The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-11
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
The Ship of Stars.

Few people have a better gift for writ
ing entertainingly than Arthur T. CUTLER
Couch COZ, whose latest novel, 1.-The
Ship of Stars" has just been issued by
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. The
title of the book does not indicate the
nature Of the story 1t tells. The scene is
in England and the chief characters are
a poor clergyman, who worked his way
through Oxford University and married
farmers daughter named Humility; their
son, who is the hero of the story: a coun-
try squire and his daughter, the latter the
heroine; baronet and his son; travel
ing exhorter who tries TO save the soul of
the squire, and country girl who might
have been a Hardy-like Tess but for her
environments. The clergyman is a con-
scientious. fearless man who loves his
books. church and family and dies a
Humility is a wife and mother who merits
canonization for her saintliness. Taffy,
her son, Honoria, the squire's daughter.
and George the baronet's son, are much
together while children. Taffy is prodigy
in the creation of stories and is regarded
as a wonder by his young friends. Honor,a
admireS him and predicts a great future
for him. The squire is killed accidentally
while chasing Satan during a religious
frenzy and Honoria becomes mistress of
the estate. Soon afterwards Taffy is sent
to Oxford, where he attends the same COL
lege his father graduated from. He is
called home by the death of his father
and supposes his college career to be
ended, but his mother tells him sufficient
money has been provided to enable him to
complete his education. He corresponds
with Honoria. who takes great interest in
his college successes and encourages him
in sisterly way. She is engaged to mar
ry George and invites Taffy to the we'd
ding. Taffy, however, discovers he is in
love with her and determines to remain at
Tchool but the wedding being delayed, he
attends IT during vacation and returns to
his studies. Then comes a blow. His
mother summons him home. He obeys and
learns he is accused of being the father
of the Tess-like girls child. He is Justly
indignant and holly denies the charge. His
mother. who was confident of his inno-
cence, then tells him Honoria believes the
story and also informs him that Honoria
had provided part of the money for his
education. 1t had been accepted because
her father had wronged his father and the
money was regarded as payment of just
debt. Taffy Is spirited and resolves to re-
pay the $500 she advanced. He goes to
work for a lighthouse builder and wins
success as constructor and engineer. In
the meantime he learns that George, the
husband of Honoria, is the betrayer of the
girl and that he Is also responsible for the
charge against Taffy. The latter forces
George to confess. The girls child is twice
saved from death by Taffy. The last time
George assists and loses his life. Then
Honoria learns she has falsely accused
.Taffy and suffers great remorse. Her in
terview with the girl is dramatic, for she
not only discovers the perfidy of her late
husband, but is told that Taffy was in love
with her when she married George The
wench had discerned something the lady s
eyes We're unable to see, for the former
was in love with Taffy and was jealous
Taffy, however, knew nothing about the
girls passion. Some time after her dis
covery Honoria visits Humility and asks
forgiveness for the wrong she has done
Taffy The latter comes in and Honoria
Is invited 10 inspect lighthouse just COM
pleted by Taffy and to be lighted for the
hrst time that evening In her brief
widowhood she had analysed her own
heart and found she loved Taffy. On the
trip to and from the lighthouse she en-
beavers to sound Taffy's feelings towards
her. "reminiscences of their childhood DAYS
rail to awaken the tender memories she
desires. Taffy is merely friendly and cour-
teous. The love she seeks is dead. Honoria
rides home with sorrow in her heart The
story ends with Taffy and his mother pre-
pairing to move to a new place where Taffy
Is about to undertake another great work.