Plain Jane and pretty Betty

"Plain Jane and pretty Betty" by May Hollis Barton is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in a small American town, it contrasts the shy, resourceful Jane Cross with privileged Betty Browning while exploring class, kindness, ambition, and the weight of reputation as a girl tries to “win out” through character and effort. The opening of the story follows sixteen-year-old Jane as she leaves the grim mining town of Coal Run with her foster guardians, the Powells, survives a moving-van crash, and finds unexpected hospitality from odd but generous neighbors, Lydia Terrin and “Mad Marion.” Settling into Greenville, Jane’s first errand leads to a stinging slight from the beautiful Betty Browning, but also to a friendly ally in Billy Dobson, a grocer’s clerk and hopeful young inventor. That night a massive fire destroys Martin & Hull’s grain warehouses, injures Mr. Powell’s hands, and threatens the Brownings’ fortune because of a recent loan; by morning, suspicion—fueled by a witness and Mr. Hull’s resentment—unfairly falls on Billy. Jane publicly defends him, then returns home worried about money and quietly resolves to help as the Powells face hardship.

Plain Jane and pretty Betty, by May Hollis Barton. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #77832.