The Valley of Decision
In
1873, Irish immigrant Mary R. lives with her wheelchair-bound father
Pat and her widowed sister, Kate S., in a small shack in an area of
Pittsburgh known as "The Flats."
Soon after starting her job, Mary falls instantly in love with Paul,
who has just returned home from London. One year passes, and Paul
proposes to Mary, but she rejects the idea because it would be improper
for her, a servant, to marry her master's son. Two years pass, and
when William learns that Paul is in love with Mary, he recalls Mary
to Pittsburgh and gives his blessing to their marriage.
Paul and Mary resume their romance, but Mary's happiness is soon dampened
by the discovery that her father has been leading a crippling and
violent strike against William's mill. Patrick and William are killed
in the fight, and their deaths fill Mary with so much grief that she
concludes that she and Paul can never marry. One day, the aged and
ailing Clarissa sends for Mary, and tells her that she is willing
her share of the mill to her. Paul then leaves Louise, who has only
shown an interest in his money, and goes to Mary.
