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

ter Hazzard-and I suddenly seemed to wake up at about that time-'
 Garter Hazzard!" The horror in Jim's voice rang through the room. Julia frowned.
 "I only saw him two or three times" she said. No. But he firt- ed with me, and fattered me- and then Barbara told me he was married and then I found out that they all thought I was vulgar and common and so I was. And I suppose I want ed to be loved and made much of, and he-this man-was good to mel"
 Not you-of all women!" Jim said duly, if to himself.
 ''I know how you feel" Julia said without emotion, because of course I feel that way, too-now! And I never loved him, never even thought I did! It was only a, little while two weeks or three. I guess-before told him I couldn't ever love him. I said I thought I might, but it was Hke-like realizing that I had been throwing away gold pieces for dimes. Do you know what I mean? And the most awful disguest came over me, Jim-a sort of disappointment. that this talked-of and anticipated thing was no more than that! And then I came here, and 1 knew that keeping still about it was my only chance, and oh, how sick I was, soul and body, for a fresh startI And then your aunt talked to me, and said what a pity it is that young girls think of nothing but love and loversn and so throw away their best years, and, and I thought that I was done with love; no more curiosity-no more thrill and that I would do something with my life after all!''
 Her voice dropped, and again there was silence in the room. Jim con- tinued to pace the floor.
 "Why, there's never been a morn ing at St. Anne's that I haven't looked at those girls Julia presently re- stunned, "and said to myself that I might have been there, with my head shaved and a green check dress on! Lots of them must be better than I!''
 "Don't!" Jim said sharply. and there was a silence until Julia said wonderingly:
 Isn't it funny that all last night, and the night before, thought was going to die, telling you this-and now it just doesn't seem to matter at au?"
 That's why you've never mar ried ?' Jim said, clearing his trroat.
 I've never wanted to until now" Julia said And TT am so changed now that somehow I would never think of that-that bad old time, in connection with marriagel It was as if that part of my life was sealed be- yond opening again.
 And then you came. I only want ed no one to guess that I cared at first. And then, when I saw that you were beginning to care, too, oh, my God! I thought my heart would burst,"
 And with sudden terrible passion in her voice. she got up in her turn and began to pace the room. Jim, who had flung himself into a chair opposite hers, rested his elbows on the table, and his face in his hands. |
 "But I feel this about your caring for me. Jim," Julia said. ''In a strange, mysterious way I feel that best and dearest. is purification! When-when this Is over. shall have paid! It may be'-tears flooded her | eyes, and she came back to her chair and laid her head on her arm-''it may be that I can't bear 1t, and that I will die!" sobbed Julia. "But 1 shall always be glad that told you this tonight" There was a long si- lence, and then again Jim came to | kneel beside her, and put one arm about her.
 My own little grill" said he. At his voice Julia raised her head. and put her ans about his neck like a | weary child, and rested her wet face against his own.
 My own brave grill" Jim said. CT know what courage it took to have you tell me this! It will never be known to any one else, sweetheart | and we will bury it in our hearts for ever. Kiss me, dearest, and promise l me that my little wife will stop cry- ngI" |
 For a moment it was as if she | tried to push him away.
 "Jir1," she whispered, tears run ming down her face, "have you you sure?''
 Quite sure, sweetheart" he said l 'oothingly and tenderly. ''Why, l