The story shows her live between 1880s and 1930s -- from her freshman years up to retirement. A big crises comes up when her fiancé, the lawyer Delbert Thompson, gets her vixenish cousin Amy pregnant. The two run off, but Amy dies in childbirth. Now Ella takes care of the baby girl, Hope. Many other stories and releationships throughout the years are told. Then, Ella reflects back to realize that she never did was she really believed in. But she receives late glory when a testimonial dinner at her school is organized to honour her.