The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-21
CHAPTER XVIII

Beryl MelroSe was staying at the same hotel with Jackie. She had been staying there ever since Roger had been found and removed to the hospital. The moment she had re- ceived word that the silver plane had been forced down she had boarded the first transcontinental ship headed back East.
 The nurses told Jackie, over and over how wonderful Mrs. Melrose had been. They said it was doubt ful if Roger could have held on to the slender thread of life without her. She had scarcely left his side, day or night.
 He certainly wouldn't be alive today, if it weren't for Mrs. Mel rose," Doctor Watson, who attended Roger, added his word of praise. My, but she is a wonderful wom- an!"
 That was what Roger had said about Beryl too. More than once he had told Jackie how wonderful he thought Beryl was. In the anxious days that were to follow Jackie was to agree, if somewhat reluctantly, with this general opin- ion. Beryl was indeed a pillar of strength; her calm boise never de- serted her, never for a moment did she show signs of losing hope, or betray whatever emotions her heart may have held.
 She was wonderful to Jackie, too. Not only was she cheerful and kind, but she made every effort to be friendly and to win the younger girls liking and confidence. There were many long hours that they had to spend in each others com pany, not only in the hospital at Rogers side, but they had many meals together, took walks around tho little old-fashioned town, talked faY into the night after they had returned to their rooms.
 Jackie had to admit, to herself at least, that she did not know how she could have pulled through this trying time without Beryl. But sh0 admitted this reluctantly, too. Fcc Jackie did not want to grow to admire Mrs. Melrose; she was not eager to be friends with her.
 
 Jackie would not have been hu- man if she had not resented the fact that Beryl had reached Rogers side first-and that he practically owed his life to her. It is not easy to love someone whom you know another person loves too.
 It was not easy to stumble, un- willingly, upon the sort of scene that Jackie came upon several days after her arrival.
 Roger had been improving steadi- ly, if very slowly, so that now the crisis had passed. He had suffered severe head wound, double frac- tured arm and bad ankle, but there seemed no question as to his full recovery. He was still extremely weak; it would take weeks before he would be strong again; the shock alone was not one from which he could recover rapidly.
 He was able to talk a little now, though not allowed to overtax his strength. He could be propped up day. Jackie and Beryl usually took turns now visiting him, chatting cheerfully and impersonally-as or ders still remained that he was not to be eXcited-reading aloud, or just sitting in the room while he dozed.
 The morning of this particular day, Jackie had spent with him. She planned to write few letters in the afternoon, while Beryl was at the hospital.
 I'll stay until you come" Beryl said, in parting. Don't feel that you have to hurry, Jackie. Take time to do few things for your self today. You should, now that Roger is improving so much"
 T will" Jackie said. Isn't it grand that he's coming along so well? He seemed so much more like himself this morning. I won der how long it will be, Beryl, be- AOlC AtO6Ci I1ll iCoEC NAC iiOsopAeeAA. She would like some definite news to write her mother. Oh! the world was grand place, now that Roger was going to be all right. Jackie felt more like herself, too; her heart was light again, with relief and joy and gratitude.
 Beryl said, T am going to have a conference with Dr. atson today. Then we ought to know pretty definitely how much longer it is going to take for Roger to mend. Though what counts is the fact that he will get well. You know, Jackie" her lovely dark eyes grew Sober, Eff he hadn't-if anything serious had happened to Roger-I- I should have blamed myself for it.. I should never have forgiven my self-never!"