That Girl Montana
by Marah Ellis Ryan (1866–1934)
- Free to read
- 7 hours to read
- 29 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"That Girl Montana" by Marah Ellis Ryan is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against the backdrop of the untamed American West, situated primarily in the Kootenai River area, and revolves around a young girl named 'Tana, who comes to be connected with a murder mystery and the complexities of her interactions with the local community, including both Native Americans and white settlers. The opening portion introduces a cast of characters engaged in discussions about 'Tana, who is presumed to be linked to the murder of Lee Holly, a notorious man in the area. The narrative unfolds with two strangers observing her, admiring her unconventional beauty and boldness amidst the wilderness. As the story progresses, we see glimpses of 'Tana's independent spirit, her swimming prowess, and her reluctance to fit into the established societal norms. In her interactions with Dan Overton, a man intrigued by her character, we sense her desire to escape the constraints of both her past and the gaze of judgment from the civilized world. This early setup creates a compelling premise for exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of youth in a rapidly changing world.
Read the opening
Prologue
"That girl the murderer of a man—of Lee Holly! That pretty little girl? Bosh! I don't believe it."
"I did not say she killed him; I said she was suspected. And even though she was cleared, the death of that renegade adds one more to the mysteries of our new West. But I think the mere suspicion that she did it entitles her to a medal, or an ovation of some sort."
The speakers were two men in complete hunting costume. That they were strangers in the Northwest was evidenced by the very lively interest they took in each bit of local color in landscape or native humanity. Of the latter, there was a most picturesque variety. There were the Northern red men in their bright blankets, and women, too, with their beadwork and tanned skins for sale. A good market-place for these was this spot where the Kootenai River is touched by the iron road that drives from the lakes to the Pacific. The road runs along our Northern boundary so close that it is called the "Great Northern," and verily the land it touches is great in its wildness and its beauty.
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About this edition
This free edition of That Girl Montana by Marah Ellis Ryan comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #27475, released 2008-12-09. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, Novels, American Literature.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
