Time in the Limelight with Priscilla White & Eli Ernest

 

The Story

Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

 

 (from the cover of The Doctor's Lady)

Brief Physical Description:

Priscilla White is a devoted young woman with her heart leading her to the mission field. She has beautiful golden, blonde hair and gray/blue eyes framed by long lashes. She is mostly gentle and soft-spoken but occasionally her determination gives her a fiery disposition.

Eli Ernest studied to become a doctor with the intentions of bringing healing to others. He has tan skin from being constantly in the outdoors and his eyes are the color of blue winter skies. A thin scar is faintly seen from the corner of his left eye down to his cheek. He has a strong resolve and willpower in things he is passionate about.

Character Traits:

Priscilla's strongest trait is probably determination. Most of that is directed towards the mission field. She loves to sing hymns and to others she has the voice of an angel. She is gentle and sweet with a natural ability for teaching.

To those who don't know him well Eli seems gruff but his compassionate spirit is definitely seen in his care for patients. Like Priscilla, he feels a strong call as a missionary. His passion is doctoring and through his travels he's become a skillful woodsman.

Occupations:

Priscilla is the daughter of a fairly wealthy family in New York. She teaches school to the town's children-a job she loves. She has also been training to become a missionary to India. When the mission board refuses to accept single people she marries Eli Ernest and heads west instead.

Eli is a doctor by trade but has been called to be a missionary to the Indians. He intends to use his skill as a doctor to share God's love and care with those who have never heard the Gospel.  Having been out West, Eli sees the Indians' plight and starts whole-heartedly into helping them. But when the mission board changes their mind on accepting him Eli realizes he must find a wife. At first he is uninterested in Priscilla, but when a lack of options forces his hand he makes an agreement with her--they will marry in name only. At first all is well with this partnership but when their feelings for each other change will Eli and Priscilla be united in love or is it too late?

Note: The Doctor's Lady is loosely based on the accounts of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman.