The Skylight Room (1917)

Elsie Leeson comes to Mrs. Parker's rooming house and takes its cheapest corner, the Skylight Room. She finds copying to do, and occasionally in the evening sits on the front steps with the other roomers. The women of the house are jealous; the men adoring. One night she points to a brilliant star above them and tells them she has named it Billy Jackson, and that it shines down through her skylight. Then work ceases and Elsie starves--bravely, cheerfully. One night she drags herself to her Skylight Room and, throwing a good-bye kiss to Billy Jackson, lies down with a smile. They find her next morning and send for the ambulance. Mrs. Parker tells the young ambulance doctor that she cannot understand what is the matter with Miss Leeson. He goes upstairs, gathers her in his arms and rushes down, paying his respects to Mrs. Parker on the way in a manner that leaves her feeling crumpled in mind and body. He tells the driver to drive like H. Next day the newspaper says: "She was taken to Bellevue Hospital suffering from debility, induced by starvation. Dr. William Jackson, the ambulance physician, says the patient will recover."