Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-21
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER XLVII

Muriel. SO he wrote to Mrs Danger
field, saying as little as he could, but ask
ing her to pay no attention If Muriel wrote
her father to get him another position.
"she has taken a dislike to some of the
men in the office" he wrote, land has de-
clared she shall ask Mr.. Dangerfield to find
me another position. [ am doing well and
should not think of making a change"
He hated to do this because il Muriel
did not write it would seem like complain
ing about her
He had kept his resolve to be pleasant
and the evening had gone by without any
new outbursts. In the morning breakfast
was an unusually pleasant meal and he left
for the office whistling gaily. He had
written his note to Muriers mother the
night before while she was attending to the
dinner and it was in his pocket. He hest
tated about posting it, but finally dropped
it into the box. Muriel always did as she
threatened.
He succeeded in selling the property be-
fore noon and was in high spirits in conse-
qUence. The in the office compli-
mented him unsparingly. He a general
favorite and there was no jealousy.
But the fly in his ointment appeared just
before he went out to lunch. Young Wyck-
off, grinning impishly, said:
Better be back on time tonight when
your nursemaid comes for you, baby. She'll
spank you III you're late again..
"Shut UP, you young fool!' Tom Mason
said while Bruce, his face flaming, started
for the boy, He ducked under the arm
reached out for him and went running out
of the door
Don't pay any attention to that ass"
Tom told him. "He isn't worth it,
"Ill break every bone in his body when
I get hold of him." Bruce declared. All
his delight in his success was gone only the
insult ranked in his mind.
"She shant come to the office any more.
She shan't!" he muttered angriy as he
strobe down the street. It's her fault
That young fool only said what the others
probably think. She's made the laugh
ing stock of the whole office. Nursemaid!"
Proud, sensitive to ridicule, Bruce wan
dered until he reached the lake. He
wasn't hungry. Food would choke him
He'd sit on bench for a while until he
got himself in hand.
When at last he returned to the office
it to learn that Wyckoff's conduct had
been reported by one of the men and he
had been discharged Bruce breathed more
freely At least he wouldn't have to stand
his impudence.
Bruce found he had been wise in writing
to his mother-in-law when, after several
days, he received her reply. Muriel had
written. She had begged her father to get
Bruce another place, declaring the men in
the office had a bad influence upon him.
She said that as he was younger it would
be better for him to leave
"Father wrote her he would in way
interfere with YOU" Mrs Dangerfield said
in her letter. He said you were doing we'll
and that it would be most unwise to make
any change. [ don't think you need worry
about it, Bruce. Muriel will probably for
get all that happened to distress her in
short while. Just do the best you can, my
None of us do more
Muriel never told him she had made good
her threat to write. He never acknowl-
edged he had forestalled her mentioned
her mothers note. He was learning to hide
things from her, hide them because of the
resultant unpleasantness if she knew.
He had banked his fathers check along
with the commission he received from his
sale. He told Muriel of the commission
and told her to get some new clothes or
anything she needed.
81 feel like bloated millionaire, dear.
Just spend it for anything you like"
Il don't need anything. I go out so
little it is foolish to buy many clothes"
Get bang-up gown and we'll return the
Longworths' call. l feel ashamed every time
1 think of them. He is so good to me,
too. He put that big commission in my
way"
Il do not care to know them any better
than [ do: 1 surely shall not get dress
on their account
Bruce turned away to hide his disap-
pontment Muriel absolutely would not
help him at all
1t was three days since young Wyckoff
had been discharged He considered his
dismissal due to Bruce and was revengeful.
1t was pity fellow couldn't joke, Sud
denly he hit upon scheme. He would
tell Mrs. Conway of the dark girl he saw
Bruce lunchng with in the cheap little out
of-the-way restaurant. He was sure she
didn't know, that girl. Conway had made
him lose his job. He'd get even.
Bruce went home to dinner with tickets
in his pocket for show. He hadn't for
gotten his determination to take Muriel
out more frequently, even if they did always
have to go alone.
He found her waiting, sitting white and
cold. He had been pleased that she had
retra1ned from coming to the office for the
last three days, pleased and grateful Per-
haps the boys would forget Wyckoffs silly
remark,
who is the tall, dark girl you lunch
with?' she asked, astounding him and
sending the blood rushing to his face
who is she?"
Continued Saturday. Renew your SUBJ
scrIptlon now so as not to miss an INSTALL
ment of this absorbing story,
Stories of the late Richard Croker were
being told in Democratic club. Croker was
III hurry to get to Albany one day." said a
contractor. He reached the station inst as
the train started, so he ran a stem or two
and grabbed the hand rail of coach and
was ABOUT to jump aboard when somebody
cintchp6 NV