A Man Four-Square

by William MacLeod Raine

A girl sat on the mossy river-bank in the dappled, golden sunlight. Frowning eyes fixed on a sweeping eddy, she watched without seeing the racing current. Her slim, supple body, crouched and tense, was motionless, but her soul seethed tumultuously. In the bosom of her coarse linsey gown lay hidden a note. Through it destiny called her to the tragic hour of decision.

Genres: Westerns

230 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2007

About the author

William MacLeod Raine (June 22, 1871 - July 25, 1954), was a British-born American novelist who wrote fictional adventure stories about the American Old West.

William MacLeod Raine was born in London, the son of William and Jessie Raine. After his mother died, his family migrated from England to Arkansas when Macleod was ten years old, eventually settling on a cattle ranch near the Texas-Arkansas border.

In 1894, after graduating from Oberlin College, Macleod left Arkansas and headed for the western U.S. He became the principal of a school in Seattle while contributing columns to a local newspaper. After leaving Seattle, he moved to Denver, where he worked as a reporter and editorial writer for local periodicals, including the Republican, the Post, and the Rocky Mountain News. At this time he began to publish short stories, eventually becoming a full time free lance fiction writer, and finally finding his literary home in the novel.

His earliest novels were romantic histories taking place in the English countryside. However, after spending some time with the Arizona Rangers, Macleod shifted his literary focus and began to utilize the American West as a setting. The publication of Wyoming in 1908 marks the beginning of his prolific career, during which time he averaged nearly two western novels a year until his death in 1954. In 1920 he was awarded an M.L. degree from the University of Colorado where he had established that school's first journalism course. During the First World War 500,000 copies of one of his books were sent to British soldiers in the trenches. Twenty of his novels have been filmed. Despite his prolificness, he was a slow, careful, conscientious worker, intent on accurate detail, and considered himself a craftsman rather than an artist.

In 1905 Mr. Raine married Jennie P. Langley, who died in 1922. In 1924 he married Florence A Hollingsworth: they had a daughter. Though he traveled a good deal, Denver was considered his home.

William MacLeod Raine died on July 25, 1954 and is buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🔰😀

A classic will written romantic thriller adventure western novella by William MacLeod Raine with lots of interesting will developed characters. The story line is set in New Mexico when the gun 🔫was the only law. The story takes you from lawlessness too law and order.I would recommend this novella to readers of westerns. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚2021🗽

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

An otherwise standard Western with the obligatory cattle rustlers, keen eyed cowboys, and the two pretty girls, with a slight difference: the book comes close to examining the descent of a bright and idealistic young man into a man-killer. There is a redemption, but it is contrived and not very convincing. Still, like all Westerns, great fun.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very believable Western.

This book is well written and has very good character development. The story line is very well developed and easy to follow. More authors should be able to deliver stories this complete. Read and enjoy.

[David Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic in scope; an artfully written romantic reimagining of the Billy-the-Kid and Pat Garrett saga. Although the characters have different names, and the motivations and events differ from the history, Raine engages in myth making of 19th century Texas-New Mexico ranching culture, in an attempt to establish what it means to be a man.