The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-09

brand new existence: an existence quite as colorful and quite full of incidents as the one Billy enjoyed in the days of Miss Minerva's spinsterhood Major Minerva, as he calls the vetrean war rior, and he. becomes sworn allies and he sees unlimited possibilities in the new arrangement; and then when Wilkes Booth Lincoln suddenly appeared, be- draggled, muddy and generally worn out, Billys cup of happiness was filled to overflowing.
 The same drollery and comedy of child hood which maCe Miss Minerva so universally popular is found in the au- thors new book. Billy and the Major The same delciously mschievous group of youngsters is found. up to the clever est and most outrageous of pranks and innocent rascalities. and Billy and the Major will undoubtedly be joy to the boys and girls everywhere who loved Miss Minerva"
 MISS PETER
 By May Baldwin. Illustrated by W. J.
 Cuthbertson J. E. Lippincott company,
 publishers. Philadelphia.
 May Baldwin, author of Irene to the Rescue Mrs. Mannings Ward" "A Popular Girl' and other stories which have been widely reod and very much enjoyed sends out her latest story en- titled Miss Peter" to her thousands of admiring readers.
 Sometimes it is more pleasant not to have a reviewer" tell the story of a book because, as many say, it takes away the interest and the charm of the story to know how it's going to end" so here's a brand new idea-a sort of missing word contest" as it were, giv- ing the reader the titles of the chapters in the book and letting him figure out for himself what the finale is going to be. See if the scheme works in the case of Miss Peter" and if so we'll try it again.
 The author has entitled the chapters of her story as follows:
 "The Rosary Peters Slave" "A Queer Household. "Jim's Virtues. " 'The Young Housekeeper," "The Park school Peters Letter" "A Disastrous Scripture Lesson "A Passage of Arms Scandalized Schoolgirls The Power of Peters Smile" oMuriel l. Estrange" <" Jim Learns a Lesson,' Lizzie Takes Precautions" "A Disturbed Night" Peter at Church." Peter Tries to Be Religious" "The Telegram" "A Sud. den Fitting to London" Jim Leaves the Carletons,' Peters Ilness.i Jim S Work in France" and The Man Who Made Good"
 FOUR aADMIRABLEN BETTY" By Jeffrey ,Farnol, Illustrations by F.
 Vaux Wilson, Little Brown and com
 pany, publishers, Boston.
 Again Jeffrey Farnol, popular writer of romance and adventure, comes with one Of his cleverest and most thrilling novels, with delightful company of characters and a back ground of English country life of the early Eighteenth century.
 Major Darcy wounded veteran of Families, lives quiet bachelor life at the manor house," which he has in- herted and he is attended by the ever faithful Sergeant. Zebadee Thring.
 His peace of mind is soon disturbed by the appearance in the neighborhood of vivacious Betty, whose love is sought by many gallants, including Major D'Arcy's nephew, Viscount Mervale.
 Of course there's a vlllain-the person being MT. Dalroyd, who must be reck- oned with and at times the gallant major is on the verge of giving up the con test for Our Admirable Bettys' heart and hand in consequence of which there ensues many duels, abductions, resources of maiden in distress, all of which Mir. Farnol handles with the consumate skill and finesse for which he is famous
 MT. Farnol has never drawn a more bewitching heroine than Our Admirable Betty" and Sergeant Zebedee's whimsi- cality adds humor and brightness to the narrative while Major Darcy, human and deliciously charming, is at once lovable and appealing.
 Vigorous, joyous, happy romance-is, Our Admirable Betty so far removed from the distressing and sordid events of the day. that 1t is like taking journey to another land to read of the various thrilling love affairs of MT Farnors de- lPht flIt cha rart cf a.-
 THE MIRTHFUL LYRE." By Arthur Guiterman. Harper Brothers,