The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-03-02
THE STORY Of Julia Page
BY Kathleen Norris
Copyright 1915 by Kathleen korrs)

abe suggest a time and place7 lie
was always hers. faithfully. James
Studdlford.
An unhappy week followed. Con.
stant nervous torfora weals ned
Julia spiritually and bodily, and
she could not bear 90 tayc Anna
for one moment out OF her sight.
Mrs. Page and Mrs. Torney saw
notice ia the papers Of Jim's re.
turn and suspected tho cause OF
this new agitation IN Julia. but
neither dared attempt 10 force her
confidence.
II was only a day or two later
that the telephone rang. and Julia
answering Il. as she always did
nov. with chill forcbodlng In her
heart. heard DArbara's voice.
Julie, dear. Ia II your Darling.
NO want you right away. It's Dad
Julie--ho's terribly III" Barbara's
voice broke He's terribly illt"
What n IL" Julia asked. tense
and pale.
oh. We don't know" Barbara
gaspcd. we-and Mothers
quite wonderful He fell. right
hero In the garden"
Stricken. and beginning TO rea.
liEe for tho frat time what an
empty place would be left In the
sausalito group when tho kindly
old doctor was gons. Julia hastily
dressed herself for the hurried trip
She must see Jim now.
Julia began 90 DO Hhakon with
nervous anticipation Of tho mo.
ment when Hho must meet Jim.
Would he meet her at tho door,
But I, was only barbara who
came forward. and Barbafaa first
word was that DAD had sen, Jim on
an errand. Dads mind Is abao.
lutely cioar." said Barbara shaken
-. Tho two women kissed. wlth
sudden tears on both sides. before
Julia went noiseiesHiy upstairs The
doctor lay high In pillows. looking
oddly boyish In his white night.
gown. In spite OF bis gray hair.
Julia kneli down by the bed and
laid her hand over the old mans
hand. To her surprise he opened
his eyes.
How are you. Dad'" sho said.
with infinite tenderness.
"Know-too-much" he said.
with difficulty. In his eyes the In
nocent triumph OF the child who
wlll not BE- deceived Quito uner.
pec;cdly. Julia felt her lip trenble.
tears brlinmed her eyes. Tho IN.
valid saw them. felt one drop hot
on his hand
"No-no-no'" hc said. And.
with great effort. he added. Seen
mmy7"
Not yet" stammcred Julia.
Tho doctor shut his eyes. his
fingers still ciinglng 20 Julla's. AZ.
ter perhaps two full minutes OF
silence. hc whispered:
"r'o good to Jimmy. julia: Dc
good % him"
Julia could not answer. Bar
hara found her. in her own room.
half m hour later. crying bitterly.
barbara went back TO tho sick.
room. and Julia went downstairs
20 find Ted. who. barbara said. had
arrived Julia entered tho almost
DARK library. whore Ted was sit.
ting before tho fire. There was
some one with her: Julia knew in
an Instant who Il was. Her heart
began to hammer. her breath
failed her.
Hello. dear. dldn'. know you
we're here" Ted said affec,lonatoly. |
IL saw him." Julia said. |
mingled emotions making speech
almost impossible. Isn't there any
hopeT"
None ut ALL" Jim said. leaving /
tho fireplace 10 quietly Join Julia /
and Ted at the center table.
The unforgotten voice, Every !
fibre In Julia's body thrilled to /
mortal shock. She rallied her /
courage and endurance sternly: (
she must not betray herself Anger
helped her. Tor she knew him well I
enough 10 know that the situation .
for him was not devoid OF certain I
artistic enjoyment.
Your mother will die Of Il. Ted"
snld Julia. to say something.
"Sh-h'" Jim warned. Mrs. To
and came In
He's better-he wants TO see you
she said. tremulously
happy. Her eyes went from face
o face. Why. what's the mat.
err she demanded. You don't |
hink it's-do you. JIM"
Jim put ono arm around her.
Hes pretty Ill, DEAR he said
,cntly.
Julia put hcr in deep chair. 4
melt before her. trying rather TO
aim than TO comfort her. and after
while so far succeeded that she
ould take the poor shaken old lady
Ipstalrs She did not glance again
{ Jim. altho he opened the door
or them. and tried his best TO catch
Ter eye.
Between five and six o'clock he
vas summoned to the sickroom.
they were all there: tho girls on
heir knees. Mrs. Toland was
Gated. Julia kneellng beside her.
IoldinK both hor cold hands. A
ound OF subdued sobbing filled
he air. no sound came from the
wing man except when n flutter.
NIX breath raised his chest. His
yes were shut; he appeared to be
leeplng.
Tho clock on the mantel struck
TX. And before tho clock struck
gain. Robert Toland. with not
ven n twitch of his kind old face.
vent smiling away from earth in
dream Of childhood. and Jim,
With a hand on tho silent heart,
aid: "Gonel"
Julia returned to Shotwell Street