"Running Free" by James B. Connolly is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Nettie Trench, a woman navigating personal complexities involving her family, friendships, and social dynamics during a tumultuous period marked by political unrest and military presence. Key figures in the narrative include her husband Ned, their children, and the enigmatic Carmen Whiffle, whose flirtatious nature threatens to complicate the relationships among the characters. The opening of "Running Free" introduces Nettie Trench as she arrives in Santacruz with her children. The atmosphere is one of tension, both socially and politically, as Americans are fleeing the countryside amidst revolutionary threats. Nettie's attention is drawn to Carmen Whiffle, whose alluring presence and past create immediate rivalry and suspicion, particularly concerning her interactions with Nettie’s brother-in-law, Larry. As the story unfolds, Nettie is determined to protect her family and resolve the complications introduced by this intriguing yet potentially disruptive woman while keeping an eye on the brewing revolution that looms in the background. (This is an automatically generated summary.)