Paula Wayne, Wasteland Nurse — Isabel Stewart Way

With looks and a figure that belied the seriousness of her profession, young Doctor Paula Wayne had come to the California wasteland to take over her ailing Uncle Erle's practice, and to join his fight against the come-lately faction trying to put up another hospital in the desert. It was a bitter control, and old Doc's will to live hung on the outcome.

It didn't help matters when, unwillingly, Paula fell in love with Dr. Joel Leander, who led the opposition -- but the real trouble came with Mike Comarra, richest rancher in the desert. An animal of a man, well-aware of his influence, he threatened to switch his support to Joel if Paula rejected his advances.

“Life” to Paula had always meant the antiseptic facts and colored illustrations in her medical books. Now, she feared a reality she was ill-equipped to deal with. It took the primitive desert and emotions burned raw by the sun to mature her, to teach her that as long as there was honey, there would always be the taste of vinegar.