Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-09-28
The Humbling
of Jane
BY BELLE MANDATES
Copyright, iso.. By Belle Mandates

.rnondei to the summons and stood
INCREASINGLY before HIS daughter while,
~ arrordanee with her biweekly Gus
ION. she prepared him for his trip to
,own First she deity folded nuffiei
.hout his neck, buttoned HIS great
sost suusly over 1t and then put on his
4 cap tying the eariaps In place She
,evt handed him the memorandum foi
,,rneeries aud letter 20 mail. with in
struetions 10 carry 1t In his hand all
the way "lest he forget"
when he had taken his seat i'm the
wagon amid the molasses jug. kero-
some can and butter crooks, she put o
sandstone at his feet and tucked about
him heavy blanket shawl in lieu of
= lap robe. albeit the day was bright
and sparkling.
When he had driven away she went
serenely into the house to put the fin
ishlug touches TO the toilet of her sis
ter Rose a girl OF fourteen years Rose
did not submit to her costuming as
meekly as her father had done. She
pouted at the hanging braids of hair,
bucked against the white apron and
begged for dip to her blouse. Jane
suthorifatively sllenced and overruled
these objections, and Rose went sui
leuiy to school.
For i've years, since the death of her
mother. Jane had held tight rein over
the household. and it's members were
strictly under Jane rule. She was
Of .4s1nNstaf5anu s.f
was that her duty clearly lay In man
aging the affairs OF others People
were afraid of Jane They submitted
TO her domineeriag or avoided II.
There lived man on an adjoining
farm, however. who was not afraid of
Jane. For some time he had resolved
TO introduce her 10 her true self, aud
he had chosen this morning TO do IL.
He appeared amid the pots and kettles
and Jane.
Drop your work. Jane. and sit
down. l want to talk to you"
Well. joel, | guess you'll have to
choose some other time for visiting.
I'm no lady of leisure This is my
time to work"
Jane" said joel. with n new. quiet
ring in his voice. you are going to
listen to me now. have waited your
convenience just as long as / am GO
ing to-"
James nostrils dilated dangerously,
but her heart beat faster than 1t ever
had before. although she had kept
company" with Joel for six years.
Joel Dixon" she replied, swapping
of her words as IL she We're biting
thread. that isn't the tone to take
with me 1t doesn't go! | have no
time TO listen TO you now"
Joels stock OF patience had endured
for six years. 1t was now exhausted.
He recalled the vision he had encoun-
tered on his way hither of Titus Tivy
driving TO town. He gave a short
laugh at the recollection. squared his
shoulders for action and crossed the
kitchen to Jane. lie took the dishcloth
from her. threw 1t on the floor and, TAX
ing her arm. marched her into the sit
ting room and seated her on the plush
sofa.
Now wen talk business" he said
declsively.
Jane was silent from sheer surprise,
but into her being were inoculated
the germs OF fear. respect and liking
for Joel-tiny germs, II is true, but des-
tined to flourish.
II have waited six years for you to
name the day, Jane. IL you don't do
it, shall After your mothers death
1t was reasonable to expect TO wait n
year or maybe two. but I'll wait no
longer"
Jane was returning to her normal
condition.
I'VE must walt a year" she decreed.
The mortgage will be paid then. Rose
will be through school"
You'll marry me "A month from to-
day or not at ALL" he said composedly.
Jane jumped to her feet
Indeed! Well, am not going to b.
forced or threatened by you. Joel Dix
on, I'll not marry you until / see fit!'
Jane" he replied coolly, you are
acting under the mistake of thinking
you are necessary to your father and
Rose. They'd get along a great deal
better without you-Or more to their
liking anyway"
what do you mean?" she cried in
surprise
What l say. You haven't been so
successful running things here as you
think, and there's going to be no petit
coat rule at my house. Today's We'd
nesday. You just think over what l
have said. and Saturday about this
time I'll come over again and prove up
what / said"
Having thus spoken, Joel departed,
and Jane returned TO the distracted
washing of dishes with new food for
thought.
When her father was unfolding the
Wingyille Weekly that afternoon she
astonished him by saying:
PA, haven't l managed the house
well and kept up things since ma
died.?
Titus Tiyy peered at her over his
spectacles and paper He did not an