"The Beckoning Fair One" follows the story of Paul Oleron, a novelist who becomes entangled with a mysterious spirit inhabiting his apartment. As this spectral presence takes hold of him, it slowly drains both his energy and his willpower. Consumed by this supernatural influence, Oleron ultimately finds himself accused of the murder of the woman who once loved him.

The Lure of a New Home

Oleron finds himself drawn to an old, dilapidated building, viewing it as a cost-effective solution to his need for both a living and a working space. Deciding to consolidate his life, he moves into a larger apartment within this otherwise deserted structure. At the time of the move, he is in the midst of writing what he considers his best work, the novel Romilly. Yet, upon settling into his new abode, he is suddenly unable to continue his writing.

The Change in Creative Vision

The protagonist of his novel, Romilly, is inspired by his journalist friend, Elsie Bengough. However, as Oleron tries to forge ahead with his writing, he grows increasingly dissatisfied with his heroine, yearning for a different muse. This dissatisfaction mirrors his discomfort with Elsie's presence in his new home, where she seems unwelcome and even suffers inexplicable injuries during her visits—nails appear where they shouldn’t, and steps break unexpectedly.

Conflicted Feelings

Oleron's feelings toward Elsie have always been mixed. While he appreciates her company, he finds her too grounded and worldly for his refined and austere tastes. Similarly, he grapples with his career, admitting to Elsie that he is tired of writing, which no longer brings him the joy it once did. The lack of success and comfort in his literary pursuits adds to his growing frustration and sense of futility.

Dueling Inspirations

Slowly, Oleron begins to perceive a conflict between the old and new versions of Romilly, attributing it to the tension between Elsie and a mysterious presence he calls "the beckoning fair one." This being seems to inhabit his apartment, a notion that crystallizes when a neighbor identifies a tune Oleron hums as "The Beckoning Fair One." This discord also reflects his internal struggle, torn between his desire for ordinary comfort and the allure of otherworldly artistic inspiration. This inner division propels him deeper into the mysteries of his apartment, isolating him from Elsie, his writing, and the world at large.

The Spirit Revealed

Initially, Oleron imagines he might conjure a spirit through his love for his apartment. However, upon learning of Elsie’s romantic interest in him, he discovers that a spirit already dwells there. By the time he learns of her feelings, the spirit's influence is already pervasive, and he finds himself rejecting Elsie. He oscillates between the part of him that values her love and the part drawn to the spirit's malice toward Elsie. One fateful night, as he comes closest to reciprocating Elsie's feelings, he hears the sound of a woman brushing her hair, despite being alone. Though initially frightened, he soon embraces the idea of a female spirit and turns away from Elsie toward the beckoning fair one.

Isolation and Obsession

Oleron becomes increasingly obsessed, trying to entice the fair one to reveal herself. He dreams of a union with her, acknowledging and even sharing her jealousy toward Elsie. In his desperation, he ultimately destroys his manuscript, severing his last connection to Elsie as she pleads with him from outside his locked door.

Descent into Madness

Oleron secludes himself within his home, which becomes a cocoon of solitude. He closes himself off from visitors, mail, and sustenance, surrendering to the unseen spirit. Imagining...