New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-21

IN THE DISTANCE BY George PARSONS LATHRoP.
,6mo. Boston James K. Osgood X Co.
Under this very attractive title Mr.. LalTop gives
us a prosaic little string of commonplace people
with tie rather sensational climax Of murder. III
THE he has attained one of the novelStS great
pomts-the uno Xpccted; for the 81 'nder thread OF
inteics, that leads up 10 this event gives 10 Ica-
son to expect anything s. tragic. The author
saws, a new life. a new scheme new pas
on."-and. it might be iuterpol1ed' ne"
book,-"even IN the midst OF its hopeiulneSS'
carries with it a shadow OF coming Stiucge an" me
pathos of possible failure" The excuse for the title
is found in the first chapter, where we are intro
duccd to the four leading persons Of The story ana
with considerable originality Of siimle ana OK
preston is given a distant glimpse OF Monadhoc'
the scene Of the closing episodes
Burlen, upon whose unfortunate early life the
story hinges. is the most distinctly deincated Of the
shadow characters. His modification in regard to
the degrading surroundings of his bo}hood, m'
morbid grief for the MYSTERIOUS disappearance 81 ms
sister and the circumstances consequent upon tins
a1ve what there is of color or incident in the book
Miss Archdale, the shcroine is a sedate young lady
with an admiration for scenery and privately con-
fcssrd ambition to lead in society. The only cAlid
of the theological professor, 1T was almost part
Of the curriculum at Marie for undergraduates TO
entertain more or less hopeless passion for Arch
dale's daughter She has three lovers, rcsPec-
lively lawyer. civil engineer and theological
student Each takes his tun at lOve-mahn", and
the calm set phrases and carefully prctyca title are
as conventional as the most vigorous cond desire,
The heroine, her three lovers and her amt estaC-
fish themselves for the summer at a farmhouse
near MonadnOc. Here the girl makes her decision III
favor of the minister. Burcn. Through the ma
licious Interference of Whitcot the engineer, the
secret of Burdens carly life prema urcIE dlSclo cd
to Miss Archdalc. In the shock aud surprise OF the
discovery and hearing that BuIlcn means 10 DIS
own his sister who is believed 10 have been dcntl-
fed az servant in the village, Mss Archaic
breaks the engagement. An augr' scene cnsueS he
tween fine rejected lover and NhltcOt. and when
next morning the murdered body of the latter Is
found in In woods suspicion taStcus upon Burlen.
In course If the trial the servant acknowledges her
lover RudVarl in fit of jealousy committed the
murder Burlcn is acquitted, and there follows
joyful reunion with his sister and betrothed. But
the story does not end here. .
For some mysterious psychological reason BUrl'h
rcnouYces his newt found happnet sand The engage.
mcnt is broken once more. Atter separation OF
some months the lover l. stricken with leNtl, ana
his sister sends for Miss Arcndale Upon bis IecoN-
crv the relationship IS resumed and we have the
saiisfac ion Of leaving the pair happily united
Mr. Lathrop allows his characters 10 indulge III no
IplposSible c0nycTs9tIon-ndeod, the dialogue Is
commonplace to dc gree OF deafness. Aside from
some faults of careless phTdSs oogV the style Is falr
and in some scrpti1ns even Ct. Il.