Ridgway of Montana: A story of to-day, in which the hero is also the villain

A powerful, self-confident businessman pursues success with methods that blur ethical lines while he courts a socially ambitious woman who must weigh vanity, security, and conscience. Rivalries, conspiracies, an election, and legal jeopardy entwine business and personal loyalties, producing betrayals, shifting alliances, and surprising reversals of fortune. A supporting cast of rivals, political figures, and unexpected allies complicates outcomes and reshapes relationships. The narrative examines ambition, moral ambiguity, social aspiration, and the personal costs of ruthless pursuit of wealth and influence.