Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-14
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER Xxx


w ton. Where before he had occasional
ly shown impotence and perhaps had be-
come little angry he now appeared almost
wholly Indifferent. Formerly he would be
tender and gentle after disagreement,
would strive to appease her and return her
caresses.. Now he seemed to care little
whether they quarreled or not. If she wept
or pleaded he turned away with frown on
his face and while he endured her caresses
he had almost wholly ceased to return them
Hes angry because | couldn't be sorry
his father died and because [ won't have
that old housekeeper here" she finally de-
cided Hell get over it. He can't hold
anger with me very long"
But as the days and weeks passed and he
still remained aoof, remaining much away
from home, she became really anxious and
desperately unhappy. She grew thin and
pale and lost almost all the remnants of her
blonde beauty that had intrigued the college
boy a few years before.
Bruce placed a substantial amount of
money to her credit in the bank but it
meant nothing to her. She grew more and
more careless of her appearance and of her
dress. She had no friends. There no
one to dress for now that he was so seldom
at home. Her days and many of her nights
were spent idly moaning out her love for
him and dwelling his duty to her.
Bruce had changed in many ways. He
too, looked older. His friends noted the in
creasing gray hairs on his temples, restless
look in his eyes and that the boyish manner
had been replaced by a new recklessne ss. He
refused to answer Muriel'ss questions as to
where he had been with whom. He
wouldn't tell her the truth Neither would
he lie any longer. Often he would sit mood
lily smoking at the club, trying to pass the
hours until bedtime. Or other times he
would seek Lulu Hammond and in her So
ciety find forgetfulness
MI L0ngworth had been only too glad to
extend the business by letting him come in
as partner. Westfeld was growing fast
More money and new blood were welcome in
his fast increasing business real estate
mortgage and bond department had been
added and they were building as well as
selling. Bruce was enthusiastic but his en-
thusiasm was shown only to the men in the
office and to Lulu He had spoken to
Muriel of the new departure, his belief in
the future of the town and the need of new
housing, but she had replied in her usual
dfsheartening manner. After that he had
never mentioned his business. She wasn't
interested and it brought only means and
tears because he insisted upon remaining in
Westfeld.
Once in a fit of impatience he said:
eff you want to live in the country find
little place to suit and I'll buy it for you"
"Wfll you go with me?"
mo! You can live in 1t alone. You have
no friends and refuse to have any You
might as we'll live away-bury yourself if
that will make you happier You can take
Martha and I'll have Mrs. Flack come and
keep house for me-
If he hoped she would take him up or
consent to his proposal she speedily put an
end to the hope.
Live without you! Why, Bruce what
are you thinking of? I'd rather die than
not be with you! If you won't live as
want you tO-and it is your duty now that
you have money! will never leave you no
matter how [ suffer in knowing you care so
little to please me-
tits your own fault if you suffer- as YOU
say I've done all I could to make you like
a human being Now I'm through! Do as
you pelase. Ill do the same"
Mu1el was not worried. Bruce was her
husband. He'd never do anything really
wrongv She Rugged this thought even when
night after night no remained out until late
even When she was most unhappy. Her love
would hold him-always
| Bruce's friends especially Ann and Tom
Mason, were not sure in spite of their
| tondness for Bruce and their belief in his
good principles He had become holder in
| his attentions to Lulu Hammond He no
! longer waited for darkness to hide his ident
! tlty when he took her to ride in his roadster
He no longer met her, but rode openly to her
! Doardng place and waited until she came
down. His business never was neglected for
| her or for any one but aside from hi de-
Votion to that he spent his time as he
| wished.
"Murel will soon hear of it if he goes on
as he is now" Ann said. eff that Miss Ham
mond were nicer I could almost hope she
would hear and divorce him. I have an
idea Elizabeth Longwogth is fond of him.
Shed be an ideal wife for him. They like
the same things. She's fond of society
| and"
Don't build air castles, Ann. Muriel Con-
way will never let Bruce GO
Continued Thursday. Renew your sub
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