title: Dear Mr. Stephens: Letters of Love and of Hope
author: Andy Fernuik
description: Andy knew his first home in rural Texas. After high school, he moved throughout Utah, Italy, and New Zealand for work as a professional skier and for studies in music, film and linguistics. He is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Utah. His devotions include Jesus Christ, family and friends, music creation, filmmaking, alternative and mystic medicine, and youth suicide prevention.
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  # Armadale
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Wilkie Collins
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  TO
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  JOHN FORSTER.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  In acknowledgment of the services which he has rendered to
  
  
  the cause of literature by his "Life of Goldsmith;" and in
  
  
  affectionate remembrance of a friendship which is associated
  
  
  with some of the happiest years of my life.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Readers in general--on whose friendly reception experience has
  
  
  given me some reason to rely--will, I venture to hope, appreciate
  
  
  whatever merit there may be in this story without any prefatory
  
  
  pleading for it on my part. They will, I think, see that it has
  
  
  not been hastily meditated or idly wrought out. They will judge
  
  
  it accordingly, and I ask no more.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Readers in particular will, I have some reason to suppose, be
  
  
  here and there disturbed, perhaps even offended, by finding that
  
  
  "Armadale" oversteps, in more than one direction, the narrow
  
  
  limits within which they are disposed to r