Her Awakening

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HE AWAKENING

Pearl Bennett


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HE AWAKENINGbyPearl Bennett

JANE CARTER is looking up at her tall, sunburned husband witha queer expression in her clear, blue eyes. A thought comes

over her, and as she again droops her head she wonders whyshe ever married him, and why he ever married her.

Jack, I dont believe you really ever loved me, she murmurs,placing her hand on his arm.

He looks down at her with a surprised look and repliesWhy little dear, dont say such horrible words to me, you knowI love you, and I have loved you ever since we rst met.

As the tears ll her eyes she says I know you arediscouraged, perhaps we were foolish for taking so muchupon ourselves, the farmeverything

At this a queer laugh escapes Jacks lips, and sweeping Jane,his young wife into his arms he kisses her passionately on theforehead, and then, patting her lovingly on the back, he leaves


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her, in the garden, while he mounts his horse, waves back afarewell, and rides out of sight.

Jane, re-enters the house, and drops listlessly into a chair,where she buries her face in her hands, for a long while. Shevisualizes herself seven years back. What a different life shehad thenhow rosy the future seemed to her, and how thornyit had has turned out to bewith nothing, but cows, horses,sheep, chickens, babies, butter, cheese Yes, Jane is very tired,and for a few moments, she forgets her present surroundings,

and thinks of the past, when she and Jack rst fell in love.A few hours later, Jane with her beloved babies, goes out

to milk the cows. As she sits the children down on a box, shecommences to go about her duties, but to no availher heartand mind are elsewhere. The tears come to her eyes and fall fast,while her babies, a chubby girl and boy, seeing their mamassorrow, cry also, and their little wails mingle with the calvesbellowing, the pigs squealing, the lambs bleating, and theimpetuous beating of Janes heart. As all this goes on, night,too lowers its shadows.

Suddenly Jane dries her tears and murmurs the wordsOh, God, how long?

And then, as though from nowhere comes a reply Lookslike you need help.

Jane gives an alarmed start, but looking behind the barnshe beholds Lester Montgomery, a wealthy, and popular manof the town.

Whywhy good evening, Mr. Montgomery, you gave meat tremendous shock, answers Jane, unconsciously arrangingher pretty, curled hair.


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I guess you thought there was no human about, for at leasttwenty- ve miles around, eh? he acquiesces cheerily, while

Jane agrees with him with a dimpled smile. As they stand therein the twilight, a conversation soon takes place, which growsmore and more mutual.

Eventually Montgomery declares that he does not see howa woman, of any kind, much less, a frail delicate woman like

Jane can stand such work on the farm. How can she listen tosuch an inhuman noise as this.

For an instant Jane droops her head, for her thoughtsand his are mutual on that pointthen she wistfully says

Suppose the lady had no choice in the matter?Well, little lady, give me your pails, and Ill milk the cows

for you he replies good-naturedly, as Jane gladly allows himto relieve her of that duty. She goes over to the babies, and asa loving mother will, she kisses them each on their fat littlecheeks.

While Montgomery milks the cows he chats gleefully away,at the same time, casting looks of admiration in the directionof Jane. The twilight fades away into evening, and Montgomery

nishes milking the cows, and doing the chores. At the springhouse he separates the milk and brings the empty pails intothe cabin. Jane takes the babies into the house, and after givingthem their supper and bath, she places them to bed.

Later, we see Jane and Lester in the parlor, both seatedcomfortably about the replace, chatting. Lester puffs little

rings of smoke into the air from his cigarette, at the same timetelling Jane how pretty she is, and what a hit she would makein the city. She listens with growing interest, for the life of the


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farm has never appealed to her. As he rambles on, telling herof the glories of New York, the cabarets, the ballrooms, etc.,the tears again ll Janes eyes, and half-unconsciously she sobsas though heart-broken. However, after a long, pause, LesterMontgomery glances at his watch, and as it tells him the houris 11:30, he rises, takes his hat, and bids Jane goodnight. Shewalks to the door with him, and as he goes out, thanks himfor helping her as he has done. He takes her hand, squeezes itgently, and after shyly kissing Jane on the cheek, he quickly

hastens away. Jane is weary, and now that Montgomery has visited her, she

is more lonesome than ever. With a heartbreaking effort sheclimbs the stairs to her bedroom, there to retire, and perhapsforget the toils of the day amid the blessing of slumber. As Jane

nally gets into bed, and under the covers, the only earthlysounds she hears is the timely ticking of the clock, and thedistant tinkling of the sheep bells, outside of the rhythmicbreathing of the babies. Yes, in less than twenty minutes, adeep slumber overtakes the Jane Carter

After a short while, Jane awakes with a start. As she sits upin bed, with ears at attention, she hears a loud knocking on thedoor. Half terri ed, she jumps out of bed, slips on negligee, andrushes to the door with a lamp in hand. Hello, whose there?she calls, attempting to be de ant in the face of danger.

Why itsitsILester Montgomery. Let me in!!! Quitesuddenly Jane feels a cold still run up and down her spine. Hereyes grow large, and she bites her lips.

Did you forget something? she asks of him.


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Yesernowhy dont you open the door? he says, andhis voice is a strain bolder than before.

Placing the lamp on the table, Jane Carter throws back herproud head, and replies Come in, Mr. Montgomery, I neverlock my doors to anyone.this in a stern, self-reliant voice.

In an instant the door is thrust open and Lester walks in,with a half smile on his face. As he throws his hat on the table,and looks into the blazing eyes of Jane, he whispers Littlegirl, dont look at me like that, I simply had to come back.

Janes beautiful face grows pale, and she trembles. Howdare you come back at this hour of the night! she demandsof him, moving back against the wall. Montgomery closes thedoor behind him, steps over to Jane takes her in his arms, andkisses her many times on the lips, cheeks, forehead, and throat,until she is overcome with the thrill of being so near to him,the thrill of feeling his warm lips in contact with her own.

Jane, he nally says, with the utmost of tenderness andsympathy Youre only a little girlso young, and sweetIcant see you stay here and wear yourself out the way youredoing, and Jane a man doesnt think anything of a girl if he letsher work like you do, milk cows, and live out here miles andmiles from anyone. Do you realize that your nearest neighboris twenty-three miles away? I tell you this homestead is noplace for you. Jack may be alright, but he isnt playing fair.

Jane droops her head, just a wee, little bit, but Lester isquick to see. His dark eyes ash, and pressing the slight form

of this girl woman ever so close to him, and as she nestlesher head on his shoulder, he murmurs Jane, my darling, letme take you away from all thisIve loved you from the very


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beginning, Im madly in love with youlittle dear, I want tomake you happy. Say that youll let me take you away from allthis drudgery and unhappiness.

In an instant Jane realizes the truth. She knows that shehas already allowed Lester to go too far. Thus, with an almostsuperhuman effort, she draws herself out of his strong grasp.He releases her, but catches her hands and holds them tight.

Lester, forgive me for letting you kiss meI dont knowwhy I didnt kill you when you just came in, or why Im

listening to your talk. What you say may be truebut leaveme manleave me at once, do not humiliate me any longer,I belong to Jack, and I dare not leave my two babiesI lovethem, and no man can make me leave them alone.

For an instant Lester drops her hands, and both stand insilence. Again the sound of a tinkling cowbell in the distancecomes faintly to their ears. Jane, overcome with nervousness,falls into a nearby chair, burying her head in her hands. Lestersighs deeply. A gentle whiff of perfume-scented breeze is waftedthrough the open windows, fanning Janes disheveled hair, andher heated face. Still, it seems to bring her back to a realizationof her present surroundings.

In due time Lester, approaches the disconsolate gure, andagain laying his hand gently on her back, he whispersI amgoing to take you with me, everything is in readiness, we willcatch the 5:30 train going east. In the morning a lady willcome to take care of the children.

At the mention of her babies Jane pushes him away. Herefuses to relent, but again seizes her with all the passionof his masculinity. Eventually she succumbs to his whims.


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Tremblingly she raises her hands, and throwing them abouthis neck, she draws him down to her, kissing him of her ownaccord. Just at this instant the clock strikes 2.

Jane, do you know that God gives every living thing a Mate,he made women for men to loveyou are my matemy woman,and I am your man, and before that same God that made youand II swear to always love youisnt that playing fair?

Jane, being only a lonesome young woman believes thatsuch a love as Lester would give her would be worth all the

homesteads in the world, yet, she hesitates, and asks But,have you no heart, dont you want to leave Jack anything?

Montgomery, in his characteristic way assures her that Jackwill have plenty if he is left the children, and that in them hewill forget Jane. As Montgomery rambles on, telling the littlelovesick Jane about cars, beautiful homes, exquisite gowns,servants, theaters, balls, the best of music, and eatables like aqueenwhat more can her starved heart crave.

In short, Jane hastens to her room, dons her clothes, packsa few necessities, kisses each of her darlings, and leaves thehomestead, forever, with her mate. Yes, she is to have all shewants, and Montgomery to love her always.

Once the couple boards the train down for the East, Janesmiles wanly, but asks Lester if he knows what they are doing,and if he realizes what others will think and say. That queerlaugh of Lesters is heard again, and he tells Jane, that nobodycould condemn her for answering the call that comes but once-

in-a-lifetimethe call of Love.Time elapses, and Jane Carter has livedyes, lived the life

she, herself has chosenbut alasFate has besprinkled her


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path, not with owers, as she had dreamed and anticipated,but rather with tearssorrowsand disappointment. Today,we see her, a beautiful, exquisitely gowned lady, kneeling atthe edge of the soft, inviting bed. Yes, she is kneeling in prayer,and amid the urry of tears, she is asking God to take care of her babies, and to take care of Jack, and to help him forgiveher for the babies sake.

No sooner has she nished her prayers when the door toher chamber is opened and a man enters. It is quite evident

that he is intoxicated, and as he realizes the truth, he laughsboisterously. Why Jane, youre not praying, are you?

She rises to her feet. Her eyes blaze, and she grows visiblypale. Yes, son of Satan, I was praying for the only man thatever loved me, the only man I love, and for his children.

Another hilarious laugh from the brute, otherwise known asLester Montgomery, as he states that Jack Carter has forgotten

Jane by this time, also that he probably has some good womanwith him now.

A groan escapes the lips of the miserable woman, andLester mockingly asks Would you have the nerve to goback to him after all but he says no more, for Jane, leavesthe room, shuddering.

Sometime later, while at the dinner table, Lester, informshis wife that he is giving a little party at the Hotel de Royalin the evening, and that he wants her to look her prettiest, inthat new gauzy pink dress he bought her, adding You know,

the one without the sleeves, and minus the waist.And Jane does not reply, for she has encountered many such

scenes, and she is not willing for another argument to take


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a host of young people congregate, and the large spaciousroom is almost lled when Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery arrive.It seems to Jane that there have never been so many lights,and she wants so much to hide for real shame.

Lo boys, greets Lester, I want you to meet my wife, shescertainly a ne little chicken.

Jane is very indignant that, but realizes that she mustsubmit to the attery of Lesters friends. As Mr. Montgomeryintroduces his wife to the other members of the party, he

carefully slips off her cloak, revealing her bare shoulders, andbarer back. Jane colors scarlet as the young men take her infrom head to foot. A group of women come over to Lester,and as they placed her arms around his neck and waist, theyexclaim that they never knew he had a wife.

And thus, while Lester entertains the other women, theother men entertain Jane. She nds it dif cult to evade theirattentions. A Mr. Weston asks her for a dance, and while givingit to him, he positively insists upon kissing her. Another, Mr.Moore, takes Jane to the bar, and forces her to drink withhim. She grows disgusted, and almost moved to tears. Finallyshe goes over to Lester and begs him to take her home, awayfrom all of this.

He gives her a violent shove, saying Why, whats thematter with you, those men hold my nancial affairs in theirhands, and its up to you to get them to drink plenty so theywill talk, I brought you here to nd out what mining stock is

going to be sold at, and at what date. Then I can get my plansworking. The tears come to Janes eyes, but Lester roughlytwists her wrist, asking Will you do that for me? Andthus, she is forced to say, Yes.


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Later in the evening Montgomery leaves Jane at the tablewith a group of other men. Moore is telling Jane how beautifulshe is, while another fellow is trying to hold her hand. Theremainder of the men are drinking, and as it is all of them arealready very much intoxicated. Jane looks frantically about forsome means of escape, but the dark eyes of Montgomery areever on her, and she does not dare to move.

Just then, Weston comes over to Jane, and throwing his armaround her waist, he takes her in his arms, and says Im

going to kiss that beautiful neck of yours, which he does. Hethen carries her into an adjoining room, locking the door afterhim. She looks at him with large, fearful eyes, and he laughs,hysterically in a mocking, intoxicated fashion.

Terror-stricken she cringes back into a corner, shoutingGet away from meyouyou dog!

And at this very instant, a tender voice whispers in Janesear Little mother, are you going to get up today?

Suddenly Jane opens her eyes, and as she sees a dear facenear to hers she exclaims Jack, is it really you?

Why yes, girlie, Ive been kissing you for the last threeminutes, and all of a sudden you threw me away from you,he answers with a peculiar little laugh.

Oh, Jack, hold me at your arms, and kiss me pleaseand Jack, are you sure were still on the homestead, are you sureits Idaho? she asks in terror.

In a few moments Jack has calmed his lovely wife, and

is telling her that he came all the away from the bridge thismorning to break some good news to her. She smiles wanlyas she realizes that the whole dreadful story was but a viledream.


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In a moment a rosy cheeked little boy enters the roomexclaiming MuvverDaddy comed home.

A little chubby girl follows her brother into Janes room,saying Mornin Muvver. Jane springs up and clutchesboth her little darlings in her arms, and kisses themcomvulsively.

Later, Jane is pouring tea into some cups on the breakfasttable, when Jack enters the room with two white clad youngsterson his shoulders. Jack says something to his wife, but she fails

to hear what he is saying, glancing instead out across thecountry that the glorious sun, rising over the mountains. Asshe visualizes the beauty of the pines, the green grass, thequaking asps, she realizes that she has never gazed upon amore beautiful and heavenly scene.

A penny for your thoughts, little Mother, says Jack to hiswife, while she turns, and in an earnest tone says They areworth a million dollars to me, and Ill never give them to youfor nothing.

Jack kisses Janes soft white hand, and she continues Iwas thinking about Idaho as a homelandshe is called the GemStateI never thought so much about her until nowthereare no sunsets or sunrises that can equal ours anywhere inthe world, and we have the Garden of the Eden right here atour feetand to think that I was discouraged because I hadto live here and milk cows, but Jack, get me the buckets, andIll milk with a heart that rejoices this morning.

In instant the little Mother is clutched in Jacks strongarms, when, to her surprise he tells her that there is to be nomore milking for her, as he has already milked the cows, but,


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Her Awakening

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