Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-30
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

|
49, the house where Lulu had been liv-
ing at their last meeting. AS he expected,
she gone, but he was disappointed that
! she had left address
$50 Downey wouldn't follow her." he
muttered as he left the booth, little thrill
of gadness rushing him at the thought. Il
knew she had given him up, that she would
| have nothing more to do with him" Yet
| he was bit worried not knowing how to
| set about finding her. IF it wasn't for
| Muriels nonsense I wouldn't have to be so
sly about it," he grumbled, still deluding
himself that he would tell her if she were
different, if she would understand.
He had scarcely entered the office when
his desk phone rang. 1t was Lulu. She
gave him her address, her telephone num-
| Der and asked him to see her. She was
| clever and did the talking. He simply re-
piled though he had a business man on the
wire
"She knows man doesn't want people
| in his office to know woman's calling
| him." he said to himself as he hung up.
shed never get a fellow into a mess.
Then he gave his entire attention to his
work. satisfied that he now could find some
way to see Lulu without entangling him
self
Not that he would care hang If it
wasn't for Muriel, he told himself. He
was doing nothing wrong in trying to help
girl who wanted to do right.
But Lulu's dark expressive eyes and
his work. He longed to hurry to her, find
out how she was and if she had any pros
pect of work He would hate to have her
do anything mental even if she were COM
petent, he thought, as he recalled what she
had said about being a servant. She was
too lovely for that kind of thing. He must
bestir himself and if he couldn't get
her in office Of some kind or where
women sewed. Perhaps she knew how to
sew. He had heard Ann Mason laughin gly
HE bpc9uSo she pOnId find t0
help her. Why hadn't he thought of that
before. If Lulu could sew he would speak
to Ann and enlist her help. Ann was such
a dear. She would be sure to understand
his desire to be of service.
Had anyone suggested to Bruce that he
was falling in love with Lulu he would
have swiftly. made an indignant denial. He
was married, so such a thing was impossi-
BILE. Lulu was good and she would not be
a party to such thing. He liked her, but
who wouldn't? Who could help enjoying
the society of a beautiful young girl who is
so gay and good-tempered and who made
one forget disagreeable things.
About half past twelve a stir caused him
| to look up. There was Muriel coming to
| lunch with him after he Rad particularly
requested her not to. For a moment he
could not control his features and plainly
showed his annoyance. One of the younger
men Uttered and he flushed darky red as
he rose to greet his wife.
Il came down to have lunch witha you,
| Bruce" she said in a perfectly composed
manner, oblivious to others, although she
had acknowledged Tom Mason's greeting
by stiff bow. How soon will you be
ready?"
I'm Eeady now" He was anxious to get
/ her out Of the office and to get out him
self. His face was crimson as he took his
hat and walked quickly out beside her.
|, Don't look at me like that Bruce" she
| said when they reached the street. "You
should be proud 1 love you so much that
[ want to come downtown in the middle
of the day to see you and lunch with you"
Proud" he repeated through set teeth
| "Where do you want to gO?"
81 don't care, so long as l am with you. -
We'll go in here" He turned into the
/ door of a small restaurant. I've never
been here but I guess we can find some
| thing we can eat"
They sat DOWN at a small table near the
door. Bruce ordered. He saw Muriel start,
and, raising his eyes. looked directly into
the black eyes of Lulu Hammond. He
bowed, half rising. She quietly returned
his sanitation, then seated herself in a re-
mote corner of the room, out of his vision.
That's that girl, that Miss Hammond
isn't it," Muriel asked
"Yes,' Bruce answered shortly, glad Lulu
had seated herself far away, annoyed
that Muriel was with him, more because
it prevented him joining Lulu than be-
cause he feared any trouble. He had an
swered all Muriel's questions@ about Lulu.
mere was no reason to expect she objected
to his bowling to >her.
l. THAT was what [ wanted to talk to you
about this morning." Muriel began when
their luncheon was served. "You remem-
Der the night You went rowing, the night
you were so cruel to me and left me alone =?
Did you see her that night?"
mo. Why?' Bruce deliberately lied.
No subterfuge would answer~now
You are sure?''
"Of course, I am sure
Then [ won't say any more about 1t.
| know you wouldn't lie to me when you
know how love you. If 1 was indifferent,
like some wives, you might have an excuse,
| put you have nOne-never can have"
1t was unlike Muriel to drop the sub
1ect, but she believed Bruce implicitly.
That long, black hair must have blown on
his coat Her mother had warned her
| about showing jealousy of other women and
she recalled what she had said Don't be-
! little your own attractions by acknowledg-
| ing that another's cause for you jealousy. -
That she should have allowed this to de-
| ter her this once might, perhaps, be due
10 Bruce's anger because she had come to
the office
Continued Tuesday. Renew your sub.
scrIptlon now so not to miss a chapter
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