An orphan's movement from convent escape to theatrical fame brings success, displacement, and rejection upon her return home.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Escape And Adoption
Aurelie escapes from a convent and is adopted by Mississippi riverboat captain Lindstrom. Seeking stability for her, he arranges a new home with his brother John.
Key Events
New Orleans Orphanage — Aurelie is introduced as an orphan from New Orleans.
Location: New Orleans
Convent Escape — Aurelie escapes from the convent before Captain Lindstrom becomes involved. Characters: Captain LindstromLocation: A convent
Riverboat Rescue — Riverboat captain Lindstrom encounters Aurelie after her escape. Characters: Captain LindstromLocation: A Mississippi riverboat
Adoption Decision — Captain Lindstrom adopts Aurelie and assumes responsibility for her future. Characters: Captain LindstromLocation: A Mississippi riverboat
Search For Stability — Captain Lindstrom decides that Aurelie needs a steadier life. Characters: Captain Lindstrom, John LindstromLocation: The Mississippi River region
Transfer To John — Captain Lindstrom sends Aurelie to live with his brother John. Characters: Captain Lindstrom, John LindstromLocation: A quiet river valley town
Life In The Valley
Aurelie grows up in a quiet river valley town under John Lindstrom's care. Her transformation into a striking young woman changes how the community sees her.
Key Events
Transfer To John — Captain Lindstrom sends Aurelie to live with his brother John. Characters: Captain Lindstrom, John LindstromLocation: A quiet river valley town
River Valley Home — John Lindstrom is established as a squatter in the river valley town. Characters: John LindstromLocation: A quiet river valley town
Aurelie Comes Of Age — Aurelie grows into a striking young woman while living in the town. Characters: John LindstromLocation: The river valley town
Beauty Contest Entry — Aurelie enters a beauty contest that attracts local attention. Characters: Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The river valley town
Beauty And Ambition
Aurelie wins a beauty contest and receives an offer from a theatrical producer. She leaves the valley and rises quickly to fame.
Key Events
Beauty Contest Entry — Aurelie enters a beauty contest that attracts local attention. Characters: Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The river valley town
Beauty Contest Victory — Aurelie wins the beauty contest and gains new public visibility. Characters: Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The river valley town
Producer's Offer — A theatrical producer offers Aurelie an opportunity after her contest victory. Characters: Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The river valley town
Departure For Theater — Aurelie leaves the valley to pursue the theatrical opportunity. Characters: John Lindstrom, Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The river valley town
Swift Rise To Fame — Aurelie's rise to fame is described as swift.
Location: The theatrical world
Fame Transforms Her Status — Aurelie becomes publicly known beyond her original river valley community.
Location: The theatrical world
Rejected Homecoming
Aurelie returns to her original community but encounters rejection from the townspeople. Wiley Curran and Harlan Van Hart remain drawn to her despite the social hostility.
Key Events
Fame Transforms Her Status — Aurelie becomes publicly known beyond her original river valley community.
Location: The theatrical world
Return To Valley — Aurelie returns home after rising to fame. Characters: John Lindstrom, Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The quiet river valley town
Town Rejects Aurelie — The townspeople reject Aurelie when she returns. Characters: John Lindstrom, Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The quiet river valley town
Local Judgment — Aurelie faces social resistance despite her theatrical success. Characters: John Lindstrom, Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The quiet river valley town
Wiley Remains Drawn — Wiley Curran remains attracted to Aurelie after her return. Characters: Wiley CurranLocation: The quiet river valley town
Harlan Remains Drawn — Harlan Van Hart also remains attracted to Aurelie. Characters: Harlan Van HartLocation: The quiet river valley town
Competing Attachments — Wiley and Harlan remain the two men drawn to Aurelie after her homecoming. Characters: Wiley Curran, Harlan Van HartLocation: The quiet river valley town
Story Breakdown
Orphaned Escape — Aurelie begins without a stable family and escapes from a convent.
New Orleans Origins — The story identifies Aurelie as an orphan from New Orleans.
Convent Escape — Her escape initiates the chain of events that changes her life.
Riverboat Adoption — Captain Lindstrom adopts Aurelie and assumes responsibility for her future.
Captain Finds Aurelie — The Mississippi riverboat captain encounters Aurelie after her escape.
A New Guardian — Captain Lindstrom becomes Aurelie's adoptive guardian.
Valley Guardianship — Captain Lindstrom sends Aurelie to live with his brother in a quiet river valley town.
John's River Valley — John Lindstrom is established as a squatter in the valley town.
Growing Into Beauty — Aurelie grows into a striking young woman under the new arrangement.
Public Beauty Triumph — Aurelie's appearance brings her recognition through a local beauty contest.
Contest Appearance — Aurelie enters the beauty contest in the river valley community.
Winning Recognition — Her victory creates the opportunity for a wider public career.
Theatrical Ascent — A theatrical producer's offer moves Aurelie from local recognition to rapid fame.
Producer's Offer — A theatrical producer offers Aurelie a professional opportunity.
Swift Fame — Her rise in the theatrical world is described as swift.
Rejected Homecoming — Aurelie returns to the town but is rejected by its people.
Return To Town — Aurelie comes back to the community she previously left.
Community Rejection — The townspeople reject her despite her success away from home.
Persistent Suitors — Two local men remain attracted to Aurelie after her difficult homecoming.
Wiley's Attraction — Local newspaper editor Wiley Curran remains drawn to Aurelie.
Harlan's Attraction — Harlan Van Hart, the judge's college-educated son, also remains drawn to her.
Aurelie, an orphan, escapes from a New Orleans convent and is adopted by Mississippi riverboat captain Lindstrom. So that she can have a more settled life, he sends her to live with his brother, John Lindstrom, a squatter in a small river valley town. There she develops into a beautiful woman and wins a newspaper's beauty contest, attracting an offer from a theatrical producer, which she accepts. She rapidly achieves success, but when she returns to town, she is spurned.
