The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-10

1 ola yet OenoanOsd the mother Here, take her, Aunt Sanna, and see
 nicer than that! Come, baby, give
 Aunt Sanna a little butterfly kiss!''
 And Julia swept the soft little face
 and unresponsive mouth across the | older woman's face before she de-
 posted the baby in her lap.
 "She's like you, Juhe,'' Miss To1-
 and said, extending a ringed finger for her namesake'e amusement.
 "Yes, I think she is; every one says so. You see her hairs coming to be the same ashy yaller mine. And see the fat sweet little knees, and don't miss our new slippers with
 wosettes on 'em!''
 She's really exquisite" Miss Tol-
 and said, kissing the tawny little
 crown as Julia had done, and watch ing the deep-lashed blue eyes that
 were so much absorbed by the rings
 Watching her, Ju, we'll see just
 what sort of a little girl you were
 "Oh heavens, Aunt Sanna," Julia | protested, with a rather sad little smile, q was an awful little person l with stringy hair, and colds III my
 nose. and no hankies! I never had
 baths, and never had regular meal hours, or regular diet, for that mat ter, Anna'n be very different from what I was."
 .Your mother was to blame, Ju,' Miss Poland said, gravely shaking her l head.
 | "Oh I don't know, perhaps her mother was,'' Julia suggested. Yet | Grandmother Cox is a sweet little old woman" she went on, smiling, al ways afraid we're hungry, and anxi- ous to feed us, tremendously loyal to us all I went out there today, to take Mama some special little things for had gotten there, and so on, ana Hly Thanksgiving, and see if their turkey heart quite ached for Grandma- Mama's very eXacting now, ana the girls-my aunt, Mrs. Torney's glrls-- seemed so apathetic and dull. The house was very dirty, as it always is and the halls icy, and the k1tchen hot-I just wanted to pitch in and cleani Mama was cross at me TOT not bringing Anna, in this rain, and stay ing to dinner tomorrow; but Grand mother was so pleased to have the things, and she got to telling me or old times poor thing, and how she had to work and scheme to get up Thanksgiving dinner, and how my grandfather would worry her by Dromising that he'd only have one drink, and then disappearing for hours
 "Does it ever occur to you that you are an unusual woman, Jul1a! MISS Poland asked, holding her watch to the baby's ear. Julia flushed and laughed.
 "wen, no, I don't believe it ever didr"
 .eNot so much in climbing up in the world as you have,' pursued the older woman, ''but in not despls1ng the people you left behind you! That's very fine, Julie. I can't tell you how fine it seems to mel!
 There's nothing fine about it, :" Ju- Iia said simply. 'Its just that hke that sort of people as well as l do work my way into a world where Jina's sort. I used to think that to work my way into a world where everything was fine and fragrant and costly would mean to be happy, put of course 1t doesn't, and I've come more and more to feel that Ike the class where joys are real, and sor- rows are real. and the goodness means more, and there's more eAcu9o for the badness!
 ssDid you ever think of writing, 1 Jn1ia? 9 Miss Poland asked. "Stories, | I mean?"
 "Everybody does nowadays. I sup pose," Julia laughed. Sometimes l think what good material The Alex | ander stuff would be, Aunt Sanna- But the truth is, Jim doesn't like the idea.'
 ..Doesn't? Bless us all. why not?"
 "Ohr' Julia dimpled demurely. seThe great Mrs. Studdiford writing, like a mere ordinary person ?' she asked.
 "oh, that's it? Where is Jim, by the way?"
 Sacramento. But the operation was on Sunday so he should have been here yesterday at lates'' 'ula said. However, he'll rush in tonight or tomorrow; he knows you're all going to be here. Give her to me- Aunt Sanna, she's getting hungry bless her little old heart! An, heres Ellie with something for Mothers grill"
 "And tea for you in the library" Ellie said in an aside, receiving the habv into her arms with a rapturous look.
 s.Tea. doesn't tea sound good! Ju- Iia caught Miss Poland by the hand. Come and have some tea, Aunt san na!' said she. I'm starving?
 They were lettering over their tea cups half an hour later when Llzzie came into the library with speciai delivery letter.
 .eFor me?" Julia smiled, reaching 1 for it. .'It's Jimmy!' she added rue fully. for Miss Toland's benefit, as she took it. This means he can't get herei'
 'sDrat the 1ad' his aunt said mild | ly. What has he got to say?" ]
 Julia pulled out a hairpin to open the letter, her face a little puzzled i She unfolded three pages of large pa per closely written
 seWhy, I don't understand this,' | said she. Jimmy writes such short { !
 And immediately fear. like cold ' iron, entered her heart, and she felt t a chill of distaste for the letter; she ' did not want to read 1t, she wished { she might fling it on the fire, and S rid her hands of the horrible thing.
 Ut is Jim, isn't it?" Miss Poland [ said, with a sharp look. "Is he com !,