ONE KIND OF WIRELESS When, after school that afternoon, Alex Ward waved a good-by to his father, the Bixton station agent for the Middle Western, and set off up the track on the spring’s first fishing, he had little thought of exciting experiences ahead of him. Likewise, when two hours later a sudden heavy shower found him in the woods three miles from home, and with but three small fish, it was only with feelings of disappointment that he wound up his line and ran for the shelter of an old log-cabin a hundred yards back from the stream. Scarcely had Alex reached the doorway of the deserted house when he was startled by a chorus of excited voices from the rear. He turned quickly to a window, and with a cry sprang back out of sight. Emerging from the woods, excitedly talking and gesticulating, was a party of foreigners who had been working on the track near Bixton, and in their midst, his hands bound behind him, was Hennessy, their foreman. For a moment Alex stood rooted to the spot. What did it mean? Suddenly realizing his own possible danger, he caught up his rod and fish, and sprang for the door. On the threshold he sharply halted. In the open he would be seen at once, and pursued! He turned and cast a quick glance round the room. The ladder to the loft! He darted for it, scrambled up, and drew himself through the opening just as the excited foreigners poured in through the door below. For some moments afraid to move, Alex lay on his back, listening to the hubbub beneath him, and wondering in terror what the trackmen intended doing with their prisoner. Then, gathering courage at their continued ignorance of his presence, he cautiously moved back to the opening and peered down. The men were gathered in the center of the room, all talking at once. But he could not see the foreman. As he leaned farther forward heavy footfalls sounded about the end of the house, and Big Tony, a huge Italian who had recently been discharged from the gang, appeared in the doorway. “We puta him in da barn,” he announced in broken English; for the rest of the gang were Poles. “Tomaso, he watcha him.” “An’ now listen,” continued the big trackman fiercely, as the rest gathered about him. “I didn’t tell everyt’ing. Besides disa man Hennessy he say cuta da wage, an’ send for odders take your job, he tella da biga boss you no worka good, so da biga boss he no pay you for all da last mont’!” The ignorantly credulous Poles uttered a shout of rage. Several cried: “Keel him! Keel him!” Alex, in the loft, drew back in terror. “No! Dere bettera way dan dat,” said Tony. “Da men to taka your job come to-night on da Nomber Twent’. I hava da plan. “You alla know da old track dat turn off alonga da riv’ to da old brick-yard? Well, hunerd yard from da main line da old track she washed away. We will turn da old switch, Nomber Twent’ she run on da old track—an’ swoosh! Into da riv’!” Run No. 20 into the river! Alex almost cried aloud. And he knew the plan would succeed—that, as Big Tony said, a hundred yards from the main-line track the old brick-yard siding embankment was washed out so that the rails almost hung in the air....

Annie Roe Carr was a pseudonym used by various authors for the Stratemeyer Syndicate to produce popular kids books. The best known books under this name were the Nan Sherwood series.

Stephanie takes a final train journey to the place where her dreams come true.Will Stephanie find the source of her queenly power? Egypt summons her home. But why is Calvin there?

George Alfred Henty (1832-1902), referred to as G. A. Henty, was a prolific English novelist, special correspondent, and Imperialist born in Trumpington, England. He is best known for his historical adventure stories that were popular in the late 19th century. His works include Out on the Pampas (1871), The Young Buglers (1880), With Clive in India (1884) and Wulf the Saxon (1895). He attended Westminster School, London and later Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he was a keen sportsman. Henty once related in an interview how his storytelling skills grew out of tales told after dinner to his children. He wrote his first children's book, Out on the Pampas in 1868, naming the book's main characters after his children. While most of the 122 books he wrote were for children, he also wrote adult novels, non-fiction such as The March to Magdala (1868) and Those Other Animals (1891), short stories for the likes of The Boy's Own Paper and edited the Union Jack, a weekly boys magazine. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

What happens when we die? Do we go up, do we go down or do we just fade away. One man is about to find out. A short ghost story. Thank you for reading.What happens when we die? Do we go up, do we go down or do we just fade away. One man is about to find out. A short ghost story. Thank you for reading

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

A man is found shot dead in the kitchen of the Lazy A ranch, and in an absence of other evidence, ranch owner Aleck Douglas is convicted of the crime. His daughter Jean is absolutely certain that he is innocent of the crime, but has no factual evidence with which to prove that her father has been wrongly convicted. With a rapidly dwindling bank account and no clues to speak of, will Jean find a way to free her father and get her old life back?

Every story is exactly 416 words long. They are all horror. They are all fantastic. Trust but verify. There has never been an anthology like this. A special Halloween treat. Inspired by Authonomy's contest and my genius, "416" is a unique collection of horror short shorts. You could do a lot worse than spend a few hours reading these beauties.Four Hundred Sixteen. That’s all it takes to tell a story. A scary story. At least here. Every tale of horror and suspense in this book is exactly 416 words long (you can spend your time counting or reading, that’s up to you). Every story was written by a member of Authonomy.com.Stephen King takes 1,200 pages to tell a story. We do it in half a page. Sometimes we do it better. From Arachnoids to Zombies, “416” has it all. The first fifty four stories were submitted as part of my weekly Flash Fiction Friday contest. Always a treat for the readers, this particular contest was an outstanding success. We got a lot of “new” writers as well as the old standbys. Many wrote outside their comfort zone and they did it well.So, now we have a collection of horror worthy to be on the shelves of whatever bookstores are still in business (another horror story in itself). Unfortunately, timing is everything and my Ouja board tells me that there is not enough time to get “416” on the shelves. That shouldn’t stop you from putting it on yours, however. 416 words is less than two pages. But you won’t believe what we can fit into those two pages. I know I didn’t, and I still believe in Obama. When I first asked myself to edit this book, I thought “who wants to read a bunch of stories that aren’t even written by me. But after reading the submissions, I can almost see the logic of it. Besides, there are two stories that are by me, so everyone wins.Now, here we sit. You, me, and fifty-something tales, tailor made to be read on a cold October night. Short, intense and eerie. You can take them in small doses or plow through with one eye shut and one open. It’s up to you. Don’t be shy with feedback and comments. After all, a zombie can live on brains but a writer needs attention if he or she wants to thrive and survive.Finally, if you think it’s easy, feel free to give it a try. Send me a 416 word horror story before October 30, 2011, and I may add it to this lovely tome. Thank you to Authonomy and Rachel Authonomy for inspiring all of us to rise to this challenge. Mr. King and Koontz have set the bar. You tell us if we cleared it. And yes, this introduction is exactly 416 words.

Donna Colby wakes up with a hangover and finds a man in her bed who is NOT her fiancé. She has no memory of how she got there. In a matter of moments, she finds that she is married. What will she tell her fiancé of several years? Even worse, what will she tell her MOM?She got three steps outside the door and almost ran into HIM.“Good morning, Honey.” The man, her new husband said, “I didn’t think you were coming out today.” He folded her in his arms and kissed her with unbridled passion. He caught her off guard and she was having trouble thinking how to react. In the instant before their lips met, she saw he was very cute. He was tall, having to lean down to kiss her. He was well built, and solid. She closed her eyes and felt herself melting. He was one heck of a kisser!He was a better kisser than Albert was, she thought guiltily. He was even better than Freddie Nolan back in college who had been her gold standard for comparison. Until now.The kiss continued and he pulled her tighter. It was very, very nice. A warmth was developing rapidly inside, spreading fast. She was becoming tingly and achy in all the right places.She became aware of something happening between them. He was rising fast. Her eyes flew wide as realization of some very dangerous facts. He was naked against her. He was erect. He was HUGE!“Back up, dude!” She warned, pushing him away. “And get some clothes on. You could knock a vase off waving yourself around like that!”“Sure, honey.” He said, smiling. “Do you think you should put something on too?”“Oh, God!” She gasped, blushing from head to toe. She had forgotten her state of dress… er… undress. She covered her breasts with one arm and her bottom with her other hand. “Turn around! Don’t look at me!”“What’s wrong, honey?” He asked concerned, reaching toward her. “You’re acting very strange this morning! If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you don’t know me!”“Don’t touch me,” Donna shouted. “I don’t know you!”“This isn’t funny!” He said. “You know we’ve spent every waking moment together since we met.”“Well, As far as I’m concerned, we haven’t met.” Donna replied. “Could you please get some clothes on?”It was very distracting with him waving around like that.“Sure, honey.” He chuckled.

When Sophie moves away to university, she is finally happy, reunited with her BFF and fulfilling her artistic dream. Life is perfect. Or is it? Fosswell has secrets. People are dying, and danger hides in every shadow. And then there’s love. Hot, persistent guys are difficult to ignore and impossible to resist, especially when they live in a creepy old house and curiosity is your middle name.All Sophie ever wanted was a way out. Only a few weeks ago, she was a quiet art student with an overbearing mother and no higher dream than starting university and reuniting with her BFF, but destiny intervenes in the form of a fox bite.If being attacked by a rabid animal isn’t freaky enough, her new town has secrets. People are dying, and Sophie feels she is being watched. Then there’s the arrogant and annoyingly sexy Sebastian with his plummy accent and come-to-bed eyes creeping her out. She should stay well away, but then he does live in the spooky manor house, and curiosity is her middle name.

From the Author of HessiansEvil is loose in the city of Corona, California in the form of a serial killer; a twisted butcher who leaves Sesame Street keepsakes with the victims. Four boys find a strange dog with golden eyes that seems to see more than the boys themselves can. And when their paths cross and their destinies meet, will they have what it takes to stop the Sesame Street Killer?From the Author of Hessians comes FrisbeeIt’s the summer of 1982 and in Corona, California four boys find themselves doing what all boys normally do during a school break; exploring, playing ball and collecting bottles from a construction site in order to cash them in for money. Steve, Jason, Cory and Ricky have lived on the same street for years and have played there, carefree ever since. But when a serial killer invades their small city they find themselves caught up in a series of grisly murders that brings them face to face with a menace that the authorities have named: the Sesame Street Killer.The oldest, Steve, reads the others the newspaper articles depicting the killings and after a second girl goes missing they find themselves exploring a massive California pepper tree and stumble upon a lost dog that proves to be more than it seems. Its beautiful, golden eyes seem to see more than the boys themselves can.Steve comes from a broken home; his father has left years ago and he now suffers abuse at the hands of a sadistic older brother while trying to prevent the same abuse form happening to his younger sister.Jason, the rational one of the four, must look into his heart to keep his friends on the right path, the path that leads into their futures.Cory is the wild one, the mischief maker, and wherever he goes, trouble follows. He chooses to fight older kids, argues with adults and curses constantly. He will put the other boy’s lives on the line and will have to help correct the wrongs he’s done. But the one challenge he will need to overcome the most will be himself.Ricky, the youngest, has been sleeping badly. For weeks he’s had nightmares that he calls the Dark Dreams, dreams of popping bubbles and screaming voices that foreshadow future events. But he is put to the ultimate test when he realizes that his darkest dream is yet to come.Frisbee will take you back to your childhood, to a time when it was cool to wear surfer shorts and Vans slip-ons. It will take you back to the convenience store where you played your first games of Asteroids and Pac-Man. But worst of all it will take you to a place of extreme evil, a place that the Sesame Street Killer calls: the Shelter.

Karen, Hannie, and Nancy -- the Three Musketeers -- can't wait to compete with Pamela and her pals in a tug-of-war and other outdoor games at Stoneybrook Academy's annual Field Day.

Miss Eleanor Grantham is outraged when her stagecoach is held up by a highwayman, but her outrage turns to astonishment when she discovers that the highwayman is none other than the Earl of Silverton. She cannot begin to imagine why a wealthy nobleman would stoop to highway robbery.

In a world where a person's hair color determines the strength of their magic, two people stand out.Sunshine, a little girl with blond hair and very little magic. And her father, Grey, who has no magic at all. Dannon, the village teacher, attempts to study both of them and the prophecy that tells of Sunshine's roll in a coming storm. But all prophecy is vague and difficult to translate.In a world where a person's hair color determines the strength of their magic, two people stand out.Sunshine, a little girl with blond hair and very little magic. And her father, Grey, who has no magic at all. Dannon, the village teacher, attempts to study both of them and the prophecy that tells of Sunshine's roll in a coming storm. But all prophecy is vague and difficult to translate. Can Dannon learn what he wished to know about Sunshine and her father before the foretold storm arrives? Or will he just be the witness to the end of everything he knows?

Murder vs. Romance: The Bedroom Detective - Clair, a librarian, is involved in a murder investigation that turns her life up side down...Murder vs. Romance: The Bedroom DetectiveHarry Harrison is smart yet lacks common sense. He reads constantly, loves murder mysteries, and decides to become a writer. Clair, Harry’s girlfriend, is tall, blonde, and way too pretty for Harry, and everyone knows it, including harry. She works at the library, where she met Harry. They are enjoying their dream life until one day a body is found and Clair is inevitably involved…What's going to happen?LOOK INSIDE to find out now!This collection is only suitable for readers of age 18 or above.

Shattered Dreams, the first book of Luna's Children series, tells the story of Carson and Chase, two werewolves who overcome insurmountable obstacles to prove love really does conquer all.Carson Hennison is a dreamer, a very special individual with the gift of being able to “dream” or see into a person’s life both past and, to an extent, future. Her one hope is to find her perfect mate – the one werewolf that was created for her and she for him. However, sometimes things don’t go as well as you would wish. Instead of being allowed to find her own mate, she’s forced into a mate run where she’ll be chased, caught and captured by the strongest male and forced into submission. Will she find a way out or will she be lost forever in a loveless mating?Chase Blackston, new healer/doctor for the Sapphire Lake Pack, is a confirmed bachelor with a firm grasp on how his life is going to be – ordered, neat and unencumbered. Sent to Sapphire Lake as a replacement for their aging healer, he had no intention of letting anything change his mind or his life. Attending the mate run for his new alpha's daughter, Chase realizes the prey is more than she seems - she's his true life mate. Can things get any more complicated?And who is that stranger watching her from the shadows?

The Sea, they say, is a harsh mistress. But she gives as well as takes, and the tiny fishing village nestled between the towering cliffs depends on her good graces for survival. James Fairweather is about to discover what happens when her favour is lost. The air is heavy with the tang of salt. On the horizon, clouds are gathering. And something is stirring in the deep, below...The Sea, they say, is a harsh mistress. But she gives as well as takes, and the tiny fishing village nestled between the towering cliffs depends on her good graces for survival.James Fairweather has always been beloved of the sea, right from his early, unusual entry to the village. But the winds are changing, and the tides are turning, and perhaps James is not as well favoured as everyone had thought.The air is heavy with the tang of salt. On the horizon, clouds are gathering. And something is stirring in the deep, below... Storm Watch first appeared in 'Tales from the Asylum: A Steampunk Compilation', published by The Last Line in 2010. 'Tales from the Asylum' is the first volume of 'The Asylum Chronicles'.The AsylumIt was built like a fortress; yet no-one questioned why. It had hundreds of uniformed wardens; almost no-one noticed.It held strange and dangerous inmates; no-one knew.Built in the 1870s, yet seeming to endure forever, the Asylum has seen governments rise and fall, has witnessed wars and riots. It has stories to tell, strange twisting stories of past and future. These are just a few of those stories; these are the Asylum Chronicles…

In modern day Seattle, Mandy is a young witch with the gift of moving things, even material things like magic. But while her skill is unique, she lacks power. Only a joining with the Duke of the House of Merlin will provide the power she needs to fully use her gift. But at what price?In modern day Seattle, Mandy is a young witch with the gift of moving things, even material things like magic. But while her skill is unique, she lacks power. Only a joining with the Duke of the House of Merlin will provide the power she needs to fully use her gift. But at what price? The independent Mandy clings to her freedom in the face of her family's opposition until an idiot prince of the undersea realm of the Puget Sound mers threatens to drown the whole world. Can she stop Prince Dormolon? And at what price?

~ Special Spring Ebook Offering ~ A short Civil War tale of romance from the author of "This Time Forever" ~ John longs for a family and wants to make Caroline and Danny his own. Will his wish come true in this season of miracles?~ Special Spring Ebook Offering ~ A short Civil War tale of romance from the author of "This Time Forever" ~Caroline Ross, a Confederate widow, desperately seeks medical help for her little son in the Union Army camp. John Oldham, a soldier disowned by his family for choosing the wrong side, comes to her aid. As they keep a vigil for days at Danny's bedside, a close relationship develops between them. John longs for a family and wants to make Caroline and Danny his own. Will his wish come true in this season of miracles?

Trevor’s only been on the job three months but he’s already attracted the disapproving attention of Musevary Tower’s grumpy and sardonic caretaker. This introductory short story sets the scene for ‘tall stories’, an up-coming anthology of short stories due out in 2014.‘Trevor’s Odd Assay’ is an introductory short story about a young security guard’s journey up through the floors of Musevary Towers, a mysterious residential tower block where anything can happen. It is a preview for ‘Tall Stories’, an anthology of tales that are set in a shared story environment where a number of writers have written stories that intertwine, allowing them to share and develop each other’s characters and locations every time a story is told.