Wishes on the Wind

In this novel set in 1860s Pennsylvania, Barbieri ( Wings of a Dove ) skillfully weaves two stories together, vivifying a shameful part of America's past. The first tale depicts the historical Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish coal miners who fought, often with violent means, for miners' rights, and the second story is that of the fictional Meghan O'Connor and David Lang. Meghan's father and five of her brothers die in a mine accident; David is nephew and protege of the mine owner. The two have their first, hostile encounter when Meghan trespasses on Lang family land.p. 11-12 After the girl is hired as a servant at the Lang mansion, their chilly relations thaw into friendship, even as they battle over class struggle, miners' rights and Meghan's loyalty to Sean, her only surviving brother. They fall in love, and Mr. Lang sends David abroad to college, hoping he'll forget Meghan. Meghan marries one of ``Molly's boys,'' and much to her dismay, Sean joins the society as well, heedless of his sister's fears, bringing continued conflict with the Langs after David's return and more tragedy to the O'Connors. (Feb.)