The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-21
The Story Of Julia Page By Kathleen Norris

l IHIG6 years dgO-CWO years ago, even-I would have gone on my knees to. you, Jim, begged you to come i back. for Anna's sake as we'll as my own. But that time has gone by | This life. I've come to see. is far bet | ter for Anna than any child in our | old set leads, and for newell, I'm happy. I never was so happy, or busy, or necessary, in my life. as ] am now" Do you mean that there's no | chance of reconciliation? Jim asked huskily. Julia gave n1nn a glance of l honest surprise. r- | Jim she asked crisply, t'do you mean that you came on with the hope of a reconciliation? I thought you | told Barbara something very different | from that!' .T don't know what I came on for I wish Barbara would mind her own l business" said Jim, feeling himself at | a disadvantage. My dear Jim," Julia said with | motherly kindness, "I know you so we'll! You came on here determined to get a divorce, you want to be free, you may already have in mind some other woman! But I've hurt your feelings by making 1t all easy for you by coming over to your side. You
 
 vulsion among your old friends And you find. instead. that all San Fran cisco takes the situation for granted, and that I do, too. I've made my own life, I. have Anna, and more than enough money to live on; you have your freedom; every ones satisfied"
 That's nonsense and you know it!" Jim exclaimed angriIy. There's not one word of truth in it!" He be- gan to pull on his gloves, a handsome figure in G1is irreproachab1e trim black a glimpse of gray hose, and an opal winking in his gray silk scarf. There's no object in this sort of reck- les stalk. We've been separated for a few years; it's no ones business but our own to know why!"
 "Oh, Jim-Jim," Julia said, -shak- ing her head
 Don't talk that way to mel" he said fiercely. "I tell you Pm serious! It's all nonsense-this talk of divorce! Why,'' he came so near. and spoke in so menacing a tone, that Julia per force lifted her eyes to his, '.this sit uati on isn't all of my making" he said. 'T've not been ungenerous to you! Can't you be generous in your turn, and talk the whole thing over reasona,b1y?'' f r
 T can't see the advantage of talk dng!" Julia answered in faint impa- tience.
 .'No, because you want 1t your own way" said Jim. t'You expect me to give up my child completely, you re- fuse me even a hearing, you won't discuss it!''' N,
 "But what do you want to discuss ?" protested Julia. '"The whole situa- ton Is perfectly clear-we shall only quarre1!'' AZ
 How well she knew the look he gave her, the hurt look of one whose He suddenly caught her by the shou1- ders.
 Look here, .Julia!"
 "Ah, Jim, please don't!" She twisted in a vain attempt to escape his grip.
 Please don't what2''
 "DonTtouch mel"
 Jim dropped his hands at once, stepped back, with a look of one nlor- tally hurt.
 Certainly not beg your par don!' he said punctiliously. He took up his hat When do I see you again. Julia? Will you dine with me tomorrow? Then we can talk"
 
 after reflection.
 Have you another engagement?
 Certainly noti" There was almost flash of amusement in her face; her glance toward the kitchen spoke VOL tunes for the nature of her engage ments.
 Why do you say no. then?'' asked Jim.
 "Because I prefer not to do SOL Julia answered, with sudden spirit. we look at this thing very different ly, Jim," she added roundly. 'To me it is a tragedy-the saddest thing that ever happened in my life; that you and should have loved each oth- CT, and should be less than nothing to each other now! It's like a sor- row, something shameful, to hide and to forget. For years I was haunted by the horror of a divorce, Jim; I never wrote to you'll never begged you to come back, just because I was afraid of itl I used to say to myself in the first awful weeks in this house:
 (Continued Tom orrow)