The Story:
Julia Shane was a wealthy old woman, living with her two daughters in a mansion which had
decayed greatly since the mills of the town had encroached upon her grounds. Although the
house was now surrounded on three sides by railroad yards and steel mills, Julia Shane
refused to move away. Mrs. Shane was worried about her girls. Irene, the younger, was,
in her mother’s opinion, too pious to live. Lily, who was twenty-four years old, had
been in love with the governor, a man twenty years older than she.
See http://www.enotes.com/green-bay-tree-salem/green-bay-tree-9310000118
I haven't read the book, its from Boris's list, and its not a book I would choose to read;
it was the title that appealed - we have a bay laurel growing not far from our front
door - very handy when one needs a few bay leaves!