Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-16
"A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
,HABTER XIV

plain to you. / hate it," Lulu began.
But you shouldn't be so sympathetic.
Oh love it in you she added as he made
deprecatory gesture, "but it is apt to make
a girl spill over, especially one like me who
gets nothing but hard knocks.
Go ahead and spill. Didn't tell you my
shoulders were broad?" Bruce smiled en-
couragingly at her. What kind of a pal
frlend-Would / be if I didn't try to help you
when you were in trouble?"
''Wen, I paid my landady two weeks In
advance with what you gave me-she charges
me three dollars week for that hole in the
wall-and l kept the other four for what
needed, carfare and food. I tried to get
into store. I know could sell things, but
no one would have me. Oh, they were de-
cent enough-in what they said--but their
smooth talk didn't fool me, not for a min
ute. They didn't think me good enough to
sell either tin pans or calico. I suppose they
thought having me behind the counter would
drive away trade" For the first time bit
ter tone crept into her voice. you see, it
isn't their business to help gill. It's their
business to make money" Her smile as she
said this gave Bruce a choking sensation.
What brick she was.
WHIT else did you try?" he asked as she
remained silent.
THE small shops-millinery shoes. But
no one wanted me as a saleslady. l can't
cook. l don't know blamed thing about it
d
servant" Again the bitterness crept in
1T would probably have been the same story
/ am up against it for fair!" she ended with
choked little laugh.
"If you tried somewhere ese?" Bruce
hated to say it, but if she went where she
wasn't known she might have better luck
ut would be no use. I couldnt-go-
where didn't know any one. l should die
of lonesomeness.''
Bruce sensed that she didn't want to leave
him, and it made him feel his responsibility
the more. He would miss her, too.
You can't stay in that place, live as you
are" he unused aloud.
you're right, can't" she returned brisk
ly. Mrs. Coon told me last night. I would
have to pay in advance all the time or get
out. She raised my rent, too. Wants four
dollars week.
You must find a decent place, Lulu. Look
around and get into clean house a good
neighborhood. I'll pay your room rent until
you get on your feet, until you find some
thing to do"
st looks to me as if you were taking on a
life job" she answered, but Bruce noticed
tears on her long lashes.
That's my affair. Perhaps I can find
you something. 1 can try at least. Now,
come, We'll take a boat and have
the lake before 1 leave you
For hour he rowed about lazly, then
as he left her he gave her twenty dollars
would go without nothing because of LuluL
He owned nothing to speak of and was doing
well. 1t was pleasure as well as duty to
help Lulu. But he was glad he had not men
toned his fathers letter or, the check to
Muriel.
He left Lulu at the door of her boarding
house just as the clock in the tower chimed
II. How the time had fown Lulu surely
was jolly companion. After they left the
she had resolutely refused to talk
of her troubles, said they had had gloom
enough for evening and save for thank
ing him when he gave her the bills at part
ing she had been her gay, companionable
self, amusing and entertaining him.
Heavy-hearted Muriel had waited all the
long evening. Bruce had not hidden his
anger when he learned she had waited at the
office after being told he would not return.
She had hoped something might happen that
he would return and she could take him
home with her. He had hung up alb
ruptly, too, when she asked where he was.
Yet he had called her. He wouldn't be with
any one he couldn't tell her about or he
wouldn't have telephoned.
"Where in the world have you been?" she
greeted him. "and who with? I haven't had
a bite of dinner. You know L can't eat when
you don't come home-that l am too UNI
happy"
ut isn't my fault you didn't eat. I told
you l would not be home for dinner. You've
gone dippy over the eating business. You'll
be sick again and you are running your looks.
No woman NOPE and do the things you
do and not suffer for tin her looks, any
way" He was annoyed at her questions, felt
a bit guilty, and spoke impatiently.
Il love you so 1 can't eat when you stay
out. Food chokes me. You haven't told
me who you were with
Il was attending to business"
Cali this timer
'No-not all the time. I went for row
on the lake for an hour. 1t did me good to
row little. I've almost forgotten how since
[ left college" AS usual he had told the
truth-as far as he dared.
who went on the lake with you?"
mo one. Do stop questioning me as If
were child" His unusual Impotence halted
her questions, but awakened suspicion. Why
should he fare up so?
Continued Tuesday. Renew your sub
scriptiOn now not to miss a chap
ter of this absorbing story.