Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-02

n n URIEL, after nearly I'VE years OF MAJ
M riage, had more idea OF Bruce S
a. needs in his innermost self, than she
had at first This may have been mutual
failing, for he frankly admitted to himself
that he didn't understand her. Bruce craved
companionship and friends and a certain
amount of gayety. He had to let on seam
occasionally. He wanted to be honest with
Muriel and longed for a happy home, but
did not know how to get what he wanted.
She thwarted him and disregarded his mos
innocent wishes on every hand She, 100
longed for peace and happiness. But she
wanted it in her way and in no other.
She would have Indignantly denied any SELL
ishness, as she had to her mother. She
held that her great love entitled her 60 all
she demanded and more.
So at cross purposes each fought for the
happiness that daily was leaving them far-
Their from the wished-for goal.
"Win he never do what | want?" was
Muriel's constant wall.
"'WiH she ever learn that man needs
something besides a wOmans selfish lover
he cried.
Muriel had not grown more willing to
take her place in society as time went on.
The dinner they gave had not been followed
by other entertaining. She called upon no
one and really was as friendless as when
five years before she came to Westfield as a
bride. Bruce had at last accepted this stu
alton and no longer urged her to take part
in the social life OF the town. When he
wished to entertain he did so at the club,
or, il ladies were to be present, at res
taurant. On the latter occasions She fire.
Quently put in an appearance, invariably
giving the signal to rise from the table the
instant dinner was over. At times she
pleaded Illness and refused to go. Then Ann
Mason would act as hostess for Bruce, and
they would linger longer over coffee and
cigarettes. Bruce knew his friends all pitled
him, but was upheld by his pride, and
never by a word had he allowed them to
know that he was not perfectly content to
have Muriel do as she pleased
June had visited them two three times
during her vacations, but as she grew older
She was now sixteen-MuriePs opposition
to her presence grew stronger. She still
showed frankly her affection for Brother
Bruce" and still made fuss over him in
an innocent, girlish way. She had grown
very lovely. Her wavy dark brown hair.
her dancing eyes, her sparkle and sense of
humor delighted Bruce even more than they
did when she was younger. She was real
outdoors girl, too, and was always ready
for tennis and golf, in the winter to skate
or join in any other sport. She loved to
dance, and she and Bruce would dance to
the music of the photograph until Wearied,
if Muriel did not interfere.
But it was some time since she had been
with them. Muriel had plainly shown
her distaste for her visits that June had
noticed her attitude. and said to Bruce:
81 won't come again. I'm sure Murel
doesn't want me-.
but do" had been his answer, unable
to deny that she was right about Muriel's at
titude.'
81 know. You're dear old thing! But
I guess it's home for me during vacations
after this"
Mrs Dangerfeld had also made them sew
eral short visits, not prolonged, because she
saw Murels mistakes and was unable to
help her. Her fondness for Bruce was not
diminished. Her fears, however, were in
creased. She saw them drifting apart They
had scarcely anything in common. There
was nothing that Muriel would talk of that
interested Bruce. She complained bitterly
because when he received that money from
his father he had refused to consider her
wishes and buy a home in the country.
''Never urge that, Muriel," her mother
said. Bruce is altogether too young in the
first place to give up business, and he is
too fond of society You would find your
self living alone before many months"
I'm not at all afraid of that" Muriel
replied, haughtiy. "Once l got him away
alone with me- he would be happy and con-
tented. It's all these people who make him
people who urge him to play golf and do
other things"
"There was nothing I could say that
moved her," Mrs. Dangerfeld told her hus-
band. "She is obsessed with her ideas about
what her love for Bruce entitled her to.
No one could question her love for him. 1t
is really pathetic. 1t is the kind of love
that never considers its object and only
makes demands. Poor girl. 1t is a good
thing Bruce has such good principles"
Hes too good for herr" June said. just
as she had when a child. 81 never heard
of any one acting as she does. She doesn't
want the poor man to do a thing but sit
where she can see him and tell him how
she loves him. And she's jealous, too-jeal-
Gus even ,of me. Goodness, wouldn't she be
something awful if he should fall in love
with some one else?'I almost wish he would.
He deserves a square deal, and he isn't get
ting it from Muriel, even if she is my sis
ter"
you mustn't talk like that, June AS
long as Bruce is what he is, there is hope
that some time Muriel will see her mistakes
If what you suggest should happen, thered
be no hope of happiness for either of them"
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