Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-12
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER XLIH

Bruce good, yet he rather deSpiSed him
self for what he had said. She was Mu-
riel's mother and loved her as his father loved
him. She would worry and she was such a
dear good sort.
Bruce wrote his father long letter telling
him he had used his check to buy Muriel a
bracelet for her birthday. He spoke of Mrs.
Dangerfeld being with them and of how. they
had spent the evening. 1t was a bright, chatty
letter and delighted the old man. In the same
mail came Muriel's curt note. She wrote:
Thank you for my birthday check. 1t was
very unexpected. Bruce and are we'll" She
signed it simply, "Muriel Conway"
Mr.. Conway turned the note over and re-
read it, murmuring:
az would welcome her as daughter if she
would let me-" Then with sigh: my own
fault guess She won't forgive me for OBJ
jecting to their marriage"
Muriel's stard-offishness was real grief
to Bruces father He could not understand
her refusal to respond to his overtures. He
was old and she was hardly more than girl
Surely he had done all he could to win her
and to show her he no longer bore resentment
because Bruce had disappointed him by allow
ing marriage to cut short his college course.
Bruce doing we'll, had been so plucky.
The result of his cogitations was a long
letter to Bruce, in which he enclosed another
check. He wrote:
81 am glad you bought Muriel a bracelet.
thing or pay your tailor, if you owe him.
There was much more, talk OF himself, his
desire to see Bruce as often as he could get
away his pride in him, ETC.
"Dear old governor! He's the best ever!
Bruce said as he put the check in his pocket.
'Id better keep still about his letter. Muriel
would be hurt because he gave me a check
for myself and think it another proof that l
loved him. instead of looking upon it as an eX-
preston of his love for me-" He locked the
letter in his desk His father was not well.
He might not write any more.
He had done nothing further about Lulu
and found himself wondering what she was
doing. He had heard nothing and therefore
thought she was at the address she had given
him.
perhaps she has found work" he said to
himself "She is bright enough to get on II
she once gets start" He smiled reminiscent
Iy as he thought of her wit and good-nature.
"I'll call her up when I go out to lunch,
and find out if she has found work. he went
on, thinking it would be only the part of a
friend to show some interest in her.
He called but she was not in. He felt
keen disappointment, far too keen had he but
realized it.
''IIl try again or look her up" he said as
he turned from the telephone. He had left no
name and she would not know he had in
quired for her. She was good girl-she de-
served a chance in the world.
Thinking of her. telephoning her, kept her
in his mind all thu afternoon. Business was
slack, why shouldn't he leave early, go to the
address she had given him and find if she had
been able to place herself unaided? He de-
cided to do this.
At o'clock he left the office, saying he
would not return. He found the house, very
common looking place, and a crowd of dir
children barred his way as he mounted the
steps and rang the bell.
''Is Miss Hammond in?" he asked the slat-
yhNT h rim
II don't know whether she's come in or
not" She went to the foot of the stairs
and called, Miss Hammond Miss Ham
mond!" Lulu's husky voice returned.
"a gentleman to see you"
Tell him to come UP"
"Three flights, rear" the woman directed
cycling Bruce queerly. She wasn't accustom-
ed to seeing men of his type in her house.
"Oh it's you!" Lulu said, something like
CONSERVATION in her voice.
Eyes. Were you expecting someone else?"
mo" with little nervous laugh, 'but
surely wasn't expecting you.
Aren't you going to ask me in?"
"Please come in. 1t isn't much of place
for you to come to-.
Bruce followed her into the badly lighted
unattractive room which she had done her
best to make !ivabIe, He sat down on rick
ETY. chair, then told her he had been busy:
that Mrs COnways mother had been visiting
them and that he had not been able to get
away.
81 telephoned you at noon, but couldn't get
you"
mo, out" Lulu replied.
"HoW are things going?"
Rotten! It's no use, Bruce. I can't
do anything and can't find anything to do if
could. I'm about crazy thinking-of things 3"
Then with something of her old bright care
less manner she said: II hope you are going
to take me out to dinner. IN dead broke!"
Continued Thursday. Renew your subscrip-
ton now so as not to miss a chapter of this
absorbing story.