Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-01
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

proves to be not only poor housewife
but intensely jealous and unsympathetic
with the fun-loving nature of her hus-
band. She endeavors to prevent a recon
cliation with his father, and insults his
friends After the death of their infant
she becomes more exacting. Bruce's ia
Their and Muriel's younger sister, June,
visit them and Muriel is cold to both
because of her jealousy. While walking
late one afternoon, Bruce rescues
drowning woman and takes her to her
home in a none too reputable district
He decides to say nothing to Muriel
about it, fearing 1t will arouse her jeal-
ousy. He meets the girl Lulu Hammond,
the street. He persuades Muriel to go
to her old home for visit, hoping it will
brighten her up, and later goes to spend
the weekend with her. Muriel is anger
ed because he wants to give some of his
time to her famly.-NOw go on with the
story.
CHAPTER XIV
CEATED in the train Bruce tried to find out
- from Muriel her reason for curtailing
w. her visit which was doing her good Tut
he met with no success.
"I was ready to go I wanted to be at home
with you. 1t is my place." was all she said
as she slipped her hand into his.
He gave her fingers a little squeeze feeling
as usual a bit conscience-stricken that he
could feel no gladness at the prospect He
had promised the boys to play golf every aft
ernoon that week. He dreaded to tell Muriel
but he would keep his promise and might as
we'll have it over with. He remarked as care
lessly as he could:
I'm afraid you'll have lonely week.
promised the boys to play golf every after
noon"
"I'd rather be home even II I am alone"
was her answer, surprising Bruce. He had no
way of knowing that she was considering
ways and means to keep him at home. Under
the influence of the feeling of gratitude for
her acQuiescence he talked and laughed with
her during most of the short journey.
The maid had not expected Muriel and was
out. They were hungry, so Bruce proposed
they take dinner at small restaurant not
far from the house.. She clung tightly to his
arm as they walked along, almost as if she
feared he might run away-he thought.
AS they neared the eating place Lulu Ham
mond and the same big communicating man
Bruce had noticed at the moving picture
theater came along. Bruce raised his hat
Lulu bowed. The man and Muriel glared
"Who is that woman" Muriel asked be-
fore they were scarcely out Of hearing.
Bruce hesitated He had told her nothing
about Lulu. He could not tell her at this late
day She would believe it a deliberate decep-
ton whereas it had been only his desire to
avoid unpleasantness at home. For the first
time he deliberately lied to Muriel and be-
cause he was by nature honest he flushed as
he did So
"She looked at houses" he said.
"She's bold-looking, peculiar type. Such
black hair and eyes. That man with her
looked as if he didn't like her speaking to
you"
ST didn't notice" Another prevarication
He had noticed and resented. Who was he?
What hold did he have on the lovely Lulu?"
Muriel said no more and Bruce hoped she
would forget the incident. He had no wish to
discuss Lulu He hated to lie. But he excused
his untruth by saying to himself that if Muriel
was more sporting, more like Ann Mason, he
wouldn't have to lie to her.
Murel was quiet through dinner, but she
was always quiet. Bruce really put himself
out to entertain her She had come back with
him and cut her visit short because she loved
him, wanted to be where he was even though
her health would have been improved by re-
naming with her family
After they reached home and Bruce alb
sorbed in his paper, she remarked:
"That girl or woman you bowed to had
hard face, although suppose some would
call her good-looking. Do you?"
Caught off his guard, Bruce answered:
Eyes, very!" Then bethinking himself, he
added: "For brunette
"How many times have you seen herr"
"Only passed her as we did tonight except
the once" He was uneasy under her ques-
tioning.
st hope you never will see her again."
Muriel said vehemently.
I'm tired and am going to bed" Bruce re-
turned, yaWning.
ct think I'll go, too, Muriel said, and Lulu
was apparently forgotten;
"Who's that bloke with the. washed-out
blonde?'' George Downey asked Lulu almost
as quickly as Muriel had demanded to know
who Lulu was. 81 don't like his looks.
"Why? Because he's a gentleman" Lulu
asked in scornful voice.
81 won't have you speaking to him. Do
you hear? I'll break his pretty face for him
if catch you at it again."
81 guess he can take care of himself" she
nonchalantly returned.
"Who is hep
ga man who picked up my purse the other
day when dropped it"
Dropped it purpose, most likely. what
said, goes! You stop speaking to him.
Lulu shrugged her shoulders and walked on
in silence, her dark brows drawn together In
a frown the hard look in her eyes.
you're my girl" the big fellow went on,
"and it's off the grass for him or any one.
See?"
"For heavens sake shut up! Can't man
pick up a lady's purse without you having
Mysteries over it? I suppose you'd let wom-
an pick it up herself. That would be like
you"
1--WE won't quarrel over it, But see that
you do as I say, or it'll go hard with you as
| we'll as him. There was ugly look in his
eyes.
Lulu only laughed, angering him the more
| When he left her he once again cautioned
her to keep away from Bruce, to see him at
| her portland at his.
| Continued Thursday. Renew your sub
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