The herald., 1897-05-02
ee. These letters tell the story of that

tree. These letters tell the story Of that
strange mad summer. Zoe Montrose
tells Francis che isnot to be won by him,
and begs him to leave her to the world
of society and her ambitions. But he
will hear nothing that shall come be-
tween them, and at last. when she goes
back to the great city, 1t is promised him
that he may follow, and that she will
marry him. Just here another steps In
and bears her off, an erring, unworthy
wooer. She comes back from a stay
abroad, dispirited and an Invalid. Then
she seeks out Francis Hume and begs
him to go and bring back her husband,
who is still wandering in Europe, that
she may see him once more before she
dies. The faithful lover goes, and does
bring back the husband. and loses his
own life In trying to save another life,
as the steamer is coming to her wharf,
that other life being only the life Of a
poor frightened dog that some drunken
men had dropped overheard from boat
alongside the steamer.
1t Is sad recital with a pitiful out
come, but it is volume of unusual
power and interest. Mise Brown has
never written anything poor, nor yet
anything quite so strong as this before.
Among the finest passages in the book
is the letter Of Ernest Hume to his son,
after they were separated, in which the
latter Is told of his legacy, the legacy OF
love left by his mother, who lived so
beautiful life, which she yielded up
when he was born, and who prayed day
and night that the child might be pure
| and brave
THE POMP OF THE LAvILETTES,
By Gilbert Parker. Lamson, Wolfe
& Co. s1.25. For sale by C. C. Parker.
Less ambitious than "The Seats of the
Mighty" this new Canadian story of
Mr.. Parker'S has the same individuality
and charm as that greatest. perhaps, Of
all the authors volumes. The scenes of
the story center about the noble st.
Lawrence, and there are no Improbable
or dull pages in it. 1t teels how "once
upon time. beyond the memories of
any IN the parish. the Laviletteg of Bon
aventure were a great people," But the
time came when they had to toll in the
nelds like all the rest of the hard work.
ers In the old French settlements,
One of the chief characters in the book
is the Honorable Tom Ferrol whose
abilities lay in splendid plausibility and
spontaneous "blarney." He was a
spendthrift Of his emotions and of his
money, and he often wished that his
money could last like the other supply: |:
for he was the son Of a penniles,s irish
peer, and himself wellnigh penniless.
But even the Hon. Mr.. Ferral rises into
character quite striking II not sublime.
when he had come to know how good It is
to be good. 1t is a simple and touching
story OF simple folk, and will be found
of abiding interest and charm. At bot
tom 1t is love story, as a story must be
that takes a deep hold on the sensibili-
ties-for love is the greatest thing in the
world.
PINE VALLEY. By Lewis B. France.
One volume, 142 pp., six illustra-
tions, cloth, gilt top, $1.25. T. Y.
Crowell & Co.
This rich little volume contains six
short stories. all about Pine valley. in
the heart of the Colorado mountains.
And very interesting stories they are
too, not to say great ones. A beautiful
wholesome sentiment underlies them
all. The volume is a genuine addition
to the literature OF the soil, and deserves
worthy place among our own shorter
forms Of American fiction.
HILDA STRAFFORD. BY Beatrice
Harraden. Dodd. Mead & CO.
The public may be somewhat disap-
pointed in this new volume Of Miss
Harraden's. Her first venture, whose
very title was enough to make It SELL
found q warm welcome, though not a
great book. It was picture Of some
men and women meeting and passing
each other In ths dimness Of short ac-
lQuaintance. or NO acquaintance ct All,
With : central dgurs among them who