The Search by Grace Livingston Hill

On a suburban train bound for Bryne Haven, two young lieutenants, Harry Wainwright and Bob Wetherill, swagger through cynical talk of women, patronage, and Harry's intended marriage to Ruth Macdonald, exposing a world of privilege, vanity, and moral weakness. Their confidence falters when John Cameron, a disciplined working man, appears and silently shames Harry, whose old grudge against him is rooted in a past defense of a woman and his father's honor. Harry's schemes grow more urgent when he learns Captain La Rue may be connected to Ruth, while Cameron's quiet integrity and unseen alliances threaten to undo him. At the same time, Ruth is jolted from impatience into revelation when a railway crossing traps her runabout beside a farewell for the first draft men heading to war. Seeing mothers, sisters, and familiar boys from her own town, she suddenly understands the cost of sacrifice and the distance between her comfortable life and theirs. John Cameron's departure becomes especially moving, and their brief exchange leaves her shaken, ashamed, and determined to act. When John may miss his connection, Ruth launches into a desperate nighttime chase with Mrs. Cameron, determined to beat Harry's plot and get John to camp on time. The pursuit ends in a violent, high-stakes escape that tests loyalty, courage, and the power of character under pressure. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.