Rutledge

The story begins one gloomy November day when our narrator (who remains unnamed) spends her last hours with her boarding school friends before Arthur Rutledge arrives to take her to live with her aunt, Mrs. Edith Churchill. During the journey, the narrator and Mr. Rutledge are injured in a train wreck and are thus moved to a nearby parsonage to recuperate before continuing the journey. The parsonage is part of a large estate, called Rutledge, and here the young lady experiences the kindness and caring of the parsonage’s occupants. Since the narrator is an orphan, their loving attention makes a lasting impression upon her. When Mr. Rutledge and the parson determine that their charge is well enough to be moved, Arthur and the narrator make the short journey to the main estate house. Here, she enjoys freedom and tranquility such as she has never known, and she thrives under the indulgent goodness of Mr. Rutledge. All too soon, however, the time comes for Arthur to deliver her into the hands of her aunt.