Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-05
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER LII

usual Bruce told Muriel to get any new
clothes she needed. He reminded her that
part of his big commission remained I'M
touched and that he was constantly adding
to 1t. But she replied:
81 don't need new clothes 20 visit your
father. The more we save the sooner you'll
stop working and give your time to me-"
So this was the answer to her refusal to
spend money the reason she wore her clothes
until they were out Of style. He often had
wondered at her economy in this direction.
When he married her she looked smart and
stylish. She was saving money so he wouldn't
work The idea of thinking young man,
young as he was, would be contented to lay
around the house doing nothing. He must
disabuse her mind if she believed her econo-
mics would lead to that.
He recalled that on different occasions
when she referred to his father and his
wealth she remarked that when he passed
awav Bruce wouldn't have to work he
had paid no attention at the time NOW SUCH
remarks were Illuminating. If she were
hoping his father would die so he could loll
around the house hearing her talk Oh her
love for him. his duty to her, the sooner she
was straightened out in that respect the bet
ter. SO he said:
.1f were worth million tomorrow Ia
work lust the same, so don't save WIN THAI
in your mind ~ 80 80 ,,o,,
You mean you would leave me it you
didn't have toy ~, .
81 mean I never should be an IDLE man
no matter how much money had. L ENJOY
work. When | am eighty, if live that long
7 might think of retiring, but not day
before"
"But think how wonderful 1t would be to
be together all the time, never to be sepa-
rated even an hour"
WED hate each other in week
"Don't say such things, you know you
don't mean them I can think Of nothing SO
wonderful. We might travel some, just we
two. And" -
rubbish! Don't build any castles with
nv stopping work foundations. And get
Yourself some clothes. You look like back
number. | couldn't understand your getting
so shabby being so saving. If you don't
spend the money 1 shall
81 have even been saving my paltry hIty
dollars month so we could stop work more
quickly" She was almost crying, so you
could devote all your time to me. And now
YOU say that even if you were rich you would
90 on working and being with others. being
where Won would be tempted and influenced"
And I mean it,! Don't waste your time
talking or thinking such foolshness. Get
some smart buds. l like my wife to look
WE'LL
Having freed his mind, Bruce dismissed
the subiect 1t was. just another of Murlels
foolish vagares. *..
But his duty to Lulu-that he could not
so easily forget. He telephoned he must see
her. doing so from an outside booth where
he could talk freely.
perhaps you'd better come here" she
told him. eff you could come in the evening
it would be better"
"Ill come about eight if that's all right,
L. 10 eft downtown
dinner with one of the men in the office
and stop his way home.
III watch for you and let you in myself,
she told him. Then: II am so anxious to
see you, to have nice talk"
mo more than | am to see you" ne re-
turned earnestly. How anxious he had been
he scarcely realized until he heard her voice.
He telephoned tMuriel he was to dine with
one of the boys and would not be home until
later. He had not been out for some time
and impatiently listened to her reproaches.
But after he hung up he felt an citation he
had not experienced for long time. He
whistled over his work and constantly
thought of things he wished to say to Lulu.
1t would be good to have nice, quiet hour
with her
At eight sharp he mounted the steps of a
house in a respectable part of town and be-
fore he had time to push the bell Lulu opened
the door
You see, I was watching for you" she
said, leading the way upstairs. Il told the
landlady a gentleman was calling to see me
on business. She's more particular than
they we're at the other place"
Her room was very plain but it was neat
and fairly comfortably furnished. y
She confessed she had been obliged to
pawn pin she had to keep it.
'She charges me five8dOllars a week and
have to feed myself outside. 1t isn't a board
ing house, just roomers. SO after the money
you gave me was gone l had to pawn my pin
OF" Her hesitation meant but one
thing, Bruce thought-appeal to Downey for
aid.
''Never do that, Lulu. I'll see that you
don't want" She had found nothing to do
and he asked her if she could sew, Ann Ma
in mind.
"a little. Not very we'll though"
Il am going out of town for few days
have a plan to help you get something to
do when l return. Until do this will tide
you over" He had gone to the bank and
drawn one hundred dollars of the money his
father had given him for his own use. This
he gave to Lulu. Then they talked for an
hour before he took his leave, laughing and
chatting as young things will. He had en-
joyed himself and was smiling when he
closed the door, was still smiling when he
telt heavy hand on his shoulder, heard a
gruff voice in his ear
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NJ