The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-22

'eWhy, hello, Mark" Julia answer ed. And with a little concern creep ing into her manner she went on, Why, what is it?
 Young Rosenthal glanced at her friends, and, formorally offering her his arm, said seriously: You will walk with me?"
 We were going down to Haass for ice,cream sodas." Julia submitted
 Well, I will take you there" Mark said. And as the others, nodding good-naturedly at this, drifted on ahead, Julia found herself walking down O'Farre1 Street on the arm of a tall and handsome man.
 It was the first time that she had done just this thing-or if not the first particular significance before. Now, however, Julia felt in her heart a little futter of satisfaction. Somehow Mark did not seem just a commonplace night, nor did she seem ''the Page kid" Mark was man, and-thr.l1ing thought!-was angry at Julia, and Julia, hanging on his arm, with a hundred street lights flashing on her little powdered nose and saucy hat, was at last a young lady!"
 Whats the matter, Mark?" she asked, by way of opening the conver- sation.
 ''Oh. nothing whatever" Mark an- swered in a rich, full voice, and with elaborate irony. You promised to go to the Orpheum with me, and I not come. But that is nothing, of course!'
 Julta's anger smote her dumb for a moment. Then she jerked her arm from his, and burst out:
 I'll tell you why I didn't meet you tonight, Mark Rosenthal and if you don't like it, you know what you can do! Last week you asked me would I h yes, and then when it came right down to it-your mother wasn't going. and Sophy and Hannah weren't going. and Otto wasn't going and I tell you right now that Mama don't like me to go to the theatre-''
 Well, well. well.' Mark inter- rupted soothingly. half laughing. half aghast at this burst of rebuke
 Don't be so cross about it, So-- He put her arm in his again. ''r like to have you to myself, Julia" he soid his boyish. handsome face Do you know why?''
 "No," said Julia after pause, the word strangling her
 You don't eh? ?" Mark said, with a smiling side glance.
 Nope" said Julia, dimpling as she returned the look, and shutting her pretty lips firmly over the little word
 Do you know you are ador-rable ?'' T. will you go to Maskey's with me, l instead of joining the others at Haas's?" he asked, more nufetly. i Well, Julia said. She was her ! own mistress. Her mother lad gone l home during the play with Mrs. Too i ney, who complained of a headache l So. grinning like conspirators. they 1 stayed on the south side of fhe street i until 1t joined Market and then went 1 hy the fountain and the big newspaper i buildings, and slipped into the con- 1 fectioner's. Julia sent an approving 1 side glance at herself in the mirror | as she drew a satisfied breath of Che i essence-laden air. She loved lights ! perfumes, voices - and all were here
 An indifferent young women wiped their table with a damp rag. as she | took their order. both. with the dar- ing of their years. deciding upon the | murderous combination of banana ice.
 cream and soda with choped nuts an6
 fruit. Julia had no sooner settled back | cont entedly to wait for it, than he1
 eye encountered the beaming faces O
 her late companions. who. findins
 Haas crowded, had naturally driftet
 on to MaSkey'S
 Much giggling and blushing ant i teasing enSued. Julia was radiant 2
 a rose; every time she caught sigh
 of her own prety reflection in the sur
 rounding mirrors, of fresh thrill O self confidence warmed her. She an 1 Mark followed the banana confectio1 with a dish apiece of raspberry ice cream, and afterward walked home
 It was not far-tO the house in whicl I they both lived
 'tAnd so we don't quarrel an , nore?" Mark asked, in the dim hall . way outside her door.
 , Not if you won't play mean trick
 on mel" Julia pouted, raising he face so that the dim light of the ga , | jet that burned year in year out, i . the blistered red-glass shade, fell upo s the soft curves of her face. : It was a deliberate piece of coque f try. and Julia- although neither he no ' any other man had ever done it be
 fore, was not at all surprised to hay Mark suddenly close his strong arm 1 about her and kiss her. with a sol n f repressed violence, on the moutl !, She struggled from his hold. as mat
 fer of course laughed a little 1aug r1 of triumph and excitement, and shu l herself into her own door.