The book starts in 1899 Dr. J.G. Gemmell graduated frommedical school married a beautiful young nurse within a year she and their unborn child died. he went into a deep depression and contemplated suicide. moved to a quaint town in Pa. became chief of staff at the hospital. met a wealthy woman married but without love. after 3 years by accident met the love of his life in his office. That started a 15 year secret love affair. They evntually maried and moved to las vegas he retired and she 15 years younger got the gambling bug. he saved a mans life and the news paper said, he was a legend of the west. She contemplated killing him for hid money. He eventually planned his own death, doing it his way.