The Desire of the Moth; and the Come On

"The Desire of the Moth and the Come On" by Eugene Manlove Rhodes is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story centers around John Wesley Pringle, a character embarking on a journey through the Southwestern United States. The opening chapters introduce readers to Pringle's reflections as he rides across new landscapes, revealing both his adventurous spirit and hints of personal connections and past relationships that may develop further throughout the narrative. At the start of the book, John Wesley Pringle is traveling west through an arid landscape, contemplating his surroundings and the path ahead. He reminisces about previous rides and encounters, particularly a woman named Stella Vorhis, highlighting their shared history and the passage of time since they last met. As Pringle arrives in town, the story shifts to the dynamics of the community, hinting at underlying tensions and conflicts, particularly surrounding characters like Sheriff Matt Lisner and Christopher Foy, who become embroiled in darker matters later in the novel. The opening sets the stage for a blend of adventure, romance, and the complexities of human relationships against an evocative Southwestern backdrop.