All Bedlam Courses Past (part twenty-two)

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter Two Avarice Creeping On (part twenty-two)         Lecomte, however, was witness to the recent past; he was not Guiteau’s biographer. “But you see, if these stalwarts were agreeable to him, Guiteau would be another thing, a thing more…what? He is a […]

The Tambinder Engine (part seven)

      The Tambinder Engine  A McAlley Story (part seven)     She woke next morning, and would have wondered at the raw throat, the ill feeling… But her bedroom air was hazy with smoke. Kitten Bobbo’s claws tickled her ankle as she toed below the spread for slippers. As often, in these days […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part twenty-one)

Posted by ractrose on 2 Mar 2023 in Fiction, Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter Two Avarice Creeping On (part twenty-one)         He had gone to the house of his embassy. The cab stopped; Gilbert climbed down, tendered a five-cent coin, and pointed to a phrase in his book: J’ai apprécié votre gentilesse. The driver took […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part twenty)

Posted by ractrose on 28 Feb 2023 in Fiction, Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter Two Avarice Creeping On (part twenty)         At length corruption, like a general flood (So long by watchful ministers withstood), Shall deluge all; and avarice, creeping on, Spread like a low-born mist, and blot the sun.   Alexander Pope     […]

The Mirrors (part thirty-six)

Posted by ractrose on 28 Feb 2023 in Fiction, Novels

      The Mirrors (part thirty-six)     xvi.     She was twenty years old. Esta’s birthday was not remarked in the household. She had been married two years to Charles, not a choice. She hadn’t at eighteen considered love, whether love were possible, and if so, who? Her brother, nine years her […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part nineteen)

Posted by ractrose on 25 Feb 2023 in Fiction, Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter One The Peculiar Nature of Logical Science (part nineteen)           “Richard, I have a letter to show you,” Miss Gremot said. “You know Honoré’s aunt is coming to stay.” Her eyes shared this with the receptive Ryan-Neville, who leaned on […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part eighteen)

Posted by ractrose on 24 Feb 2023 in Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter One The Peculiar Nature of Logical Science (part eighteen)           “Your name is Everard. I am Ryan-Neville.” “What’s she want you to tell me?” “To return to the fold. Words to that effect. The Towson has it you’re seeking work. […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part seventeen)

Posted by ractrose on 22 Feb 2023 in Fiction, Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter One The Peculiar Nature of Logical Science (part seventeen)           They went as the new bridge dictated, at a stronger diagonal, wheeling over the burial of Sanderson’s cabin and his father’s, all things built by the county’s founding clan well […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part sixteen)

Posted by ractrose on 21 Feb 2023 in Fiction, Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter One The Peculiar Nature of Logical Science (part sixteen)           “Truth to tell, sir, I can get a lot from Rowan himself. Just let on I’m a little sorry over my pay at the Vanguard. Ball rolling, touch of oil…” […]

All Bedlam Courses Past (part fifteen)

Posted by ractrose on 21 Feb 2023 in Fiction, Novels

          All Bedlam Courses Past   Chapter One The Peculiar Nature of Logical Science (part fifteen)           “Well, Fannie says it.” Gremot said it. “You know, I don’t think it’s news at all. Almost emperor’s new clothes, allowing Rowan’s no emperor.” “Well, no, you don’t want to […]