Since the stories are from the late 19th and early 20th century, the language and style may be harder to comprehend fully compared to modern texts. For this reason, I have included a brief synopsis of each story. With the basic plot firmly in mind, the reader can focus more on language and the style in which it was written for a fuller and more pleasurable reading experience. Also, many of the words and expressions that are archaic and hard to find in most dictionaries have been included at the end of each story with simple xplanations to fit the context of their usage. Not only that, but also to facilitate a greater and deeper meaning from the stories, study questions are offered at the end of each chapter to encourage a second or third reading and even as a basis for essay questions.

Text-Notes Prologue American Short Stories 1. THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO 2. THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER: CHAPTER 2 3. THE STORY OF AN HOUR 4. THE GIFT OF THE MAG! British Short Stories 5. THE HAPPY PRINCE 6. ARABY 7. THE OPEN WINDOW 8. A HAUNTED HOUSE Continental Short Stories 9. THE DIAMOND NECKLACE 10. THREE QUESTIONS Glossary Index