Chicago, 10-8-1871. Deborah Sinclair, daughter of the wealthiest man in the area, has left the downtown area and headed to the home of her father (Arthur Sinclair) to tell him she will not marry the man Arthur wants her to marry for the social standing it will give Arthur. Deborah and Arthur argue and they turn in for the night not realizing that the city of Chicago is on fire. Deborah awakens to the sights, sounds and smell of fire. As she and Arthur are preparing to leave, a "bear" of a man bursts through the front door with a pistol aimed at Arthur. Deborah prevents the shooting of her father but then is snatched up by this very large man and he rescues her from the fire and heads to the docks. In the journey through the city, Deborah is in peril several times but each time is saved by this big man she now hates. He eventually puts her into a small boat and they head away from the city and Deborah learns the man's name is Tom Silver. He is after revenge and since he didn't get it by killing Arthur he informs Deborah that she is his hostage. Tom and his boat captain friend head for Isle Royale where Tom lives during the summer months.
Deborah is furious and does everything she can to disobey and frustrate Tom. They begin a months long battle of wits. Once they finally arrive at the island Deborah learns more about the people who live there and why Tom is seeking revenge. Tom sends a ransom note to Arthur only to receive a message that Arthur will pay no ransom and does not want Deborah back as she is "ruined" and no man will want to marry her. Hurt by her father's reaction Deborah sets out to make herself useful to the people on the island. She learn how hard these people work just to survive. When winter sets in and the Isle Royale is being evacuated for the winter, Deborah makes a selfish choice that could cost her her life as she is left behind. Alone. When Tom learns she was left on the island he heads out, in a blizzard, to get back to her. In the process he nearly freezes to death and when he finally finds Deborah she shoots him because she thought he was a bear. Deborah nurses Tom back to health and over the long winter days and nights Tom and Deborah come to realize what makes each of them act and react the way they do. Over time they realize they are in love but hesitate to say the words to each other. Spring brings a rescue party but not one either expected and soon both Tom and Deborah are in peril. Again!
The story had a nice element of suspense to it as well as the longed for happy ending.
Deborah is furious and does everything she can to disobey and frustrate Tom. They begin a months long battle of wits. Once they finally arrive at the island Deborah learns more about the people who live there and why Tom is seeking revenge. Tom sends a ransom note to Arthur only to receive a message that Arthur will pay no ransom and does not want Deborah back as she is "ruined" and no man will want to marry her. Hurt by her father's reaction Deborah sets out to make herself useful to the people on the island. She learn how hard these people work just to survive. When winter sets in and the Isle Royale is being evacuated for the winter, Deborah makes a selfish choice that could cost her her life as she is left behind. Alone. When Tom learns she was left on the island he heads out, in a blizzard, to get back to her. In the process he nearly freezes to death and when he finally finds Deborah she shoots him because she thought he was a bear. Deborah nurses Tom back to health and over the long winter days and nights Tom and Deborah come to realize what makes each of them act and react the way they do. Over time they realize they are in love but hesitate to say the words to each other. Spring brings a rescue party but not one either expected and soon both Tom and Deborah are in peril. Again!
The story had a nice element of suspense to it as well as the longed for happy ending.
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