Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-14

forms the basis or this tale. II II does.
there will be need OF the most effective
police organization to prevent social
chaos.
A HOLIDAY TOUCH, and Other Tales
Of Undaunted Americans. By Charles
Battell LOOMS. author of Cheerful
Americans" Illustrations by Thomas
Fogarty. F. r. Gruger. Peter Newell.
Charles Battell Loomis. Hy. Mayer.
H. G. Williamson and John Wolcott
Adams New York: Henry Holt &
Co. Washington: w. H. Lowder-
milk & Co.
1t is the LOOMS touch" that gives
these stories their individual distinc-
ton. Mr. LOOMS place among Ameri-
can humorists is well defined. 1t is
SO close to the top that many of his
admirers feel that he is today the lead
ing writer of light. entertaining fiction.
He has a peculiar Quaintness of ex-
preston that causes his oddly con-
ceived narratives to stand sharply out
from the mass of matter produced an
nually by the book presses. In the
title story. "A Holiday Touch" the
philanthropic disposition Of one Of the
great magnates of finance is cleverly
utilized in an ingenious manner. some
of the stories are particularly timely,
such as with Money King Behind
Me" and The Man Who Sang Occa-
sionally Mr.. Loomis Is capable of an
effective touch of pathos.
ROUND THE FIRE STORIES. BY Ar
thur Conan Doyle. New York: The
Mcclure Company. Washington:
Woodward & Lothrop.
Doyle's stories are always certain to
contain more or less Of hint Of mys-
ticism. In these seventeen tales. most
Of which have been printed in maya
zines. there is q distinct strain of this
quality. They deal with the primal
emotions. and some Of them, while
described in the general title as
Round the Fire Stories" are of a
sure to have full illumination as they
read. They have the creepy" quality.
particularly The Leather Funnel. lie
Beetle Hunter" The Sealed Room"
and THE Brown Hand"
THE PANTHER; a Tale of Temptation
BY Anne Warner. Illustrations by
Paul X. NJ. Thomas. Boston: Small,
Maynard & Co.
1t is a long leap from Susan Clegg
to this short allegory. Indeed. The
Panther will greatly surprise many
of Mrs. Warmers admirers. who have
hitherto regarded her as more of hu-
morist than a philosopher. This Is the
story Of woman's temptation. 1t Is
strictly Observation-Disclosures. so much
so that one might desire little more
there appears no convincing reason
why the man and the woman should
not marry. Lacking this element: the
story seems at times strained and ar
tificial However, it Is an admirable
piece of literary craftsmanship. but It
may be suggested that the author viii
find her former line better adapted to
her powers.
AND so THEY WE'RE MARRIED. BY
Florence Morse Kingsley. author OF
Titus" Illustrations by w. B. King.
New York: Dodd, Mead & Co. wash
ington: Brentano's.
BEGINNING with a marriage between TWO
young people who are not overwhelmed
with riches this brisk little story OF mod
ern life deals with their financial expert
ences, leading through many embarrass-
ments and subterfuges and receptions to
a final realization by the young wife that
she has no right.to aspire to social ois-
tinctiOn on a slender income. The IN
terventions of Miss Trip. who apr oints
herself guide. philosopher and friend TO
pretty little Mrs. Brewster. lead the lam
lily into extravagances that they cannot
afford. Finally. the awakening ccmes
story that might appropriately be handed
as wedding present to all who venture
into the matrimonial field.
MISS ESPERANCE AND MR.. WYCH-
ERLY. By l.. Allen Harker. author
of "A Romance of the Nursery" etc.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
Washington: Brentano's.
Mr. Harker's previous stories have dealt
with children in a manner to win for him
a widespread recognition as a remarkably
gifted chronicler of the young. In this
book he has a theme somewhat along
his former lines, but in developing it pre-
sents two elderly persons who complete
ly fill the horizon Of the readers inter-
est Miss Esperance and Mr.. Wycherly
are altogether charming. The children.
two dear little boys. serve effectively as
foils for these quaint north-of- Scotland
folks. The eccentricities of village life
add to the humor of the narrative. Mr..
Wycherly's redemption from overindul-
gence in his "foible' is effected through
the powers of his affections, and he be-
comes a useful member of society once
more in consequence of the influence Of
the two youngsters whom Providence be-
slows upon him and his gentle friend.
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