The age-herald., 1898-07-17

cry lncidnt burn their way into the read CTS mind until he feels that the author wrote from his heart and had full knowl- edge and tender sympathy for the peo- pie of whom we wrote. An intensity of feeling and artistic perception he possesses which acts like a dynamic force giving energy and life and imparting an air Of conviction.
 The whole pivot Of the two books turns upon the one isolated fact that Rudolph Rassendyn possessed a shock of "red hair and a being an Ephberg of Elphberg he also possessed most remarkable resem- blance to the King of Rurtania. And so with his modest. yet sensible red head, Rudolph. the young aimless Englishman, wandered into Ruritania and finds himself at first amused, then perplexed, then net tied, then involved heart and soul he has b light his way through with the native weapons of his order-courage, tact, hon esty, wit, strength of self-sacrihce, and aptitude for affairs. Under stress of the exigeneies of the case he finds himself obliged to utilize his marked resemblance to the king by assuming the kingly office while that worthy is unavodably detained as a prisoner in Zenda. What wonder then when his official duties required him to pay court to the Princess F'laVla, the affianced of the king, that the heart of Rudolph should have thrown too much zest into the necessities of the case and in consequence. caused him to fall hope lessly in love. Yet this is not all, the Prin- cess Flavia marvelling at the wondrous change of demeanor of the supposed king returns his attentions with her own fervid love. When the work is accomplished. the recital of which> affords most entertaining matter, and the real king is again in se- curity placed upon the throne, Rudolph bids the Princess Flavia an affectionate and respectful adieu. In short time she rules as the favored queen of the king dom. Each year, however, in tender re- menbrance she sends by trusty servant a rcd rose with three words to Rudolph and receives three words in reply So in peace, yet in sadness, the "Prisoner Of Zenda' closes. Three years elaps- between this story and Rupert of Hentzan.' It would not be fair to the reader to give even ever so slight an intimation of the development of the plot for. of course, therein lies the chief charm of the story. The author deserves an ample amount Of credit however, from the fact that he takes up the very same individuals, Ru- doph, Rupert of Hentzan. Queen Fiavia and others, and yet weaves about their further destinies a story that is just as spirited and enthrallng and which leaves the reader not a moments breath ing space from first page to last
 The donnee of these tales, their spirit, their postuates, are nakedly romantic. In them the author deliberately lends en- chantment to his view by withdrawing to convenient distance from real life. But after all, the entertainment is everything and the distance nothing. Both books fl- lustrate conspicuously MT. Hopes gift of advancing the action of his story by the sprightly conversation of his characters, Rupert of Hentzan" seems to be another conspicuous case of '"The Lady or the Ti- ger-which?' This question has been so often discussed and debated, and so con- stantly put to the author for settlement that finally Mir. Stockton, with worn ex- precision and exceedingly weary air de- clared positively that even he did not know In closing MT. Hopes latest book one cannot keep from wondering would Rudolph have remained king? Somehow the reader very much fears that he would not; however, it's an interesting and de- tatable question.
 PAJI. PRY.