The Coolidge examiner., 1935-03-08
HELP FROM
JULIAN
8
By X. ii. WILKINSON
C Bell synaleAie -wNU Service.

the eye OF the town buliy Tor
trying 70 kiss Niia Crandon. Julian
had been Nlia's hero.
At the time o. the eye blacEcn.
lug the pair had been aged twelve
and eight respectively.
Now they were twenty six and
twenty two. and the situation
hadn't changed n great deal
That Is 10 say. Nlta still looked
upon Julian as protector. can
fdant. and an adviser.
A role which Julian filled willing
ly and capably.
To-day as Nlta sat before her bed.
room window and looked out across
the lawn Of her father estate.
across the highway and along the
drive that led 90 the home Of Ju-
lIan's father and the abiding place
~ Julian himself. her expression
was one OF forlorn distress
AZ the moment she needed Ju.
Hans help and counsel more than
ever before Yet she was reluctant
to seek him ont.
Il was possible. she thought that
Julian might not take kindly 10 this
most Important of all requests.
II was possible he'd laugh at
her. chide her. make light of the
situation.
That would hurt.
And TO be burt right now. espe.
cially by Julian. would be torture.
Nita took the time 70 reflect back
10 the day when Julian had black
ened the eye OF the town bully In
her defense.
From this point forward her
thoughts followed her own aud Ju-
ltan's career 70 the conclusion Of
grammar school. through high
school. through college. and the
years that followed after gradua-
ton.
And not once could she remem.
Der n time when Julian had failed
10 come 70 her aid. either yolun-
tarily or Ri her request.
lie had been noble. kind. thought
fuL always consderaie and con
rerned with her problems as much
as though they had been his own
No. she decided be would not
fall her now.
Not Julian.
No matter shat the nature %
her trouble might be-.
And 80 Slia climbed down from
the window seat. arranged her hair.
powdered her nose. caught up
wrap ard weut out
She found Julian down on the
shore % the lake that bordered on
The Merrie place.
tie was tlukering with a motor OF
an old power boat
Ills hands were greasy and his
face was strcaked
lie seemed to be- on the point
of exasperatlon. yet at Nlta's step
be looked up. and nj sight % her
the exmpernted look departed and
VAS replaced by a cheerful and vel
coming grin.
Hello" be said. sitting down on
the gunwnle
~Glad you dropped over Soon's
II get this old tub fixed I'll give
you ride"
Mia dld not return the grin.
She sat down on the wharf's edge.
letting her feet dangle. and stared
soberly out over the shlmmering
blue of the lake.
/ Julian puckered bis brow into a
frown. ceased Idly drumming with
hammer handle on the gunwale.
and waited. lie knew the signs.
/ Presently Nita said. without look
Ing up:
Julian. ever since we've been
Kids I've come to you with my prob
lens. heaped my burdens on your
shoulders. And you've always been
kind and helpful Always sort Of
1 looked after me-"
Julian scratched his chin with a
/ grimy forehnger.
Sure. Nlta. why not; You've
/ always been like sister to me.
Why shouldn't look after your"
NIta gnawed al her lips and hes
itated. Then:
Julian. I'm In trouble now. and
/ you've got TO help me-"
Julian slid down on the wharf
close beside her.
"Of course. Nita."
Nlta turned and looked at him
squarely.
Julian. I'm in love-"
JulIan's jaw sagged open.
/ Surprise. pain. incredulity came
I into his eyes and were replaced by
I blank establishment
"In love. Nita. You! In love!
/ Nita. for heavens sake"
Nlta suddenly looked away.
II knew you wouldn't believe me;
knew you wouldn't take me serious
/ ly. Oh. Julian. can't you under
stand that it's driving me insane!"
Julian gulped and laid a grimy
hand on her white frock.
Put. Nita. do understand. OF
course. You took me by surprise
I-well. IT always seemed-that is