The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-31
Among the Books
and Mag aSines
.The Florentinc frame,

"The Florentine France
BY Elizabeth Robins Mofat. Yard
&: Co. of New York. $50.
AS the author of THE Magnetic
North" and THE Convert Miss Rob-
ms has gained the reputation of being
remarkably strong and vigorous
writer, one with decided opinions and
much freedom of expression, writer
rather given to the portrayal of real
life, than to the sentimental and So
cial phase OF society, foreign or Amer
lean.
1.-THE Florentine Frame" in no way
resembles the general trend of writ
Ing from the pen of one of the most
gifted novelists Of her day. 1t has a
New York setting and two New York
women, a mother and daughter as Its
principal characters. The name of the
book hinges on the fact that the elder
of the women has an old ivory Flor
entine frame that for years has hung
above her desk. empty. When 1t at
last encloses a picture. 1t is one OF a
Knight of Malta, whose book photo
type is a young South Carolinian, be-
loved of both women and the hus-
band OF one.
The elder woman OF the story is by
name Isabella Roscoe, widow, beau
unusual degree. Married at the age of
herself. she is still young and full or
the impulses and sympathies of youth.
when the book opens. and her daugh-
ter, Eugenia, commonly called Genie.
Is just sixteen years old.
Chance and an old friend named
Tanshawe, a professor of bellies let
tres In New York college. brings to
the acquaintance OF Mrs. Roscoe and
into the intimacies of her household
a young Southerner named Keith.
man inf whom Fanshawe has discerned
the making of a great dramatist F1e
has pressed forward in his work to-
ward his ideal. but has stumbled and
fallen on his face. When he comes TO
the Roscoe home, he Is drifting, and
acknowledges himself not far from
shipwreck. Mrs. Roscoe reads his play
with him, discusses its merits and
criticizes its weakness. and is in every
way bencticent factor in its success
full production.
A belated romanticist and almost
feudal in his traits of temper and dis
position, Kcith's fierce reserve disap-
pears under the fostering influences
which render Mrs. Roscoe's home SO
delightful. AS might be expected.
however, complications ensuc. He
falls in love with Mrs. Roscoe, and
she, though she Is his senior in years,
might have responded to his affection,
but she finds out that Genie. her
daughter. has given her young heart
to the talented young Southerner and,
motherlike. she sacrifices her own
hopes of happiness to insure that OF
her child. Genie and Keith are mar
ried. and then the tragedy OF the
story, continued to its end. begins.
nal in the plot or construction OF the
book which cannot be ranked In any
sense with such productions as "The
Open question" or 1.-THE Convert" But
there are fine touches In the char
acterization OF several of the book
personages, among whom are the Ma
theirs, husband and Wife, and the
Budds, ludIcrously held up as an ex-
ample Of the folly Of an elderly wo-
man with very young husband.
Much of tho humor Of the novel CEN
tres around Minna Budd. with her
whimsical adherence to fashionable
follies and her devotion to the arts OF
the toilet.
In tho tone Of the book lies its chief
merit. 1t is absolutely free from the
slightest tlnSe u conA S0tioSS. apsolute-
" pure In it's thought and emotional
ism. That so clever composer OF
action cannot fail In making that With
which she is associated Interesting.
goes without the saying.
"The Pride Of the Graftons.n
BY Priscilla Craven. n. Appleton g.
Co., OF New York. s1,50
A New York millionaire. ambitious
OF achieving social prestige by virtue
of his millions, and young English
girl who thinks In the outset OF hcr
career, thai: shc can dominate her
heart by her head, figure entertaining-
" hare In q novel Of modern London