Jan Vedder's Wife

by Amelia E. Barr

And Suneva, who had carefully fostered this scheme, would reply, “That is what I have always said, Peter. It is a poor family that has not one gentleman in it, and, please God and thy pocket-book, we will make a gentleman and a minister of our little Jan;” and the thought of his grandson filling a pulpit satisfied Peter’s highest ambition.

So, though there had been no visiting between the two houses, there were frequent tokens of courtesy and good-will, and Margaret, passing through the town, and seeing her father at his shop-door, stopped to speak to him.

“Where hast thou been, and where is thy boy?” he asked.

“He is at home with Elga. I have been to read with Mary Venn; she is failing fast, and not long for this life.”

As they spoke Tulloch approached, and, with a cold bow to Peter, turned to Margaret and said, “I will walk with thee, Mistress Vedder, as I have some business matter to speak of.” Then, after they had turned to Margaret’s 259 home: “It was about the interest of the seven hundred pounds placed to thy credit a few days since. I will count the interest from the first of the month.”

Margaret was completely amazed. “Seven hundred pounds!” she said, in a low trembling voice. “I know nothing about it. Surely thou art dreaming. Who brought it to thee?”

“Dr. Balloch. He said it was conscience money and not to be talked about. I suppose thy father sent it, for it is well known that he made his will a few days ago.”

Margaret, however, did not believe that it was her father. She was sure Jan had sent the money. It was her £600, with £100 for interest. And oh, how it pained her! Somewhere on earth Jan was alive, and he would neither come to her, nor write to her. He sent her gold instead of love, as if gold were all she wanted. He could scarcely have contrived a more cruel revenge, she thought. For once she absolutely hated money; but it put into her mind a purpose which would not leave it. If Snorro could find Jan, she could. The money Jan had sent she would use for that purpose.

She was cautious and suspicious by nature, 260 and she determined to keep her intention close in her own heart. All summer she watched anxiously for the return of “The Lapwing,” but it came not. One day, in the latter part of August, Dr. Balloch asked her to answer for him a letter which he had received from Lord Lynne. She noted the address carefully. It was in Hyde Park, London. Very well, she would go to London. Perhaps she would be nearer to Jan if she did.

She had now nearly £1,000 of her own. If she spent every farthing of it in the search and failed, she yet felt that she would be happier for having made the effort. The scheme took entire possession of her, and the difficulties in the way of its accomplishment only made her more stubbornly determined. The first, was that of reaching the mainland without encountering opposition. She was sure that both her father and Dr. Balloch would endeavor to dissuade her; she feared they would influence her against her heart and judgment. After August, the mail boats would be irregular and infrequent; there was really not a day to be lost.