Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-02
THE EVENING
STORY
Julia's Half-Holiday.

01Ao .
YULTA SHAW sat in the bay win
dow enjoying the sunshine that
poured in over the pots of ger
~ anium and hegonia on the low
SILL She was having half
holiday at home and it seemed unreal
and delightful to be sitting quiet with
book instead of standing behind the
counter in the store where she worked
six days of every seven.
The sunshine turned her brown
hair TO gold and warmed into color
the pale ovals of her young cheeks.
Frequently she glanced from the
printed page to the street. where the
SNOW was thinning under the first
thaws. From the adjoining house an
old woman came forth wearing a cape
and hat. with a market basket in her
hand. Julia started.
Mrs. Wilcox has forgotten to take
off her kitchen apron" she thought.
Springing up. she pulled a sash down
from the top and called over it.
Mrs. Wilcox, Haven't you forgot
ten something"
The old woman glanced up. glanced
down and comprehended. Her with
cred cheek flushed.
Lands sakes. My apron. I'm
ever so much obliged, child" She
snatched off the apron. tucked il in.
to her basket and continued on her
way
Julia closed the window and re-
sumed her seat. A moment later the
tap of n cane on the bare sidewalk
made her look up again. 1t was old
Mr.. Pell on his way to the corner
grocery. lie paused. shook his head
and appeared TO be in troubled
,frl,
familiar window. he smiled.
Again Julia lowered the window.
Anything l can do, Mr.. Pell?" she
asked brightly.
Yes. Julia. You can tell me what
I'm going after. It's out of my head
quick Is this. And ! hate to go clean
: back home. Something Nancy wants.
she s-baking--'
Julia named half dozen articles.
, No, ii was none of those. She began
again and he interrupted her with
, little shout of triumph. That's it
-moIasses. nd went cheerfully
on his way.
There was the sound of an opening
door and woman leading a child by
the hand entered. She was Mrs. Gage.
Ae young matron who lived in the
Petty bungalow three doors farther
down the street.
All alone, Julia? Where's your
MOTHER" she began.
Gone TO the sewing club" Julia
answered.
Il wonder if you won't look after
Edward a little while j want to go
over To Alice Bates moment Ed
wards always SO restless when he
goes there-I1l hurry back Just as
soon as | can" promised Mrs. Gage.
Julia tried to smile She knew very
we'll what she was in for if she ac-
eepted Edward as a charge. Edward
was handful. Besides, his mother re-
lieVed of his presence, would spend
the remainder of the afternoon play
ing cards with her bosom friend Yet
much as she hated to destroy the
peace of her muchneeded half holiday,
she could not say no to a neighbor.
I've brought his choo-choo along.
guess he'll play contented with
that" Mrs. Gage said as she skipped
blithely away
Julia eyed the choo-choo doubtfully
She knew how Edward used it at
home. And she was not disappointed
In her thought that he would do the
same away from home when he
mounted the wheeled toy and rode
it full tilt firo a door. White paint
few. In dismay Julia ran to intercept
him. but he careened round the table
at full speed
To WOO him away from the de-
structive choo-choo was now Julia 8
design. But she failed. She offered an
apple. cooky. but Edward continued
his course. When she attempted to
take him from the thing he shrieked.
She was reduced to despair. For Mr..
Winn was in his room overhead, and
at that hour he was studying hard
and must not be disturbed
Mr.. Winn was Mrs. Shaws last