The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-02-19

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he gave no evidence Of his feeling,
and was presently taken into the
sitting parlor, and introduced to
Julio's mother, little gray, hard
Tipped and bright eyed, and to
Mrs. Cox, Julias grandmother,
who had been widowed for some
Years, and was a toothless, talka-
tive old woman.
Flows the rheumatism in your
arm today?" Julia asked, stopping
behind her mothers chair.
What do you think of a girl
that runs off and doesn't see her
mother for weeks at a time, Doc
tori" Mrs. Page demanded tartly.
81 suppose II she marries, she'll
be too grand for us altogether"
Now, Mother!" said Julia half
vexed, half indignant.
81 had an elegant little place
myself when / was first married, :"
Mrs. Page continued. Julia must
have told you about her papa"
Julia's serious eyes flashed a
look to Jim, and he saw something
almost like humor in their blue
deeps.
That's a crayon enlargement
of my youngest son." old Mrs. Cox
was presently saying, "Chess. A
better boy never lived, but he got
In with bad companions and they
got him in Jail. Yes, indeed they
did! only the governor let him
out again"
The call was not long. Doctor
Studdiford shook hands with both
the ladies', in departing, and Julia
kissed her mother and grand
mother dutifully. The two walked
almost in silence to the car.
Tomorrow night the theater,"
Jim reminded Julia as he left her
at the settlement house door.
But when, at half-past seven
the next evening. Jim presented
himself, he found Julia obviously
not dressed for the theater.
Sweetheart" he said, "how
hot your face is, and your poor
little hands are icyl Aren't you
WELT"
mo. I don't believe I'm very
well!" Julia admitted restlessly.
mot we'll enough for the the
ater? | don't care one snap for
the treater," Jim assured her.
"Only l hate to see you SO nervous
and tired. You're not one bit like
YOURSELF"
"No, I know I'm not" Julia
answered. 1--WE been thinking
and thinking all day, until I feel
as IL I must go crazy! And it's
come to this, Jim-I--we can't be
married, Jim. That's ALL"
Jim dropped on one knee be-
side her, and studied her with
anxious eyes, and she pushed the
hair off his forehead, and rested
her cheek against It with long
sigh.
what Is 1t, dear?" asked Jim.
"Well!" Julia put the faintest
shadow of a kiss on his forehead.
you see there's something you
don't understand. Jim! You say /
have climbed up alone, from being
a tough little would-be actress,
who lived over a saloon In O'Far-
rell street, to this! You say-and
your aunt says--that I am wise,
wise to see what is worth having,
and to work for It! But has it
never occurred to one of you to
ask why I am different-to ask
Just what made me so?
1 Life boils itself down to this,
doesn't it," she went on. THAT
women have something to sell, or
give away, and the question is
| Just how much each one can get
for It! That's what makes the
most insignificant married woman
feel superior to the happiest and
richest old maid. She says to her
self, I've made my market. Some
body choose me. And here, the
minute a new girl comes to join
my clubs, try to read her face
Is she pure or has she already
thrown away"
"My darling. why distress your.
self about what can't possibly con-
Germ your" Jim said.
1T does concern me. That's
how bought my WISDOM" she
said with no emotion deeper thar
a mild regret visible in her face
She seemed infinitely fatigued
That's why can't marry you,
jim"
What do you mean?" Jim
whispered.
Julia's eyes met his squarely.
That" she said simply, II was
not fifteen. How long ago II was!
Nobody has ever known-you
need not have known. There were
extenuating circumstances, / sup
pose. was a spoiled little empty
headed girl; the girls all about me
were reckless In every way; did
not know the boundary-line, or
dream that 1t mattered very much,
so long as no one knewi NV
mother had been unhappy In my
childhood, and used to talk good
deal about the disappointment of
marriage. Perhaps l don't make
myself clear?"
! you! Julia!" Jim whispered