The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-24

Virginia of the Air Lanes,' by Herbert
 Quick. (Bobbs-Merrill Co.)
 To introduce the heroine by having her drop from the sky at the hero's feet must be set down as easily most daring and romantic feat-one. however, that Herbert Quick in his new books has worked through and with complete success.
 The whole book is a surprise, because 1t is 50 distinct from anything yet writ ten by MT. Quirk. It Is different quite from the love-and-land realism of "Alad- din & Company" the great, big book he wrote last year, called "The Broken Lance," one of the best books written in years, and it is certainly very different from the puzzles of Double Trouble"
 Looking forward to the middle of the present century. the author has set his story at a time when airships may be supposed to be in as frequent use as motor cars are now. The invention has not been perfected. however; the ideal ship is yet to be constructed, and the plot scheme of this story lies about the mar velous improved mechanism, like a great bird, which Theodore Carson of Carson's Landing, Ala.-catch that Alabama local color, eh?-has built. But the air, never theless, is buzzing with boats; there are already established many aerial harbors, and talk of different sorts of boats fills many pages of the book and supply much so-called atmosphere" While avoiding undue discussion of the mechanical de- tails of the aerostat manufacture, there is sufficient mention of 1t in MT. Quirk's book to give 1t an air of plausibility.
 Of particular interest to Alabamians will be the fact that the scene of most of this novel is laid in the vicinity of Mobile and Mobile bay, with its glisten- ing white beaches. sparkling blue water, it's canebrakes, its coves, lagoons and pal mettoes.
 The love story? This scribe finds that of all things that Is the first opinion de- sired. Well, the love situation begins to shape itself tentatively at first in the first chapter of the book. That condition of affairs should suit anyone. Virginia simply hates'' rich Silberberg, who wishes to marry her, and In the interest felt by MT. Theodore Carson of Carson's Landing, Ala. (rememberD, as he watches Virginia's sudden and perilous descent. a mass of red hat, crimson scarf, pique and silken fal-lals,'' starts all the love business about which the novel tells.
 When Virginia falls from that great height luckily the fall is on the soft sand, and the dear girl only faints. The mys- tery at once suggested by the secretive attitude of Carson (you see, he is build ing the king-bee airship and doesn't care for visitors), and the old captain, 8 quaint. really delightful old southerner; their hidden plot to back up this love in- terest. you care so much about. The plot is there. The book is all right
 Virginia of the Air Lanes'' can be recommended, not only for its splendid descriptions of the vicinity of Mobile. but Its own real worth.
 'The Castle by the Sea-, by H. B. Mar
 riott Watson. Gittle, Brown & Co.)
 MT. H. B. Marriott Watson can always be trusted to tell a very unusually inter- esting story, with love and adventure and thrilling escapes well mingled in due pro- portion, and the whole story told in a simple, sparingly adorned style that de- clines to bother the reader while he is engaged in the thrilling narrative.
 His latest novel, title given above is one of the best that he has yet written in deftness and finish of construction in the very interesting plot and the attract iveness of its scenes and characters.
 The novel Is concerned with the things which happened to an English author who leased for the summer dilapidated castle on the seashore in order that he might have complete retirement and quiet in which to finish a book.
 And he found a ghost, burglars. crim- inal conspiracy, smugglers, secret stair ways leading into no end of adventure, rich copper mine being secretly worked by thieves. his predestined sweetheart, and various other momentous and ex- citing things. These discoveries and ad- ventures culminate finally in the kidnap- ping of the owner of the castle occupied by the man who tells the story, and his confinement together later with the author-hero and the heroine of the tale (Mr. Heros sweetheart predestlned) in a cavern maze. There Is excitement all right-don't you think there isn't.
 This Is a swiftly moving, gallant TO- nance of the sort that says to you: If xon ara interested In 1t at all. You will