The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-27
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE.
PepIsa xsrnenex.

Tho writer of this Spanish novels q Spaniard,
land as such has succeeded in picturing things
they really are in that country, and not as they
may be imagined by some one who has never
even so much as been there as q transient spec
Valera Ia an author Of considerable popularity
An hisown country. his works being honored with
translation into several languages and having
been well received. The present novel is accom-
panied by introduction to this American edit
hon. which proves him to be writer fluent in the
use Of English as well as his native tongue. In
presenting his compliments to the American
public. he protests against the idea Of being di-
Hatic or pedantic in stories, which. he declares,
''should charm, through a faithful representa-
ton of human actions and human passions, and
70 create by this fidelity to nature beautiful
work" One cannot help feeling that the author
in this instance has touched on the real province
rf the novel, and it is to be regretted that so
many would-be novests spoil otherwise good
ltoriss by seeking to inculcate certain doc
trines or dogmas that have go kind of relevancy
to the field OF fiction. "Pepita Ximenez' ia a
Spanish love story with all the Spanish accesso-
ries that go to make it engaging. Briefly the
Btory is as follows:
"DOn Louis, of twenty-five, intended for the
priesthood, is in his novitiate, when he pays his
Father, rich country gentleman in AndaIsusia,
y visit Don Pedro de Vargas. who is past fifty,
loves his son and regrets he is to be churchman
In the neighborhood lives the pretty, plquant
Pepita Aimenez. rich widow. She has been
married to Don Gumersindo, dotard of eighty.
when she was eighteen Gumersindo dies, and
then all Andalusia is at the feet of Pepita and
among them Don Louis's father. But no one
get has touched Pepita's heart. Louis is learned
in the lives of the saints. but does not know how
TO ride horse Once. at rural fete, whenh he
goes to Pepitas country house. he has TO mount
o sorry mule. Don Pedro teaches Louis to ride.
and he Is an apt scholar. When ne
mounts Lucero. second Baoreca, ana
proves himself an accomplished cavalier,
Pepita's heart goes out TO him. Don Louis
struggles with his passion. In his letters to his
uncle, the dean, he gives an honest description
Of his struggles, but love gains the mastery.
There is Count of Genazahar. a rejected sutton
of Pepita's, who dares to kesmirch the widows
fair name. Don Louis goes TO the club. plays
monte with the Count, wins his money, throws
down the gauntlet and fights De Ganazahar with
eabres and wounds him. Antonona is the 60
between between the lovers. for Pepita is dying
with ner passion. AT last 1t being evident that
Louis's vocation is rot for the cloister, he mar
Eies Pepita, and never in Andalusa was there
30 happy couple What = jolly wedding feast
they must have hadl There were tarts, fritters
4uAuiSS ktuRcIuT0dus ePoukV SoN0s ouu VINO AZ
abundance for the common people. The gentry
RECALLED themselves with liquors, orange cordial.
honey and various kinds of aromatic and
delicate punches Don Juan Valera has
studied carefully all the mystical theoogians of
his time, and the ecstatlc Father Miguel de la
Fuente,' but holds that an honest love 'purihes
the other emotions sustains human dignity
and lends poetry, nobility and holiness to the
commonest state, condition and manner of life
The little bits of naturalness in the story show
that the author of 'Pepita Ximenez' is a true
prtist We fancy the adorer of to-day no longer
gets on his knees before his fair one. Perhaps
Renuhexon is false and past manifestation of
the consuming passion now relegated to panio.
mime. When getting on his feet from such an un-
comfortable position for lover to dust his knees
wound hardly be romantic Don Louis, when he
declares his love for Pepita. pressed his lips to
hers and clasped her to his heart Then that
scene closes in this manner: Pepita took q
comb and smoothed his hair and kissed him.
Shs then re-arranged his necktie.'
This novel is published by D. Appleton g. Co.,
New York, and is for sale by the Bowen Merrill
COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS