New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-23

way chosen by the author. Moreover, they
interesting human beings. and their affairs
of serious nature. fully justifying the at
ltiOn we are asked 10 give them The plot
a good one 1t is the better because it is as
eiIDle from beginning TO end as anything taken
orally from modern life. Mr.. Mason has
iaginatiOn. and nc is a close observer. Finally.
knows how to write. THE Truants" is
pital piece Of literary craftsmanship.
THE Masquerader" is one OF those books
hich could not have been written in any time
our own. In substance it closely resembles
penny dreadful of oar bOyhood days. In
eatment it is a perfect illustration of the
everness and finish so characteristic of con-
mporary fiction. The authors attitude toward
r work. the gravity and deftness with which
ie Celebrates her narrative, the bizarre nature
her theme. all serve TO hold the reader en-
lralled Until the curtain is rung down. But
hen once the curtain has fallen, and he has
merged from the artificial light of the theatre
TO the light of day, he reflects that ne has
SISTED at the performance of about as wild
melodrama could be well devised. Mrs.
hurston asks him to believe that two men
eet in London, and find that they resemble
lch other so closely as to make it easy for them
, change places. John Chilcote, NJ p. who is
Rigging himself to death. may. according to the
uthors hypothesis. bury himself in the bachelor
uarters of Mr.. John Loder. while that gentle
IAN takes his place in Parliament and at home
he thing is done. Loder lives in ChiIcotes
ouse when the latter finds temporary retire
ent imperative performs his public duties, eats
is dinners for him at the houses of his friends.
nd plays the part Of estranged husband to his
ife Mrs. Chilcote meets her husbands sub
inf ov0fo and
nd in the intimacy of her own home, and never
ven begins to suspect the truth. She finds In
ne physiOgnomy, voice and demeanor of
trong man nothing to differentiate him from
he weakling she has known for years, save
erhaps the difference between a man in a well
hood and in an I'll one. AS though this were not
Ough to strain the creduIity of the reader and
is patience. Mrs. Thurston gives her story as
he brings it to close the kind OF twist by
Which only a sentimental school girl could be
aiken in.
If she had been content with crowning the
Masquerade Of Chilcote and Loder with ex-
osure. at least her book would have possessed
certain logic. But when the thing is found
ut when Eve Chilcote's eyes are opened to the
raud which has been practised. and Loder
lakes confession. the true Chilcote is conven-
ently killed Off-and is left to be buried as
oder! The false Chilcote drives with the dead
mans wife back to her home, and when they
ct there. she having on the way admitted her
I'VE for him. they find the head OF the new
ministry waiting to tell Ewes husband that he
ants him to be Under Secretary for Foreign
fairs The inference to be drawn from the
words OF the story is that Loder ac-
epts. and thereby commits himself to the career
swindler. aided and abetted by his wife. II
not conceivable that he could explain 20 the
rhine Minister. and to all OF the friends of the
IAN he has impersonated, just what he has been
Ding. He can only continue in ChiIcote's place
y retaining Chilcote's borrowed identity. and
his is to say that he must, among other things
ign forged name TO official documents, about
s criminal an act as a statesman could commit
lie is to do this. moreover. with the support OF a
oman OF spotless character. and all the time
s though to put the finishing touch to this It's
Ce of absurdities. there is another figure In the
tory, woman, who is practically In a position
D publish Loder's secret to the world more
reposterous book we have never read. ana yet
re repeat. MIS- Thurston IS SO skflful that
aving begun her story the reader cannot hut
o on with Il