The Washington herald., 1912-08-25
sy A. d. JACOBSON.

nv A. ID. JACOBSON.
THE SIGN or SIX; BY Stewart Edward White
The BobbsNierin Company, Indianapolis
Mr.. White has left the mountain for
ests to come down from their realities
to the city and whimsical scientific ex.
travagances. His New story isabout the
man who politically owned New York
Malachi Mccarthy, and an indolent,
mild-mannered young scientist resurrect-
ed from one Of his earlier stories.
There is in it also weird scientific
unknown" who has learned how to con-
trol the ethereal vibrations. This un-
known has come to the conclusion that
New York must be delivered out Of the
power of the wicked Mccarthy and sends
him word by wireless that unless he
leaves the city terrible things viii hap
pen. Well. they do At o'clock a
warning sign Is given, hence the title.
Then he does things" one after an
other, that are lit to turn the blood to
water and the bones to jelly.
He turns OF the electric current of the
whole~city, and for two hours the vast
population struggles back into the life
Of fifty years ago. He stops all sound.
and men move. about like shadows.
scarcely knowing whether or not they
are ghosts In the city hall he stops all
heat vibration, and the Mayor and his
clerks and all waiting there are frozen
stiff in their chairs. While he is about
to bring that visitation upon the whole
city he is captured.
In the working out of the idea Mr..
White has made the mistake of wavering
between farce and seriousness, with the
result that the story has none OF the
impressiveness and nerve-shakng horror
with which other authors might have
filled II. Then again. whimsical as 1t
is the tale has too much suggestion
of the scientifically possible to be ac-
ceptable as a farce only.
THE GIFT OF ABoU HASsoN: BY Francis
Perry Elliott Bustoil-Little. Brown & Co.
This is an Arabian Nights tale,
written by the well-known author Of
the Haunted Pajamas,' an up-to-date,
rapid, rollicking romance Of modern New
York, full of love and laughter, fun and
absurdity. all told in a most whimsical
but pleasing manner.
A young club man. whose distinguish
ing characteristic is the possession of
unblushing audacity and nerve, sees a
pretty girl outside the antique shop OF
Persian dealer. to which the girls
aunt has come in quest of a wonder.
full rug-and then the fun begins and
never stops. For Abou Hasson's shop
holds a rug more wonderful than the
world has known in many centuries;
a magic rug-put foot upon 1t and one
cannot be seen or heard.
The hero's love making. his masquer-
ade as another man, the complications
for which Abou Hasson's magic rug is
responsible, these make steady stream
of comedy that brings laughter to your
lips and tears to your eyes while you
are held entranced by the mirthfuJ med
ley of mysterious events that follow.
1ur cor-pr or, or cTNoS. pv sr,bo,v Par
fridge. Boston-Little Brown & Go.
The author of "Passers-By'' and THE
Golden Webb has surprised us with
romance, in which a COM
plicated plot, replete with mystery and
surprises keeps the reader continually in
terested.
The hero is a man of rank. who by
way of amusing himself, has been al oc-
casional onlooker in the criminal under
world of Paris. In an unfortunate hour
be gives a glimpse of this phase of the
Seine-Babel to a young ,Englishman 81
weak character and little courage, who
has wearied of the usual Gayeties of
Partisan life,
Young dArgminac becomes enamored
of the life, is soon an associate of the
worst criminals, and finally he plays
once too often with fire. and to save
himself turns informer. This is the stu
alton when the, Duke de Souspennier
learns that this chance acquaintance,
who is in difficulties and won't be kept
out of them. is none other than the
brother of the woman he means to
marry.
To disclose more of the plot would
be to lessen the readers enjoyment of
the story: it must suffice to say that
this is just the sort OF thrilling romance
of love. mystery and ad-
venture, of which the American public
never wearies.
The skill of Anthony Partridge i'm
proves with each successive book, and
of the day.
ALL THE WORLD TO NOTHING: By wyndham
Martyr. Illustrated. Boston-Lttle, Brown 4
f., Co.
A few years ago Mr.. wyndham Mar
tyn's first book, THE Man Outside"
was considered one of the best sellers
of the season. This new novel by the
versatile author shows a distinct adj
vance in the art of story-teller. and will
make more friends for him.
Richard Chester, a young American of
family, with a carefree disposition and
4 good outlook on life. spends all his
money and has the choice of appealing |
TO his elder brother for assistance or OF
TO avoid starvation. Choosing |
the latter alternative and the odds all
lgainst him, he pursues his unfaltering
way through many trials and vicissi-
tudes, not afraid to try labor of the
meanest sort: and throughout his strug-
gle for existence his hopes are sustained
through love of true-hearted woman.
No man fights more calamity than he
Tor what is dear to him; neither hard-l
ship nor ill-success has power to stay
his impetuous course: so that finally he
,omes into his own and wins the girl he
owes.
The reader must learn for himself the
peace that curious will and a chance
meeting have in this quite unusual plot,
md the reader may be sure to find in
All the World to Nothing a story of
,harm and cheeriness.
THE COURTS. THE CONSTITUTION AND
PARTIES: BY Andrew c. Mclaughlin. Pub
lizhed By the University Of Chicago Pres.
The author, professor of history at
he Chicago University. is discussing
ardinal principles and facts in American
institutional history.
The first part deals with the origin Of
he principle that courts can declare
avs void. The second and third treats
nth the vital institutions, which. though
ot recognized by written constitutions,
anne into existence as opportunity was
nered to realize popular government
he fourth part discusses the changing
Eeories Of political philosophy which,
s the years went by. furnished founda-
Ions for differing theories concerning
he nature of the union The fifth shows
hat American legal order took its rise |,
\ the theory of compact and of individ-