Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-22
Elsie Dinsmore's


already devoted to her story before the
magic period of young ladyhood, and all
the rich possibilities in the varied career of
the modern heroine-not to include the dra-
matte field of the problem novel'-for no
one who has become acquainted with Patty
could imagine her in any more serious
post-matrimonial complications than. say,
Little Stories Of Married Life" presents
| creator a perpetual endowment fund
In "Patty's Summer Days" we find her in
that delicious debatable ground before she
Is really young lady, but later than 1t Is
possible for the grown-up young men in her
vicinity to be entirely unaware of her pres
ence. Patty, herself, however is more I'M
aware of the proximity of these young men
than other contemporary studies of the
school girl have led us to suppose This is
not remarkable. for Patty has all sorts of
attractive qualities which will make the
pretty little book one which anxious mothers
may well put into their daughters hands.
This particular summer carries the little
heroine through all the fascinating excite
ment of wedding festivities-which the
reader is allowed to see entirely from the
standpoint of unconcerned youth-followed
by a hectic commencement time in conSe-
quence of which a complete collapse of the
central figure is narrowly averted and then
by manifold summer recreations. All of the
incidents are wholesome, sympathetic to
giri-nature and, above all, good-mannered.
Our enjoyment of the volume is heightened
by the fact that it must have been of BEN
eft to so well-beloved person as Carolyn
Wells, for In 1t she undoubtedly rested her
humor.
The illustrations represent an attractive
little personality in many moods and in
many situations. Altogether the book will
prove desirable addition to the library of
maidens of Patty's own desirable age.
THE FACE OF CLAY. BY Horace y.
Vachell. New York: Dodd, Mead az
Co. Washington: Brentanos.
This story, which is pervaded by very
unusual atmosphere, is a drama Of conflict
ing forces of the artistic temperament The
scene is that country beloved of artists
and celebrated by them-Brittany. Tephany
Lane Is born Of an English father and a
Bretenne mother. The girl is English in her
poise and force. Bretenne in her moods and
mysticism. And she is artist by Inheritance
and by early companionship with the
brotherhood of the brush of PontAven.
Henry Lanes untimely death by drown
ing in the treacherous sea of Brittany BAN
ishes Tephany from the land she loves.
from the peasants she understands and
from the young artists who have petted the
charming. motherless child. Chief of these
young men in promise and in affection. MI
chael Ossary, young Cornishman, at
tempts to comfort her. At the moment OF
parting Tephany clings to him with the
potential passion Of girl Of fifteen, and
Ossary knows that he loves her.
In the ten years that divide her from
Brittany and from Michael, Tephany ex-
per!ences a comfortless sojourn with Eng
1ish relatives and then a brief period
a marvellous prima donna. A sudden break
down, which must be followed by months
of rest, gives her the opportunity to return
to Brittany; and anxiety to hear from
Michael, who had apparently dropped out
Of the world, furnishes the motive. AS
soon as she returns to Pont-Aven Tephany
knows that she is Of truth Bretanne and
not English
To the reader the mysterious cause which
has wrecked Ossary's life will prove
fascinating quest. 1t is problem for
Tephany's loyalty and resoute faith to
solve. It draws in the two young English
artists Carne and Johnnie Keats, and has
a dangerous parallel in the affairs of
ure of Furic is its wreckage. While the
theme has been handled in Blanche Will
lis Towards "Guenn." in 'Trilby' and in
many novels both earlier and later than
significance and a quite individual charm.
OF the characters. Tephany and Michael
dominate an interesting group. Tephany
being a subtle and lovable personality.
Michael is a convincing study of artists
faculty grated upon elemental passions
and moral perceptions The minor affairs
of these tngenues of temperament-if not
of years-Johnnie Keats and Mary Machin
furnish the necessary relief. The peas
ants seem to be portraits, every one. The
movement of the story Is steady, but not
too fast to be in keeping with this sunlit
and storm-haunted corner Of the old world.
But the great merit of the book is it's
atmosphere. The sea, cherishng and
scourging; tn eaustere and elemental peas
antry, the worship of beauty. the haunting
influences Of old-World mysticism the sim
gleness of purpose and belief In life of the
personages in the Face of Clay" give the
book a distinct personality.
THE VOYAGE OF THE ARROW. By r
Jenkins Hams. With six illustrations
by H. c. Edwards Boston: L. c. Page
g. Co. Washington: Woodward &
Lothrop.
This is one of the ''stories Of adventure"
for whose wholesale manufacture the recipe
might be easily furnished provided it were
not better that, like the formula of the