The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1901-06-27
FAITHFUL SHIRLEY" by
n George Sheldon, Is a love
story remarkable in many
Vol. XIV.-No. 49.

story remarkable in many
respects. First for its length,
then for the many petty incidents that
pad it ont and last for it's almost utter
lack of originality.
The scene opens in New York city.
Clifton Vining, the hero, has been
sowing his wild oats in such a spec
tacular manner as to shock the aristo-
cratic sensibilities of his father. The
father and son quarrel over their
differences, have high words and SANDER
each other disgracefully. Clifton
resolves to leave his fathers mansion
and make his own way in the world
He does not rush .headlong into the
arms of fate,-Clif is practicable
borrows ten dollars from his sister
before casting himself into the arms of
the tickle goddess. After filling up on
brandy at home, Clifton goes to his
club, buries himself behind news
paper and falls asleep. The author
having got her hero into this predica-
ment gives vent to considerable
mOralizing, but finally awakens Cliff
at midnight and sends him forth to
wander aimlessly about the city.
Destiny finally puts an end to Cliffs
nocturnal ramble, by leading him to the
water front and discovering to him a
terror-stricken young woman about to
plunge into watery grave. Of course
Clifton rescues the distressed damsel,
and the author, following the time
honored precedent, makes it a case of
love at first sight. Clifton, like most
heroes of this class, has an old nurse,
under whose protecting wing he
shelters the rescued maiden.
The author has provided the usual
conventional tale for her heroine,
Shirley Livingston. Shirley had been
decoyed to the city by deceitful relatives,
swindled out of money and finally COM
PEELED to live life Of drudgery until
her existence became unbearable and
the cold dark waters of the river were
preferable to such slavery.
Clifton finds employment as private
secretary to friend of his father, a
Mr.. Norwood, and after brief court
ship the lovers are engaged to be
married. In short time the elder Mr..
Vining, not cOnsenting to his sons
choice, enters into conspiracy where
by Nj. Norwood's daughter is to marry
Clifton, and thus unite the fortunes of
the two families.
Mr.. Norwood secures for Shirley
position as companion to an eccentric
maiden aunt of his, who carries her off
to Canada. Then he, to further separate
the lovers, beguiles Cliff into going to
Europe, under pretense of pressing
business. Mr.. Norwood takes his
daughter with him and misses no op-
portunity to force her company upon
Cliff during their sOjourn abroad.
Shirley writes to her lover and the
NorwOods intercept her letters, but
Cliff remains true to his sweetheart.
While Cliff is having an interesting
time of it abroad with the Norwoods,
Shirley is enjoying herself among the
aristocracy of Canada. She meets a
Lord Wallace and almost tails in love
with him. The author throws them
together unexpectedly, and arranges
several very worn-out incidents to
give life to this portion of the tale.
There is a certain snobbishness about
this particular part of the book that is
twaddle.
Finally Shirley goes back to New
York just as Clifton has arrived, safe
from the wiles Of the Norwoods. The
lovers are united again, the marriage
day set and all seems about to end
happily, when the author suddenly