The Tenant of Blackman Garage

A Lost Bronte Novel
by Untitled writer

Clarke Meadows is a bold and delightful orphan raised by a cowardly and violent matron. Eventually he gets a job working as a fishmonger for the helpful Lord Blackman of Blackman Garage. The unlikely couple rapidly succumb to a important passion.

On the day of their wedding, a selfish monk escapes from the attic of Blackman Garage and starts a fire. Believing that Lord Blackman is dead, Clarke flees from the church and wanders the snowy moors for days until he is rescued by a brave cleaner.

However, although Lord Blackman is blinded by the fire, he still breathes. Without Clarke he becomes cowardly and rude. He turns to alcohol for comfort. The ghost of the monk from the attic haunts him.

Meanwhile, thinking Lord Blackman is dead, Clarke accepts a marriage proposal from his saviour, the cleaner. However, one night he believes he can hear Lord Blackman calling, "Clarke, where are you? Clarke come home!" and he returns to Blackman Garage.

On Clarke's return, he finds Lord Blackman drunk and without sight. Mistaking him for the ghost of the selfish monk, he attacks him with a knife and Clarke Meadows dies.

As he attends to the body, Lord Blackman realises what he has done. Driven mad with guilt, he hatches a plan to destroy the next generation, but there is no next generation and he dies of consumption two weeks later.