The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-07
TWO GOOD STORIES.
"The Turquoise Cup" and "The Des-
ert," by Arthur Cosslctt Smith, Are
Well Worth While.

The Cardinal Archbishop Of Venice IN
MI. Arthur Cosslett Smiths novelette,,
The Turquoise Cup" published this week
by the Scribners, is very like the kindly
and humorous prelate whom we all loved
in Mr.. Henry Harland's novel of two years
ago, THE Cardinals Snuff-Box.'
Also does the turquoise cup, from which
the new story takes its name. suggest the
snuff-boX of Mr.. Harland's story, inasmuch
as it is the instrument. in the Cardinals
hands, of bringing two fond hearts to-
gether. The only difference is that, In the
one case. Cardinal employees snuff-box
In Cupids service Of his own volition.
while. in the other. the utilization OF tur-
Quoise cup Is forced upon him my the
heroine's determination TO possess that
beautiful treasure of his church. even If
her sweetheart gets himself into all sorts
of trouble by securing it for her.
Nevertheless. Mr.. Smiths story makes
pleasant reading and is told in a very deft
and attractive manner. Its characters are
few. but they are of the light-comedy
school and We like them and enjoy their
ways. The Cardinal must be viewed as the
central figure of the little romance. but he
does not dominate at the expense of the
other members of the cast. Lady Nora
Daily. dazzling and joyous Irish noble
woman. Is the heroine and a very charm
ing heroine she makes. The Earl of Vaux-
hall-".Bobby." to his friends-is the hero.
and he wins our sympathies by the hon
esty of his great loye for Lady Nora and
by his British inability to follow the varia-
uons OF her exuberant Celtic spirits. Mr..
Phelim Blake. cousin to Lady Nora and
very much in love with her. in laugh
ingly hopeless way. is dashing Irish gen.
tleman who recalls the handsome and
reckless 1rishmen SO plentiful in Levers
novels. And for Miss OKelly, the Lady
Nora's aunt and chaperone. she is an
Tfc F.rrr, asa
heip but like.
These are the principal characters In Mr..
Smiths story and they play their part very
acceptably in sunlit comedy under Vene-
tian skies AS for the story itself, the part
played by the turquoise cup. and why the
Cardinal Archbishop was led to make use
OF it for the greater happiness of Bobby"
Earl Of NauXhall, and the Lady Nora Daily,
it wouldn't be quite fair to tell you that
1t is permissible, however to refer YOU to
the book itself which will furnish an hour
good entertainment.
When you have finished this one story,
you will encounter another 1.-The Desert"
bound between the same covers and YOU
are at once transported from the richness
and beauty of Venice to the forbiddng desc
lation of Sahara. In the latter story, Mr..
Smith seems to have depicted with con-
siderable skill and faithfulness the life of
which he tells. 1t is melodramatic story,
with the happiest of endings. and its action
takes place within the time-lmit of a cara
van Journey from the little oasis OF Ell
Merb to the military post Of Briskra, an
important desert market.
The story IS simply told and the details
Of a caravan Journey across the desert are
presented with much vividness. The plot
contains mystery which keeps the read
ers interest keen to the very end, and the
solution then reached is dramatically con-
Gstent and satisfactory. Mr.. Smith has
a clear and natural literary style. His judg
msns of drama ticayalues Is accurate a faSt
made evident in 1.-THE Desert" while '.The
Turquoise Cup testifes to his apprecia-
ton of comedy and his possession of the
Hghtness of touch necessary to the telling OF
frankly inconsequential and amusing
story.