Life — July 20, 1899 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "A Mystery Which Was Afterwards Explained" This appears to be an illustration from *Life* magazine depicting a mysterious or supernatural scene in a wooded forest setting near a stream. A man crouches or sits on the left side observing something, while a ghostly or ethereal female figure stands on the right, arms outstretched in a dramatic pose. The caption promises that this mystery "was afterwards explained," suggesting the image is part of a narrative sequence—likely a humorous story where something initially appears supernatural or inexplicable but receives a rational explanation in subsequent text or illustrations. Without additional context or visible accompanying text, the specific nature of the "mystery" and its explanation remain unclear from this image alone.