The Washington herald., 1913-03-16
Nv A. ID. JACOBSON.

THE FORMER COUNTESS. a romance of the
French Revolution. by Annie Fields VIA
lustrated, SHERMAN. French Co., Boston fnee
$40.
The acene of The Former Countess"
is laid at the opening of the French revo-
luton in France and then shifts TO ltaly.
Countess of Navarro, who was Natalie'
Duchess of Beaumont, the heroine. was
widowed soon after her marriage py one
of the Jacobins, who had secretly planned
to secure her for himself To further MS
scheme, Count Paul Labrussiere, whose
assumed name was NJ. Hayuelin, had the
countess twin brother. the Duke OF Beau
mont imprisoued and told the countess
that the latter's freedom or deatn oe-
pended on her marrying him.
The countess secretary, Eugene Cha-
bert effected the dukes escape ana the
outcome led to a duel between Laorus-
siere and Chabert. in which the piotter
was worsted. The Jacobins being IN prac-
tical control, the countess and her ram
lily, including her brother, the luke Vi
Beaumont, and Chabert. her secretary
were Obliged to seek safety in flight. Be
fore starting on their journey, the coun-
tess Yields to Chabert's wishes, and his
years of devotion to her are rewarded oy
their marriage Many trials are met ana
overcome on the road. Chabert Is DANGER
ousIy wounded in one Of the Arrays Inc
ladies Of the party have secured sheiter
in the home of a compatriot but Madame
Chabert, learning of her husband danger,
goes to him disguised as a nurse, anu
through her tender care he RECEIVERS.
Thwarted in his schemes, Labrussiere
laws other plots and finally is WOUNDED.
While recovering ne becomes acquainted
with Vera Valatral, who had been COM
panfon TO Nine. I,abrussiere and 10
whom she gave half her fortune. Mas
uuerading under the name OF MT van
daviere and throwing over Mary Lasseiie
he wins the love of Vera. reveals his
true name and they are married and go
10 Italy. The Duke OF Beaumont Tell IN
love with Nine. Estelle de Hauteville and
a third wedding occurs. It is an interest
ing story of the times OF the reign OF
terror. caused by the JaCohin party IN
France.
ROrrSD Tor: Ry Oliver Wilcox Norton The
NeaIc Publishing COMPANY. Now York. Price. y.
In order TO establish the accuracy OF
his story. ..ir. Norton. who was an eye
witness of the Gettysburg fight. has not
merely set down what he hlmself saw
but has verified it all by using In con-
nection with his own valuable story the
official reports of the Union and the
Confederate officers in the engagement.
use of important letters and documents
hit,1erto unpublished. and has also com
pared the accounts of the leading ms
forians in regard TO the keypolnt OF THIS
battle of July > 1855.
1t is in fact the comparison "f 'heSe
accounts that induced Mr.. Norton. VINO
is blind, to go to such great pains to
give a correct story of the defense OF
Little Round Top. He found on careful
reading of the various stories OF the en-
gagement. told by famous chroniclers
that they were contradictory. As every
event in this small but most important
part of the battle of July o. lSe'' was
as clearly fixed in Mr.. Norton's memory
as if it had happened yesterday. he felt
il his duty to throw the light OF ac'
curacv upon subject on which tns
students of war history must be some
what at sea. This is a singularly VIVID
picturesque. and sympathetic study oi