The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-11
new ROMlNcES.'

MOTH AND RUST. by Mary Cholmon-
deley:
published by Dodd. Mead & Co. For sale
by Preston & Rounds, N.50)
The brilliant author OF Red Pottage"
evidently works on the principle that
what is written easily makes hard read
ing. 1t Is long time between produc-
tions with her. and yet there is none OF
her contemporaries whom the reading
public ie more delighted to hear from.
When they do hear from her they hear
something worth while.
In Its elemental motives, and as por-
trayed by this authors talented pen the
motives have an elemental strength and
A few characters, a real and tangible and
(. exciting plot and scenery that In inter-
esting make capital, an appealing story.
Indeed, by reason Of the interesting quail
ity and the firm drawing OF the leading
personages OF the tale, by reason OF the
eager motives that direct their actions
and by reason OF virility In the narra-
tion. as well as the truly absorbing ma
ture of the story that is told. the reader
Is carried along at pace that, while not
often or the "breathless' order, Is 80 In
tense as to make 1t hard to lay the book
down once the reader has got we'll into II.
Janet Black springs quickly into the
the heart of George Trefusis. who like
the average novel reader, is not OF a ma
ture to be easily stirred. The Lady Anre
grows upon you more slowly. Just as she
grows slowly upon Janet. and Stephen
Vanbrunt and others with whom her
fate and fortune are concerned. But,
ono once she has crept in. she Is found to
gether lovable person. Indeed, when the
reader lays the book down II is likely to
leave quite as firm and delightful a mem
ory OF the Lady Anne as OF Janet. who Ia
evidently the heroine
Is person justified In keeping sacred
an oath made to a dying friend, when
world? Quite likely Miss cnolmondeiey
would deny any purpose to propound
made TO suffer the experience It sug-
gests. The reader will admit. II he has
any conscience at all. that Janet was
though a less ingenious and primitive
person might have found some way OF
saving herself from some OF the dreadful
tragically. because OF the sin OF her
brother and dearest friend. We think
Lady Anne. for instance. would have
bided her time 10 such advantage that
way out would have been found. She
certainly managed handsomely with Ste
phen Vanbrunt. although her relations
with him were most torturing.
A number OF nne characters OF minor
importance TO the telling OF the tale con-
tribute a full share OF Interest end api-
and capltaliy drawn. even down 10 the
sketches The book is artistic Without
forcing its literary art upon YOU Three
brilliant short stories nll out the volume,
like attendant gems In the setting OF
big brilliant
IN KINGS BFwAYs. by Stanley J., wey-
man:
published by Longmans Green a Co.
For sale by Preston g. Rounds)
When Mr. weyman sets himself 10 the
writing OF an historical romance-when he
has drawn IN bold lines. and I'M
presslve historical background. when he
has assembled his characters and entered
upon his plot--hc carries HIS story through
with n rush that knows no let UP. 60
climax that Is guaranteed TO bring down a
house worked up progressively and with
out lapse. TO the highest pitch Of ex-
cltement. Tn author never goes 20 slesp
over his writing or drops stitch any
where. lie doesn't reuse 10 take brea IA
and his reader doesn't have n chance to-
As one OF the orieinators Of the modern
historical romance none have surpassed
him for all his rroductlveness. while few
have demonstrated the capacity OF writing
so tersely and 80 cxcitingly that scarcely
a word fails 20 contribute It's quota 60 the
progressive development Of the readers
interest.
This is good art And ~ ~ highly es-
sentiai 20 the work OF the historical ro-