THE WITCHERY OF RITA AND WAITING FOR TONTI. Phoenix, Arizona: The Berryhill Co., 1919. Octavo, pp. [1-4] [1-6] 7-71 [72-76: black] [note: first two and last two leaves are banks], original gray boards with dark green shelf back, front panel lettered in black. First edition. Two short stories set in the American Southwest about the cliff-dwellers of Montezuma's Castle. "The title story belongs to that genre of fiction (the 'meta-supernatural'?) that gives a noncommital account of events that are seen by its characters as supernatural, leaving the door open just a crack for a genuinely supernatural interpretation. In this tale, a beautiful young woman whose fiancee is out of town is falsely accused of witchcraft by a nasty old hag who may herself be a witch; an errant child and a goat that eats a prayer book play important parts in this witty tale about the collision of Catholicism, pagan belief and modern skepticism. In 'Waiting for Tonti' a skeptical Harvard grad and a beautiful young half-breed gradually realize they are reincarnations of lovers from the cliff-dwelling period; in a cavern where they take refuge during a thunderstorm they witness the ghostly reenactment of an old battle. Excellent material that should be better known." - Robert Eldridge. Smith, American Fiction, 1901-1925 R-466. Reginald 12296. Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978) or Day, Supplemental Checklist of Fantastic Literature. Owner's signature on front free endpaper. A near fine copy in poor torn and chipped pictorial dust jacket (from a painting signed by "W. H. James"). (#117246).
Price: $65.00
No statement of printing on copyright page.