The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-25
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE.
le Mystery of the Looks. /.
We, the author of "The lFvs

&c Mystery of the Loclss.c
E.. W ve, the author of "The Mystery Of
the La flames r. Osgood & CO., Bostons
stimuli al by the unexpected success of his first
venture, sThe Story Of Country Town." has
rushed out another story, doubtless with the In
tention of floating it on the same tide that car
RED the former to place in general popularity.
His first effort was in the nature of surprise.
1t was published we believe, in a small way,
probably on his own press and in cheap form,
when copy fell into the hands Of w. ID. How
ellis, who discovered" him and gave him
his first shove toward publicity by
calling attention to his story, which was there
upon taken up and put in better shape by his
present publishers. 1t cannot be denied that his
STORY of Country Town" was an excellent
piece of literary work. Making no pretensons
above simply depicting his characters as he saw
them, and attempting no fanciful flights, he sue.
ceeded in producing a very entertaining story.
"Ihe Mystery of the Locks is story of life
IN far West river town, the plot OF the story
centering in Allan Doris, who occupied the most
pretentious residence in ''Davys Bend and called
'The Locks, because of the many keys and
locks with which it was provided. Doris came
fore morning had leased The Locks room, after
purchasing the property. A mystery involved
his past which he never appeared to DISCLOSE
save to Annie Burton, who professed SO much
confidence in him that she did not care to hear
it. Doris had fallen in love with this girl at
sight, having had, in early life, Is dream or
vision" in which she, as his ideal Of
womanly loneliness had appeared to
him. This he tells her, and, though not in
SO many words, telling herthat ne loves her. and
gives her to understand that but for something
in his past life, for which he was not responsible,
he would ask her to marry him The girl responds
to this by declaring her utmost confidence in bic
honor and purity. and is not slow in making ad.
yances that disclose how much she loves him.
He, actuated by the feeling that he cannot as a
man of honor ask her to be his wife, Eually
tells her that 'for her sake lie intends going
so far away that she will finally forget
him. While sitting alone at The Locks
late the night before his departure he is startled
upon answering knock at the door to find Ar.
ME Burton, trembling with excitement and
dripping with rain, protesting the greatest love
for him and declaring that she must go where he
goes. He processes to be greatly pleased with
this evidence of devotion, and forthwith takes
her to church near by, where, after hunting up
the minister, they arc married. Repairing to
the home of her father next morning, they are
forgiven and enter upon very happy experience
as married people.
All this time Allan Doris is Swallowed bya
man whom, it afterwards is developed is the
brother of Dorris's divorced wife A favorable
opportunity at last offers and tho mysterious
man Kills Doris. the latter having made no
revelation whatever to his wife of his past life.
The body is buried, the wife declares her pur.
pose to live for his memory only though yeta
young woman" and life goes on with scarcelya
ripple.
This story, unlike his former prodHtion,
shows evidence of haste. In both, I'M
consciously or not, he initiates Da@xens
in his delneation of characters, but without at
tempting to equal his style. Hr. Howe seeDzat--
to have very correct conception of his abilities.
and has undertaken no daring flights. Without
being a deep man, he is entertaining. His
analyses are superficial but altogether his
stories are good He should, however, be a lit
tie more deliberate in putting forth a new book.
This last is brought to very unsatisfactory con.
clusion, and is not nearly so good as 'The Story
of q Country Town