Hard, high plains life has turned refined southern lady, Aurelia Syming¬ton, into a work-toughened, capable woman determined to give her best to those she loves. Aurelia is chosen president of the town company when the residents decide they must make the community of Paragon Springs into a real town or move on elsewhere. Step by step, Aurelia lays out the town, promotes it, and attracts businesses and families.Then Boot Harris, for his own profit and through fraud and violence, threatens the future of Paragon Springs. A western Kansas town can't sur¬vive unless it is the county seat and has a railroad and Aurelia goes after these improvements, but with the depression of the 1890s, two-thirds of the population leave for the Cherokee Run. Is a death-knell ringing for Paragon Springs?