The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-04

of the man for whom she had expressed ab- horrence. but in the interview she meets nothing that is humiliating. for Governor Armitage Is outwardly man of ice exquis- iteiy courteous. but without the least trace of sentiment. She. in turn, is like a per- son wearing . mask. Her appeal to him is nevertheless strong and emotional. such as one woman might make in behalf of an- other who has claimed her aid The gov ernor. however. Is firm in his position on the subject of pardon-givinG: "his slowly uttered words rang out with the measured precision of the sculptor's chisei upon stone." What 1t means to him to refuse is explained later when the reader learns that behind that cold exterior is a heart burning with love for this woman He had not dar- ed to hope for . restoration of old relations with her because he believed her love dead: and she was the dead. cold thing she seem ed to be because she had In her opinion. forfeited all claim to his kindly remem- brance. To make any overture. at the risk of rejection by him. would have been in tolerable. she said. when. at the close of the interview. the two came suddenly and unexpectedly face to face with their past.
 How much longer" demands Armitage- 'do you intend to impaie us both upon the iron cross of your cruel despotic pride! Since the responsibility of our meeting here is yours. not mine. will speak at last. and you shall listen."
 So 1t all comes out at last, the confession that might have been made SO many years earlier. and right glad Is Devota to &C., knowledge that the world has been desolate and empty for her without tho one love of her life.
 It is hardly a misnomer to call this novel c play. It is written ip novel stvle but is almost wholly record of conversations Few and short arc the passages of de- scriptive character. Not more than hint is given of the personal appearance of the heroine: and this by indirection, a master artist being quoted as declaring to Devota his inability to finish a picture that car be merely . pretty mask. Despite its classi" lines and exquisite coloring the locked face you show me. no more reflects your indi- vidual mentality and emotional potentiality than some flawless alabaster mask. If you will permit a frank analysis" continues the artist. "I should say your habitual expres- sion is that of complete. well-trained re- pose. impervious to shock; and even your eyes-n windows of your soul-ars deftly curtained with . radiant mist defyine scru- tiny I shall destroy this bafflinr work. retaining oply the hand and arm which you must grant me as some solace Tor defeat. The day is not distant when yo" will recognise your wrist and fingers ID my 'Egeria' signalling to Numa
 That ia the nearest one goes So heNoso looks and the other characters are quite a' sketchy in outline. Of rcenerv there Is ht- tle and that little the conventional interior and garden of an aristocratic summer home
 It may be asked. in what consists the charm of this writing. There are many short stories written in these later days and many that never come nearer to Vhsf We consider actual life; and there are evep greater issues than these engaging the at tention of writers: yet 1t is undeniable that there is hera a superiority. Perhaps 1t is found in the sincerity of the author-the aurity of the purpose with which the story is told. Mrs. Wilson has always some mes sage to deliver. and yet she does not write sermons. It is probable that not too care full reader would see in 'Devota" nothine more than an episode in the romance or two lives-a story told for the sake Of the telling: but there is much more in 1t TOT the discriminating. Then. there IS coiof' an inexplicabie texture or character. an im- pression of tone value that the reader gaihs from the story told. It is as if one hao walked fin a garden of flowers and remem~ bered the perfume-an old-fashtoned gar den, full of old flowers with old names bur intense sweetness, verify the Garden of Memory" SO lovingly recalled by Aun' lane of Kentucky"