The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-21
PEACE AND QUIET, 7,

| PEACE AND QUIET"
 By Edwin Milton Boyle Harper Brothers, l publishers. New York
 In Peace and Quiet" MT. Edwin Mil
 ton Royle tells us a story of the Mexican
 imbroglo, the opening chapter introduc- ing young American adventurer, lodged in loathsome cell, in the prison of San
 Juan dUlloa at Vera Cruz awaiting exc cution in the approaching dawn. We have 1t against the author that with that ghastly fate impending the second chapter turns the dial backward and begins the narrative of "Tad's' childhood and youth. It is only when finally reassured as to his rescue that we can reverse the pages and can read with the appreciation it deserves the vivid description of Princeton uni- versity, with it's blowing tribute to ''old Nassau
 Introduced to Madero, who was in this country buying arms, Tad falls under the influence of that enthusiast, dreamer, and idealist," aids in surreptitiously con- veying shipload of munitions into Mex ico and comes near to finishing his ad- venture in front of firing squad. This, however, is but the beginning of the perils which of necessity befall any who are
 drawn into the vortex of what we know as the Mexican situation" and Tad, with 1 his unsuitable appetite for hazardous en- terprises, was always there. Figures of note appear in the novel, Madero and his generals, American consuls, and poli- ticians. President Wilson himself-over the telephone.
 Of course, there is a romance, of which
 the heroine bears the name of Tranquil Iity and we are left with the hope that that stormy petrel. Tad Castleman, does at last achieve peace and quiet.' The story is charmingly told and is in- teresting from start to finish. "A GILDED VANITY. By Richard Dehan. George H. Doran company publishers, New York. There is a surprise in this novel for all lovers of Richard Dehan, the author of that grim epic of South Africa, "The Dop Doctor" T must marry for money, '' said Elizabeth Colquhoun, and her exper- fences form the basis of a fascinating romance of English society life-the Ri- viera-marriage a-la-mode. There Is a new lightness, a delft touch a graceful
 modernity about this new book by Rich ard Dehan.
 "A Gilded Vanity is the story of Eng 1 fish society life-the Riviera-marriage a.
 la mode and the author with all these charming situations at her beck and call has handled the subject gracefully, deftly, lightly and yet with a charm that is un- mistakably clever and original The Gilded Vanity is entertaining. Lady Baintree, with her passion for muss- ing up other peoples lives, is daintily
 drawn. Her chief victim. Pope Dollmore, is very amusing and pitiable in his suc- cessive marriage ventures ordered by his lady. It is hard to understand how beautiful Elizabeth CoYquohoun can quite bring herself to marry Lord Rotherholme.
 But the plot makes it necessary for her to do so to the sorrow of Hilary Warr, a
 most attractive hero. The Norchester pearls won out against 700 a year and a tall, Drowned explorer. Midge, the schem- ing little sister. is an interesting charac- ter; her attempts to catch a husband make diverting reading. Dolly proved |. a surprise for a mother who said of her: i Set that child blindfold to pick a hus- band out of a row, and she would unhesi- tatingly settle on millionaire. If were called hence tomorrow T. could lay my
 head upon my dying pillow and say My 1 girl will never give away her heart under
 eighteen thousand pounds year. | The scenes are l. d amid English High
 Society" where ne following conversa- ! tion takes place:
 1 "Flora, dear, How Is your hus- band?'
 i His valet wrote to my maid quite re- I gently and said that he seemed extremely we'll"
 He is in the Highlands; think" said Lady Baintree.
 "Or Norway; I forget which-but one | O> tbe Ofhar'