The age-herald., 1898-01-23
thetio truth and beauty.

thetic truth and beauty.
 Mrs. Boyle possesses the first essential re- qufsite of enduring work. She has story to tell and she proves the secret of story- telling by throwing the force of the narra- tive upon the characters and passions of the actors. The great human heart is the same all the world over and let an author dip his pen in his own hearts blood and write of the passions and emotions found there and he will not fail to quicken re- sponsive chord in the readers heart, be he from the north or the south-the east or the west. The story of "Brokenburne-the crumbling, old landmark, that stands loving guardian over deserted felds-is vivid dramatic picture of the old planta- ton life, with It's dreamy picturesque con- tentment and happiness, in sharp contrast to the tragedy that quickly befell dur ing the sad days of the war. The chang ing incidents are wonderfully conceived ana follow in such dramatic and natural se- quence that they compel ones interest from first page to last. The recital awakens the deepest emotions, tinctured by remin- iscent sadness, though it's poignant pa- thos is plaintiye rather than piercing.
 The appreciative reader while enjoying "Brokenburne" need not be told that its author is also poetess, for the rythmlc beauty OL US Is US CHieLSSt Sils1 ih.
 Can the following. passage be surpassed for dainty imagery and its agreeable rhythm?
 Mot a human thing seemed astir; over the arching gateway the rose vines swayed in the evening breeze, and bee and butter fly made merry amid the foliage, 10th to be driven from Arcadia, even by the com ing darkness Roses, roses, everywhere; the Marechal Mel laying its yellow head upon the breast of the wild Cherokee, the rose of love kissing the pale cheek of the white La Marque. Roses roses every where, hiding unsightly gaps, holding up the rotting arch, a tribute still to pride covering up the poverty of decaying gran deur." Or the following, "Above the dainty damask, waiting faintly the lavendar and rosemary of the linen chest, gleamed the exquisite china and ancient service of the Balfours awakening from their long sleep to look upon massive candelabra and to reflect myriad of sputtering tallow dips. At the head of the oalxen table, behind the silver urn, stood the smiling Rene. There was country hospitality galore. Chicken fried golden brown, big fat comfortable biscuit, buttermilk and egg bread and boy ish appetites, hesitating no longer, set to- with a will"
 "Prose on certain occasions" says Lan- dor, "can bear a great deal of poetry; on the other hand poetry sinks and swoons under a moderate weight of prose-" And in 'Brokenburne" an elegance and advan- tage is gained by the authors occasional rise into higher strain.
 Aunt Rene is familiar figure to child ren of the southland and to them she quickly appeals with the strength and forceful truthfulness of her delineation; to others, to whom she may not be so familiar she will be no less impressive and real.
 Virginia Balfour or "Jinny" in the old auntie's narrative, Is a delightful creation and wins love and interest from the. first. The sacrifice of her love to her chivalrous devotion to her family and her principles gives the story a tragic color and the climax is only reached during the final scene between the two lovers; a beautiful and touching finale.
 An old old story. but how tender and true. A word for the illustrations. do not think MT Walker does justice to the '-0"--t-- 70 t''e text thn-n are several that are good, others that do not catch the spirit of Mrs. Boyles most exquisite work
 PAUL PRY.