Jane Allen, Right Guard

by Edith Bancroft

"Jane Allen: Right Guard" by Edith Bancroft is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Jane Allen, a determined and independent young woman returning to Wellington College for her sophomore year, bringing with her the challenges of friendships, rivalry, and personal growth. As Jane navigates her college experience, she faces conflicts with classmates, particularly the antagonistic Marian Seaton, while also fostering strong bonds with friends who support her pioneering spirit. At the start of the novel, Jane is seen enjoying the beauty of her home ranch, where her father humorously encourages her to guess what he has in store for her. This leads to a joyful reunion with her letters from friends, indicating her excited anticipation to return to college. However, as she settles back into college life, Jane quickly realizes that her past grievances with certain students have not been forgotten, and tensions begin to rise with the arrival of Marian Seaton and her cousin, Miss Noble. The opening portion of the story sets the stage for Jane’s revitalized determination to thrive in her college environment while overcoming the adversities of social strife and misunderstanding.