The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-18

everything. She knew all that luxury
could mean. acquired all its dangerous
ana demanding tastes. and then found
htrse!i IN her early twenties ~penniless
WIN her talent as her only revenue and
Others dependent upon her for their
bread. With no education such a. hens.
hts a woman who Is compelled 10 earn
her own living, she found herself COM
PEELED TO meet life at first hand and
she met It.
Il shall never forget Miss Van yors,
said. speaking OF "The Successful WIFE,
tho day ] sat with that manuscript in
my and in Mr.. Cosgrave's office AT
ErerubodV's Magazine. I hadn't one
penny I'm the bank. He wouldn't have
known II to look at me. | dom. think
he ever reaned that the acceptance
OF that novel meant everything to me-
MY cheeks We're red with excitement. I
mink ! really had a temperature and
yet ] ouldn let them know that II wac
life or death with me.
But" she added. this has been the
history OF several books. I AVE been
IN iEondon In a little lodging house with
not r penny In the world and she
added with a smile. you can't he poorer
than that
But those who have felt that in none
or her books has Miss Van Vors. been
AT her best should read The War Let
ters OF an American Woman the letters
or MISS van Worst written to her friends
in America during the years l9l4-lal5,
This little nook Of letters home, 10 a
valuable human document. From cover
to cover 1t Is a story OF the present war.
a vivid picture OF France and England
and much more. In 1t we have n small
autobiography. Human things are
touched on In this book.
One charming thing In "The War Let
tiers OF an American Woman" Is the story
told In different letters and piecemcal
and bit by bit of the life OF one OF
Frances most brilliant young soldiers
Comte Henri pavisard to whom she has
dedicated the book, Those who see thl,
book advertised and think II IL lust an
other war book will ind Il quite another
thing. 1t Is a collection of life pictures
drawn in one OF the most vivid moments
Of the worlds history.
Besides revealing herself, Miss Van
Worst has revealed other people in the
character OF her different friends. Thu
war Letters OF an American Woman"
closes with a farewell address of Comic
Davlsard to his cavalry when he left
them to go into the trenches as a foot
soldier. and where he fell. It follows:
Comrades: have gathered YOU to
gether this morning to say good by. Am
not going to speak to you of tho presept,
because It n a heNrtrending moment at
which my heart breaks, I am not go,ns
TO speak to YOU on the future. because the
future belongs to God alone.
But ] have a right indeed II Ia my duty.
to have recalled to YOU the past which va
have met together and which We havs
lived together.
onicers. non-commlssloned onncers, bris-
adiers and troopers. all my beloved squad
ron. and every man OF YOU who has come
under .A;gis. I have hut one single word
one single ~order-du,y.
1t II to more completely accomplish INV
own duty that to day ! have the courage
to part from YOU. And YOU. all OF YOU.
with a unanimous spirit, with a magnificent
generosity In your terrible youth. you have
responded to my call and have placed your
heart In my hands.
1t Is for this I want to thank YOU. Thi.
moment contains a happiness that no other
human life can ever claim.
Now go back to your duty with COURAGE
ana without sadness. recalling to yourse,f
lnceSsantly the one great thought tina, We
have often felt together-to know tina, no
one man Is indispensable and with all IN.
changes that A]gilate, three things alop.
exist and remain: tho Intelligence, which
comprehends. the will that believes. and
abov" everything else the sentiment by
which We know how 10 love.