The herald., 1897-05-02
will be remembered as the Disagreeable
Man. All the sorrows Of a sanitarium

will be remembered as the Disagreeable
Man. All the sorrows Of sanitarium
cropped out in the meeting Of these
people, and yet there was little or no
morbidness developed. At any rate,
what the actors in the story did was
entertaining, and the title did the rest.
Besides, there was in the early chapters
Of the book, something rather fine from
q literary standpoint. No reader will
forget how well the fable Of the pilgrims
seeking their idols on the mountain
heights is set off, and how there are at
last taught that the Temple of Knowl-
edge Is on the level plain, where men
and women toll on, some In joy and some
in sorrow.
Hilda Lester comes over from England
to South California" ranch to meet
and marry Robert Strafrord, to whom
she had been engaged for several years.
He had been in poor health. but at last
his ten acre orchard was in fair shape,
with a comfortable house. But when
Hilda came, and they settled down, it
was hard for her not to cry out for
other companionship than her hus-
bands. There were no neighbors nearer
than eight miles, and none Of these ex-
cept Ben Overleigh, brought much COM
fort to the little household. And so
when the flood came and the reservoir
burst and partly destroyed the little
ranch, Hilda could stand it no longer
but cried out against the man she did
not love enough to make such sacrifice
for. Then Robert, stricken with sorrow
and dread, passed noiselessly out Of
the house." To Ben Overleigh's he went,
to die of a broken heart. Hilda came to
him at the last and stayed to the end,
bearing herself with great calmness;
and when it was all over Ben bought the
ranch. and Hilda went back to Eng
land.
There is some very excellent writing
In the volume, especially that which tells
OF the dead brown wastes of summer
and the miracle born Of the rains. There
is a slight mixing Of the seasons in one
place, but it is small matter. Nor
does a man buy rifle to kill a quail.
1t is somewhat to be regretted, too,
that Miss Harraden should make Rob-
ert say that he never could make him.
self place in the world like some men
do" but this must come of the climate,
since 1t Is like most South Califor-
nian" folks do"
As We said, this story is likely to
prove somewhat disappointing. There
are few, II any, really dramatic situa-
tions in 1t, nor the smallest signs Of
humor. It is a recital that carries an
excellent moral with it. Young girls
should never come over from Old Eng
land. or New England, and 60 upon
ranches miles ard miles from neighbors.
especially If they be cold and hard
voiced" girls. In a word, this volume
Is pretty homily, but not great story.
John Strange Winter" the popular
York authoress, residing with her
husband and family at Dieppe, and who
has just completed her fiftieth book, re-
ceived, few days. ago, a very pretty
memento of this interesting event, in the
shape of dainty gold watch with
brooch attachment, the back richly en-
crusted with diamonds on ruby enamel
ground, accompanied with short not.
to the following effect: ITO John Strange
Winter, from her publishers, on the pub
lication Of her flftieth work, as a slight
souvenir of long and delightful bust
ness connection" It need hardly be
said that Mrs. Stannard was highly
pleased at the reminder, as charming as
1t was unexpected.
The success of Mr.. Edward Bellamy's
Looking Backward" was without a
parallel. In the United States many
thousand copies OF the book were taken.
r. .~y~ = = -
printed, a quarter OF q million of these
books were sold. After long silence.
Mr.. Bellamy has resumed his writing
and the Messrs. D. Appleton q Co. have
now nearly ready his new book. the title
|of which Il Equality" In this venture
~; Dellamy may prognosticate such So