The Liberty Girl

In Short

Set against the backdrop of the First World War, this earnest story follows seventeen-year-old Nathalie Page as she organizes her friends into the "Liberty Girls" to support the war effort through sewing, fundraising, and gardening. When a summer trip to the White Mountains separates her from her club, Nathalie persists in her mission, befriending displaced children and aiding a mysterious, wounded soldier. It is a classic example of early 20th-century juvenile fiction, blending moral instruction with the gentle, idealistic optimism of the American home front.

The Story

The narrative opens in the quiet town of Westport, where Nathalie Page—known for her resilient, cheerful spirit—channels her anxiety about the war into the formation of the "Liberty Girls." Under her leadership, the group is divided into specialized squads, each dedicated to a practical form of service, from crafting comfort kits for soldiers to cultivating Liberty Gardens. Nathalie is characterized by her "I can" motto, which she uses to combat her own periods of doubt and melancholy.

Her life takes a sudden turn when she leaves the organized activities of her home town to spend the summer with her family in the White Mountains. Even in the isolation of the mountains, Nathalie refuses to remain idle. She discovers a group of underprivileged, displaced children and resolves to become their teacher and mentor. She provides them with clothing, teaches them the importance of personal hygiene, and instills a sense of purpose by organizing them into "Sons of Liberty." She even leads them in patriotic pageants, allowing the children to find pride in their identities despite their poverty.

The central mystery concerns a "valuable thing" hidden somewhere in the family’s summer residence, a house known as Seven Pillars. While her cousin Cynthia frantically searches for hidden jewels or money, Nathalie remains largely indifferent to the treasure, focusing instead on her service work. During her mountain stay, she also encounters a young, wounded man named Philip de Brie, who is suffering from the traumas of war. Nathalie helps secure medical care for him and grows to admire his character.

Suspicion eventually falls upon Philip when local gossips at the nearby hotel falsely accuse him of being an impostor and a thief. Nathalie remains steadfast in her defense of his integrity. As the summer draws to a close, the threads of the mystery pull together. Nathalie discovers an old family Bible that belonged to the grandmother who once owned Seven Pillars. When she shows the book to Philip, the connection is revealed: Philip is the grandson of the woman who abandoned her son long ago over a family feud. By uncovering the truth of his heritage, Nathalie restores Philip to his rightful place in the family history, proving that the true "treasure" of Seven Pillars was the restoration of a fractured legacy. The story concludes with the reconciliation of past injustices, confirming Nathalie’s growth into a mature, compassionate leader.

How It Unfolds

The call to duty Nathalie rallies her friends in Westport to form the Liberty Girls, establishing squads to provide essential supplies for the front lines. She struggles to remain optimistic while her peers depart for service, using her "I can" motto to mask her personal grief.

The mountain transition A move to the White Mountains challenges Nathalie to continue her patriotic work outside of her familiar social circle. She encounters a group of neglected children and begins to provide them with guidance, education, and a sense of belonging.

The mystery of Seven Pillars Nathalie’s family home is rumored to contain a valuable hidden item, leading to a frantic search by her cousin. Nathalie herself is more concerned with the welfare of a wounded soldier, Philip, whom she protects from unjust accusations.

The truth revealed The discovery of a long-lost family Bible serves as the key to Philip’s identity as the grandson of the original owner of Seven Pillars. This revelation heals an old family wound and validates Nathalie’s persistent efforts to help others.

The People

Nathalie Page is the heart of the story, a bright and energetic girl who seeks to embody the "spirit of '76." She is defined by her desire to be "on the job" for her country, though she is refreshingly honest about her moments of self-doubt.

Cynthia Loretto serves as a foil to Nathalie. An aspiring artist with a dramatic, sometimes difficult personality, she is obsessed with the search for hidden wealth, representing a self-centered approach to the mystery that contrasts with Nathalie’s altruism.

Philip de Brie is the mysterious, wounded soldier who brings the reality of the war to the mountains. Initially a stranger viewed with suspicion by the local community, he eventually finds his sense of self and his place in the world through Nathalie’s intervention.

Janet, Nathalie’s cousin, provides a steady, pragmatic presence, busy with her own interests in suffrage and education, offering a balanced perspective that keeps the family atmosphere grounded.

In Its Own Voice

“I have smiled and smiled like the poor Spartan boy, while the fox of Grief was gnawing a hole into my internals.”

Nathalie admits to her friend that her cheerful exterior during the war effort often masks a deeper, internal sadness.

“Hold to the feeling that you are a gentleman by the culture—not ‘Kultur’—that comes from kindliness, courtesy, and consideration for all people, so please don’t kill anybody unless you have to.”

Nathalie includes this earnest, idealistic advice in a letter tucked inside a comfort kit intended for a soldier.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book argues that true patriotism is not just a grand, abstract idea but a collection of daily acts of service. It posits that the "Liberty" of the title is a moral mandate to care for the vulnerable—whether they are refugees, impoverished children, or soldiers returning from the front. The book explores the tension between material pursuits and spiritual duty, suggesting that searching for "treasure" is a hollow endeavor compared to the work of healing broken family histories and building community. Ultimately, the story is a meditation on the power of kindness to resolve the conflicts caused by pride, prejudice, and the long shadows of war.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the earnest, optimistic tone of early 20th-century literature will find much to enjoy here. It provides a vivid, if idealized, snapshot of how American youth perceived their role during the First World War. The prose is warm and descriptive, particularly when painting the landscape of the White Mountains, which feels like a character in its own right.

Modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes and the highly didactic nature of the dialogue, as the characters often speak in service of the author’s moral agenda. The pacing is reflective of a slower era, focusing as much on the domestic "chores" of the Liberty Girls as on the unfolding mystery. While the plot contains some of the coincidences and melodrama common to the fiction of the time—such as the sudden appearance of a long-lost grandson—it remains a comforting read. Those who value stories of quiet, steady persistence and the triumph of empathy over cynicism will likely find Nathalie’s journey both nostalgic and genuinely touching. It is a window into a time when the world seemed to be turning, and a young woman’s greatest weapon was her commitment to her neighbor.