Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-02-27
JANET'S IMPULSE
1yright, lslS Western
BY MILDRED WHITE.

rented apartments. She sighed lool,.
out on the heavy snowstorm wbls
turned the early afternoon to dpss
How different, how woefully dITaros.
her life had become In one short Vi.
Then, there had been the coy han.
with father. now. she was alone.
1t was always at this time OF IL
New Year that the chosen few has
made jolly house party in Luere,l.
Newell's stately home among the com
try hills. Lucretia had been COLES.
sister and her intimates thereafs.
were remembered with the annual n
vitation. What anticipated times !,
delightful excitement those visits hsa
heeni Lucretia's elder bachelor hro,h
er was a tireless entertaining host ana
his frIend-quick rebellious tears tilled
Janet's eyes, at the memory Of Joh,
Newell's friend. Like the rest he haa
forgotten How carelessly they had
allowed her to drift away from them
those gay carefree people; and upon
her own sea Of misfortune Janet had
been too busy to recall herself to thel,
selfish minds.
Johns friends name was often In ,he
papers. Only last week there had been
a notice of his departure for the
South; wen, why should he remember
a few days In hillside country
a stolen kiss at partlngf 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 lmpulsive purpose Why
not go TO them?
With cheeks aglow the girl drew
from the elothes-press her fur cloak,
relic of more prosperous times Be
meath IL 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 Hillcres,
would be almost due. She reflected
gazing from the blurred car window,
that IL might have been wiser to have
telephoned her coming, but taking
them by surprise, would after all suit
better her present mood.
Ii was rather discouraging not to
find Old Ben. the driver. watching. He
had been the task of meeting all trains.
No other vehicle, II was evident had
ventured out into the storm. Vaguely
npprehensive of disappointment the
girl turned up the warm collar OF her
cloak. and pushed her way through
roadside drifts. Here and there d Light
twinkled; the great house was sun
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
The house was not Illuminated as
though for guests. The light showing
through the glass door was softly sub
dued. Janet heard her summoning
ring echo into silence, but there was
no response. Hopefully she made her
way TO the rear entrance. Here all was
darkness.
Disheartened she came back, pas
the side iron spiral stairway. No
there high from the tower room cam
welcoming CLEAN. With fast beat
ing heart she slowly assembled the ic
stair. She would open the door AM
slip In among them, weary htt'
ghost from their past. The door wa
difficult TO open. but unlocked as sh
expected. When had Hillcrest peopi
thought of locked doorsf Then Jane
entered the room. AS of old, the 10.
fire burned chesrily-nearby stood TN
same fireside chair, but the comfort
able big room was vacant. Perplexe'
she passed down the halls. Silence me
her everywhere. Then because th'
storm still swept without, because
there seemed soothing else to do, Jane
threw aside her fur coat.
Porter Holden was that same nigh
dlsgusted with life. This new veal
seemed to have begun with less prom
Use than the other. Last year, at ieas
he had known dreams of happiness
though their fulfillment was never u
be. With each battling step Of his re
turn to the old Newell mansion, oil
thoughts reverted to the bright-faceG
girl, who had made his last stay thef'
so pleasant. And she had vanished
from them all--forever. John NeWel
had coaxed him back to the vacant Oh
place tonight-he had just left JONI
at the agents. Old Ben would has'
lights and fires going. John had saia
so Holden made his way up the spira
stair. The door yielded more easii'
this time. and the man stood for
moment blinking his bewildered eyes
In the light of the fire sat white
clad girlish figure, her red lips parte'
wonderingly.
Your she breathed.
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