Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-09-29
THE LIGHT
By MILDRED WHITE.
eseseSgSgSSSgseSeses
t@. 1871. western Newspaper UniOn.l

small blhtlUH WaS NAVotu huu lOSAcu
for the night. and the great train rush
ing again on its way left Janet a
solitary arrival. Troubled, she walked
the length Of the platform, then sat
down on the crude steps to think the
situation over. She had left her beauti-
full city home that afternoon hastily.
and in an unenyiabIe frame of mind.
Mother, father and the governor were
all ~insistent in their demands for an
early marriage, while Janet was not
sure that she wanted to be married
at all
4 In her hasty departure Janet had
never considered the possibility Of her
present position, Taxis, she supposed.
awaited train arrivals in even Willow
by town.
Aunt Clarabelle's cottage, Janet
knew, nestled at the foot of the strag-
Cling village street, two miles away. 1t
was not the walk of the two miles
that she feared to attempt, but the un-
accustomed darkness Of the tree Dor
dered road. AS she sat on the station
steps, the sheltered girl became nerv-
ously alarmed ; the spot was exceed
Ing desoiate and the purse In her
travelling cloak pocket was filled with
bills. Desperately, at last she o
and began her stumbling way.
Ruts and twisted brambles seemed set
like a trap for the unwary.
Then, almost directly before her, she
suddenly saw a light. Someone, had
come from among the trees to the
roadside, and the someone carried
a lighted lantern. Janet drew back fear
fully, but as the light went twinkling
on, noiseIessly she followed. 1t would
be useless to try to locate Aunt Clara
bellies abode In the confusing twist Of
ways.
This light must lead to some COM
partnership, perhaps to the village.
where she might be accommodated for
the night Janet steadily and with new
courage pressed onward. The striding
figure before her turned abruptly down
a hidden lane; at its end Janet saw
the outlines of a small house.
The man, as she drew near, put down
his lantern to open the house door.
Janet silently waited, as unannOuhced
he entered and struck a light. She
saw at a side of the room a sick wOm-
an lying upon bed, with a child fret
ting at her side. The tall man
advancing lifted the child gently in
his arms and with a laughing word
sent 1t after an orange tossed on the
floor. Then, throwing aside his cloak,
he bent an anxious face over the sick
woman, Janet, studiously regarding bis
face, was all at once treasured. "Yesr
DOCTOR" she heard the woman gasping
~ answer a question; then, impulsive'
~, Janet stepped past the lantern into
the room. The doctor glanced W
sharply.
'Take of your wraps" he startlingl!
commanded, "and come here"
Half unconscious of her actioi
Janet Darcy obeyed.
1--WE will have to work fast" tn
man told her. kindly follow direc
lions without question. Hot water a
once" Peremptorily he issued his or
ders.
Janet, the sleeves Of her white wais
. rolled high, went to the cold kitchen
stove. There was wood piled near
and matches.
Desperately, as the woman's labore'
breathing reached her, she bent to he
t task. Al fire was cracking at las
, beneath the kettle. Janet's soft finger
were smudged and blistered, but he
eyes shone VIGOROUSLY.
She saw the perspiration on tn
i, young doctors forehead as she RI
sponded eagerly to his demands.
"It's pneumonia" he told her a
they rested. "Pretty bad, but / thin
we will be able to break 1t. Rura
a postman Informed me OF the case, re
d turning from his route this evening
: Immediately l telephoned to the cit
for you. That is, I telephoned for m
4 usual nurse, but / suppose you haI
pened to be the only one available
the time. You made good time ge
ting out. Now, we viii leave on
patient. Look to the comfort of Ii
child"
$ Janet turned with 8 smile in her wea
t iness-this language OF command 81
4 had never known impressed h
L pleasurably. It was as II between Il
\ strong capable man and herself 9,
listed some bond of understanding an
sympathy.
Z Janet washed and fed and coaxe
y the baby to sleep. Then, dishevele
I and s~tar-eyed, she sought the waite
; fully alert physician.
"Any further ordersa" she ask,
quietly.
It 1t was ten days later when Jan
Darcy stood in the small house doc
j way, while Sukey Wells sang insid
with the patient now well on her WI
10 recovery. Alan Brent. looking dos
en- the volunteer nurse, smiled a yer
very tender smile. 10 him. she hi
y Just made full confessions TO him II
n had told her story.
nj sYou are wonderful he bald soft
4. II think unused Alan Brent. d
= doctor. "that I win send little SHk
Il Wells, cur general heiper. ID the mos
n ing. You Will both be kent busy
SHUT, obi Janet. you who have be
10 sheltered. are you certain that y
win never regret your refusal TO mi
y the great govsFnorys
st Janet Darcy's answering smile v
40 confident
rs sYour light she said. showed
my true way"