New-York tribune., 1902-03-09


John Lane
M0LFyIII.E DAYS, BY AlfrGd Henry Lewis evils
pp- x. Bill Frederick a. Stokes Company.
Mr.. Hornung apparently has prediction for
the seamy side of life literary material, and
has in his capacity of novelist. a certain COM
passion for those who belong to that side Of life
altogether through their own fault. We all
know how sympathetically he dealt with Raj
fes,' how tendery he handled that acqusitve
gentleman when the curtain was rung down
his last appearance. and all know how glad
we were that Mr.. Hornung treated his hero in
just that way. once more, in his latest novel.
this author has a criminal to portray and once
more he gives US a book that it is decidedly
entertaining to read. Its opening scene IS laid
in the Australian bush. where two Englishmen.
pedlers seeking their fortune, held up by
Sundown. noted outlaw. and two companions.
The younger Of the victims is in despair at the
idea of losing his money, the being small
enough. but. for him, the nucleus of great
wealth. In one OF those impulses Of generosity
which Mr.. Hornung knows so well how TO wake
in a hardened heart. the bushranger returns un-
touched the precious funds. He thereby
the everlasting gratitude Of young Edmonstone.
but, Of course. the gods must presently make
him and his benefactor rivals in love: and from
the complicated situation that is created early
III IL4c DOOh, Win DOln the actors IN tNt little
drama staying in England. there flow various
happenings which the author exploits with his
accustomed adroit and sympathetic hand. The
posture of affairs grows battling in the extreme
Tor both Shutdown and the EngliShman and the
reader wonders just how Mr.. Hornung is going
to work the thing out and preserve an atmo-
sphere that shall be credible But Mr. Hor-
nungs resource is not easily defeated. He COM
pletes his story without single passage OF
improbabity and without, may add, salts
flying the readers curiosity until precisely the
proper moment arrives. The tale is surprising
enough, yet there is nothing unnatural about it
1.-THE Crimson Wing is a romance Of the
Franco-Prussan war, with the usual figures and
furnishings Of such a production. There are
battle scenes, inevitably; we are not disap-
pointed when look for sketches of the en-
peror, Bismarck and other famous personages;
and the lovers, following the invariable practice
Of lovers in war time. take pains to range them
selves on opposite sides Yet if there is a good
deal Of conyeatonality about Mr.. ChatfeId-
TaylOrs book he at least deals with the familiar
properties in clever. sprightly fashion, and
furthermore. one important element in The
Crimson Wing has degree Of freshness about
it This is the friendship, almost passing into
love on the mans side and reaching a plane Of
positive passion on the womans between the
actress The latter comes upon the scene in a
way to promise a rather shabby strain in the
story: but she is a woman Of character and
plays. as the narrative proceeds a part COM
manding peculiar respect. We appreciate,
especially, the tact with which the author man
ages the fortunes of this character. He leads
Marguerite Clairon to a tragic end and he makes
1t, with admirable artistic feeling the end Of his
book. All through The Crimson Wing" in
deed, he shows taste and skill and though so
large part of the machinery Of the novel seems
grfevously worn by use. we are never bored
and in the long run give Mr.. Chatfeld- Taylor
thanks for an interesting hour
Mr.. Jeremiah T. Scales the New-EngIand
medium to whom introduced in the
first chapter of The Decoy," is a consummate
rascal who puts the wiles of spirituaIisic ouack-
cry at the service of sOrdd ambition. He
has found in the neighborhood foolish widow
well provided with this worlds goods He makes
up his mind to marry the widow and as the
ordinary procedure Of romance is obviously out
OF the question, he brings in the "sperrits' to
help him in his campaign. incidentally he draws
into his tolls young woman beloved by a
stalwart farmer, and the story not only relates
the course Of his queer wooing but has
even more to do with the proceedings of Miss
Ellen Rowan and her often checkmated but
never discouraged adorer. Though the plot is
nall