The San Francisco call., 1901-12-01
GEoReE =. cRAM Turns HUTHoR-
H H EREw1TH Is an illustration from

Il T EREWITH is an illustration from
IT1l 'Minette," q historical novel by
i il the veteran publisher George F.
Cram. This Ii Mr. Grams first at
tempt in fiction and Judging from the ex-
cellence Of his present production 1t seems
unfortunate that he has not entered the
world Of literary romance before.
'Minette'' Is vivid story OF the lat
ter part of the eleventh century when 80
many thousands of enthusiastic Crusaders
went to their death in the Holy Land.
For the stirring and tragic tale that he
has to tell, Mr.. Cram could not have
chosen a finer setting. He weaves his
romance and history together in splendid
style.
The story begins in France at the time
when religious fervor was at its height
and the flower of the kingdom was flock
Ing to the standards of the knights of the
cross. Minette, the young daughter OF
the Count of Touraine has been betrothed,
by the mutual agreement Of the parents,
to Guibert de Barreaux. 1t has been one
OF those formal engagements customary
at that time, when the wishes of the
principals were held entirely subservient
to the decision Of older heads.
Gu1bert Is selfishly anxious for the
match because he hopes through the
riches of Minette to retrieve his own lost
fortune. There is not the slightest spark
or congeniality between the two and It
only needs the appearance of the dashing
and altogether admirable Lacey de
Hauteville on the scene to save Minette
from loveless wedding. With Minette
and Lacey 1t Is matter Of perfect at
lection and worship at first sight.
Guibert is not willing to let his prize
slip SO easily. however. and picks quar-.
rel with the young knight. only to be
himself defeated and 20 have the NORTH.
cation Of knowing that his life has been
spared by his more generous rival. Fog
Lacey, after disarming Guibert, falls to
give the fatal thrust. and sheathes his
sword that 1t may be Grawn again clean
for the Christian cause. and not red with
the blood of a Countryman slain on the
dueling field
This Is the beginning Of the feud be-
tween Lacey and Guibert, a struggle that
Is carried from France to the very walls
OF Jerusalem itself, and lasts until the
final climax and tragedy at the end Of tho
book. Guibert, smarting under his defeat,
both at arms and In the affair of his
heart. vows to have the life of Lacey by
fair means or foul. The better to further
his base ends he joins the Crusaders and
acts as a spy for the Turks.
The scene then suddenly shifts to for
eign shores-battle, carnage and wild
alarms. Minettc goes with her father 10
Join the Crusaders and in finally captured
by the Turks under the direction OF Gui-
bert. She is saved from him by the power
of Azzadin, chief. who falls IN love with
her.
Mr.. Cram paints the glowing picture Of
the Crusaders trials and battles with
powerful strokes. but through II all brings
out the complicated intricacies OF his ro-
nance with vivid distinctness II is only
In the closing chapter that the last thread
Is drawn and his story made complete
One other woman figures in the book
Louise, a character almost as noble and )
interesting as that of Minette lie Bon,
Tarcred and L'Enfans also play most i'm
rortant parts and are splendid types of
the courageous Crusaders, who dared
their all for the sake OF the cross.
Here is an excerpt the Staying OF the
sultan's giant bowman that illustrates
well Mr.. Grams virile style:
For two days the battle ragged. The num-
bers were unequal. but the Crusaders were un.
able to employ their full strength. Each d.
vision fought as best It could. and each re-
eardless OF the other On the afternoon OF the
second day the battle ragged herceiy. Le Bon
was with his company Of knights close to
Raymond, who dealing strong blows was
trying 70 reach Kiiidge-Arslan. II was de-
risive moment. Before the swords OF Bohe-
mond and Tancred the stoutest Turks went
iown-horse and rider alike trampled upon and
crushed by the sursnE of knights who