The Intoxicated Ghost, and other stories

"The Intoxicated Ghost and Other Stories" by Arlo Bates is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The stories blend elements of humor, supernatural, and human emotions, often exploring themes of love, society, and the intersection of the real and the imagined. One of the tales features Irene Gaspic, a young woman with the unusual ability to see ghosts, particularly as she visits her friend Fanny McHugh at her ancestral home, which is rumored to be haunted. The opening of the collection introduces us to Irene Gaspic, who has inherited the family gift of seeing ghosts and is both proud and somewhat burdened by it. As she prepares for a visit to Oldtower, the home of her friend Fanny, it becomes evident that there is a family ghost associated with the McHugh lineage. This ghost is none other than Major Arthur McHugh, a dashing figure from the past whose fate seems intertwined with a long-lost treasure—the famous McHugh diamonds. The narrative establishes Irene's character as both witty and pragmatic as she reflects on the powers she possesses and the romantic tension that exists between her and Fanny's brother, Lieutenant Arthur McHugh, adding layers of intrigue and charm right from the start.