The Nether Millstone

"The Nether Millstone" by Fred M. White is a story about Mary Dashwood, a determined woman caught between protecting her family's honor, navigating a complex relationship, and facing financial disaster. Mary's world is shaken when Horace Mayfield tries to take advantage of her family's troubles, forcing her to confront her feelings for Ralph Darnley, a man whose mysterious background adds another challenging layer to her life. Starting with a dramatic rescue, the narrative highlights Mary's strong will as her family's legacy is confronted with the arrival of Mayfield, and the rekindling of a complicated romance.

Fred Merrick White (1859–1935) wrote a number of novels and short stories under the name "Fred M. White" including the six "Doom of London" science-fiction stories, in which various catastrophes beset London. These include The Four Days' Night (1903), in which London is beset by a massive killer smog; The Dust of Death (1903), in which diphtheria infects the city, spreading from refuse tips and sewers; and The Four White Days (1903), in which a sudden and deep winter paralyses the city under snow and ice. These six stories all first appeared in Pearson's Magazine, and were illustrated by Warwick Goble. He was also a pioneer of the spy story, and in 2003, his series The Romance of the Secret Service Fund was edited by Douglas G. Greene and published by Battered Silicon Dispatch Box.