The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-28
SYNOPSIS.

The childhood of Julia Page, daughter of George Page, a hat wife. Emeline. was markd with ire Quent quarrels between her mother and father because of the former 8 shiftless ways and matinee fan friends. At fourteen, Juila,- grown exceedingly handsome, and her mother lived Hstless life. Emeline having divorced george years be- fore. Julia was to be an actress and her friends mostly of that profes- sion. Mark Rosentha1 of the family on the floor above, had fallen in love with her.
 At the home of Barbara Poland, a society girl whom she met at an amateur play in which Julia had a professional part, she met Barbara's half-brother, Dr. James Studdiford, and her aunt, Miss Poland, who had established a settlement house. Her father being i'll, her mother became reconciled to him and they went to live on a fruit ranch, leaving Julia with her grandmother. Max begged her to marry him but she put him off. Julia became an assistant to Miss Poland at her neighborhood house and found a new life opening before her. Julia met Dr. Studdi- child at the home. Mark again begged her to marry him. She refused him, and Jealous of Dr. Studdiford, he shot himself, falling dead at her feet III the DOrhOOd house.
 "Oh," said Julia, in a heartbreak- ing voice, bringing her locked hands down upon the table as if she were in physical agony if the law would only take a hand before and not aft erward! Or if, when they are sick to death of men, they could believe that time would wash it all away; that there was clean, good work for them somewhere in the world.''
 Nv yrhU iSfr Sp1 about what can't possibly concern you?'' Jim said. Julia stared at him thoughtful1y for a few silent seconds.
 ''It does concern me. That's how I bought my wisdom,' she said quiet 1y then, with no emotion deeper than a mild regret visible in her face. Voice and manner were swept bare tigued. That's why I can't marry you. Jim.''
 What do you mean?" Jim said easily, uncomprehendly, the in duIgent smile hardly stricken from his lips.
 Julia's eyes met his squarely across &he lamplight-
 That" she said simply.
 There was a silence. and no change of expression on either face. Then
 "I don't believe tt," he said. with A short langh.
 'Tt's true," said Julia. CT was not 15. How long ago 1t was! Nobody has ever known-you need not have known. But I am glad I told you. I have been thinking of nothing else but telling you for two days and two nights. And sometimes I would say to myself that what that old little ig- norant Julia did would not concern you-
 Jim made an inarticulate sound from where he sat with his elbows nn his knees. with his face dropped sn his hands.
 But I see 1t does concern you!'' Julia said, quickly, with great sim plicity. 'I-lucki1y I decided to tell you this morning." she said, flor I am absulate1y exhausted now. It was a terrible thing to keep thinking about, and I could not have fought it out any 1ongeri There were extenu- ating circumstances, I suppose. Il was a spoiled little empty-headed girl : the girls all about me were reckless in everyway; I did not know the boundary-Hne, or dream rhat 1t mattered very much, so long as no one knewi My mother had been unhappy in my childhood, and used to talk & good deal about the disappointing of marriage. Perhaps don't make myself clear?"
 "Youi Julfa!" Jim whispered, his hands still over his face.
 "Yes, know" Julia said dreari1y. HI don't seem like that sort of a girl. I know"
 Then there was a long silence.
 "You-poor-litt1e- Jim said, after a while, getting up and begin ming to walk the floor. "Oh, my God My God! Poor little kid."
 ''I suppose there are psychological moments when one wakes up to things" Julia went on, in tone cur iously impersona1. 'I was in some theatricals with your sister. years ago. Every one snubbed me, and no won- der! There was & man named Car