Ralph Henry Barbour 
Holly: The Romance of A Southern Girl 

Holly: The Romance of A Southern Girl is a novel written by Ralph Henry Barbour and first published in 1915. The story is set in the American South and follows the life of Holly Virginia Ames, a young woman from a wealthy family who dreams of finding love and purpose in her life. As the novel begins, Holly is living a privileged but unfulfilling life, surrounded by the social conventions and expectations of her class. She becomes engaged to a wealthy man, but she feels unfulfilled and unexcited about their relationship. Holly’s life takes a turn when she meets John Grant, a young artist who has come to the South to paint. John is different from anyone Holly has ever met, and she is immediately drawn to him. Despite the social barriers that separate them, Holly and John begin a secret romance that transforms Holly’s life and inspires her to pursue her dreams. As Holly’s relationship with John deepens, she begins to question the values and traditions of her social class. She becomes involved in social causes and starts to use her privilege to help others, including a group of poor workers who are being mistreated by their employer. Throughout the novel, Holly struggles to balance her love for John with her responsibilities to her family and her social class. She faces opposition and criticism from her family and friends, but she remains determined to follow her heart and find her own path in life. In the end, Holly’s story becomes a celebration of individualism and the power of love to transform lives. She emerges as a strong and independent woman who is able to navigate the complexities of relationships and social expectations and create a life of meaning and purpose for herself.