San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-29
Chapter VII.

II mp.n't bother so over things,
Bruce often said to himself. "Muriel.
is a dear and she loves me and love
her" 1t was curious how otten nc
made that statement 10 himself now;
not mite n wear after he married
her--.'I love her 1t was almost as
II he had 10 assure himself that ne dlu'
Much Of the spOntanelty had gone
out of hisamannCr when he was WIN
her. He found himself often consider
ing whether he should say thlng OF
not. II never. could tell how she
would take the SIMPLEST confidence.
Muriel was not well and her mother
was TO come in response 10 note
from Bruce saying he was worrIel
about her. She would not eat. 40
wonder she couldn't. Bruce thought;
He couldn't either. His cook book had
been put away unused Munel had
been insulted that he had brought 1t
10 her as n present after he had spent
gay evening with his friends. Some
thing to keep her in the Kitchen was
her thought. -,
Bruce had had raise but Muriel
seemed unable or unwilling to find Il
maid. He advertised finally and when
he questioned her as to applicants, she
said:
"They we're all young. won't have
a young woman in IL" house.
Foolishly Bruce had answered:
why? ] like nretty faces around
me even if see them only at meals"
That settled it. hurried declared &c
herself that she never would have n
maid until she found one old and ugly
enough so Bruce wouldn't. notice her.
The Masons had called and Muriel
sat in almost frozen silence during
their stay. Ann Mason was 4 gay.
pretty woman of about twenty-five.
who laughed and talked with Bruce un-
I'll Muricl fairly squirmed. Ann had
a keen sense of humor and her witty
sayings delighted Bruce. who took no
pains TO conceal his pleasure. Tom
Mason was a charming man, not SO
CAV as his wife but fine sOciable
fellow. He did his best TO be enter
tanning, TO draw his hostess out, but In
vain.
On their way home he said:
What do you suppose bright TEL
low like Conway ever saw in that
blond doll? She hasn't an ounce OF
br ms"
perhaps she's the quiet kind. I'm
such a chatterbOX, yOu know. that
YOU are no Judge. But she had a
queer expression once or twice almost
as if she didn't like my talking to Mr..
Conway. l don't care much for her,
but he's bully company
= After they left, MuriPl said:
II hope you are satisfied now they
have come-and gone. Please don't
ask any one else here" Her tone was
hard.
But didn't you enjoy them.
Muriel? Mrs. Mason is an awfully
bright little thing. / think she would
be good for you. cheer you up. She's
awfully pretty too. No wonder Ma
sons so proud for her. Brains and
.beauty don't often go together" he
Numbered on never noticing the cloud
on Muriel's face.
Il don't care for her acquaintance
I'm satisfied TO be by ourselves. !
never want to see her again" she
added passiOnately. "You never look
MY God. Muriel, Can't l talk to
FRI, nd's wife while he talks to yOu?'
II didn't want him to talk to me-
wanted you to-"
With a muttered oath, then a long
discouraged sigh. Bruce picked up a
book. In moment Muriel had
snatched it from him and perched her.
self on his lap, her arms around his
neck.
TEL me you love me? Love me
so much you don't care for any one else
in the world-just as 1 do you"
"Of course l love you. But I do
care for other people. What's the use
of lying about it,"
You liked that Mrs Mason-I saw
you looking at her. your eyes full Of
admiration. Say you never will talk
to her again! Say it. Bruce"
Firmly Bruce undid tho clinging
arms. He held them closely so she
could not embrace him while he said ::
"Muriel, what aiIs you? I'm only
twenty-one years old and you want me
to act as if were fifty. We might
as well decide Z : thing. don't I'M