Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-26
: A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER LXII

TIME night of the dinner arrived and in
spite of his occasional fears that Muriel
would be stiff and cold as always every
thing went along nicely. Bruce was delight
ed and full of spirits. This was something
like! nice home and in it his friends.
Ann Mason was standing beside him after
the dinner was over and she Taught ely re-
marked:
"In spite of your delicious dinner, Bruce, I
feel like scolding you"
What for Ann? What have I done that
should be punished?"
raising my hopes as you did that was
to have someone help me with my sewing
and then telling me that it was all off. Is
that Miss Hammond still unavailable? I'd
give anything to get her-or some one"
"She still holds her position, Ann. am
sorry you were disappointed
Neither saw Muriel, who stood behind
them, neither saw her move quietly away,
her face set and hard.
While she had not been at all gay, she
had been quietly responsive throughout the
dinner. Bruce had been happy and encour-
aged. But when he looked for her to see
about the cards the look in her eyes, the set
of her lips was like cold shower. He said
nothing and pretended not to notice. Evil
IDENTIFY he had done something to displease
her, but what? He had been very careful
not to show any more Interest in one than
another, and had coached himself beforehand
to avoid tactlessly blunderlng into anything
to upset her.
Now coldly, without smile, she moved
among their guests, the old, ungracious
Muriel. Bruce exerted himself to make eve
erything move along pleasantly and hoped
no one would notice.
1t was late when their guests left all de-
cIaring they had enjoyed themselves and
hoping to see much of them both in the flu
ture. Mr.. Longworth and his wife were par
ticularly cordial but Muriel had intercepted
a coquettish glance thrown at Bruce by Eliz-
abeth when she laughingly said it wasn't
necessary for her to say how glad she would
be to have them more neighborly, and had
replied shortly, it seemed to Bruce almost
insultingly.
"Weli, that's that" he said, as the door
closed upon the last of their guests. THAT
was a ripping dinner, and they all seemed
to enjoy themselves" He had determined to
say nothing of the change in Muriel,
at will be the last time they'll ever en-
joy themselves here if l have my way. Why
do you want them? We are so much hap
pier by our selves"
81 do want them. I want friends. I'm a
sociable dog. 1t was jolly to feel they all
had such a good time. 1t will do you good
to mix more with people. You stay alone
too much.
In spite of his light talk, Bruce waited,
expectant. Muriel would surely tell what
happened to make her freeze up as she had
after dinner. But her question found him
all unprepared:
when did you try to get a woman to sew
for Ann Mason?" she asked.
"Oh it was some time ago" He flushed
and moved restlessly under her gaze
you constituted yourself go-between for
that Hammond woman. Why?"
Goodness, Muriel, don't make a noun
tain out of a mole-hill. Miss Hammond told
me she wanted work. Ann was complaining
one night when 1 dropped in with Tom that
she had no one to help her sew. I happened
to recall what Miss Hammond had said and
mentioned the fact"
81 am not making a mountain out of a
mole-hill. You my husband. You be-
long to me. You have no right to be- inter
ested in any other woman. l give you all
my love- demand yours"
who said anything about love! Can't a
man show common decency when girl
wants work and is trying to help herself
without your making a scene? Do try to
be reasonable, MurieL"
THAT girl has seemed to interest you
from the first. Were you with her the time
you came in after midnight"
Il don't know what night you mean. I
have been out several times"
II mean the night you came in feeling
so unusually gay. Were you with herr"
No!-Now do stop finding fault. We
have had pleasant evening. Don't spoil it,
Il felt sure [ should learn something
about your actions tonight. wasn't dis
appointed, 1t isn't fattering to think the
man 1 love so devotedly makes an intelli-
gence office of himself under the pretext
of being helpful. Promise me you'll never
speak to that Hammond woman again"
81 shall promise no such thing I'm going
TO bed. 1t you want to make yourself mis-.
cradle with you suspicious, l can't prevent
you. Good night"
Continued Saturday. Renew your subscrip-
ton now so as not to miss installment.
QUIZ