The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-08-02
TIE SHOULDERS or ATLAS. By
Mary u. Wilkins Freeman. Harper

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TIE SHOULDERS or ATLAS. BY
Mary H. Wilkins Freeman. Harper
e Brothers, of New York, publish
ors. $3.50.
Mrs. Freeman has long ago estab-
lished reputation for being one OF
the foremost writerg among American
women In her analysis of New Eng
sand character and her description Of
New England home life and types
Her books are always serious and
thoughtful In tendency. and arc writ
ten always with, n purpose. "rhc
Shoulders or Atlas" hinges upon a
legacy left by an elderly cousin to a
Frugal. hard working couple, who have
advanced into middle ago without
pelng able to save anything, and are
confronted by the approaching spectres
OIL old age and dependence.
the legacy puts them into posscs-
sion OF comfortable house and a
upon their changed conditions joyouyly.
or as joyously as their New England
1ntrospcotion and habit OF self-torment
VIII permit them to do.
But In the carly stages OF the change
IN their environment and prospects. the
wires mind Is overcast BY secret
which destroys sympathy and conf
dence between her husband and her.
self.
Before long both husband and wife
realize that the Independence and COM
TORT which had seemed SO allurinE in
reality proved fun OF the cares and re :
probabilities from which no station
IN life is exempt.
In the end the wife confcsscs her
wrong and makes New England atone.
ment by doing II in public, feeling spe-
ciai merit In the acts which exposes
her TO the Judgment. critical and other
wise. OF tho community in which she
iiYes. Her husband resumes his daily
work In factory, and both get along
more at peace with thmscives after
ward.
Tho young girl of the book. Rose
cacy of touch and Is genuinely refined.
beautiful and attractive. tragedy In
the book connected with her life and
mystery oyerhangin2 the death OF n
woman with whom her childhood had
been associated add TO the interest
OF the story.
Other book personages reveal nor
NAL and abnormal New England char
acteristics. Miss wilkins is never
Willingly humorous, but Incidents and
conversations in her writings. never
she Is always unvary!ugly consistent.
FAYENNE. By Percy Brcbper. The
John Mcbride Company OF New
York. sl.5o.
The unforgotten flavor of The
Princess Martha" fingers agreeably
enough In the mind of the reading
public to incline 1t graciously toward
another romance by tile came author.
And this liz romance. pure and I'M
adnlterated. and does not take prob
abilities and realities into account. but
1t is thoroughly clean and wholesome.
The spirit Of adventure stirs in III
throughout. and 1t appeals to the chiv-
airy and bravery and seifsacrifice of
which man is capable when serving
the woman whom he loves.
1t ends with the happy wedding OF
lovers. the reward OF the good and irue.
and the abasement of the wicked
SIR RICHARD EscoMBE. By Max
pemberton. Harper 6: Brothers, of
New York. publishers. $3.50.
A novel of the period OF George II.
OF England. with Sir Richard Escombc.
baronet, soldier and man OF rank. as Its
hero and many Thrilling chapters OF
his life told'in Its pages.
hlS OeVOIlOn 10 pllSl1eSS TNlll5 iSIi-
gilmore, of Sherbourn. Warwickshire.
reveals him az gallant and constant
lover. who wins his lady through many
difficulties. The dramatic element in
the book is found In the association
Of Sir Richard with the Society OF st.
Francis. founded at Medmenham Abbey,
on the River Thames. by Sir Francis
Eastwood and John Wilkes.
Matters come to climax In the last
chapters OF tho book. where the orgies
of the society are pictured. and the
In which 1t Is broken up and
passes into obloquy is described with
great force and interest.
THE GATES OF LIFE. BY Hiram
stoker. Tho Cupples Leon Com
pany. OF New York. $3.50.
A novel with tho scene laid in Eng
land and the United States during the
last years of the nineteenth century.
The characters In the book include |
Miss Stephen Norman. so called be-
cause tho heir of Eormanstand, Eng
land, had always borne that name, and |
her mother died at her birth; Harold |
Au Wolf, a ward of Squire Norman.
OF Normanstand. and friend from
OF his daughter. Stephen;
Leonard Everard, son OF retired |
banker. living near Normanstand and
the villain of the story; Pearl Stone
horse, a lovable child. daughter OF An
drew Stonehorse. wealthy American;
Miss Lacttia Rowley. stephen Nor
mans aunt: Sister Ruth. an elderly
Quakeress, otherwise known as THE
Silver Lady, and Squire Hepburn, a
wastrel. who redeems himself by his
brave desire to save another's life att
the risk of his own.
The complications OF the novel arise
from mistake on the heroines part
not an uncommon one-of falling In