Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-31
A WOMAN OBSESSED
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

"
foolish 1t was his good nature that
led him into situations she could not approve
Had she thought differently she could not so
calmly have weighed what she would say.
you are Miss Hammond?" she said when
the customer left and Lulu turned to her.
Eyes; what can I do for you?" Lulus man.
ner bit constrained. OF course she
had recognized MurieI Bruce had told her
it was his wife who was with him the day
they had met in the street.
81 should like a hat, a simple one"
Lulu brought several hats. AS Muriel ex-
amined them she said:
II also want to talk to you, Miss Hammond.
[ do not wish to seem unldnd but you must
not see Mr.. Conway again." AS MUrel began
to talk she grew less composed and her little
speech rehearsed on the way was forgotten
Il am his wife. He is foolishly kndhearted
and means absolutely nothing personal by
the interest he may appear to take in you.
He would do as much for a servant, a negro.
He does not wish any further acquaintance
with you under any circumstance. He tried
to help you get place to sew with Mrs
Mason because you had been a client-for
no other Teason-and l cannot flatter you by
allowing you to think otherwise. You will
keep your place hereafter and not impose
upon him because of his Kindness"
Lulu was Guriously angry but she saw her
employers eyes upon her, wondering what
the customer was saying.
do any Of the hats please your" she asked
in clear voice. This faded blonde, this
woman who had insulted her should not make
her lose her place Conscious of her limo
cence of wrong as far as Bruce was con-
cerned' she even smiled. But she would
make her pay! Only did for her what he
would do for any servant for negro! She
would show her.
Muriel also felt the eyes of the proprietress
and hastily answered.
Eyes, that black turban will do" 1t was
the most unbecoming Of the lot and Lulu
smiled again this time rather superciIIiously
as she took MurieRs money.
Poor boob" she muttered as she took the
address, "she has no looks anyway, I Won
der what he ever saw in herr"
,Remember what I say" MurieI remarked
IN low voice as she rose to leave you are
to impose upon my husband no more" There
was yelled threat in her voice Would she
try to make her lose her position? Lulu Won
dered as she stood silent
who was your customer" Nine Orion
asked. 81 don't remember seeing her in
here"
"A Mrs Conway" Lulu replied. in steady
voice as she pretended to look at the address
for the name. 81 tried to sell her a more
becoming hat. But she has no taste" j
BE very careful with new customers, Miss
I thought she appeared annoyed. "I
Il always do my best and sold her>a
hat" Lulu smiled disarmingly. She liked
her job. She had intention of losing it
because Of her anger at Muriel.
Muriel walked home with a very self
righteous feeling possessing her She really
had handled that girl very we'll She had |
shown little or no resentment except the i
flashing of her bold black eyes. She wouldn t |
dare tempt Bruce again. In this Muriel
showed her ignorance, also her innocence oil
the ways of the World-the world of her own !
sex. The girl probably was a poor sptneless
creature whom Bruce had pittied, Lulu de-
cided.
But before she reached home a good deal of
Muriel's satisfaction oozed out. She had not
learned if Bruce had been with Miss Ham
mond, had not questioned her as she intended |
Would Miss Hammond find way to tell
him? z.
Il did nothing but what my love and my
wifohood gave me a right to do" she said
aloud as she reached her room. Yet she |
hoped Bruce would not hear of what she had
done. He was so fearful of offending people !
so foolishly generous in his estimate of them
Hes more than a little in love with me
even if he doesn't know it," Lulu said to
herself, after MurieIs visit. Hes a good
skoIt Squdre as ole, ana mat poor TOOL
dosen't know enough to appreciate him. He
isn't happy with her, either" the last in. ex
cuse for her determination tot pay Muriel
back. "She isn't the kind to make fellow
like him happy. And he likes to be with
me. He shows it plainly"
D0Wney had left town soon after Lulu
went to work in the show All fear for
Bruce because Of him was removed. The
fear that Downey would injure Bruce had
kept her from trying to see him. Now she
had nothing to restrain her, And she loved
Bruce Conway. This she did not try to hide
from herself, She had loved him ever since
he had rescued her the night she tried to
drown herself.
Continued Thursday. Renew your sub
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