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"The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line" is a collection of short stories written by Charles W. Chesnutt, an African American author known for his contributions to American literature and his exploration of racial issues and complexities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.The collection includes several short stories, with "The Wife of His Youth" being one of the most prominent. This story follows Mr. Ryder, a light-skinned African American man who is a prominent figure in the Blue Veins Society, an organization made up of light-skinned African Americans. When an elderly black woman appears, claiming to be his long-lost wife from before the Civil War, Ryder is faced with a moral and ethical dilemma.Chesnutt's stories often addressed issues related to race, identity, passing, and social status within the African American community. Through his writings, he critically examined the complexities and challenges faced by African Americans living in a racially stratified society.