Ghost Story Review: "The Return" by R Murray Gilchrist

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After twenty years being away seeking his fortune in the diamond fields, Brian is returning home to Halkton village and Rose Pascal. With him the great diamond the Star of Europe. It will be Rose’s. Things have changed. The inn that Rose’s family once ran is no longer the Pascal Arms but the Lord Bishop where he sees Jane Hopgarth waving good-bye to the mail coach. No one seems to recognize him, or talk to him. Even Rose’s stepmother can only cry when he sees her. And she’s aged. She can be no more than in her mid-fifties, yet she seems much older. The old house he knew as hers is in ruins, but he finds his lady love at last. This is a sad, atmospheric little ghost story. The reader is drawn along with Brian to find his sweetheart. Twenty years is a long time to be gone, and Rose was only fifteen when he left. This should be a happy event. Maybe in that time Rose has forgotten about him, or married another. But if she’s waited, they’ll be wealthy. The truth is, one can never go home again. I have been unable to find an online version of this story. ______ Title: “The Return” Author: R Murray Gilchrist (1868-1917) First published: First published in The National Observer, but sources do not give the date. [pre-1894] Source: ISFDB