The Detroit times., 1908-07-23
JANE ADAMS VENGEANCE

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who have heen your nearest neigh
Dor for so many years. | am sorry
for you and James, you poor dears."
she ratified on.
Jane loked at her In frank amaze
ment but Mrs. Harvey went on rap
idly; ITO think that Lem Harrison
could BIO so cruel Is beyond me"
What In heavens name do you
mean?" demanded Jane, stiffening at
the mention OF the name. why.
isn't IL so?" asked Mrs. Harvey be-
wildered, Isn't IL 500" Isn't what
500"
why that Lem Harrison won't al
low his daughter TO marry James.
and that James is going away from
the village" who told you that?"
demanded Jane. her tall angular fig
ure trembling with rage.
why every one In the village is
talking about it," answered Mrs.
Harvey. quaking before James blaz-
ing eyes. "Oh. they are, are they?"
"Oh. my eyes," went on her in.
former gradually gaining her wits.
Lem Harrison just ragged. and said
his daughter should never marry
James. and you know what a tyrant
he is. Poor Estelle Is fading like a
flower and her mother does nothing
but weep at her utter helplessness."
We'll, well see what we can do"
snapped Jane, as she called to her
hired man to hitch up bay Nell. Mrs.
Harvey you'll have to excuse me. I'm
going out" She put away her knit.
finO fnlAaH hnr oil N
laid IL carefully away then took her sun.
bonnet from the hook. stepped light
ly into the waiting buggy and turned
the old bay into the road.
Jane was considered careful
driver, but the old mare was in
lather when she stopped before the
comfortable house where James had
been so frequent caller
Estelle sat on the porch. a pale
frightened Estelle who fluttered to
her feet and ran down the walk at
sight Of James reckoning hand.
"Estelle. will you come home to
supper with me?" asked Jane.
The girl looked doubtfully towards
the house.
III were you, would come right
along before your father sees you
urged Jane. Like as not. he
wouldn't want you to go with me-"
she added.
without another word Estelle
climbed into the buggy beside Jane.
who turned homeward, sending the
mare along the road as fast as she
could go.
But ought not to GO Miss
Adams cried Estelle suddenly, SELF.
ing the older woman's arm.
He stopped calling and when [
wrote and asked what was the mat.
ter. he sent me note telling me
to forget him. she sobbed, "an6
father never liked James and said
| should never marry him. But, oh.
Miss Adams. | have wanted To see
rim SO muct.
DO you love him enough 10 marry
him against your fathers wisne,-.
to marry him today?" askei Jane
arNiously.
Fer answer the girl laid her head
on James shoulder and burst into
tears. There, there child, don't take
on so. he is just as bad as you are.
II wasn't his fault. that note-it was
mine. Estelle there amt many men
can love as women do. but he is one"
James stood at the gate when they
drove In. Jane had forgotten all
about his errand to the parsons. Sac
jumped out lightly, ordering him to
take her seat beside Estele. Now
you two young folks go straight to
the parsonage. while | go In and
cook the wedding supper"
Jane watched them disappear in a
cloud of dust. then sank into her arm
chair and sobbed for Joy. Its non
sense. me getting anything extra for
supper; they won't know what they
are eating anyhow"
The news OF the elopement
spread like wild fire over the little
village. They were just finishing the
little supper. when Lem Harrison.
white with rage rode up to James
porch. She greeted him with a tri-
umphant smile and a sarcastic good
evening. Miss Adams" he began
struggling to maintain his COM
posture. IT heard James and Estelle-
"Yes," broke In Jane gleefully, land
they were married." and they are go
ing on their honeymoon to the city
tomorrow" The next day when the
young folks had departed and Jane
had recovered from the excitement
she said to Mrs. Harvey:
81 guess | didn't get even with Lem
Harrison; he Tilted me, but I stole
his daughter, for Of course, they live
here with me-"
The thought of their happiness
swept over her like a wave drown
ing the last remnant OF bitterness.
James vengeance watched and tended
for so long had blossomed and fiow-
Grad into hanDiuess