The Phantom of Beguilement

"The Phantom of Beguilement" is a short story by Wilum H. Pugmire that originally appeared in his collection Tales of Love and Death (Delirium Books, 2001). It is set in Kingsport, one of the less-revisited corners of Lovecraft Country.
==Characters== 
*Katherine Winters: a young poet who comes to Kingsport "in search of creative flow."
*Mrs. Keats: the owner of a "quaint shop of curios."
* Jeremy Blond: A poet and a painter who disappeared some time ago. "A nervous young artist, with dark wounded eyes and pale lifeless hair." A painting and accompanying poem by him fascinates Katherine Winters.
*Winfield Scot: Described as a "drunken lout" by Mrs. Keats and a "brother poet" by Katherine. He lives at the former home of the Terrible Old Man.
*The Terrible Old Man: The character from H. P. Lovecraft's "The Terrible Old Man" is referenced, though he died before the story begins at "an incredible old age." He is described as "a former sea captain" who "had learned strange rites and secret ceremonies during his sea journeys."
==Kingsport==
Pugmire describes Lovecraft's fictional town of Kingsport as a "charming New England town where thrived a vigorous artistic community." The story notes its "misty air" and "strange, old-fashioned inhabitants." Points of interest include Central Hill, the "craggy silhouette of Kingport’s prehistoric cliffs," the "narrow cobblestones of Harborside," the "tall and dilapidated building that had once been Mariner’s Church" on Foster Street, and the "trickling water of Blake’s Creek." 
The deserted cottage of the Terrible Old Man on Water Street is noted for the "large oddly painted stones that leaned in the tall grass of [its] yard...positioned in esoteric groups, like primeval idols."
==Publication History==
In addition to appearing in four collections of Pugmire's work, the story was reprinted in A Mountain Walked (Centipede Press, 2014), edited by S. T. Joshi.
Category:Expanded Mythos Works
Category:W. H. Pugmire works