The Land of the Long Night

The Land of the Long Night by W. Bert Foster

This complete story concerns Herbert, an engraver who begins experiencing a mysterious black speck floating before his left eye. His physician Pettibridge diagnoses bilious liver trouble and prescribes medicine, but the speck persists and gradually enlarges. Herbert's aunt pressures him to stop working and rest; she grows mysteriously emotional when he announces his planned June wedding to Rose Olyphant, an attractive young woman he has known since childhood. Rose's father, James Olyphant, disapproves of the match and has arranged to take Rose to Scotland before the wedding. On Saturday, Herbert drives Rose to nearby Fourscore to visit his cousin Enid, who is engaged to lawyer Brentwood Pratt. The March thaw makes travel difficult as ice-bridges break and river levels rise dangerously, threatening their return by the only available road.