Kathleen's Diamonds; or, She Loved a Handsome Actor

"Kathleen's Diamonds; or, She Loved a Handsome Actor" by Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds around Kathleen Carew, a beautiful young heiress grappling with the shadows of her past, marked by the tragic suicide of her mother and the complex dynamics with her stepmother, Mrs. Carew. As Kathleen navigates societal expectations and her romantic entanglement with the handsome actor Ralph Chainey, she faces trials that threaten to unravel her very existence. At the start of this dramatic tale, the narrative takes a somber turn as it reveals the suicide of Kathleen's mother, setting the stage for Kathleen's tumultuous life. Sixteen years later, Kathleen is depicted as a romantic, yearning for a connection with the handsome stranger who once saved her life. The opening portrays her internal struggles and the control her stepmother exerts over her, particularly regarding her feelings for the actor. This tension builds as Kathleen decides to defy her stepmother’s wishes, leading her to a series of choices that dramatically alter the course of her life. The blend of romance, tension, and impending tragedy creates a gripping setup that invites readers to delve deeper into Kathleen’s journey. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller was the pen name of Mittie Frances Clarke Point, an American novelist. She wrote 80 dime novels during a 50-year career. Her first novel was Rosamond, but her success began with the 1883 romance, The Bride of the Tomb. She died in 1937. In 1978, her home, "The Cedars", was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.