The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-21
CHAPTER xLvI

The physician, kin0-faced, gray-haired man, said, Its very necessary that you stop work i'm mediately. I don't wish to alarm you. Your heart and lungs are in splendid condition, but you are much run down and l don't know what might happen If you continue working"
 He met Ann's troubled gaze and continued. Tt is like a picket off the back fence. Anything can hap pen. Anything might creep in, in the rundown condition you are in.'
 "I must stop right away?"
 esThe sooner the better, You need a fest-a long one. You have evil dently been working under a strain eating poor food, getting out in all kinds of weather. You must rest for six weeks, at least. Eat plenty of good, wholesome food. Sleep and play. Drink rich milk and eat lots of fruit"
 Ann said slowly, "But if you can't do those things. what then?"
 The doctor shrugged expresslvely 'T make no predictions. Only l should be sorry to know that a young woman as lovely as you had broken her health. A stitch in time, you know. You are running a great risk if you go on as you are now 50 far from we'll. Isn't there some- one you know. a friend or relative, who could take you in for six weeks or two months?"
 sI,m not sure" Ann said. II have relatives in Georgia"
 "A warmer climate would be bet tes--where you could get out in the open daily. The roses would come back in your cheeks sooner.
 Ann went home in a sober mood. When Sheila came in she told her what the doctor had said.
 That's tough. You'll have to go I know several girls who will come in with me, or could go to their places until Jimmy and l are mar ried."
 "r'll write to my aunt in Green deld tonight" Ann said.
 Sheila and Jimmy mailed the let ter that night. Sheila affixed q spe- scial delivery stamp, She was wor- ried about Ann.
 Several days later there was a reply. Dear Ann: So glad to hear from you after so long, and sorry to know you are not well. You know, of course, that l would love to have you here If l could, but Emily and I are going to Cali fornia and will be gone until the first of the year. at least. thought when you left Greenfield you were making a mistake. Then l was be- ginning to believe I might be wrong when you married. But now 1t seems wou haven't made a go of that either. I advise you to go back to your husband if you can. Most of your friends here are married and have done well. If you can't find a place to go I'll be glad to have you for a visit when l come home. Affectionately, Aunt Hattie"
 This was Aunt Hattie's revenge; her way of letting Ann know that she had not been forgiven for leav- ing Greenfield, for not being willing to follow the narrow pattern of life Aunt Hattie would have arranged for her.
 Aunt Hattie had said, If you desecrate my poor brothers home with a sale I'll wash my hands of you, Ann."
 And she had.
 There was nowhere else Ann could go. Uncle Eds family had troubles enough without asking him to take in a poor sick niece.
 well" Ann thought. "I'm not the first girl who has faced the same problem. I haven't the money to take a rest, and no place to gC to have one. That's all there is tC itw
 There was nothing to do but gc on working-hoping to get through the winter somehow. Perhaps sht could get a room closer to the book store. Or @ job that would pay bet ter, 50 she could have some of tho things the doctor had prescribed
 She was feeling very tired to- night, and 1t had not been busy day. What would it be like durinf the Christmas rush? It really was nit fair to those two dear old peo' pie to be dragging through hel work. halfsick. They needed some one well and strong for the hoIi' days.
 The doctor had said, Some place i nice and quiet, where you can gel out in the open daily"
 The thought came suddenly. Il electrified Anne. Why not?
 "Did your letter bring gooc 1 news?" Sheila asked.
 A NO, but I've decided to go away