Mavericks

"Mavericks" by William MacLeod Raine is a tale set in the American West during the early 1900s, where the struggle between cattle ranchers and settlers ignites conflict and drama. The story centers around Phyllis Sanderson, a lively young woman navigating her feelings for Tom Dixon and her father’s hostility toward outsiders, and Keller, a mysterious stranger suspected of rustling who gets caught up in the local turmoil. As Phyllis witnesses Tom's boldness and deals with her disappointment in him, she finds her life complicated by Keller's arrival, a figure despised by her father. Set against accusations of cattle branding committed by a rustler that are delivered by Phil, Phyllis's brother, and Brill Healy, a ranchman, the narrative builds tensions, testing loyalties and exploring the boundaries of right and wrong. Phyllis's spirited nature hints at the intense struggles awaiting her as the community grapples with unresolved disputes.