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A Vanished Hand

by Sarah Doudney (1843–1926)

  • Free to read
  • 2 hours to read
  • 19 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"A Vanished Hand" by Sarah Doudney is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Elsie Kilner, who grapples with personal loss and the search for meaning in her life. Upon discovering a manuscript that belonged to a woman named Meta, who seemed to have suffered greatly for her son Jamie, Elsie feels drawn to find and care for the missing child, embarking on a quest that challenges her understanding of love and connection." "The opening of the novel introduces Elsie Kilner as she reflects on her past, including the loss of her old home and family due to changes instigated by her brother and sister-in-law. She battles feelings of resentment and sorrow, yet finds herself intrigued by a mysterious manuscript that speaks of Meta, a woman who longed for kindness for her son Jamie amidst her own struggles. As Elsie delves into the writings, she experiences a profound sense of empathy and connection, igniting a desire to seek out Jamie and fulfill the legacy of care that Meta could no longer provide. The narrative establishes a rich emotional landscape, prompting readers to consider themes of loss, the quest for belonging, and the transformative power of compassion."

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  • English fiction

Read the opening

Chapter I: In a Back Room

"For one shall grasp, and one resign,
One drink life's rue, and one its wine,
And God shall make the balance good."
—WHITTIER.

Elsie Kilner had a battle to fight, and it must be fought after her own fashion. It was the kind of battle which is fought every day and every hour; but the battlefield is always a silent place, and there is neither broken weapon nor crimson stain to tell us where the strife has been.

Elsie's battle was fought in a back room in All Saints' Street on an afternoon in March. It was not a gloomy room; although the window looked out upon walls and roofs and chimneys, she had a good clear view of the sky. Some pigeons occupied a little house outside one of the neighbouring windows, and there was a roof covered with red tiles on which they loved to strut and plume their feathers in the sunshine.

To a woman country-born the sight of pigeons and red tiles called up visions of an old home. The memories which came to Elsie in her London room were as fresh and sweet as the breath of early spring flowers.

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Contents

  1. Chapter I: In a Back Room
  2. Chapter II: What Was Written
  3. Chapter III: Taking Counsel
  4. Chapter IV: Mrs. Tryon
  5. Chapter V: Mrs. Beaton
  6. Chapter VI: Harold and Meta
  7. Chapter VII: Mrs. Penn
  8. Chapter VIII: Looking at Pictures
  9. Chapter IX: Meetings
  10. Chapter X: Loneliness
  11. Chapter XI: Mrs. Verdon
  12. Chapter XII: His First Visit
  13. Chapter XIII: In Portman Square
  14. Chapter XIV: Rushbrook
  15. Chapter XV: Wayne's Court
  16. Chapter XVI: Going to Church
  17. Chapter XVII: The Picnic
  18. Chapter XVIII: The Island
  19. Chapter XIX: Conclusion

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About this edition

This free edition of A Vanished Hand by Sarah Doudney comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #28237, released 2009-03-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Novels, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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