The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-04
new BOOKS.

Lawrence and she writes. Neither
fact would be important were it not
true that she writes well and that she
weaves a romance with all the skill of
a Bulwer. Why Kansas people have
not heard more of this gifted woman
is surprising unless it is because she is
one of those timid shrinking creatures
who prefer to occupy a back seat.
The other day little book bearing
her name and the ititle "a Battle in the
Smoke" was left with this depart
ment. 1t was accepted without any
thought that it might be literary
gem and therefore it furnished a
pleasing surprise. 1t is a romance of
the time of Richard Occur de Lion and
the author has shown such thorough
knowledge of the things CT which she
writes that the reader marvels at the
labor that must have been required
to gather the rich fund of information.
An inquiry brought the following
facts: Years ago she became in
terested in a Latin classic known as
"Jocelin of Brakelond.' There was
no translation available. so she set to
work to make a translation of her
own and from it she drew the inspira-
ton for "A Battle in the Smoke"
The story is that of young monk
of the Benedictine order who became
enamored of the beautiful Lady
Rohese de Cokefield 1t has to do
"
thrilling, to say the least. The court
of King Jim and his debauchee COM
panions furnish part OF the web from
which the romance Is woven. The
reader will follow with interest the
adventures of the monk in his hope
less love and will sympathize with his
struggle to rescue the fair Rohese
from a hateful marriage to a half
brother of King John. The author
has drawn her characters with an ar
tistic hand and no one who reads the
first chapter of "a Battle in the
Smoke" will put it down until he has
completed the last.
Mrs. Don Carlos has contributed to
the magazines, has written a little
poetry and has also shown herself a
master of the dialect of the Southern
negro. She is the wife of H. E. Don
Carlos, representative from Douglas
county.
"ColoneI Todhunter of Missouri is
the title of a new novel by Ripley D.
Saunders; illustrated by w. B. King,
This unusual story of sentiment and
politics presents as its chief contribu-
ton a character unique in American
fiction. We have all known and en-
joyed Colonel Carter of Carriers
Vile; we must now welcome Colonel
Thurston T. Todhunter of Missouri, an
altogether different figure, but one
engages our affections just as truly as
does the famous figure of Mr.. Hop
kinson Smiths creation. A Missouri
Democrat of the old brand. Colonel
Todhunter is natural leader in poll
tice because a prince among men IN
his gifts of speech making and rare
good fellowship. He is simple hearted
and childlike, yet shrewd to seize 8
point that can be made to tell against
an opponent an invineible and yet 8
generous foe, and an answering
friend. In short, he has all the low
able qualities and sufficient splicing
of human fault to save hir2 from ar
Undesirable perfection. In this char
acter the author has a genuine crea-
ton of the first water Colonel Tod
hunter appears on the readers hori'
ION as large as life. The portrait par
takes somewhat of the nature OF
newspaper cartoon as distinguish
from a photograph in that its sa-
lient points are strongly emphasized
But this emphasis only enables us thu
better to see and feel the man himself
behind the picture, and to make hin
the more unforgettable. He has beer
drawn with bold, firm hand with few
strokes, with a recognition of his hu
manness above everything else. On
feels that the author knows hin
| through and through. and that II
whatever situation he is made to ap
pear he will be true to himself. Col
onel Todhunter is alive. He breathe'
and walks. and he speaks to us as E
creature of flesh and blood. He il
delightful-to know him is to low
him. The Bobbs Merrill company Ii
the publisher.
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