The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-23

50 was l." Julia breathed. They | turned suddenly and self-consciously to Miss Poland and Mark. Julia in troduced the men; her breath was coming unevenly and her colour was exquisite; she talked nervously, and did not meet Marks eye. Mark was offered a lift in Doctor Studdiford motor car, and declined it. The doctor seemed to be in no hurry" to go; wandered into her room to ad- ,ise his aunt upon the placing or a telephone extension. Julia and Mark loitered about the assembly hall for a few empty moments, and then Mark said he must go, and Julia, ab- sently consenting, went with him to- ward the stage door,
 And he's rich, IS he?" sad Mark
 Julia came cut of brief 1ream, Hes very rich-yes!" she sllIi1ad.
 She mounted to the stage as she spoke and Mark held out his hand and turned about as if to say good bye. The next instant Julia felt as if the dull twilight room had turned to brass and was falling with a wild
 lamouri she felt as if her n cart were being dragged bodily to her lips, and she heard her owGt wild scream.
 Silence fell, and Mark was still staring at her, still simling. But now he toppled slowly toward her and stumbled, and as his body, with 3 down. to the floor, his arm fell lax, md the still smoking revolver slid Julia's very feet.
 Stop. Julia what is .t?-what is ?'' Miss Poland was crying She 1cked her arms tight about the girl
 nd drew her back into the reception nall. Julia was silent, suddenly req ]izing that she had been screanriGg. she moved her tongue over her dry lips and struggled to explain.
 oootor tor" studdiford said zoothinSly. soing to take care of him, 10 you see :? 7ust keep still, Aunt Sanna. or we'll have d crowd here. Aunt Sanna- do you want this to get into the papers," Cor Miss Tolands surn1ises were de- ivered at a sort of shriek.
 "Oo-oo--oo!" shuddered Julia | fearful eyes on the assembly room 'oor "He was-we were just talk ing"
 Els he dead, Jim?" asked Miss Tol- lnd fearfully.
 T think SC. I'm going to call the '."spital for an amhulance, anyway. Doctor Studdiford was iell -triSk au-
 But what ever possessed hizn?" shrilled Miss Poland again. "Of all. hings," 1 cen eyes on Julia as he raetled the
 ''No.' Julia said shortly, like q hild -who. holds soroething back i gan to cry. "He wanted to mar V me-" she said piteously. ''He l vanted me to promise! But he al 1 fifteen years old, and I always said not"
 well, now" Jim said soothingly, Don't cry. You couldn't help i+- Do | -ou know why he carried a revoG- i
 '.He has to carry it, his business snt very safe one" Julia said | fhakily. Hes shown il to ms once .1 (, trembling note. and her eyes were Nild with fright.
 Now, Aunt Sanna," said Jim quiet ] y, after telephoning, "I think that | If here. You'n have a raft of report | CTS and busvbodies here tomorrow. | It's a ghastly thing, of '-oIIrse, and | he Quieter we keep it the better for | I'll have as conservative an account s I can in the papers-sin1ply tha, | ne was Respondent over love affair | and, in a fit of temporary aberrattor ,lace up for a wee;l?''
 "Certainlyl" said Miss To1and, with Spartan pronptness beginning TO en- oy the desperate demand of the hour
 And could you take that poor child 1 out Of the public eye?"
 q will indeed, Jim."
 well, that's the best way to do. You're a trump. Aunt Sannai I will
 
 rated and gone away to friends
 Jim has that poor boy chanSe?"
 'tA chance? No. No. he died It was straigh. through he brain. Yes, terrible--natura1ly. Vow. will you take what you need-'
 s'Instantlyi" said Miss Poland, with shudder. "Oh, Jim, I'm so glad -ou're a doctor" she added weakly. his arm "and so cold 'looded and reliable"
 'fI'm glad I was here" Jim answer d simply. Hello. look at poor lit le Miss Pagei Shes faintedn'
 CHAPTER VIII
 It was Christmas time before Julia aw Doctor Studdiforj again, and hen it was but for a few minutes Christmas Eve was wet and blowy out If doors, but the assembly hall If The Alexander looked warm and 1right; there were painfully made ,arlands of green iSoped about the windows. bells of red paper hungI ron, all the chandeliers and on tha