The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-08
JANET'S IMPULSE
,copyrisRt i5is WssteTS NsSssss
BY MILDRED WHITE.

N@Sp''ihhA i9Ae' 'esN0ih N0"HFap'
Janet sat In her dismal orderly ROOF
upon the upper floor of Mrs. Hopkins
/ rented apartments. She sighed. lookin
out on the heavy snowstorm whic
turned the early afternoon to dusl
How different, how woefully dlfferen
her life had become In one short year
Then. there had been the coy home
with father, now. she was alone.
IL was always at this time OF tn
New Year that the chosen few ha,
made a jolly house party In Lucretil
Newell's stately home among the coun
try hills. Lucretia had been a colleg'
sister and her intimates thereafter
were remembered with the annual In
vitatlon. What anticipated times o.
delightful excitement those visits hat
been Lucretia's elder bachelor broth
er was tireless entertaining host, ant
his friend-quick rebellious tears filled
Janet's eyes, at the memory OF John
Newell's friend. Like the rest he had
| forgotten How carelessiy they had
allowed her 10 drift away from them
| those gay carefree people; and upon
her own sea OF misfortune Janet had
been too busy to recall herself to their
selfish minds. -" -----
Johns friends name was often in the
papers. Only last week there had been
notice OF his departure for the
South; well, why should he remember
few days in a hillside country
stolen kiss Mt parting? Janet was
glad that the miles stretched between,
glad that in the separating gulf their
different stations made, he might not
know that she still remembered. The
others would be there no doubt this
wintry afternoon, making merry to-
gether in the great house upon the hill.
Janet jumped up suddenly, her eyes
shining with impulsiye purpose. Why
not go to them?
With cheeks agiow the girl drew
from the clothes-ness her fur cloak,
relic of more prosperous times. Be-
meath 1t she could wear her little white
summer frock, the black wooden must
be discarded. Like the old-time Janet
she felt, as she hurried down the steep
stairs; the five-thirty for Hillcrest
would be almost due. She reflected,
gazing from the blurred car window,
that IL might have been wiser 10 have
telephoned her coming. but taking
them by surprise, would after all suit
better her present mood.
1t was rather discouraging not TO
find Old Ben, the driver, watching. His
had been the task Of meeting all trains.
No other vehicle, 1t was evident, had |
out into the storm. Vaguely |
apprehensive of disappointment the |
girl turned up the warm collar OF her
cloak, and pushed her way through
roadside drifts. Here and there light
the great house was still
some distance away. Almost she was
tempted to turn back and seek shelter
In the station, but the thought of the
great log fireplace in the tower room
with its circle of dear familiar faces,
gave her fresh courage to press on.
The house was not Illuminated as
though for guests. The light showing
through the glass door was softly sub
iued Janet heard her summoning
ing echo into silence, but there was
10 response. Hopefully she made her
way to the rear entrance. Here all was
darkness.
Disheartened she came back, past
he side iron spiral stairway. No,
here high from the tower room came
welcoming CLEAN. With fast beat
ng heart she slowly assembled the icy
tair. She would open the door and
lip In among them, a weary little
host from their past. The door was ,
ifficult TO open, but unlocked as she .
expected. When had Hillcrest people
bought Of locked doors? Then Janet s
re burned cheerily-nearby stood the
anne Preside chair, but the comfort q
Bile big room was vacant. Perplexed $
le passed down the halls. Silence met g
er everywhere. Then because the I
.orm still swept without, because
lere seemed nothing else to do, Janet n
rev aside her fur coat.
Porter Holden was that same night II
sgusted with life. This new year q
.emed to have begun with less prom I
e than the other. Last year, at least y
= had known dreams of happiness,
ough their fulfillment was never TO
;. With each battling step of his re-