kill-joy isn't popular at party.
You were one at the Masons, all right" Then
| sorry he added: of course you had a head
| ache and couldn't be very gay when you were
| suffering"
II am glad you realize that. suffer more
! than you know. IF baby had lived you would
| have been content to stay at home with us in
| ctr of TaO OF mo IIyhn 7 "