Cirrus@Austlit

Account of a 'bean-trick' played with a rigged box on a street car. Anecdote. (PB)

In the Australian bush several days journey from Sydney, Mordaunt, an anti-social man and his pet ape become involved in the murder of a stranger who tracked them from Sydney. The narrator of the story, a settler's wife, describes her kindness to the ape and finally a night of terror when armed with a knife it tries to break into the hut where she is sheltering alone with her baby. Bizarre elements to the tale; a combination of 'night of terror' and criminal/murder story. (PB)

A ghost tale from Mark Sinclair's early days as a trooper in the Victorian bush; a son returns anonymously to 'the Moat', a gloomy mansion haunted by his father's ghost, to discover the secret of his murder and last resting place. Interesting comments about ghosts and 'light literature'. (PB)

Ethel Edly's faith in men is restored and her heart won by the attentions of Ralph Chase and the plot of her close friend Fay. Slight romance. (PB)

A wife's discontent with her happy marriage because of lack of riches is cured when her husband falls ill of brain fever and she discovers how nearly she has lost him to dissipation. Slight; moral overtones. (PB)

Adolscent romance begins when a college girl receives a letter purportedly from a male collegian (actually from another using his name). She refuses to answer the letter but a friend of hers does - and so begins a correspondence with the real author of the letter when both confess their true identities. Meanwhile the scornful non-correspondents meet during the summer holidays in the Catskills and eventually overcome their false behaviour to become friends. Light comedy of adolescent errors - and propriety. (PB)

A frank Californian girl is won by a New Yorker after a three months platonic brother and sister relationship. Slight. (PB)

An adopted infant slowly teaches an estranged couple to love each other; includes a period of the husband's jealousy, and the child's death. Slight, though theme at least, unusual. (PB)

A negro's plea to the Lord is tested by its fulfilment. US anecdote. (PB)

Two male friends travelling in Europe stop at the castle of Starleigh near Bornhofer on the Rhine and, learning of a local legend, decide to see the resident ghosts. Instead they catch a beautiful English orphan escaping from her cruel guardian and disguised as a ghost. (PB)

Humourous eclectic sketch on dogs - literal and literary.