The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-26
"Nix Little Sister,


BY Elizabeth Robins. Dodd. Mead
Co. of New York. sl.25 net.
MY Little Sister was named Bet
tina and called Betty. These two sisters
elder and younger. lived with their fran
Young widowed mother at Duncombe.
In England. the father having been
killed tiger hunting in India.
The mother was never quite happy
or well. But she was devoted 20 her
children and had infinite patience and
skill IN teaching them and keeping
Them To the habits of talking French.
hV piaving French games with them ana
telling them French mythologlcal stories
Dencombe House and gardens made
.be centre Of little world of ITS own.
There were big Klaus the red-faced
farmer. Colonel Dover. the friend Of ne
family. Martha Loring. the nurse. and
tie. c0oka to render the DcncOm b5e
mousse family circle complete. And there
Was the mother playing on the piano IN
The twilight for hcr httlc daughters TO
dance. actionsongs. and afterward drlit-
M into strains recalled hy memory
ma. sounded sad 10 childish ears
The Little Sister" with golden hair
ard rose-tinted lips and checks, was the
spec.al object OF the mother : and elder
sisters care. The mothers fears Were
easily aroused on behalf Of his darling
child. and she exacted promise rom
-he elder sister never 20 leave Bettlna.
- keep close guard and watch over her
always.
Af.e- a wniie the sisters grow toward
yomanhood The elder tells the story
and saws nothing OF herself. But she
dwells upon the charms of bettina and
saws how love goes out naturally
toward her. ia spite O: coquettlsh
tendencies that keep lovers uncertain
and at bay. There is no uncertainty
in the mind OF Be.tina's sister. Only,
her duty 10 her mother and Bettina
and her lovers lack of money forbid
the idea of marriage until the man :
scientific theories are successfully
worked out.
The frail little mother. mostly con-
fined to her couch within her home.
sill has her ambitions for her daughters
like other mothers. She persuades
Bettina's sister 10 write to her aunt.
her fathers sister. Lady Harboroush
q conciliatOry letter. this wealthy old
woman having always disliked her
brothers widow and consequently never
known her nieCcs
But now she asks them to come and
spend the season with her in London
and attend the coronation ceremonial
of the English King and Queen Mary,
with the little princes and princesses
whom they have seen. taking part.
The Invalid mother Is rejoiced over.
what she considers her daughters good
fortune There - great excitement in
getting them ,cddy as far as pretty
frocks are concerned. But at last
good-bves are said. the mother bravely
smiling 10 the last. and the girls are
OF. the elder uneasy over her mother
and the younger fun OF girlish excite
ment
When they arrive in London they are
as their aunt They are taken TO
what they believe TO he her house.
During the dinner following upon
their arrival. man. moved by hu-
man compassion for two hapless girls.
confesses 10 the elder that she and
Rettina have been cntrapped. and
that they are in one of the vilest
houses IN the world. BY clever
stratagem. he aids in the elders es-
cape. and she distrauGht. runs for her
life and 10 bring rescue 70 Bettina.
All. the Little Sister - Those who
seek her find her not. though they fol
low the ;rall through many of the CAPT
tails Of Europe. always 10 lose II at last
And for weeks the girl who escapes
lies at the point of death. the shock
and the agony Of her loss almost un-
settling nor reason.
Fortunately. :he little mother. who
mas striven all her life to keep her
daughters from a knowledge OF the
world around them. IL spared by mercl-
ful death the knowledge of Bettinas
fate sudden illness following IN
mediaialv upon the departure Of her
daughters for London having ended
her life
At the end of the book the sorrow
ful survivor Of the Duncombe House
family communes thus With herself
IL saving 1t seemed to me that
pale Young face. not like the Bettina
! had known. and still Bettinas face.
was leaning down out of heaven to
bring me comfort. And as l looked
saw there was high purpose. as well
as a world of pity. in the face-as
though she would have me know that
not in vain her innocence had borne
the burden OF sin
Till. suddenly. 7 realized that not
20 conforyt7ne a.0ue nor mainly was
Betty lesnIrrS out - heaven she had
come 70 DO for others what no one had
done for be-
Miss Robins. the author Of My
Little Sister i quite a. widely known
and read ia America a. IN England
This last book arouses questions. which.
no longer dormant. are exercising the
thoughts and arousing the efforts Of
all men and women who are finding
" mortal iI the seed OF Immortal
Good
"BIue Bonnet's Ranch Party
BY Caroline Elliott Jacobs and Edith