The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-07
MA GA ZINE
The Story Of Julia Page-By Kathleen Norris

one in the room was aware, that her
 husbands first wife was also at the dance. The room grew warm, the air heavy with delicate perfumes. Men were mopping their faces; some
 of the debutantes looked like willing roses; the faces of some of the older
 women were shining. It was midnight the latest corners had arrived, the floor was well filled.
 T wonder if I will be doing this
 twenty years from now" thought Ju- lia. "I wonder if my daughter will
 come to the Brownings, then?" ". which I call disgraceful, don't you, Mrs. Studdiford? ?" asked
 Miss Saunders suddenly.
 'I beg your pardon!" Julia said, startled into attention, 'I didn't hear you!"
 T know you didn't" the other said, l laughing, nevertheless, it was a low
 trick" she added to Mrs. Thayer, and Leila Orvis can wait a long time be- fore she makes the peace with me! Charity's all very well, but when it comes to palming off girls like that upon your friends, it's just a little too muchr'
 i Flows it happen ye didn't ask the i girl for any references, me dear?" asked Mrs Thayer.
 Because Leila told me she knew all about her!" snapped Miss Saun- ders.
 What was she. waitress?" Julia asked, amused.
 NO, she was nothing" Miss Saun- ders said in high scorn; she'd had no training whatever-not that mind that. She was simply supposed to help with the pantry work and make herself generally useful We'll, one day Carrie, a maid Mothers had for years told Mother that something this | Ada had said she fancied Ada had 1 been in some sort of reform school imagine! Of course poor Mother col | lapsed, and Emily telephoned for me the kid always rises to an emer- gency, l will say that. So I rushed home, and got the whole story out of Ada in five minutes. At first she cried a good deal, and pretended it was an orphans home; orphans home-ha, Finaly I scared her into admitting that it was a place just for girls of her sort-'' Fancy" said Mrs. Thayer, flaming. Julia had grown a little pale. What did you do, Miss Saunders?'' said she.
 Do? I sent her packing, of courseI" said that lady, smiling as she bowed to an acquaintance across the room. ''I told her to go straight back to Mrs. Orvis, and say I sent her. However, she didn't, for I tele- phoned Leila at once-Lucy Bacon is trying to bow to you, Mrs. Studdiford over there, with your husband!" "I wonder where she did go?" pur- sued Julia.
 "I really have no ideal" Miss Saun- ders said.
 "You may be sure she knew just where to go, 8 creature like that!" old Mrs. Thayer said wisely. How de do, Peter, Auntie here?" she called to smiling man who went by.
 "Oh, she wouldn't go utterly bad" Julia protested; you can't tell, she may have been decent for years. It may have been years ago. Still me dear" old Mrs. Thayer said comfortably, lone doesn't like the idea-one can't overlook that, ye know"
 "Of course, it's too bad" Miss Saun- ders added briskly, land it's a great pity, and things ought to be differ ent from what they are, and all that; but at the same time you couldn't have a girl like that in the house, now could your"
 "Oh, yes, could! said Julia, scarlet checked, 1T was just thinking how glad I would be to give her a triall' She stopped because Jim, very handsome in evening dress and with his pretty partner beside him, had come up to them.
 Hired, dear?" Jim said, smiling ap- provaI of the little figure in white lace, and the earnest eyes under loosened bright hair.
 Just about time you came up, Jimr Ella Saunders said cheerfully, here's your wife championing the cause of unfortunate girls-she wouldn't care what they'd done. she'd take them right into her home!"
 And very sweet and nice of her." Mrs. Thayer observed, with a consol- atory pat on Julia's arm. "only it isn't quite practical. me dear, is it, Jim ?"
 "Julia'd like to take in every cat and dog and beggar and newsboy she sees" said Jim, with his bright smile. But Julia knew he was not pleased. Do you want to come to speak to Mother and the girls, dear, before l take you homer" he added, offering his arm. Julia stood up and said her good-nights, and crossed the room, slender and most captivating little fig ure, at his side. It was not until she was bundled into furs and in the mo- tor car that she could say. with an appealing hand on his arm:
 Don't blame me, Jimmy. I didn't start that topic. Miss Saunders hap pened to tell of poor girl who--
 "I don't care to discuss it." Jim said. removing her hand by the faintest gesture of withdrawing.
 Julia sighed and was silent The limousine ran smoothly past one light ed corner after another; turned into Van Ness Avenue. After a while she said, a little indignation burning through her quiet tone:
 Eve said I was not responsible for the conversation, Jim. And it seems to me merely childish in you to let a casual remark affect you in thls wayi"
 "Al1 right, then. I'm childish! Jim said grinlly, folding his arms as he leaned back in his seat.
 Julia sighed again. Presently Jim burst out:
 I'm affected by a casual remark, yes, I admit it. But my God, deosnt it mean anything to you that I have my pride, that when I think of my