The Sisters

On the night of the 1904 presidential election, Louise catches the eye of Frank Medlin and he asks her to dance. Tom Knivel is prepared to propose to Louise, but Frank's intrusion shifts the momentum in Louise's affections. The encounter foreshadows a course of choices that will pull the sisters in different directions.

Frank unexpectedly proclaims plans to wed Louise during Sunday dinner at the Elliott home. The announcement sparks parental disapproval and tension within the family. Louise's decision to accept the proposal sets the plot on a path toward departure from Silver Bow.

That night, Louise leaves Silver Bow with Frank to start a new life in San Francisco. Her parents disapprove of the match, but Louise is determined to follow Frank's lead. The couple's departure marks the first major break in Louise's family life.

Grace ends up marrying the rejected Tom Knivel, while Helen weds wealthy Sam Johnson, gaining independence through their respective unions. The sisters' futures diverge as each makes a life with her chosen partner. Louise watches from a distance, aware that her own path may be more troubled.

Despite their financial strain, Louise discovers she is pregnant and contemplates her future carefully. She chooses to keep the pregnancy a secret for a time, concealing it as she and Frank navigate their new life in San Francisco. The secret begins to shape their fragile balance as a couple.

At a boxing match, Louise's secret is revealed when the smoke makes her nauseous, and she finally confesses the pregnancy to Frank. The moment shifts their relationship and intensifies the strain of their marriage. The public setting magnifies the personal turning point.

Back home, Louise suffers a miscarriage while climbing the stairs to their apartment, and her distraught husband turns to alcohol. Frank's coping with loss worsens their marriage. The tragedy deepens the emotional distance between them.

Frank is fired by his editor for drinking, while Louise finds employment as a secretary to store owner William Benson. She thrives in her new role despite Frank's protests and pride. This marks a turning point as she becomes more independent.

Fellow sportswriter Tim Hazelton advises Frank to leave San Francisco for a new start, prompting Frank to accept a ship's posting bound for Singapore. Louise discovers a note from him and rushes to the docks, only to be arrested by a policeman who mistakes her for a prostitute.

A devastating 1906 earthquake destroys much of the city, including Louise's apartment building. Ned Elliott travels to San Francisco to search for his daughter, while Louise finds refuge with Flora Gibbon's mother in Oakland. William Benson helps Ned locate Louise and bring her back to San Francisco.

Two years after the quake, the city has risen again and Louise rises to a position as an executive in the department store where she works. Her professional success contrasts with past turmoil. The recovery period marks a new era for her personal and professional life.

Louise learns that Tom has been unfaithful to Grace, prompting her to return to Silver Bow to be reunited with her sisters. This departure signals a shift back toward family and roots. The sisters’ bond becomes a central anchor amid ongoing personal upheaval.

Frank, now ill, travels back from San Francisco and makes his way to Silver Bow with Tim upon learning Louise is there. The journey marks a fragile reassembly of their relationship as old wounds begin to heal.

At the ball on the night of the 1908 presidential election, Louise and Frank are reunited and decide to give their marriage another chance. The event ties together the sisters' futures and the couple's renewed commitment. The ball serves as a symbolic turning point toward reconciliation.