New-York tribune., 1906-04-07
Il PRIZE NOVEL.
II Story That Won a Prize and a
Story That Deserves One.

Story That Deserves One.
SAINTS. IN SOCIETY. BY. Margaret Baiie-
Saunders. limo. pp vi, 42s. c. P. Putnam's
HAZEL OF HEATHERLAND BY Mabel Barnes
SSpnndy l2mO. PIP. sSs. The Baker Taylor
bos shS59 AAD THE GUIDES BY & Mary Eay%Und ,IUgs
l2mo pp. VIII. S5l. Charles scribner's Sons.
CATTLE BRANDS. Collection OF Western
SaRmpiirs Stories. BY Andy Adams. i2no. pp.
A story written for prize even If it proves to
be a winner. is likely TO owe it's success rather
TO extrinsic than TO intrinsic merit II the
successful tale is one that has been written
without reference TO the prize. and is merely
offered in competition in the hope OF gaining
larger return than would likely accrue TO 1t
If published in the usual fashion, the author.
and possibly the publisher, may reap increased
benefit; but literature and the public are no
better on, since the story would have been
published in any event. Saints in Society,""
the novel with which Mrs Baillie-Saunders
won the prize offered last year by T. Fisher
Unwin. the London publisher was we under
stand not written specially for the competi-
!, ton. This undoubtedly accounts for the ex-
cellent quality OF the story. 1t deals with the
leader
10 power. and with the moral disintegration
wrought upon his character by his social polit-
ical and financial successes. Not less interesting
is the authors study Of the social and moral
evolution Of his wife. brought about by the
same influences. The story is conceived on
broad and true lines. The style is direct and
epigrammatic The author has a talent for
characterization. but. unfortunately. she has al
lowed herself TO be carried away with it. Not
only has she made each of her dramatis per-
sone a type, but she has made each one an
extreme instance Of that particular type. The
story, accordingly, is to that extent unnatural
and unconvincing. It is keyed too high through
out. The fault, however, is one Of execution
rather than Of conception. Mrs. Baillie-Saunders
has apparently been fearful OF missing any
OF her points that she has erred on the side OF
overenphasis This and soma minor faults
are probably the result Of inexperience. and
viii doubtless disappear in the authors future
work
There is a delightful naturalness about Ma
bel Barnes -Grundy's Hazel OF Heatherland."
It is q self-Teyelation Of the heart OF capt-
waiting. impulsive girl. living in one Of the
quiet corners OF English rural life, a bubbling
spring of Joy and humOr and mischief seeking
an outlet from the dead waters OF common
place household routine and conventional piety
that hem her round. Nothing aptly de-
scribes the book and the heroine. who is the
book as that much overwOTked word, charm.
The story is written in the first person. with
naive frankness that wins a smile and for
giveness for every confessed fault, and sym
pathy for every sorrow and doubt. II deals with
no burning social problems, but depends for its
interest solely on its personal. human appeal.
The romance IS true. and always relieved by
appreciation of the incongruous and the humor-
Gus. A most refreshing bit Of comedy.
The spirit OF the free. outdoor life OF the
Canadian woods and the merry mischief of
hearty American boy combine to give zest 10 the
tales that Mrs. Andrews has collected in
a volume under the general title of Bob and
The Guides" In many OF the stories Bob ap-
pears as the narrator we'll one Of the
leading characters, and in these the humorous
clement is predominant The leading motive
is in each instance, slight. but admirably
worked up and so infused with the breath Of
the Northern wilderness that the interest never
slackens, and incidents trivial IN themselves
are made TO assume essential relation 10 the
plot. The tales range from pure farce through
comedy and adventure 10 simple sentiment
The author is equally happy in interpreting the
nature OF the care-free American boy and that
Of the typical French-Canadan habitant AL
though Bob is the central figure. the stories are
not written for children. but for those who.
though grown up" have not lost their appre-
citation OF the Juvenile point Of view.
Tales told around the campfire in the days
OF Western cattle trails form the contents Of
Andy Adans's latest volume, Cattle Brands
They resemble in their nature the stories Incl
dentaIly introduced into the authors three
previous books The Log Of a Cowboy and
its sequels. "A Texas Matchmaker" and The
Outlet" and deal with cowboy adventure. fights
with Indians and desperadoes. and the exciting
life of the Texas Rangers. with which body the
author was long associated. The words Of
praise that were written in regard 10 his for
mer works apply equally TO this The stories
entertainingly describe a phase OF border life
that has passed away. and that has found
no more faithful interpreter than Andy Adams.
TENNYSOY'S TRIAL BOOKS"