The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-20

Chased as one OF the most notable books
Of the week. Sister Teresa" by George
Moore. author of Esther Waters" and
Evelyn Innes.' and published by the J. B.
Lippincott Company. Philadelphia, furnishes
permanent distinction.
The story is rather a striking study of the
temperament of a woman who has been a
great prima donna, who has sinned deeply.
and who, with a keen animal relish for the
sensual side Of life nevertheless possesses
q spiritual nature which finally leads her to
enter convent. The opening chapter pre-
sents the heroine, Evelyn, the singer, re-
turning to her luxurious London home at
the termination OF an eight-day stay with
the good sisters of a nearby convent.
among whom. II her spiritual strength is
equal to the performance. she hopes to
spend the remainder Of her life. :,
There are two men who love Evelyn. each
of whom is DESTROYS OF persuading her to
abandon her determination to retire from
the world. OF one Of these men. Owen, she
has been the mistress, and his influence
over her IL at times almost irresistible. The
other. Ulick. loves her in a less tempestu-
GUS fashion. but, though naturally re-
ligious soul, he does not believe in the con-
ventual life. and keenly resents Evelyn's
longing for its peacefulness and purity. It
woman's better nature causes her to care
more for Ulick than for Owen.
Nevertheless. so strong at times Is her
lower and worse self that she is more than
once perilously near the point Of resuming
her former life with Owen. surrendering to
the worlds appeal instead Of to that Of her
spiritual nature which tells her that for a
woman of her conflicting temperament the
only hope Of tranquility is in the complete
subjugation Of the flesh. Also. being ear
nestly urged by Ulick to become his wife.
this legitimate temptation adds to the Diff
Guilty of her final choice. The varying
phases of the mental and psychical conflict
are strongly depicted and naturally result
in several dramatic scenes during the ear
Evelyn's higher nature conQuers and she
begins her novitiate for the veil.
In the convent. among the Sisters. OF
whom she hopes to become one. 1t is plain
that the author has sought to portray with
unusual viyidness the experiences possible
to such woman. Evelyn is greatly at
tracted by the noble character Of the Moth
er Prioress. woman who. as the author
expresses 1t, has renowned, not refused. the
worlds life. She is also won to loving the
gentle Mother Phiiippa, the sweet, girlish
Sister Veronica and the rugged Sister Mary
John. But what at first seems to her child
ishness of many of the sisters In their con-
verSatlOn ana recre3tlOn tires ner, anu INC
monotony of convent life threatens to be-
come unbearablc. Nevertheless. she Is en-
abled to overcome this. and interests her
self in working to remove debt hanging
over the convent. 1
There comes time. however. when Sis
ter Teresa. the Evelyn that was feels that
1t will be impossible for her to live the con-
vent life, and she declares her determine
ton to renounce 1t. Her spiritual struggle
&c hfffnr oue hitter fhaf n Ieods m q
dangerous illness. the ultimate result OF
which is the complete loss OF her beautiful
voice-she had. until then. sung In the con-
vent choir. But her determination to leave
the convent remains mistaken. finally TAX
Ing the shape of a plan of fight-when sud.