Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20

ground with interesting personal touches
or greatest force, a veritable triumph or
strong Characterization, is Adams. without
whom the story would lack a nucleus. He
Is the true hero. patient. forgiving, faith
full. He bears with his erring wife. per-
haps too much for her good. But she is
impossible, a tyre OF the neurotIc social
butterfly bent upon her own destruction for
the sake of pleasure. Her death is re-
markedly well treated The story reaches
its climax in the discovery by Laura
Wilde, on the eve of her marriage to Kem-
per. that she cannot forgive his past af-
fairs with other women. Then she does
what few women would do. but perhaps
what one of her temperament might do
she fees from her home, from the city,
hides herself and allows her friends to Suf-
fer agonies of suspense and fear as they
search frutlessy. At last she gives a
clue by sending for Adams 1t is to an
Adams that woman of discernment would
turn in her keeneSt distress. And Adams
with his own great love for Laura, re-
spends and starts her back on her old line
of life. slowly picking up the threads OF
her interrupted career. 1t IS gratifying to
know that in Adams she finally finds her
rest.
Miss Glasgow shows signs now and then
of an over development of style. She IN
dulges in long paSsa ges of mental COM
munings which call for a strain of atten-
tion to unravel. Occasionally she draws
too heavily upon her adjectives, as in this
passage:
but inc sly, llCdT0aLe uSNIi WHICH lul
ed in Adams in the form of ironic
spirit asserted itself with an explosion
which shook the plethoric gravity with
which Perry contemplated an orgy of m
digestion The universal scheme appeared
planned to fulfill the law of a Titanic hui
NOR. and his own credulity and Comics
indscretions showed suddenly to Adams as
mere mOte-like jests which cfrcled in a
general CONFUSION OF natures irony"
IL is to be hoped that Miss Glasgow VIII
return TO her first line Of work. 1t is more
characteristic and yields more interesting
results.
a MAKER OF HISTORY. BY f. Phillips
Oppenheim, author of The Master
Mummer." sc. Illustrated from draw
ings by Fred Pegram. Boston,: Little,
Brown & Co.
Mr.. Oppenheim is turning out more care
fully finished work than In the past. "a
Maker Of History" is a distinct improve
ment upon The Mysterious Mr.. Sabin"
and The Master AIummer." He still con-
cocts plots trending upon the politics of
Europe In amazing fashion. but he han
dies his theme more convincingly in this
work. A bit of paper tiutters out of the
window Of a railroad ear near the borders
OF Germany and Russia into the hands of
young Englishman who is lying concealed
in the shrubbery on the edge of the side
of the line. That was very unfortunate for
the young man, but exceedingly fortunate
eventually lBr EnSiAiCt anu TOT fEdliCe dS
well. From the circumstance of the es-
cape OF that bit of paper from Its fasten-
ings owed long current of events, dra-
matte. tragic at times. and again comic.
'.L'affaire Poynton' became celebrated In
France Everybody who tried to rescue
the young man from the plight into which
he was thrust by his chance encounter
with the history makers Of the continent
was menaced by the mysterious power OF
the Partisan secret police. Mr. Oppenheim
has told his tale briskly and, despite his
occasional Indulgence in ellipsis for the
sake OF suspending The interest of his
reader, he progresses satisfactorily through
n maze of puZZling happenings. Recent
occurrences in Europe such the attack
of the Russian Iialtc feet upon the Hull
fishing fleet. are utilized 10 give the story
an up-to-date favor which Is fairly jour-
nalistic.
THE COUNTRY HOUSE; Il Practical Man
ual of the Planning and Construction
of the American Country Home and it's
Surroundings BY Charles Edward
Hooper Illustrated. New York
Doubleday. Page & Co.
The author has been in part inspired in
the preparation of this exceedingly lnstruc-
tive work by the old adage that a man
must needs bui'd three houses before he
will have one to suit him. He hopes to lay
before the prospective builder Of a country
home the net results CT other mems expert
ences so that ne may avoid expensive pre-
hnIlnaries and have the benefit OF sugges-
ttons which might escape his attention In
scheming and laying out his own dwelling
The work is based upon practical results. a
careful study OF houses and their equip
ments having enabled the author TO lay
down certain directions in a clear style
lie first considers the selection of the site
with reference TO convenience. sources OF
supply. transportation the proximity Of
nuisanCes. the character of the SOIL water
supply and drainage and the natural land
scaps possibilities He also gives excellent
advice to the business of purchase anc
outlines a practical example embracing al
the elements necessary TO be considered
Next. he takes up the planning OF the house
and discusses the relationship between ar
chitect and client. the preparation of rough
sketches and the rules 81 planning. CLOSING
this valuable chapter with practical Illus
tsafson The various stages Of construction