The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-24

homes and doorsteps and music and TO-
 nance.
 Roger Gale goes to New York as a lad from the New Hampshire mountains. In the metropolis he meets Judith, who be- comes his wife. Leaving him with three half-grown daughters, she dies, after ex- acting a promise that he Twill live on his children's lives" For long time he forgets that promise, but he suddenly re- members and finds himself surrounded by three individuals whom he hardly knows. Edith-utterly absorbed in her children and her home, resolved that they shall have the best of everything-ris in striking contract to Deborah. Deborah Is splendid in her enthusiasm for her school, a mod
 ern school that has become like a huge family; she is mother to thousands. And Laura-so pretty and eager for happiness -"seeks him whom her soul loves," un- til Roger greatly fears that she has no
 soul. We see the picture of them all, largely through the eyes of Roger Gale, who in his tolerance and understanding becomes very dear to us. He does not try to interfere in his childrens lives; they are grown people and must make tnelr own decisions. He does, however, save Deborah from a needless renuncia. ton.
 It Is interesting to watch the three women in their contact with each other. Edith, whose ideal is to have everything nice for her children, resents Deborah h. s larger attitude and disapproves of, Lau- ra's frivolity. They get each other S nerves these three sisters. and poor Roger Gale is buffeted about between them. Ediths husband, Bruce, a finan- cial surgeon is breathless in an attempt to keep up, ever faster, faster, faster, with the speed of New York His New York Is high-powered machine that will get away if he doesn't hurry and catch eli might run away with 1t. He is always dealing with men who have let their busi- ness go in the race; his job Is to see that they catch up again. He works with all his heart and soul, partly because of a very passion for the game, and partly because Edith's desire for simplicity Is costly Her New York is bounded on the right by "the nice thing to do," and on the left by what is best for my chill dren."
 Deborah's deep, fine love for Allan Baird is a sort of background for her devotion to her school. This school of Deborah s Is revelation to Roger Gale She goes into the homes of her children. She finds work for their parents, and looks after their physical welfare. Her activities in their behalf extend to Albany even to Washington. Deborah Gale is a public character. adored by her mammoth fam fly. Helping her and loving her is Allan Baird, who shares her ideals and gives up fashionable uptown practice to man.
 age maternity hospital for Deborah's S children Their New York is a strug-
 glin aspiring New York.
 The war comes close to the Gale fam
 fly. Roger with the added financial bur
 den of Ediths family has a hard time to
 keep the beloved house downtown. Edith
 resents the war; 1t deprives her children
 of things they should have. Deborah
 is heartsick for her family. The first
 months of depression and unemployment,
 the removal of funds to Belgium, the lack
 of money to carry on needed reforms,
 make exceptional demands her frail
 strength. "She had her enormous family
 and Edith had her small one, and in this
 hell of misery which war was spread
 ing over the earth each mother was up
 in arms for her brood" But, Laura hus-
 band is making money in munitions. She
 describes their escape from Europe, the
 bribing of officials here and there. It was
 fund to her and when she saw soldiers,
 she thrilled at their uniforms, and the
 excitement of it all. The underlying hor-
 r0r did mt tO11ch