The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-26

1 hesitated. "I suppose you wouldn't | like to go with me?" he asked, with 1 his sudden smile. Julia's heart jump l ed; her eyes answered him. Well
 wrap up snug" said Jim, flor there's the very deuce of 8 wind!" So Julia tied herself into the most demure of hats, and buttoned her long coat about her and Jim shook himself into his heaviest overcoat, and pulled an old cap down over his eyes. They let themselves out at side door, and a gust of wet wind howled down upon them. and shook a shower from the madly ripping ivy leaves. The sky
 was high and pale, and crossed by
 hurrying and scattered clouds; a
 clean, roaring gale tore over the hills
 and ruffled the rain pools in the road
 and bowed tba trees like whips. The
 bay was iron color; choppy waves
 chased each other against the piers.
 Now and then a, pale flicker of sum-
 light frightened the whole scene with
 blues and greens and shadows spec
 tacularly clear; then the clouds met
 again, and the wind sang like a. snap
 ped wire.
 Julia and the doctor climbed the long flights of stairs that cut straight up through the scattered homes on the
 hill. These earthen steps were still running with the late rain, and moss lay on them like green film. Julia breathed hard. a veil of blown hair crossed her bright eyes, her. stinging cheeks glowed.
 ''I love this kind of a dayi" she shouted Jim's gloVed hand helped her to cross a wide pool, and his hand some eyes were full of all delight as he shouted back.
 Presently, when they were in" 79an fot hi oF he al hor of some of his early boyish walks. Listen Julia!'' he said, catching her arm. 'D'you hear them? It's the peepersi We used to call them that, little frogs, you know-sure sign of the spring!"
 And as the wind lulled Julia heard the brave little voices of a hundred tiny croakers in some wet bit of mead ow. wen have buttercups next weeki7 said Jim.
 He told her som ething of the sick man to whom they were going, and spoke of other cases, of his work and his hopes.
 Poor Kearneyl" said Jim, "his old est kid was sick, then his wife had a new baby, and now this, You'll like the baby-he's a nice little kid. took him in my arms last time I was here and I wish you could have seen the 1IIle put ne cry! A kid two months old can be awfully cunning!" He looked a little ashamed of this sentiment, but Julia thought she had never seen anything so bright and simple and 1ovable as the smile with which he asked her sympathy.
 She was presently mothering the baby, in the Kearneys' little hot liv- ing-room. while Doctor Studdiford caused the patient in the room be- yond to shout with pain. The howl ing wind had a. sinister sound, heard up here within walls, and Julia was glad to be out in it, and going down the hills again.
 ''Wel1, how do you like sick calls?" asked Jim
 "Is was glad not to have to see him." Julia confessed. But it is a darling baby, and such a nice little wffei She has a. sister who comes up every afternoon, so she can get some sleep, poor thing. His mother is go- ing to pay their rent until he gets well, and he gets two dollars a week from his union. But she said that if you hadn't-''
 Well, you know now for such a luiet little mouse of a girl Julia, you are a pretty good confidence woman,"
 And the baby's to be named for you!" Julia ended triumphantly.
 'Lord, they needn't have done ,hat!' said the doctor, with his con- fused. boyisf1 flush. Look. Julia. how the tide has carried that ferryboat put of her course!"
 Julia's heart flew with the wind; she felt as if she had never known such an hour of ecstasy before. They lad crossed the uper road. and were halfway down. the last flight of steps, 1 when Jim suddenly caught her hand, | md turned her about to face him. 1 Dripping trees shut in this particular and they were alone under he wind-swept sky. Jim put his arms tbout her, and Julia raised her face l with all a chi1d's serene docility for lis kiss.
 DO you love me. Julie?" said Jim then. Do you love me. little | girl? Because I love you so muchr'
 Not the words he had so carefully | .hosen to say. but he said them a. score | ,f time. If Julia answered. 1t was 'nly with a confused murmur, but she l ;lung to him, and her luminous eyes never moved from his own.
 "Oh my God, I love you sol" Jim l said, finally releasing her, only to l 'atch her in his arms again. Wont l you say it once, Julia, just to let me l near you?''
 But I did say it." Julia said, dim l bling and rosy.
 'Oh. but darling, you don't know | low hungry I am to hear you!"
 "How-how could I help it?" Julia l and now the blue eyes 'he raised were misty with tears. 1, Jim found this satisfactory, intoxi- l so. They went a few steps arther and sat on a bit of dry bulk | letding. and began to discuss the mir nlo ha xUin q nf n e houted their eternal promise, and in heir hearts the promise that is as new and as old as spring came to dag ling flower. My clever. sweet. little dignifed | ,irf!' said Jim. Julia, do you know l hat you are the most fascinating wo- | nan in the world? I never saw any me like you,'' < 'I- Oh, Jimi' was all that Julia 1 aid, but her dimples and the near | less of the blue eyes helped the stam- nered words.