The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-06-19
Literary Lights And Shadows
BY $. MAYS BALL

for his maraudering expedition? We'll maybe. Anyhow, Och Yan, the Master Girl. finds the desolate Wife-hunter, ana both are captured by the power Of love instead of by the club route. In those days. we read. love was not much Of a known quantity.
 Deh Yah, the Master Girl, is an Ana zon of wonderful power, who defends her crippled husband from desperate attacks of wild beasts and fiercer men. The truth
 is, that the fellow who started out to get a wife and was lucky enough to break his leg and thereby ,.in Och Yah, is not in the same class with his wife. But he thinks that she is fine, as she is; she was undoubtedly the first suffragette. There were numerous fierce battles and the Master Girl always leads the tribe to victory. She invents the bow and arrow and substitutes skilled archery as mode of warfare more desirable than the prim- itive spear-throwing of her tribe. Fin ally when her husband dies of old age, after a long and active life, the Master Girl inaugurates the suttee, by burning herself with her husbands dead body, as symbol of her loyalty.
 The book, of course, deals with hu- manity in and on the raw. The book is dealt out very properly and interestingly on that line. If you care for such theme ''The Master Girl'' will please you. Simon the Jester" by W. J. Locke. (The
 John Lane Co)
 There are few English or American writers of novels in MT. Lockes class. He is practically in a class by himself; a great class, AA-f class He is so far ahead of that class occupied by Mrs. Humphry Ward, ct als., that there Is no dust in the road.
 Mir. Locke has written 12 novels, all good, such as "The Beloved Vagabond,"
 'The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne.' Where Love Is," and "Septemus," last year. his latest until the appearance on June r of his newest book. Simon the Jester" You cannot make a mistake in reading anything written by Mir. Locke. You can accept that as a truth; that when yo see a book by w. J. Locke you may be sure that within its pages are delights for you.
 "Simon the Jester'' is just from the press on the 17th instant and is a delight Simon de Gex, M P, has been advised by his physicians that certain internal physical symptoms indicate that he has but six months to live. He therefore de- cides to spend what time is left him in practcing eumoiriety-the attainment of happiness through altruism. "Of course, when I go I shall cast one longing, lin- gering look behind.' I don't particular ly want to die. In fact, having other wise the prospect of an entertaining life, I regard my impending dissolution in the light of a grievance. But I am not afraid. I shall go through the dNmal formality with a graceful air and as much of a smile on my face as the pain on my inside will physically permit. My dear. but somewhat sober-minded friend, Marcus Aurelius, says, Let death sur prise me when it will, I may be eumoiros, or happy man. nevertheless. For he IS a happy man who in his lifetime dealeth unto himself a happy lot and portion. A happy lot and portion is good inclinations of the soul good desires, good actions.
 With death only six months away, Simon first feels it his duty to release Eleanor Faversham, the girl to whom he has been engaged to marry Simon then begins his programme of doing good, his living up to Marcus Aurelius his de- sire to practice thoroughly eumoiriety, by offering his secretary, Dale Kynnersley, his seat in parliament as an inducement to return to Maisie Ellerton. the girl he has forsaken, and give up Lola Brandt a lady we'll known in London as the own CT and exhibitor of a performing horse. Simon also persuades Lola to agree to return to her husband, Captain vauven- arde, who has previously deserted her. Professor Anastasius Encyclopedias. a dwarf and the devoted friend of Lola, volunteers to find Captain Vauvenarde, and Simon also undertakes the quest. To gether Simon and the professor discover Vauvenarde in Algiers conducting gam- bling house. Lola arrives from London and in the course of an attempted recon ciliation vauvenarde Is murdered by the dwarf who suddenly goes insane. At this 1uncture, the time allotted to him by the physicians having expired, Simon liv- ing up to his eumoiriety, is about to die. Loda, however, has fallen In love with him and she and local doctor refuse to | accept the verdict of the London physi- clans. A successful operation is per | formed and Simon's life is saved-by Lola
 Having spent almost his entire fortune in following his programme of eumoirie
 ty. Simon finds that he is really borr again when he had prepared to die, ant now he must work for his living As soor
 as he is well enough he must return 1 to London. Lola goes with him. Simo l now finds himself in London withou | any money, no training with which t l make any, his name besmirched by tn scandal of Lola Brant and her husban