The man on the other side

"The Man on the Other Side" by Ada Barnett is a story about Ruth Courthope Seer, a woman in her forties, who finally obtains Thorpe Farm after immense difficulties. Finding comfort in her new surroundings, she starts to sense a bond with both the land and its former proprietor, touching on themes of affection, bereavement, and the progression of years. As Ruth enjoys the splendor and control of her farm, remembering her lonely life without relatives, she meets a puzzling stray dog, which transitions her contemplation toward recollections of a previous owner, laying the foundation for more profound ties, both with the terrain and the man who treasured it long ago. Her encounter with Roger North, a man associated with the farm's history, implies the blending of their lives and the developing account of sadness and renewal, all within the context of rural tranquility.