THE WOMAN WHO VOWED

(THE DEMETRIAN)

BY

ELLISON HARDING

LONDON
T. FISHER UNWIN
ADELPHI TERRACE
MCMVIII

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CONTENTS

• CHAPTER  PAGE
• 1. A Goddess and a Comic Song  7
  2. Harvesting and Harmony  21
  3. The Cult of Demeter  37
  4. Anna of Ann  53
  5. Iréné  63
  6. Neaera  77
  7. A Tragic Denouement  94
  8. How the Cult was Founded  101
  9. How It Might be Undermined  119
  10. An Unexpected Solution  127
  11. The Plot Thickens  135
  12. Neaera's Idea of Diplomacy  144
  13. Neaera Makes New Arrangements  150
  14. "I Consented"  162
  15. The High Priest of Demeter  171
  16. Anna's Secret  183
  17. Designs on Anna of Ann  190
  18. A Dream  200
  19. The Legislature Meets  207
  20. On Flavors and Finance  219
  21. The Investigating Committee  226
  22. "Treasons, Stratagems, and Spoils"  238
  23. A Libel  249
  24. Neaera Again  259
  25. The Libel Investigated  266
  26. The Election  285
  27. The Joint Session  293
  28. Lydia to the Rescue  302
• Conclusion  315

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THE DEMETRIAN

CHAPTER I

A GODDESS AND A COMIC SONG

I remember awakening with a start, conscious of a face bending over me that was beautiful and strange.

I was quite unable to account for myself, and my surprise was heightened by the singular dress of the woman I saw. It was