Horror Story Review: "The Devil of the Marsh" by H. B.

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The narrator of this story is in love, so utterly besotted that he’s willing to meet his ladylove in the marsh at night. He’s hoping that this is some kind of test he’ll pass to prove his loyalty and that the young woman will “be his.” But the night is miserable and foggy. There’s some creature that seems to be following him. It croaks like a toad, but he’s able to out run it. At last he finds her. He takes her in his arms. “I am a creature of this place,” she tells him. “This is my home. I have sworn you should behold me in my native sin ere you ravish me away.” He must be head over hills in love with her if this doesn’t raise a flag. Either that or he’s inhaled a bit of marsh gas and is convinced it was Chanel. Later, he doesn’t care if his beloved is a woman or a devil… This is a short little horror piece, as silly as it sounds. I can see it inducing a lot of eye-rolling among 21st century readers, but I found it simply a few minutes of indulgence. I will not be reading it a second time, though. There might be slight misogynistic streak in here, if one is looking it, but one could also see a silly young man. Author H.B. Marriott Watson (Henry Brereton Marriott Watson) was an Australian-born British writer, best known for his tales of swashbuckling, historical and romance fiction. Nevertheless, he made contributions to gothic fiction. He was also friends with such notables as J.M. Barrie( Peter Pan), Stephen Crane (The Red Badge of Courage), Thomas Hardy (Tess of the D’Urbervilles), Henry James (the ghastly The Turn of the Screw), and H.G. Wells (The Time Machine).I could not find a copy of this story online. _____ Title: “The Devil of the Marsh” Author: H. B. Marriott Watson (legal name Henry Brereton Marriott Watson) (1863-1921) Written 1893 first published in the collection Perturbed Spirits 1954 Source: ISFDB *An earlier version of this review appeared on another site. It has been updated and expanded for its inclusion on myLot.*