War and the Woman

Summary

In an era of burgeoning global discord, a young woman named Ruth, confronted by the disquieting truth of her stepfather, John Braun, as a clandestine operative, embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery across a vast landscape. Her serendipitous encounter with John Barker, a pilot whose craft has dramatically plummeted from the sky, ignites an instantaneous, profound connection, culminating in a swift union. However, their nascent marital bliss is brutally sundered by the outbreak of an unforeseen war, which summons John to his martial duties, leaving Ruth in the solitary charge of her domestic retinue. The tranquil countryside swiftly succumbs to enemy occupation, transforming the Barker estate into a stronghold and confining Ruth within its very walls. Unbeknownst to his captive wife, John, driven by an unyielding devotion, defies military protocol to penetrate enemy lines in pursuit of her. His timely arrival coincides with Ruth's climactic act of defiance: a furious detonation of the mansion's cellar, a spectacular, self-immolating gesture against her oppressors. Amidst the pyrotechnic chaos of the collapsing structure, the reunited couple makes a daring escape, soaring away in John's waiting aircraft, leaving the ruins of their former life behind.

Synopsis

After learning that her stepfather, John Braun, is a spy, Ruth leaves him and starts out upon a cross-country journey. In her travels, she sees a plane crash to earth and rushes to assist its pilot, John Barker. The two fall in love and are married. In the midst of their honeymoon, war breaks out and John is called to his post, leaving Ruth alone with only the servants to protect her. In John's absence, the enemy invades the countryside, commandeers the Barker house and imprisons Ruth in her room. Meanwhile, John takes leave to search for his wife. Managing to get through the enemy line, he arrives just as Ruth, enraged at the action of the invaders, dynamites the cellar of the house. As the building explodes, Ruth and John escape in his plane.