Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-01
"A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER LxxVEII

XX MuF1el naQ set out TO 40 was not
Wv easy. All her self-communings, her
regrets; had not dissipated her jeal-
ousy and her dislike of seeing Bruce en-
crossed by others She had crucifed herself
in sending for June and when her sister,
delighted that Muriel seemed to like her to-
be with him, Muriel would clench her hands
until the nails cut into her palms.
"Can I do 1t, can keep 1T up?" she asked
herself a dozen times day. Always follow
ing the question with, 81 will must!"
She had seen herself as others saw her, a
selfish, hncomprehending woman. If Bruce
had sought the companionship of another
woman that could not be counted against
him-not by her 1t was her failure to be
what she should have been to him that had
driven him from her But thinking in this
way made her task no easier. She had her
| own regrets, something she never before
had experienced, as well as the sorrow
caused by her thought that she had lost him.
She vowed that never, no matter what
happened, should he know she even suspect
ed him. That, too, was to be part of her
punishment. She must keep that knowledge
locked tightly in her own heart.
often she would start to repeat to Bruce
the old words, Because love you So" but
remembrance of Martha's vulgar declaration
that every time she heard the oft-repeated
formula it made her 'sick to my stomach -
halted the word on her lips, and she would
substitute some stammering speech. Per-
haps she also had made Bruce sick of her
continued reteration of her love-. Yet even
now she could not understand why this
should be SO. She could listen to him tell
her he loved her every moment CT the day
and delight in the hearing.
She no longer, assumed a martyrlike air
now that she really was suffering martyrs
pain. Daily, hourly, she crucifed herself in
many ways, not knowing if she would eyer
be rewarded on not. She was learning R4ie
rhard lesson of unselishness, hard when
person is naturally selfish and hag given
full scope to that emotion.
When June had been there week MurieI
was able once more to be about the house,
a pale wrath of a woman. She recalled
with shudder what Marthas friend had
said about Lulu Hammond's fresh, glowing
beauty and compared her own faded charms
But she had once been pretty. She would
do all she could to coax back that prettiness
June was a valuable ally. She sent for a
masseur, and every day Muriel put herself I'm
this woman's skilled hands. There were
facial treatments also, and her hair was
treated and brushed until it began to take on
some of it's lost luster
She was sure Bruce had not seen Miss
Hammond since Junes arrival unless he saw
her during business hours. He had spent
every evening at home or at the theater
with June.
About week had passed since MurieI had
begun to join them in the library and at
meals, when she astonished Bruce by asking:
Don't you think 1t would be nice to ask
Mr.. and Mrs. Mason over to spend the eve
ming? You four could play cards and l
could look on"
why yes-I will ask them" he replied
incredulity in his face. Mure was
almost well, she wasn't going to die, yet she
was so changed. He had promised to see
Lulu that evening. She had called him
up and asked why he had neglected her SO
of late, but he would tell her he couldn't
keep the appointment! 1t would never do
to discourage Murel if she-really were going
to be different to Tom and/Ann.
They received his invitation with almost
as much surprise as he had felt at Muriels
request, but accepted at once.
Muriel dantily dressed and coiffed. showed
little embarrassment and received them
pleasantly, although only she knew how
hard it was. Ann tactfullly acted as if visit
ing her were the usual thing, and over the
cards they became quite hilarious. June and
Tom were partners, Bruce playing opposite
Ann.
When the cards were put aside Muriel
served dainty supper and compelled her
self to join lin the conversation When they
left she accepted an invitation for herself,
June and Bruce to dine with them within a
few days
"Just we who are here" Ann said. "You
aren't strong enough yet for much gayety.
She spoke as il Muriel mad always been one
or them.
81 shall be soon" Muriel smilingly replied.
81 am growing stronger every day"
AS they stood by the open door bidding
the Masons goodnight Muriel gasped for JOY
as she felt Bruces arm about her waist 1t
had been so long since he had proffered
caress except when she was so i'll that she
was surprised how thrilled she was by it.
Far more than when he had given them be-
cause she demanded them as her right.
Now get Muriel to bed pronto!" he said
to June. Wen have her sick again. You look
almost well, Muriel. You have a good color
and we can't have you losing it again. We
like her to look pretty, don't we June?"
Murel could scarcely keep back the
tears. Bruce had noticed. She looked pref
ty to him. ~
ITO be concluded Thursday