Beadle's Pocket Library No. 454

This 1892 serial by Mrs. Orrin James follows a domestic melodrama set in the Missouri frontier town of New Bristol. Mary Miller, the beautiful nineteen-year-old daughter of a miller, is engaged to Luke Bryant, a virtuous steamboat mate. Her half-sister Annette unexpectedly arrives from New York and becomes jealously obsessed with Luke. When he remains faithful to Mary, Annette attempts sabotage by fabricating an accusation that Mary was sent west to hide a theft conviction. Luke rejects the slander and Annette's advances, earning her lasting hatred. She nonetheless feigns repentance and assists with wedding preparations while concealing her vindictive designs. The wedding proceeds as a celebrated community event. The narrative promises further complications involving a character identified as "Jupe" in connection with mysterious circumstances.