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


ways wealthy father cuts him off be-
cause of his elopement with Muriel Dan
gerfeld before finishing college. Muriel
proves to be not only poor housewife,
but intensely jealous and unsympathetfc
with the fun-loving nature of her hus-
band. She endeayors to prevent
Cancellation with his father and insults
his friends. After the death of their
infant she becomes more exacting.
While walking alone late one afternoon
Bruce rescues a drowning woman and
takes her to her home in a none too
reputable district He says nothing
about it to Muriel fearing it will aggra-
Yate her jealousy Later he and Muriel
meet the girl, Lulu Hammond, on the
street. They speak arousing the angry
suspicion of Muriel and of George Dow
ney, Lulu's escort-NOw go with
the story.
CHAPTER XVII
r T was Bruce's birthday Muriel had given
| him twenty-three kisses and a monogram
gold match box. He found letter from
his father at the office, in which was check
for a thousand dollars. Hurrah! He'd rent
that little house near Tom Mason and also
nearer the office. He'd do it at once! When
Tom asked why the enthusiasm, Bruce said:
My governor sent me a thousand dollars
for my birthday"
Fine But when is this birthday"
Right now-today! But Tom, don't kiss
me twenty-three times, will you? Murel
says that's the proper caper."
You bet l won't, you great stiff! But
here goes!" Tom gave him twenty-three
solid whacks on his shoulders. We'll be
over tonight! Must celebrate when a fellow
gets as old as you are" he joked.
Before Bruce went home he had rented the
house and paid months rent in advance.
When they first went to Westfeld and were
pretty hard up Muriel had admired that par
tcuar house and wished they could afford
| hot boh oH ho fhnyy 01f
| how it would please her and what delight
full surprise it would be for her. -
He told her of his fathers gift, then said:
I'll give you three guesses as to what 1
| have done with it-part of it,"
Don't tease me, dear. You know could
1--WE rented the Jones house, the one you
like so we'll"
you've rented-it-without asking me?'
Eyes. 1t was my surprise for you!
knew you wanted the place and we can buy a
new rug for the living room, photograph and
some records and a few other things we
want 1 must sit right down and thank the
old dear for being so generous
Not a word did Murie1 say. She turned
and went out of the room, leaving him writ
| ing He called after her:
"Oh, Murie! The boys at the office found
out it was my birthday and some of them
are coming over tonight. Well hurry through
dinner and I'll skip out and order ice cream
and cake. Martha can make coffee
Still no answer.
Bruce finished his letter, a frank, boyish
epistle, thanking his father and telling him
what he was going to do with the money.
| Then he hurried out to the dining room.
Dinner ready?" he asked.
Eyes, SIR" Muriel answered.
With his usual punctiliousness in little
| things he drew out Muriels chair, then seat
ed himself, chatting gayly about the new liv-
ing quarters. Suddenly he stopped.
why don't you say something, Muriel?
Aren't you pleased?"
mo, I am not pleased" Her voice dripped
ice. mo woman would be. You have hired
a house without consulting me and invited
people here against my express wishes"
II rented the house because you liked it.
I thought to please you. The fellows invited
Themselves the last bit sulkily. I'm
sorry you aren't pleased.
MY head aches dreadfully. You'll make
my excuse to your friends" She rose from
the table. I'm going to bed"
But, Muriel-I can't tell them not to
come and what will they think?'
What they think means nothing to me
I'm ILL., She went upstairs.
Bruce's head sank upon his folded arms.
| Muriel had said nothing about feeling i'll
until he said the boys from the office were
coming. OF course they would bring theil
wives. Well, he must make the best of it.
But what made Muriel act so?
For some time Bruce had been disillu-
stoned He knew that what he thought love
had been but the CALI of youth. But never
| had he felt as if it were impossible to go on
as he did now on his twenty-third birthday
The years stretched blankly before him, LONG
years to be lived with Muriel. With groan
he rose, put on his hat, went to a nearby
confectiOners and ordered some refreshments
for his guests.
They came about o'clock, six of them
He excused Muriel as best he could, saying
she had been taken i'll at the dinner table
All were kindly, expressed sympathy for him
and feared their coming might disturb her
| When he said that she would not hear them
that she would be all right after nights
rest, that such sudden illnesses were common
with her-and everything else he could think
of to put them at ease, Ann Mason said:
'I'll play hostess, Bruce, if you like
| 'Please do, Ann. Get us started at cards
or something.'
Ann, sensing more than appeared put hel
whole soul into making the birthday party
success. 1t wasn't long before they were
playing cards, or laughing and telling stories
On the turn of the stairs MurieI erouched
listening. Every time Bruce laughed she
sh1vered. When he spoke she leaned for
ward desperately trying to catch the words
At IL o'clock they all trooped into the dining
room, and, fearful of some one coming up
stairs and discovering her, she crept miser
ably into her room and closed the door.
1t was after midnight when they left, anC
again listening she heard them all declare
they had had a fine time.
Continued Tuesday. Renew your SUBJ
scriptiOn now as not to miss q chap
ter of this absorbing story.
Two recent arrivals in a small country towr