The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-18

it in the astonishing gsrb of fact. This
Is novel in which everybody States sub
stanually az follows" Here Is Winslow,
the fascinating actor. making damnable
love to Mrs. Harold at page 20i In the
mad rush OF his emotion he says:
You should not think II strange when |
state that at the reading you were entirely
IN my mind but the language by most
singular cnance gave TO the strange woman
who was ready TO commit this crime certain
attributes which | know TO be yours. This
fascinated me. Perhaps it was because
OF the kindly intimacy you have allowed
me, quite too dangerous for my peace OF
mind. II flowed very softly into my heart.
] thought of you as woman beyond preju-
dice and OF noble independence-one not
bound to form and ritual. but with heart
generous for the man who loved her /
fancied saw in this creature Of the dram
atist's magination the woman whom l
believe to have sckened of n dull affection
that falls so far short Of her ideal-an ideal
that nclines her heart to romance. to poetry
and to music-wth husband grown dry
in the detail of business, neglectful OF his
duties at home. while his stupid fancy
is stirred elsewhere Mind you, make no
utllOlHt Dul Nil' ~ hNNSoAi1 ~ wow
of the fact that have so come TO love you.
| know you will be charitable. | have
heard YOU say hundred times that the
affections are beyond our control; that
love cannot be forced, but springs respon-
sive in the human breast to the first meeting
with the hearts affinity. ! cannot be mis-
taken. You understand me-and will be
merciful.'
The author says OF Winslow's address;
His words were the elimination of days
Of thought" They had a powerful effect
on Mrs Harold, She tainted. When she
came to she composed letter to the actor
1t started.
MIR WINsLow. Perhaps it would be better
II I did not write this letter; perhaps it
would be better to leave the hideous scene
through which we have just passed. for lis
lesson to the memory of each of US; to you
the recollection of q woman writhing and
helpless under sudden and unexpected In
suit in which ingratitude made It's base
ness deeper, and to me the knowledge that
for her the friendship OF man Is never
safe. Even in the brief time which per-
init to pass between the writing OF TINS
letter and the scene which has required H.
| have struggled in vain to think wherein
you were influenced at what point in my
own conduct / was lax and where slipped
to induce you to almost the divine folly OF
misjudg ing one 80 reverenty and proudly
a wife Never In the broadest moments
of my generosity for you have J done my
exalted husband the injustice OF com
parison, never sunk 10 the consideration
by even a furtive impression OF the dill
ference between a man whose whole lie
has been that Of studied and sober useful
ness and you, whom now know to have
lived so idly and without purpose as to be
scarcely worth your own self-respect-
This letter. which went on in the same
terrible vein, lacerated the feeling OF the
actor. but 1t did not kill him He died go
pages later, when Woodbury., a character
who had strong reasons for vengeance,
jumped overheard with him from the deck
of an ocean steamship, At that final and
| dreadfully compensatory moment:
-The haggard visage and bloodshot eyes
OF Woodbury. pressed against his own
He tore at the sitting fingers about bis
throat, striving in vain to cry out. He
pressed back his head to avoid the forehead
that beat his lips. bleeding from the impact
OF his teeth. His own hands Rrappled the
tOTlOllS lOTTl hDDNt ulul dliAl Allell bilt Nts-
sci rolled away as he slipped along its
black side locked in the embrace OF his sud
den and frightful nemesis. The lowering
passenger with the pale face and light eyes,
who had watched in horror the quick
assault, leaned over the rail where the dark
swell covered the bubbles OF the lost forms
and sent his own startled cry down the deck,
but the spot where they had disappeared
was far back astern.'
Fine descriptive writing as well rs fin
ished dialogue. The story takes note
of the complex life Of New York, including
Wall Street and the theatres. Mrs Har-
rolds silence concerned a certain secret
Of her life This is fully revealed at the
last: but 1t is the realistic quality OF Mr.
Gardenhire's novel, the careful reproduc-
ton of the very form and pressure Of the
nlace and time. that has interested Va par
ticuiarly Surely a weighty performance
since Jumbo came VIC do not remember
feeling any parallel sensations.