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About
In 1915, young Keagan Cadagan, a poor, Irish Catholic domestic, finds herself in a difficult situation. Having moved with her employer from Kansas City to Springfield, Missouri, she is told by her mistress, Maeve Flannigan, she must leave the household immediately. Maeve explains she is leaving her husband, Ian Flannigan, and taking their two children with her to escape her husband's tyranny and abuse. She tells Keagan that she is also in grave danger.
Keagan looks for new employment at a modest boarding house in Springfield, Missouri. She cleverly convinces the owner, Raymon Woodrome, a young Protestant, that she is qualified and deserving of a chance. Raymon hires her and is charmed by her wit, forthright nature, and hard work ethic.
Overtime and circumstances the two grow fond of each other. Raymon works long, hard hours at the Frisco Line rail yard. Keagan toils happily in the boarding house and garden. They become a team and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Neither, however, is quite sure how to handle their admiration and enjoyment of the other.
Raymon builds a cottage for her on his property. He goes to great lengths to personalize the cottage for Keagan. She knows now she is in love with Raymon but isn't sure of his feelings. Raymon is hesitant to show his love because of a previous, tragic romance. Raymon tells Keagan the story, hoping she will understand why he resists becoming romantically involved.
Raymon asks Keagan to accompany him to the graves of his departed brothers. He tells her that in autumn when the trees show their colors, it is a signal for him to remember the past. He comes to the cemetery to honor his brothers and covet the blessings of life. Keagan is warmed by his sensitive remarks.
One day in winter, she receives word from her siblings in Kansas City. The letter describes a life of great hardship. Feeling her family needs her, she takes the train to Kansas City and provides whatever help and support she can give.
Keagan stays in Kansas City much longer than she had originally planned. She misses her cottage, her work in the boarding house, and Raymon. When she finally returns to Springfield, Raymon and Keagan reestablish their fondness for each other. As their love grows stronger, problems of religious differences plague her. Keagan does not know how to resolve the problem of her Irish Catholic heritage and Raymon's English Protestant one. Keagan realizes Raymon loves her, respects her beliefs, and is non-judgmental. She would be free to practice her faith and he would support her. Despite discouragement from her childhood priest, they decide to marry.
After a simple marriage ceremony following an early morning Mass in the St. Agnes Cathedral, Keagan and Raymon return to their home and garden and have an ecumenical ceremony in front of their friends and neighbors. The two begin plans for their future. Unfortunately, their wedded bliss is interrupted by fears of the United States' increasing involvement in the war in Europe.
When the United States decides to enter the war in Europe, Raymon is drafted in the first U.S. military draft by the Selective Service. Raymon learns he has a heart condition that renders him physically unfit for military service and he is rejected. Trains were conscripted by the U.S. government to move troops and supplies. Raymon feels his duty to his country is to keep the trains running on the track. Then the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 spreads across the country. Raymon, with his weakened heart, contracts the flu. Despite all of Keagan's efforts, he dies, which renders her grief stricken.
Keagan makes a promise to Raymon that in autumn she will come to his grave and talk of her life, her fond memories and love for him. She keeps her promise in autumn. When the leaves turn in fall, she takes the time to remember Raymon and the love that they shared. This gives her the strength to learn to love again.
Keagan looks for new employment at a modest boarding house in Springfield, Missouri. She cleverly convinces the owner, Raymon Woodrome, a young Protestant, that she is qualified and deserving of a chance. Raymon hires her and is charmed by her wit, forthright nature, and hard work ethic.
Overtime and circumstances the two grow fond of each other. Raymon works long, hard hours at the Frisco Line rail yard. Keagan toils happily in the boarding house and garden. They become a team and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Neither, however, is quite sure how to handle their admiration and enjoyment of the other.
Raymon builds a cottage for her on his property. He goes to great lengths to personalize the cottage for Keagan. She knows now she is in love with Raymon but isn't sure of his feelings. Raymon is hesitant to show his love because of a previous, tragic romance. Raymon tells Keagan the story, hoping she will understand why he resists becoming romantically involved.
Raymon asks Keagan to accompany him to the graves of his departed brothers. He tells her that in autumn when the trees show their colors, it is a signal for him to remember the past. He comes to the cemetery to honor his brothers and covet the blessings of life. Keagan is warmed by his sensitive remarks.
One day in winter, she receives word from her siblings in Kansas City. The letter describes a life of great hardship. Feeling her family needs her, she takes the train to Kansas City and provides whatever help and support she can give.
Keagan stays in Kansas City much longer than she had originally planned. She misses her cottage, her work in the boarding house, and Raymon. When she finally returns to Springfield, Raymon and Keagan reestablish their fondness for each other. As their love grows stronger, problems of religious differences plague her. Keagan does not know how to resolve the problem of her Irish Catholic heritage and Raymon's English Protestant one. Keagan realizes Raymon loves her, respects her beliefs, and is non-judgmental. She would be free to practice her faith and he would support her. Despite discouragement from her childhood priest, they decide to marry.
After a simple marriage ceremony following an early morning Mass in the St. Agnes Cathedral, Keagan and Raymon return to their home and garden and have an ecumenical ceremony in front of their friends and neighbors. The two begin plans for their future. Unfortunately, their wedded bliss is interrupted by fears of the United States' increasing involvement in the war in Europe.
When the United States decides to enter the war in Europe, Raymon is drafted in the first U.S. military draft by the Selective Service. Raymon learns he has a heart condition that renders him physically unfit for military service and he is rejected. Trains were conscripted by the U.S. government to move troops and supplies. Raymon feels his duty to his country is to keep the trains running on the track. Then the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 spreads across the country. Raymon, with his weakened heart, contracts the flu. Despite all of Keagan's efforts, he dies, which renders her grief stricken.
Keagan makes a promise to Raymon that in autumn she will come to his grave and talk of her life, her fond memories and love for him. She keeps her promise in autumn. When the leaves turn in fall, she takes the time to remember Raymon and the love that they shared. This gives her the strength to learn to love again.