Garthowen

It was a typical July day in a large seaport town of South Wales. There had been refreshing showers in the morning, giving place to a murky haze through which the late afternoon sun shone red and round. The small kitchen of No. 2 Bryn Street was insufferably hot, in spite of the wide-open door and window. A good fire burnt in the grate, however, for it was near tea-time, and Mrs. Parry knew that some of her lodgers would soon be coming in for their tea. One had already arrived, and, sitting on the settle in the chimney corner, was holding an animated conversation with his landlady, who stood before him, one hand akimbo on her side, the other brandishing a toasting fork.

Allen Raine was the pen name of Anne Adalisa Beynon Puddicombe, a Welsh novelist born on October 6, 1836, in Newcastle Emlyn, United Kingdom. Raine became widely known for her novels, which resonated with a broad audience and sold over two million copies by 1912. Her works were primarily written in English, though she also had knowledge of Welsh. Throughout her career, she became a prominent figure in Welsh literature, often drawing from the landscapes, culture, and social conditions of Wales in her writing. Raine's novels typically explored themes of love, societal roles, and the struggles of rural life, capturing the essence of Welsh life in the 19th century. She passed away on June 21, 1908, at the age of 71 in Ceredigion, United Kingdom. Raine's legacy endures through her influential works that gave voice to the Welsh experience, making a lasting contribution to both Welsh and English literature. Her stories continue to be celebrated for their emotional depth and insight into human nature.