Man-Size In Marble by The Hall Of Fantasy

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Man-Size In Marble" Episode from The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
• Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
• Episode: Man-Size In Marble by The Hall Of Fantasy
• Release Date: January 4, 2025
• Description: Dive into the eerie world of Old Time Radio filled with ghost stories and supernatural tales. This episode explores the haunting narrative of Man-Size in Marble, adapted by Bob Olson from E. Nesbit's original story.

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Introduction

In the The Horror! (Old Time Radio) series, RelicRadio.com brings to life classic supernatural tales through immersive dramatizations. The episode "Man-Size In Marble" transports listeners to the quaint village of Brenzett, where newlyweds Vance Langen and Laura embark on a seemingly idyllic life that soon spirals into darkness and mystery.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Vance Langen inviting listeners into a world of real stories and supernatural events [00:06]. The setting is established in Brenzett, a picturesque village with a rich history and an old church that becomes the focal point of the unfolding horror.

Notable Quote:

• Vance Langen [00:20]: "Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous? Perhaps you."

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Characters and Relationships

Vance Langen and Laura

Vance, an aspiring painter, and his wife Laura, a magazine writer, seek a serene life away from the bustle of the city. Their harmonious relationship is evident in their mutual support for each other's artistic endeavors.

Notable Quote:

• Laura [03:31]: "We'll get along if we're careful. You can paint and I'll write articles for the magazines."

Mrs. Dorman

Mrs. Dorman, the housekeeper, is introduced as a pivotal character whose departure sets off a chain of unsettling events. Her mysterious reasons for leaving add to the village's enigmatic atmosphere.

Notable Quote:

• Laura [06:49]: "Mrs. Dorman. She's leaving us."

Dr. McCarthy

Dr. McCarthy, the jolly Scotch neighbor, becomes an ally to Vance as supernatural occurrences escalate. His skepticism contrasts with the growing evidence of the supernatural.

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The Haunting Begins

The Antique Cottage

Vance and Laura settle into their cottage, adorned with antique furnishings they scavenged from secondhand shops [05:35]. The cottage, while charming, harbors secrets tied to the village's dark past.

Notable Quote:

• Vance Langen [05:35]: "What are you painting, Vance?"

The Old Church and Marble Knights

A stroll to the old church reveals two marble statues of knights, locally rumored to awaken on All Saints' Eve. The statues, symbols of the village's tumultuous history, are believed to roam the Beer Path, leaving eerie footprints.

Notable Quotes:

• Vance Langen [08:57]: "The peasants say they were marauders, bandits. That they were the scourge of their day."
• Laura [11:08]: "The bodies drawn out man size in marble had actually disappeared from the church."

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Escalation of Supernatural Events

Mrs. Dorman's Departure

Mrs. Dorman's abrupt departure raises suspicions. She hints at dark happenings, mentioning the violent deeds performed in the house's past [11:14]. Her insistence on Laura locking the door and making the sign of the cross suggests a looming threat.

Notable Quotes:

• Laura [13:07]: "Don't try to do too much, Mrs. Dorman."
• Laura [13:38]: "Whatever you do, lock the door early tomorrow night. And make a sign of the cross over it."

The Disappearance of the Marble Statues

On All Saints' Eve, Vance witnesses the inexplicable disappearance of the marble knights from the church [14:37]. His initial disbelief shifts to terror as he confronts the reality of the supernatural.

Notable Quotes:

• Narrator [21:09]: "They're gone."
• Vance Langen [21:11]: "The marble figures have gone from the church. They've disappeared, I tell you."

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The Climax: Confronting the Supernatural

Laura's Death

Returning home, Vance finds Laura lifeless, clutching a marble finger [26:52]. This horrifying revelation confirms the existence of the supernatural forces at play, merging the legends with grim reality.

Notable Quotes:

• Vance Langen [26:52]: "What we saw was no hallucination."
• Narrator [26:52]: "And so runs the tale of man size in marble."

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Themes and Insights

The Intersection of Folklore and Reality

Man-Size In Marble explores how folklore and local legends can influence perceptions and realities. The story delves into the thin veil between the natural and supernatural, questioning the reliability of human perception when faced with inexplicable phenomena.

The Fragility of Rationality

Vance's initial skepticism represents the struggle between rational thought and supernatural belief. His journey from disbelief to acceptance mirrors the internal conflict often experienced when confronted with the unknown.

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Conclusion

"Man-Size In Marble" is a masterful adaptation that encapsulates the essence of Old Time Radio horror. Through vivid narration, compelling dialogue, and a tightly woven plot, the episode draws listeners into a world where ancient legends come to life, and the supernatural invades everyday life. The story serves as a chilling reminder to heed warning signs and the dangers that lurk when the past refuses to remain buried.

Listeners are left with a lingering sense of unease, perfectly encapsulating the show's motto: "Be afraid! Be very afraid."

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Production Credits

• Adaptation: Bob Olson
• Actors:
  • Carl Green as Vance Langen
  • Beth Calder as Laura
  • Phyllis Perry as Mrs. Dorman
  • Archie Huly as Dr. McCarthy
• Musical Background: Earl Donaldson
• Technical Supervisor: Nephi Sorenson
• Producer & Director: Richard Thorne

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Additional Information

For more thrilling episodes and to explore a vast collection of Old Time Radio shows, visit RelicRadio.com. You can also find the shows on Spotify by searching for "Relic Radio Network." Support the podcast by donating through their website to help keep these classic stories alive.

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Note: This summary has been crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the Man-Size In Marble episode for those who haven't listened, ensuring clarity and engagement while highlighting key moments and themes from the story.

Transcript

[Vance Langen]

Oh, stories, real stories. And murders do turn out your legs. Turn them out.

[Narrator]

Good evening.

[Vance Langen]

Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous? Perhaps you. Can't I tell you a story? We are meant to call from out of the past.

[Narrator]

Stories strange, weird tales of mystery and terror by radio's masters of the macabre.

[Vance Langen]

Story of his supernatural the supernova. Dramatized by sad face. The mystery, the unknown. We tell you this Frank, frankly. So if you wish to avoid the excitement tension of these magnet play, refer in our latest theory to turn off your radio.

[Host]

Welcome back to the horror 18 years of old fashioned fear. At relicradio.com, new shows every Saturday. Thanks for joining me. This week we're gonna hear from the hall of Fantasy. This time with a story from its first series of shows that ended in May of 1947. 26 episodes in that run. It returned over mutual stations in 1949 where it aired until 1953. The story we're gonna hear today is based on one by E. Nesbit. It's titled Man Size in Marble. This one aired April 13, 1947.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the Granite Furniture Company with stores in Sugar House, Murray and Provo, presents the hall of Fantasy. Welcome to the hall of Fantasy. Welcome to the series of radio dramas dedicated to the supernatural, the unusual and the unknown.

[Vance Langen]

Come with me, my friends.

[Narrator]

We shall descend to the world of.

[Vance Langen]

The unknown and forbidden.

[Narrator]

Down to the depths where the veil of time is lifted and the supernatural reigns as king. Come with me and listen to the tale of Man Size in Marble. The Granite Furniture Company brings you the hall of Fantasy. Listen now to original tales of the imagination and some of the classics of the supernatural as we take you down the corridors of the hall of Fantasy to the mysterious realms of the unknown. These are stories of eerie and fantastic thrills brought to you by your friends at the Granite Furniture stores. And now for tonight's story. A radio adaptation by Bob Olson of E. Nesbit story Man Size in Marble.

[Vance Langen]

The villagers called it a delusion. That explanation gave them some comfort, since it will give you comfort also. I'll say no more about it, except that it's difficult to understand how hallucinations can commit murder. Ours was one of those marriages on a dime. I'd been doing a bit of painting in those days and never knew what it was to have the money I really needed. But then Laura knew this before she married me.

[Laura]

We'll get along if we're careful. You can paint and I'll write articles for the magazines.

[Vance Langen]

Living in town will be out of the question, dear. We can find some little place in the country.

[Laura]

As long as it's picturesque and sanitary, it doesn't matter where it is.

[Vance Langen]

And so we spent our honeymoon light heartedly. Looking for a place that was both sanitary and picturesque. The two qualities that rarely keep company in one cottage. Little rose covered trellises would invariably hide the corruption that lurked inside. We'd looked so hard and were so confused by the eloquence of house agents. That we seriously began to doubt if we could tell a house from a haystack, even if we found one. But when we came out to the little village of Brenzett. And thence two miles out to see the famous little church, our search was ended. For there, just two fields away, was the cottage. Picturesque it was, for it was long and low, with rooms taking off in unexpected directions. Two of the rooms were of ancient stonework, now covered with moss and ivy. It was all that remained of a huge manor that had stood here years ago. Around these rooms had risen the cottages. It stood this day quite by itself. Our nearest neighbor was a jolly Scotch Dr. McCarthy by name, whose cottage was a little distance down the lane. Our new home nestled cozily against a low hill. And looked out across the marsh meadows to the sea. Yes, it was a pretty cottage. Though stripped of its roses and jasmine, it would no doubt have been hideous. The rent was absurdly cheap. And it seemed quite likely that between the two of us we could keep the kettle simmering. We spent the rest of our honeymoon in secondhand shops, picking up odds and ends of oak and chippendale. Until the cottage soon became very homey. Fully settled. We were so happy. And that day we looked from the latticed window. Onto the old fashioned garden. With its colorful splash of hollyhocks and lilies. Laura sat outlined against the window, I before my easel.

[Laura]

What are you painting, Vance?

[Vance Langen]

You, my dear.

[Laura]

Me? Well, why not this lovely countryside?

[Vance Langen]

First my wife, then the countryside. And what are you writing?

[Laura]

A verse.

[Dr. McCarthy]

About what you.

[Vance Langen]

It was a gay life, the sort that only the quite humble or the very rich could enjoy. Our fortune was added to when we found Mrs. Dorman, a tall peasant woman with a good face and figure to keep house for us. Laura was delighted with her, for Mrs. Dorman was full of stories of the past. Stories of the smugglers and highwaymen who dominated this part of England, cutting purses and throats with equal zest. Better still were her stories about the things that walked and the sights that one met of A starry night. They gave Laura a good deal of material for her articles. Old wives tales, I called them. Three months passed quickly. We hadn't had a single quarrel. That's why it startled me when, on the return from a visit to Dr. McCarthy, Laura, who had always been so happy, rushed to my arms and buried her dark little head in my shoulder and wept. Laura. What is it?

[Laura]

Mrs. Dorman.

[Vance Langen]

What about Mrs. Dorman?

[Laura]

She's leaving us.

[Vance Langen]

Leaving us? What on earth for?

[Laura]

She says that she must leave before the end of the month. She says that her niece is ill, but I don't believe her because, well, her niece has always been ill. She acted so. So queerly.

[Vance Langen]

Don't cry, Laura. You know, it's a terrible shock to see you cry. I might cry a bit myself just watching you. And you'd never respect me again.

[Laura]

Oh, but it's serious. Those people in the village are so sheepy and. Well, if Mrs. Dorman leaves us without any explanation, no one will come and take her place. I just know it.

[Vance Langen]

Well, then, we'll share the housework.

[Laura]

But we'll have no time to earn what we need. And we've been doing so nicely. Now we'll have to work all day and rest only when the kettle's boiling.

[Vance Langen]

You exaggerate, Laura. We'll have less time. But there'll still be time. However, when Mrs. Dorman comes back, I'll have a talk with her. We'll come to some sort of terms. Tell you what. Let's take a walk up to the old church.

[Narrator]

And lonely.

[Vance Langen]

And we enjoyed the stroll in the moonlight. The path that went through a wood and along the crest of a little hill was called the Beer Path, for the dead had been carried along this path to be buried. The churchyard was enclosed by a low wall and ceilinged by several large elms whose branches stretched out as if in benediction over the dead. We entered the old church from a long, low porch and through a heavy oak door studded with iron. Inside, the arches rose up into the darkness. We strolled up to the chancel, where the fine colored glass windows let in faint hues of filtered moonlight. It gave everything a substance of shadow, even the gray marble figures of the two knights who lay there in full plate armor, with hands upheld in everlasting prayer. You know, it's a funny thing. If there is any light in this church at all, it seems to shine on these figures.

[Laura]

Who are they?

[Vance Langen]

No one knows. The peasants say they were marauders, bandits. That they were the scourge of their day.

[Laura]

Does it give you kind of a strange feeling to. To know they used to live where we live now.

[Vance Langen]

I hadn't thought much about it. Has Mrs. Dorman told you the story?

[Laura]

She doesn't know about it. She said the house was struck by a bolt of lightning.

[Vance Langen]

I heard it was the vengeance of heaven against their foul deeds.

[Laura]

Funny how a pair like that would be given such an honored place in this little church.

[Vance Langen]

Well, the gold was good, no matter where it came from. Their heirs probably bought the honor.

[Laura]

Those marble statues certainly aren't flattering.

[Vance Langen]

From the looks on the faces. Even in marble, I doubt their conversion to Christianity. The church looked very weird as the shadows cast eerie forms about. We looked again at the sleeping warriors and a feeling of awe came over us. Outside, we sat on the ancient stone seats, gazing out across the moon misted meadows. A sense of quiet and peacefulness came over us. At such times, troubles don't exist. Now, feel better than you did, dear?

[Laura]

Yes, Vance. Oh, let's never leave this place. It's lovely.

[Vance Langen]

Ah, yes. Wasn't it silly to get all worked up over Mrs. Dormant?

[Laura]

It's still a terrible nuisance, granted.

[Vance Langen]

But if scrubbing and blacking boots is the worst of our lot, we'll manage quite well even without Mrs. Dorman.

[Laura]

Of course we will.

[Vance Langen]

Nevertheless, when we get back to the house, I'll have a talk to her. She should be there by now.

[Laura]

I hope you can convince her.

[Vance Langen]

Mrs. Dorman, what's this I hear about your leaving?

[Laura]

Well, I'd like to leave before the end of the month.

[Vance Langen]

Well, aren't you happy here? Maybe you'd like a raise in your wages.

[Laura]

It's not that, sir. You and your lady have been most kind.

[Vance Langen]

Then suppose we work it out so that you can stay.

[Laura]

No, Mr. Longdon. I'd rather leave my nieces ill.

[Vance Langen]

Yes, I know, but she's been ill all along. Would you consider staying on for another month?

[Laura]

No, sir. I want to leave before Thursday.

[Vance Langen]

But this is Monday, woman. That's rather short notice. I'll tell you what. Stay on until next week.

[Laura]

Maybe I can come back next week.

[Vance Langen]

But why must you go this week? Well, speak up.

[Laura]

It's this house, sir.

[Vance Langen]

This house? Well, what about it?

[Laura]

They say that strange deeds was done here in olden times.

[Vance Langen]

In olden times. Oh, but this is. Now, what deeds do you mean? Well, don't worry, Mrs. Dorman, I. I'm not going to laugh at you.

[Laura]

Well, sir, have you seen them two Sharpes beside the altar in the church?

[Vance Langen]

You mean the effigies of the knights in armor.

[Laura]

I mean them two bodies drawed out man size in marble.

[Vance Langen]

A very graphic description, Mrs. Dorman. But what about the knights in the village?

[Laura]

They sigh that on All Science Eve, those bodies come to life.

[Vance Langen]

Those marble statues.

[Laura]

They sigh that they rise up from their slabs and walks down the aisle in their marble. Then when the church clock strikes 11, they come out into the night and walks over Gry.

[Vance Langen]

But how do you suppose when the.

[Laura]

Night been wet, there was the marks of their feet along the beer path.

[Vance Langen]

Well, where do they go?

[Laura]

Back to their home?

[Vance Langen]

Their home?

[Laura]

But their home was in this house.

[Vance Langen]

Well, did anyone ever see this happen?

[Laura]

I ain't saying. All I know is what I know.

[Vance Langen]

Who was living here last year?

[Laura]

No one, sir. The lady would only outspent the summary. But she always went up to London a good month before the night.

[Vance Langen]

And so you think you must go?

[Laura]

Yes, sir. My niece is ill. Oh, your niece?

[Vance Langen]

Oh, very well, Mrs. Dorman. Go if you think you must. But don't say anything about this to Mrs. Langham.

[Laura]

Must you go, Mrs. Dorman? Yes, ma'am. This is Thursday. I can't sty no longer.

[Vance Langen]

Going to put quite a load on us.

[Laura]

Don't try to do too much, Mrs. Langham. If there's anything I can do next week, I won't mind in the least. Thank you. Oh, but we'll try to manage. And whatever you do, lock the door early tomorrow night. And mic a sign of the cross over it. What do you mean?

[Vance Langen]

That's Mrs. Dorman's little Halloween joke there.

[Laura]

It's no joke. And if you ask me.

[Vance Langen]

Goodbye, Mrs. Dorman.

[Laura]

Goodbye. And don't forget what I said. What did she mean then?

[Vance Langen]

Nothing, dear. Mrs. Dorman is just a superstitious old biddy, that's all. I would have looked forward to Friday a much happier man if I could have believed what I had just told Laura. But Friday came the day before All Saints Eve. The day this story ends. In fact, the day that gave this story its horrible substance.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Man Size and marble in tonight's journey down the corridors of the hall of Fantasy, brought to you by your friends at the Granite Furniture Company, with stores in Sugar House, Murray and Provo. And now back to tonight's story, Bob Olson's adaptation of Man Size in Marvel.

[Vance Langen]

I arose early that morning and had already built a rather smoky success of a fire when Laura came down as bright as the bright morning itself. We had breakfast and went after the housework when the brushes and pails were silent at Last we set up and pails were silent at last. Last we set up in pails, were silent at last, and spent one of the merriest days since our wedding. That afternoon we took a long walk, completely happy and Laura sweeter than ever. I decided that housework was good for her. We watched the deep flame of sunset as it slowly faded to a dull gray. And then walked back to the cottage, hand in hand, without a word. Once inside, we sat in the parlor and seemed to settle into a deep silence. I thought it was a happy silence. And what I asked Laura had no particular significance at the time. You seem sad, Laura. I was surprised at her answer.

[Laura]

Yes, I. I don't think I feel quite well. I've had the shivers and it isn't cold, is it?

[Vance Langen]

No. Unless it's one of those nasty mists that creep up from the marsh.

[Laura]

There is no mist, dear.

[Vance Langen]

Doesn't seem to be a fat no mist. In that case, darling, you're not entitled to a chill.

[Narrator]

Sorry.

[Laura]

Vance.

[Vance Langen]

Mm.

[Laura]

You ever have a presentiment of evil?

[Vance Langen]

Don't believe in them.

[Laura]

I do. When my father died, he was away in North Scotland. But the night he died, I knew it. Oh, forgive me, Vance. Come and light up the candles on the piano and we'll play one of our duets.

[Vance Langen]

10 o'clock already?

[Laura]

Light up your pipe if you'd like, Ben. I don't mind.

[Vance Langen]

I think I'll take it outside.

[Laura]

May I come too?

[Vance Langen]

No, dear, you're much too tired. I shan't be long. You get to bed or you'll be.

[Laura]

Ill. You're taking good care of me, darling.

[Vance Langen]

Have to. Can't do all this housework by myself, you know.

[Laura]

Then give me a kiss.

[Vance Langen]

That will be a pleasure.

[Laura]

Let me go with you.

[Vance Langen]

You get some rest then. Yes.

[Laura]

We've been very happy today, haven't we?

[Vance Langen]

Even happier than usual, sweetheart.

[Laura]

You won't be gone long, will you?

[Vance Langen]

No, dear, not long. I stepped out, leaving the door unlatched, for I expected to be back shortly. The night was magnificent. Huge masses of cloud, dark and heavy, seemed to clasp hands and reach from horizon to horizon. Through this flowing stream of clouds moved the moon. Like a dolphin diving in and out of an endless succession of waves. The treetops swayed like a metronome to the gentle swing of the clouds. There was the mystic glow on the earth that comes from the blend of dew and moonlight. I drank in the serene beauty of the night. There wasn't a hint of emotion about. Not even a leaf stirred. The wind was high up, busy hurting the clouds. Across the meadow I saw the church tower standing out black against the sky. I suddenly thought of the three happy months I'd known here with Laura. Just then the church sounded its bell. Hey, 11 o'clock. I should be getting back to the house. But first I think I'll visit the church. I felt so happy and so very thankful. I wanted to take my gratitude to the old chapel that had heard the sorrows and the joys of its people for so many, countless years. On my way, I passed our cottage and looked in the window where I saw Laura's dark little head. Head silhouetted against the pale blue wall. She was very still. I decided not to disturb her. I turned down Beer Path. It was such a peaceful night that at first I was conscious of nothing. And then suddenly I became aware of a rustling sound that broke the stillness ever so gently. I stopped to listen. The sound stopped too. I took another step and listened. The step seemed to echo my own. Well, if that's a poacher, he's a fool not to step more lightly. I left the Beer path and took to the woods. The footsteps seemed to echo along the path I just left. It was strange. Yes, it was strange. Ah, but then all night sounds are strange. I passed through the corpse gate and walked among the graves to the low porch of the church. The door was open. Did I leave that open? I'd hate to have the damp get in and ruin those fine old fabrics. I went in and was halfway up the aisle when suddenly I remembered that bell struck 11:00. This is the very day, the very hour when the shapes, drawn out man size in marble, begin to walk. Once I did remember, it came on me with a shiver and I was ashamed. So to make up for it, I walked boldly to the altar. I did that because. Well, because I wanted to tell Mrs. Dorman how peacefully the shapes had slept through the ghastly hour. So, with my hands nonchalantly shoved into my pockets, I passed up the aisle. In the dim gray light, the other end of the church looked more. Well, it looked larger than usual. The arches above the two tombs seemed to have grown too. At that moment, the moon came out from behind the cloud. And in the ghostly beams of light I. I saw the reason. They're gone. I steadied myself. It's. It's some fool's practical joke. They can't be gone. I'm not in the right place. It's too dark to see here clearly. Yes, that's it. I took a newspaper from my pocket and lit it with a match. It flared up brightly. The confirmation was sickening. The bodies drawn out man size in marble had actually disappeared from the church. Suddenly I was gripped with an indefinable horror. It was an overwhelming certainty of finished calamity. I threw down the torch and dashed down the aisle, out the front door and into the night.

[Narrator]

They're gone.

[Vance Langen]

They're gone. Help me, someone. The bodies. They're gone, said Holdun man. Let go of me, you fool. The marble figures have gone from the church. They've disappeared, I tell you.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Hey, they know you've been smoking tamouch. Smoking and listening to old wives tell.

[Vance Langen]

Doctor, I've seen the bare slabs with my own eyes. They're gone, I tell you.

[Dr. McCarthy]

We'll come back with me. I'm going up to the Palmers.

[Vance Langen]

No.

[Dr. McCarthy]

His loss is sick. We'll ha a look into the bare slobs.

[Vance Langen]

You can go if you like. I'm going home to Laura.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Rubbish. Only permit it. You kind of go around all your life as saying you saw a slab of marble gin vitality. You cannot do it, man.

[Vance Langen]

I'm not going back there.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Then you want that you should be a coward.

[Vance Langen]

Coward?

[Host]

No.

[Dr. McCarthy]

But be I coward and they can help you if you didn't go down with me.

[Vance Langen]

Oh, all right. Come on. No.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Here we are at the church. Come in with me.

[Vance Langen]

I'm coming.

[Dr. McCarthy]

What have you got your ease closed for? Here, I'll strike a match.

[Vance Langen]

No.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Look there. What are you had to drink, man?

[Vance Langen]

I opened my eyes and what I saw made me absolutely mad. A huge black screen dropped across my reason, for there on the cold gray slabs were the two grotesque shapes in their marble. I, I, Dr. McCarty, I simply don't know what to say. Say, it must have been the light. Or maybe I have been working too hard. You know, I. I was sure they were gone.

[Dr. McCarthy]

I am quite aware of that. You had to do something about that brain of yours.

[Narrator]

But wait.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Look at this hand.

[Vance Langen]

What's wrong with the doctor?

[Dr. McCarthy]

It's been broken. There's a finger missing.

[Vance Langen]

Finger? But the last time I saw it, it was perfect.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Someone may have tried to remove.

[Vance Langen]

That can't be right. My impression was that they were gone. Completely disappeared.

[Dr. McCarthy]

That was too much tobacco.

[Vance Langen]

And painting, perhaps. Well, come along, Dr. McCarthy. My wife will be getting anxious. I told her I wouldn't be gone long.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Well, I should be going off to the Palmers.

[Vance Langen]

I'd appreciate it if you'd come on to the cottage with me and and, and drink to my better senses or Confusion to all ghosts or something.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Well, it's pretty late. No, I had to see a lot of people tonight. I could go to the Palmers tomorrow. Come with you.

[Vance Langen]

I believe I needed the sensible old doctor more than the Palmer girl did.

[Dr. McCarthy]

You had an illusion, man. Nothing more than an illusion, as I fancy.

[Vance Langen]

You're right about that, doctor, but it was a most amazing one. Dr. McCarthy then went into a dissertation on ghosts and apparitions. As we walked on up to the cottage, when we reached the garden path, I was a little puzzled by the bright light that was streaming out the front door. Soon I saw that it was wide open. Had Laura gone for a walk? Well, come on in, Doctor. We'll find Laura and then pour ourselves a drop of whiskey. Good. The house was ablaze with candles. Laura had not only lit the wax ones, but there must have been a dozen other sputtering, glaring tallow dips stuck all over the room in odd little places.

[Narrator]

Laura. We have company. Laura.

[Vance Langen]

I wonder if she went out for a walk.

[Narrator]

Laura March?

[Vance Langen]

Yes. Look. Where? There, in the little recess of the window. I saw her. What had she been doing there? Looking for me. But the doctor said it before I quite dared to.

[Dr. McCarthy]

Someone's been in this room. It's dinner.

[Vance Langen]

Belong here. Laura didn't move. Her mouth was drawn and her eyes were wide open, very wide. She looked as if she'd heard a footstep behind her and turned to meet what? I passed my hands over her eyes. They saw nothing. What had they seen last? The doctor moved toward her, but I pushed him aside as if I were afraid of what he'd say. Then I took her in my arms. Laura. Laura, darling. I've got you now. You're safe. I. She's safe. She's dead. Oh, no. She fell into my arms like a limp, loose jointed doll. I was slightly mad with this horrible sense of loss, but I knew she was dead. I knew it and nothing mattered anymore. Laura was dead and the world was dead. And I silently prayed the I might die watching her hand. I don't know. I don't care. Laura's dead. But the doctor pried open her fingers, and soon something fell out of that grim clutch and dropped to the floor. We looked at it and then at each other, for what we saw was no hallucination. It seemed to fairly shriek its defiance to reason, for there on the floor was a gray marble finger.

[Narrator]

And so runs the tale of man size in marble. Remember to join us next week at the same time for another journey down the corridors of the hall of Fantasy Tonight's story was adapted from the story by E. Nesbit entitled Man Size and Marvel. Heard in tonight's program were Carl Green as Vance Langen, Beth Calder as Laura, Phyllis Perry as Mrs. Darman, and Archie Huly as Dr. McCarthy. Musical background was provided by Earl Donaldson. The technical supervisor was Nephi Sorenson. This program was written by Bob Olson and produced and directed by Richard Thorne. Remember, Be with us again next Sunday night on call at 8:30pm when the Granite Furniture stores in Sugar House, Murray and Provo will take you on another journey down the corridors of the hall of Fantasy.

[Host]

You can find more from the hall of Fantasy, the Horror and all the Relic radio podcasts@ Relicradio.com while you're there, check out the Shoutcast stream with even more Old Time Radio and you can now find the shows on Spotify. Search for Relic Radio Network. You'll find them there. If you'd like to help support all of that, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website. Your support makes all of this possible. Thank you to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.