The Washington herald., 1912-03-31

author, but his masterpiece Is Mrs. Jen-
nings. who comes to the bride to tell
\ ner that the housewives Of the neighbor-
hood were Mortified to see that she has
accepted flowers from a man who Is not
her husband, and that such dolngs had
to stop.
On the whole, the book is well worth
reading.
THE RADIUM TERRoRs. By Albert Darlington.
Doubleday, Page Co, New York.
The disappearance OF a priceless tube
OF radium from the laboratory of Lon
don scientist. calls into action clifford
Renwick, young detective In the en-
ploy OF the International Inquiry Bureau,
Scotland Yard, puzzled by the circum-
stances surrounding the disappearance
of the tube, has intimated that the loss
exists in the brain Of the scientist. Rem
wick, though mystihed, believes that he
has reason TO connect the loss with the
occupants OF the house next door, a Jap
anese nerve specialist, and 1t Is while
striving to find definite clews that he
meets the daughter of the Japanese
Pepio San, coming out OF the dark hall
way Of a library. Attracted by the GU
rious light and sparkle OF a jeweled orna-
ment, that she wears. he is convinced
that this Is due to radio activity.
He follows the girl home and forces
his way into the house. only to find him.
self trapped by the japanese and his
assistant, who in the scuffie that en-
sues cause him to suffer temporary blind
ness by applying radium to his eyes.
While in this condition the japanese
doctor CTsarka) tells him how the rob-
berry was committed and how the radium
was taken from a closed room where
doors and windows were locked, and
where the owner was at the time carry
ing on important experiments.
Renwick is left by the japanese in the
house, which they abandon, and he makes
his way to the radium ONCE. Here he
finds letter awaiting him, advising him
to call upon a certain specialist; the
only person, the writer tells him. who
can restore his sight. In following this
advice, which results In his recovery,
Renwick finds fresh evidence OF the plots
Of the Japanese, and his efforts toward
their Illustration and the capture of the
criminals result in astonishing adven-
tuyes that keep the readers interest alive,
until the last and fatal plot Renwick.
in his investigations, discovers that the
japanese is making use OF a young and
beautiful girl whom poverty has brought
within his reach, to carry out his de-
spicable schemes, and Il is a gratifying
part Of his work to release her from
their influence.
A book well constructed, cleverly writ
ten, and of absorbing interest.
THE DEFENDERS. By Fuy Gillespie. The Cos
mQolitan Pres, New York.
A vivid picture of the trials of the
early sttlers of Texas, when that country
was an sppendage of Mexico. The story
opens about the time that Gen Iturbide,
leader Of the Mexican forces In the war
for their Independence, became the EN-
peror Of the country. The author graph
cally describes the conditions that fol-
lowed.
Austin, Houston. Bowie, and Crockett,
and others of the famous men that
gave their all for their country, are
depicted with fidelity. The famous aght
Of the Alamo, and the battle where
Santa Ana was finally defeated are ably
narrated: and the author gives a clear
understanding of the dificulties under
which the brave men Of the Lone Star
republic labored, lack OF funds. insult
ficiency Of equipment. and. hardest of all,
disunity Of council. The life Of the Texas
pioneers is depicted. and one realizes the
joy of living the life Of the open. the
freedom of the virgin country, though,
of course, there were the drawbacks of
Indians and the discomforts of the pio-
neers.
THE DOMINANT CHORD. BY Edward KimbaI.
Doubleday, Pase Co. New Yorf.
A clever story Of determined man
and as determined a woman, who are
opposed, and who. through
adventures. come to perfect
agreement.
Craig, the hero. having discovered the |
secret of absolute control Of the forces |
OF wireless electricity, and who had per-
fected its application. makes use OF his |
discoveries TO carry out his plans. He |
has fallen in love with Miss Huntington,
the daughter Of man OF fabulous wealth |
and who is about TO marry an English |
duke. The girl realizes that love scarce |
ly enters Into the match. but as her
heart has never been touched by the |
divine passion. has come to think that !