The Red Mouse: A Mystery Romance

"The Red Mouse: A Mystery Romance" by William Hamilton Osborne is a fictional work written in the early 20th century. The novel revolves around Miriam Challoner, a woman grappling with the shame and heartbreak caused by her husband, Lawrence Challoner, whose reckless behavior and gambling have led him into an irresponsible and disgraceful life. The story examines themes of marital discord, societal judgment, and the depths of personal despair. At the start of the tale, we are introduced to Miriam Challoner, who is painfully aware of her husband's undoing and the whispers circulating in their social circle about his moral decline. A pivotal moment occurs when Miriam learns of her husband's reckless return home after a night of debauchery, which she witnesses through interactions with others and their judgmental comments. This sets the stage for an emotional confrontation between them, revealing the increasing tension in their marriage as Miriam struggles to maintain her dignity while coming to terms with the reality of her husband's actions. The beginning dives deep into the complexity of relationships, the impact of societal expectations, and the personal turmoil experienced by those entangled in scandal. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Hamilton Osborne was a lawyer and writer in the U.S. whose work includes stories, novels, and screenplays. Two novels he wrote were made into films and he wrote the screenplay for another. His work was published in various magazines and The Witch's Tales. The Red Mouse is a five act play that starred Valerie Bergere adapted by H.J.W. Dam from Osborne's novel. The New Jersey Historical Society has a collection of his papers donated by his wife.