The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-02
BnRshY'S DauRhfer.

Bessie and Marie Won Worst, who are
credited with writing this novel are, no
doubt, clever writer's, and possibly, clever
satirists, but they are not ingenious ro-
mancers. "Bagsby's Daughter is lame
and crude in places and its tone, some
maIgners may say. is not above Chicago
par. The story opens in Chicago with an
almost love-at-sght marriage, goes with
limited train speed to New York, halts
there long enough for bridegroom to lose
bride, fortune and character, jumps across
to England, fingers there for a time and
ends with the. reunited couple on the
giveness to "Bagsby's Daughters father
The book is of the society novel order-and
Chicago society, at that. There is Mrs.
Crawford-Crawford,t the leader of the 400,
and there is Mrs. Victoria Belford, whose
life has been rendered unhappy by a dis
sOlute husband and who tries to regain
happiness by loving another man. Then
there is Mr.. Patterfeld West who, after
being Tilted, makes love to the bride, just
as Mrs. Victoria Belford does to the brides
husband.
The chief characters in the book, aside
from those mentioned, are Robert Halifax,
a lawyer, and the hero; Violet Bagsby, the
heroine; Camden CT. Bagsby the father of
Violet, and manufacturer Of "Bagsbys
Bronchitis Capsules" who has made mil
lions by giving his customers an article of
inertia never failing cure: Mrs. Bagsby,
a tender-hearted mother who finds it diff
Grovenor CGrove,' as he is called, the
hope Of the Bagsby family; the Lawrence
Sands, and Miss Prangle. the governesS,
who grieves for the young parted couple
and who stills her New England conscience
long enough to reunite them.
The story, in brief is: Halifax meets
Violet at a musicale given by Mrs Craw-
d-Crawford. is captivated by her love-
Illness, and within a few minutes asks her
will you marry me?" Violet reflects
moment and, although she has given Mr.
Patterfield West permission to sue for her
hand and heart, answers Halifax's ques-
ton: L Will. Papa and mamma are in
formed and the wedding takes place in a
few days. Then Robert and Violet start
for London by way of New York If they
had known what was in store for them
they probably would have run over TO ST
Joseph, Mich, or Milwaukee-two havens
for hastily married Chica goans-for a few
days before going East. but they were not
seers, and, therefore their troubles. On the
same train that bears them TO New York is
Mrs. Victoria Bedford and Mr.. Patterfeld
West. The former has loved Halifax for
years. and the latter still loves Violet and
both are determined to separate the couple
for selfish reasons. On reaching New York
Halifax arranges 10 sail the next day with
his bride. While en- route the steamer
Violet misses her jewel case and remem-
bers she left II In her room at the hotel
There is little time 70 spare. Violet is
driven to the ship. while Halifax hastens
back for the jewel case He mistakes the
room and enters Mrs Belford's apart
ments. where her husband is diving She
beseeches Halifax not 10 leave her In her
distress, and there is a fearful interview.
loses so much time that he misses the
steamer and the bride sails alone In the
meantime Mr.. Patterheld West has been
spying around, sees Halifax with Mrs. Bel