Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-09
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER IXVHT

~ RUCE saw Lulu often now, as often az
x his caution would permit. With her he
~ was finding happiness he never had
experienced-the happiness of being under
stood, of sympathetic companionship. Like
children they talked and told their planss
ChivalTy and pride kept him from ever men,
tioning Muriel, but Lulu knew without be-
ing told that he not happy in his home.
At times he would be gloomy and distralt
when first with her. But she cleverly drew
him out of himself and after bit she al
ways made him forget everything but her.
He had offered no more caresses, but the
memory of that embrace, that kiss, nngered
with them both.
"He cares-he wouldn't have kissed me
as he did If he didn't" Lulu often solilo-
| QuiZed while Bruce warned himself:
81 must be carefully 1 can't trust my
self"
Naturally. in town Hike Westfield they
could not meet often without 1t becoming
| known. Tom and Ann Mason often discussed
the gossip, Tom wondering if he ought to
/ speak to Bruce.
Poor chap, can't blame him much he
| said to Ann after one of their discussions.
"If you like his wife Id go philander-
ing myself"
Gust let me catch you! Id pull your
hair she returned laughingly. Becoming
serious again she said:
I'm not so afraid of Bruce-if 1t was
different kind of a girl But that Miss Ham
mond. Yet the other day just to sound him
| 1 asked how she doing and he said she
was doing well and making good in every
way. l guess I'd wait awhile, Tom. He
might resent your speaking. 1t might make
you bad friends
Il can't believe there's anything in it ex-
cept desire his part to be kind
But it's dangerous for man to be too
kind to such a beauty" said Tom 81 can't
help being afraid for Bruce. Muriel will
kick up an awful row If she hears of tt.'
Muriel had not yet heard breath of the
gossip. She wept because Bruce occasionally
remained out evening. She withdrew i'm
to herself still more completely and pleaded
her loneliness and her dependence upon him
more insisteny than ever She talked of her
great love and his duty because Of it until
sickened he would turn away-perhaps SEEK
ing Lulu.
Lulu was always bright, always gay. She
gave of her time her sympathy, her good
spirits seemingly with no thought for uelf.
| The contrast was intensified by her interest
| in his world success, in his ambitions. He
| now consulted her, talked of what he had
| accomplished, and what he hoped to do as
| he never, had talked TO any one before. Her
unfailingi common sense and her quick in
! sight into his affairs delighted Bruce Her
new womaniness her difference, was balm
| to him.
Then their companionship was broken fer
| a time Bruce's father was Ill and sent for
him.
| Bruce asked Muriel to accompany him, but
she refused, saying:
at is no pleasure for me to see you MAX
! ing fuss over your father and that old
| housek eeper-giving them the affection that
| belongs to me-" He urged her no further,
| feeling that in the mood she was and be-
cause of the attitude she took her going
would do his father no good.
II shall stay long / am needed he
| said when she asked how soon he would re-
| turn. ...
| 'No one needs you as I do" had been her
reply
Days passed and still Bruce fingered His
father was confined to his bed. He had
/ fretted for his son. Bruce assured him he
would remain as long he desired him to.
| The doctor had expressed grave fears for
| the invalid who had never been strong
| man.
| Almost every day came message from
| MurfeI, either a letter telegram de-
manding his return. He wrote kindly, telling
her he would not come until his father was
able to sit up. But his letter had no effect. ,
| Her demands continued.
II am i'll, too. Your place Is with me-" and
| similar messages were sent continually.
| Even when away Bruce could not escape
| from her insistent calls upon him. her re-
minders of the duty he owed her. When he
looked at his sick father, the father who
had been so good to him, and who had
tried to make friends with Muriel, Bruce
almost hated her. Her selfishness appeared
colossal when directed against the lonely olu
man.
Mr.. Longworth had told him to stay as
| long as he was needed and that they would
manage without him, although he conceded
that Bruce would be missed and THAI 9TH
ers might not handle as efficiently the work
laid out for him.
"You father is your first duty" he sar0,
business can wait" And as day by day his
father grew weaker Bruce felt great
thankfulness toward the man who under
stood.
Just a month from the time he arrived
! Bruces father died. He fell peacefully asleep
with his hand clasped in that Of the son
who had been all the world to him.
Continued Saturday. Renew your sUlbsCrtp-
ton now so as not to miss n chapter.