Girl of the Far Country — Alice M. Dodge

Beautiful, raven-haired Merry O'Dell is forced to leave college in order to support her invalid mother by farming their small estate, Rancho Estrada. Feeling her world has collapsed, she says good-by to her college friends and sets out for the far country.

It is not long before Merry attracts two of her new neighbors. Ron Miller, strong, tan and manly, is there to rely on, but there is a moodiness about him that makes him elusive. Meanwhile, charming, wealthy Bruce Van Ashton sweeps Merry off her feet, but his domineering mother looks down on the farm girl and tries everything in her power to curtail the romance. Threatened by a failing crop and a teamster's strike, Merry is thrown into danger and near-despair--but in the midst of turmoil comes a startling awakening about the two men in her life.