Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-10
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER


ways wealthy father cuts him off be-
cause of his elopement with Muriel
Dangerfield before finishing college.
The young people set up housekeeping.
Muriel is not only a poor housewife,
but intensely jealous and unsympa-
thet1c with the light-hearted sociable
nature Of her husband. She opens a
letter to Bruce from his fathers old
housekeeper urging the son to visit the
father who is ILL Muriel destroys it
and says nothing about it, though she
later admits it. Bruce visits his father
despite MuriePs protest. She becomes
moody and insulting to his friends.
Her mother warns Muriel she is about
to destroy her husbands love by her
unreasonable jealousy Their child is
born, but dies. Bruce's excellent work
wins promotion at the office. Now go
on with the story.
CHAPTER XVI
~ RUCE made his father a hurried two
X days visit in spite of Muriels objec-
- lions and her decided refusal to &C.
company him. And he brought his father
back with him.
II must see this new daughter of mine,
son. he said IF Mahomet won't come to
the mountain, why the mountain must do
the going"
June, Muriel's sister, had also arrived I'M
expectedly. Kermit had scarlet fever and
the Dangerfields had set her to Muriel I'M
til danger of contagion had passed.
Muriel was freeZingly polite to Mr.. Con-
way; frankly annoyed to have June with
her. But Bruce, his father and June made
|. a gay trio, taking long walks into the coun-
try, fishing when Bruce could get off and
in every way disporting themselves with a
lack OF dignity-so Muriel said.
What you can see in a kid like June I
don't understand" she grumbled to Bruce.
Laughing and carrying on with her the
way you do. She's nothing but child"
oh juto
should ask you," Bruce returned. There's
lot OF good sense in that little head of
hers. She's sporting, too Never whimpers
or makes a fuss, ready to do anything or
go anywhere. l wish she'd stay on perma-
nently. The house is different place
with ner in it,
"She annoys me with her hoydenish ways.
I hope Kermit will be we'll enough soon
to send her home
81 don't want Kermit to be sick, poor
little beggar, but I do like having June. 1
can't see why she annoys you. I've noticed
she tries to please you when you are
around where she is
Not one word derogatory to Muriel had Mr..
Conway said to Bruce, but when in his room
he murmured:
"How did the boy fall for her? Not grain
of humor, dfsagreeable and believe jealous
of that little sister of hers and me, though
God knows what for
He had intended to stay two weeks. But
ten days after he came he departed, plying
Bruce yet scarcely able to say for what. He
saw things weren't well with him, that he was
either cowed or angry, a good deal of the
time. His gay, fun-loving son.
"I'd have no need to punish him--he was
punished long enough he soliloquized as the
train bore him back to his lonely home. Poor
lad I wonder how it will end"
After Mr.. Conway left Muriel was even
more outspoken about June and Bruce's de-
light in her.
II told mother when you came on your we'd
ding trip he was too good for you, and he isl"
June exploded when Muriel had forbidden her
to go to the store with Bruce. Hes a per-
feet dear and I love him awfully. But YOU
why you just sit around and look solemn and
never try to have him have good time. I'd
pack up and leave you if l was Bruce
Muriel turned white at the child's careless
words Bruce leave her! 1t was nonsense,
but the thought stabbed her. Bruce loved
her-he never would leave her-neVer!
II must send that child home, fever or no
fever" she said to herself as June, espying
Bruce from the window, down the stairs
to welcome him and threw her arms about
his neck. Muriel saw him kiss her. Then
they came laughing back so engrossed in each
other that neither noticed her.
I'm SO sorry Daddy Conway has gone,"
June said. 1t was pet name she had called
him. Hes an awful nice old man, most as
nice as father. l hope when I get married my
husband will have such a nice daddy so I can
"Stop talking such nonsense!" Muriel in
terrupted severely.
ut isn't nonsense to want to love your rela-
lions. 1 saw Daddy Conway looking at you
so funny-as il he wished you'd act loving. I
guess he thought Bruce's wife would want o
love him.
Don't worry your pretty head about us
Bruce said. He had seen the
froWn on Muriel's face, the danger signal of
her dispeasure.
"But don't see why Muriel always has a
headache when you want to do something. II
I had headache and my husband wanted to
go fishing or anything I wouldn't let him
know I had it. Muriel never wants you to
do anything. I wish you hadn't got married
until L grew up-but I suppose I'll have to
find someone near like you as L can. love
you dreadfully, Bruce"
Muriel rose and left the room, quivering
with anger. She wrote her mother she could
not have June any longer. That if it was not
yet safe for her to return home she would
have to make other plans.
The day the letter was received Mrs. Dan
gerfeld send for June, premonition of the
cause of her Punishment in her mind.
"June shows her admiration for Bruce too
openly she said to her husband.
Nonsense! Muriel isn't quite fool and
June is child, only twelve years old"
81 believe I am right nevertheless Poor
Muriel! She is spelling her own life as well
as Bruce's."
Continued Thursday. Renew your sub
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