A Whirl Asunder

"A Whirl Asunder" by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton is a tale set in late 1800s California, where Clive, a tired English gentleman, arrives to marry Mary Gordon but meets the lively Miss Helena Belmont, whose free spirit could change everything. Clive begins his journey with a tiring train ride, thinking about his upcoming marriage and feeling somewhat unenthusiastic. When he decides to walk, he runs into an old man who tells him stories about the mysterious Miss Belmont, who is known for ignoring the rules and having a sharp mind; it's this meeting with the old man that begins to give Clive second thoughts. As the story builds, Clive finds Helena's bold charm extremely appealing. Trying to choose between what is expected of him and what his heart really wants, Clive gets into a confusing situation; he must choose between marrying Mary and his unexpected attraction to Helena.