The thought of going blind scared Irene witless. She had to accept it, however. Because she had no other choice. There was nothing she—or anyone else—could do to change it. And she had tried to resign herself to the way her life would be.
She had found ways to compensate for her deteriorating eyesight in the familiar setting of the orphanage, and she had imagined that she would remain there for the rest of her days, teaching and helping to care for the children without any family.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Mortimer had other ideas for Irene's future. When Irene's eighteenth birthday had arrived, the older woman had given her a choice—become a mail order bride or find a means to support herself in Chicago. But either way, she must leave the orphanage.