A Virginia Cousin, & Bar Harbor Tales

"A Virginia Cousin & Bar Harbor Tales" by Burton Harrison is a set of stories exploring the social lives and love affairs of American characters, likely from the late 1800s. The first story centers on Theodore Vance Townsend, a young man from a privileged background in New York. He's struggling with a sense of dissatisfaction, especially when it comes to his relationships with his sister and a woman named Katherine Ainger, who he might marry. Theodore yearns for real love and purpose beyond his comfortable life. A visit to his Aunt Myrtle, who speaks of a Virginia cousin named Evelyn Carlyle, suggests a new direction for Theodore, one that involves family ties and maybe a chance at romance. As the story begins, we immediately know that the tales will focus on social pressures, personal development, and the tough choices people make when searching for love and happiness.