The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

play, translated from the original by OIL yer Herford, of "The Devil" by F. Mol nar. MT. van Westrum has now made the play into novel-which reads very delightfully."-. As this play Is being dis cussed as few plays upon the metropoll- tan stage have been, having two dramatic companies now engaged in presenting 1t at different playhouses in New York, It is well worth reading first in the play form then in the novelized shape. It, the plot, is well worth both tryouts-for in one, the play. the reader gets the ker- nel of the nut, while in the novel, having first read the play in the original enc reader has, so to speak, the play carried out to more logical explanations. Mitch ell Kennerly publishes the play, while G. w. Dillingham; Go. publishes the novel here discussed.
 As mentioned heretofore in the review of this play the Devil provides only the circumstances and makes crafty, helpful suggestions looking to evil results. As readers may recall the story deals with a young artist who, at the request of beautiful woman is about to paint her picture. When the husband leaves them alone at the studio of the artist we dis- cover that these two had been lovers. He is still eager to possess her but she has realized the danger from her own inclinat tions and in order to dispose or their affair she has arranged for his mar riage to a lovely girl For a little while their conduct, or what is to be their fu- ture relation, is in the balance, but they finally agree to pursue the course of strict honor At this moment the DeNll arises from behind a high char Whlch had concealed his presence and from that moment he influences their conduct unrll at the end of the story they break faitn with society and their personal oblga- n This result is brought about by the Dew ils own machinations in inhaming them with jealousy, various characters being used for this purpose. The Devil at ohe time influences the wife to write letter. a passionate one to her lover and takes great pleasure in manipulating tns let ter so that at one time it almost falls into the hands of the husband i'll the presence of the wife, and at another time against the will of the wife is apparently delivered to the lover after her better conscience had counselled against the step involved The Devil has his own enjoyment in having returned to her an other letter by mistake. She burns thls letter but immediately declares to her lover what it's contents were. He doubts it, whereupon the Devil who appears at this moment produces the original letter, which proves her passionate asservatlon and this seals their fate.
 The best way to thoroughly enjoy this play would be to read it in the play translation, then in the novel sent forth by MT. van Westrum
 "An Original Gentleman" by Anne
 Warner Q1ittle, Brown Co)
 Mrs Anne Warner French (Anne War ner) who has delighted us heretofore with Susan Clegg'' and her qualifications has now published a book. of short stories which takes it's title from the initial story therein, towit, ''The Original Gentleman.
 The first one is very pleasing, as are the others, but it was very well that the and publisher did decide to place ''The Original Gentleman" first, because it acts as such a charming introduction to all the other good stories in this new vol tune.
 The original gentleman was young chap who had lost hls letter of credit in Germany and who answered Mrs. Carpenter s" advertisement for such chap-an original one. Mrs. carpen- ter's'' sister was the real Mrs. Carpenter, part to her maiden name to avoid dis cussion while she took care of Mr. Car penter during her sisters shopping tour in Paris. When the hero applies for the ..original gentleman position, he believes Mrs. Carpenter in the book to be the wife of the old irascible husband who wishes to go back home in America while the supposed wife Is trying to delay his departure and had employed the "origina. gentleman" to assist :n delaying it. Of course the denouement makes everything all right and straight. Good story is