The Winslow mail., 1920-03-19
Janet
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BY MADGE WESTON

Brereton usually rushed into the city
boarding house just in time for meals,
and rushed out again afterward either
to business or to Leila's; so he made
no acquaintances among his fellow
guests, or in fact, noticed them par
ticularly. His mind also, was usually
upon business, Or-Laila.
1t was for the girls sake that he
bent his every endeavor toward sue
cess. Laila, beautiful favored daugh
ter of fortune, had promised to wait
for him until he should have achieved
the financial success which her faith
er considered necessary to their union.
Laila in her promise mad not Ell.
tirely given up her freedom. 1t was
agreed that she might still attend var
customed in the companiOnship Of
men of her choosing, whiie Bob Brere-
ton toiled by the light Of the fgurative
evening lamp.
Little Janet sitting at the opposite
side Of the boarding house table IN
her neat gray dress with its white
collar, Janet with new weary circles
beneath her violet eyes-glanced at
the fine absorbed face Of the new
bOarder and wondered wistfully how
some women were blessed by finding
their ideal.
Janet coming early to the breakfast
table one morning missed him. Thu
room seemed unaccountably desOiate.
For a moment she stood with the mis-
tress of the house alone.
"That Mr. Brereton Is SICK" Mrs.
Hutchins said irritably, "and Pm
afraid he's taken with this catching
epidemic. If the folks here learn
about it won't have a soul in the
house by night. They're all deadly
afraid Of the disease, an l can't wait
on him, Land knows! He's got an
awful fever, wouldn't be surprised to
have him go off his head. Seemed too
sick to even make plans for himself.
Told me impatient like to call up that
swell girl of his an she'd arrange
things for him. Then he went off TO
sleep. Maybe you'd do that for me"
Mrs. Hutchins suggested. Il haven't
time to call up folks friends"
So Janet seated herself and gave
the Vaughns' telephone number. Her
heart beat rapidly as she waited the
answering voice Of Brereton's sweet
heart, it was as though she had mys-
teriously changed places with him.
"Sick?" came Miss Vaughn's horri-
fed query. Il will send in call for
DR.. Minor at once, and if the doctor
says that MLr. Brereton has the "flu''
you will let me know at once, won't
your I shouldn't like to risk exposing
myself by going to see him. And then
have DR.. Minor call a nurse. Thank
you, let me hear from you later"
Mrs. Hutchins' worst fears were re
allied, her boarder was suffering Sc
verely from the prevailing malady,
while the doctor positively forbade his
removal! And 1t developed that no
nurse could be found in the exigency
and the doctor who was exceedingly
busy hurried away.
Janet crept softly to the stair, a
moment she hesitated before the door
Of the forbidden room, then bravely
entered.
IT win take care Of Mr.. Brereton, "
she told Mrs. Hutchins. my room is
directly across the hall. We will keep
him secluded and shall carefully
obey the doctors directions"
Seems it ought to be nearer wom-
an doing all that for him." Mrs
Hutchins said, dryly.
Little Janet's lips closed In a firm
line. She had notified Miss Vaughn
Of her f1ance's latest condition, and
the return message had been:
Doctor Minor will undoubtedly find
someone to look after him and please
will you tell Mr.. Brereton not to at
tempt to come to our house until it is
quite, quite safe, and-Tn send him
roses every day."
The roses came. Janet, busy with
her fight against death, left them piled
in the hall The doctor had ordered
that they were not to be- in the pa
tents room.
"Brereton needed every Bat of oxy,
gen that he could get" he said. II
would be desperate fight If they
could pull him through as it waS.'
But together they did 1.-THE doctor
and his tireless assistent Peltting the
girls shoulder, the doctor assured her
that her part in the case was greater
than his own. Janet with trembling
sigh turned aside
"Tll get some sleep now," she said.
"Soon I'll have to GO back to the
Office"
Weakly but 'remulously the sicA
man called to h er.
"Now that can talk, little angel Of
light" he said, 81 want to talk to
you."
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