The Woman in Red

Shelby Barret is a stable hand who tends show horses for the wealthy widow Mrs. Nicholas, nicknamed Nicko. She meets Johnny Wyatt, the destitute son of a Long Island family who polo's for Nicko, and a quiet attraction begins to form between them. The chapter hints at the class and money tensions that will shape their romance.

Nouveau-riche Gene Fairchild, who rides his own entries, falls for Shelby, while Nicko remains in love with Johnny. Johnny becomes torn between love and pride as the social dynamics of Wyattville press in. The rival affections set the stage for conflict.

Nicko fires Shelby from her position, fueling rumors of scandal and putting a strain on Johnny and Shelby's relationship. Johnny, proud and protective, begins to doubt their ability to sustain a life together. The couple's future hangs in the balance.

Despite the mounting pressure, Shelby and Johnny elope and marry, seeking a fresh start away from Nicko's courthouse gossip. Johnny brings Shelby back to Wyattville, hoping for acceptance from his family. The new marriage marks a turning point in both their ambitions and their loyalties.

Johnny's snobbish family treats Shelby with cold reserve and refuses to fully welcome the match. The couple nevertheless starts a business handling the horses of wealthy neighbors, attempting to prove themselves. Shelby's dream depends on securing a loan she hoped her Kentucky grandfather would provide.

To fund the new venture, Shelby quietly borrows money from Fairchild without telling Johnny. She keeps the loan a secret to preserve their pride and the illusion of independence. The decision plants seeds of moral risk that threaten their marriage.

Nicko appears to spread gossip about Shelby, stirring scandal and pressuring Johnny and his family. The town's judgemental eyes threaten to tear the couple apart. The situation worsens as the business grows under scrutiny.

When Johnny is away, Fairchild invites Shelby aboard his yacht to entertain a wealthy client. Olga, a chorus girl, accompanies them and ends up drowning after falling overboard. Fairchild becomes a suspect as the investigation unfolds.

An officer claims he saw Fairchild leaving the ship with a mysterious woman in red. Shelby, fearing scandal, eventually confesses that she is the woman in red and prepares to testify. The confession reframes the case around her loyalty to Johnny. The case becomes a test of love and loyalty.

The Wyatt family arrives to support Shelby and protect the family name as the trial approaches. Shelby must decide whether to reveal her truth in front of the court. Her willingness to testify marks a turning point in her marriage.

Shelby gives testimony proving she was the 'woman in red' and reveals it was her. By owning up to the role, she saves Fairchild from a harsher verdict, though she acknowledges the risk to her marriage. The courtroom drama intensifies as Johnny's future with Shelby hangs in the balance.

Eugene proposes that Shelby divorce Johnny and marry him, hoping to claim the wealth and status that eluded him. Shelby answers that her love for Johnny endures and she remains loyal to him. The offer underscores the personal stakes of the case.

Johnny waits for Shelby outside the courthouse and reminds her of their vow that they are a closed corporation. He produces his own handkerchief to help her blow her nose, and they share a tender embrace. The couple's bond is sealed as they move forward together.