Evening star., 1919-04-27

ments the main story through an adj
mirable delineation of certain char
acters and an equally admirable choice
and development of incidents and cpl
sodes. From a pleasing story Of young
love beset by lovers troubles, the ac-
tion moves with spirit and breadth
into the zone of war with its exac-
tions and sacrifices. The background
pont Circle and roundabout-a back
ground that is handled with an easy
familiarity and artistic realism. The
touch here is light. but it is always
firm and true. The episode of Emily
and the toymaker's son is sincere
Hilda, the nurse, shade mysterious
a bit sinister, is real. Drusil1a is
something of a triumph. The young
lovers are the embodiment of youthful
passion. And all the others in the
story are equally themse!ves-indi-
viduals of presence and appeal.
THE OLD GRAY HOMESTEAD. BY
Frances Parkinson Keyes. Illus
trations by Florence Gardiner.
Boston: Houghton Miff1in Company.
Grown folks. like children. cry for
the fairy tale now and then to relieve
the monotony of the dull true" story
And here to hand is such a tale for
the need of these. To be sure. this
modern fairy ta.e differs in points of
no Importance, from those OF the an
cient order. For instance, the good
fairy here is young and fresh. And
again.. the beneficiary OF her magic
is not lone, Iorn maiden. 1t is d
whole family instead. But the way
things come to pass is exactly the old
way. Acts of special providence come
along in the nick of time. fortuitous
happenings can be counted on at
every turn to set straight the most
complicated coil. The good fairy is a
rich and beautiful widow The old
gray homestead is the center of a
down-at-heel. frayedat-knee, .out-at-
elbow farm. The house itself is of
the same pattern, the family not far
behind. From nowhere at all the
widow appears. And upon her COM
ramshack.e house. bathrooms install
themselves. fresh paint takes It's
proper place, lawns develop. flowers
spring and bloom. horses grow fat and
vehicles correct their slovenly pos
lures and gait. Magic-all magic. you
family that receives such largess from
the hands Of a stranger-but We are
told that to receive graciously is the
sign of a broad spirit-so, relieved,
We move on to the place where this
benefactress marries one Of the sons
ing him off to Europe to smooth him !
off bit. So we leave them hoping
the best. There is a knack of story
telling here. When plausibility and
consistency add themselves to this
good gift there will, probably, be a
novel Forthcoming.
BRENT. SPINsTER. BY
tho author Of New York: George |
H. Doran Company.
The title does injustice to the he
years old. And as anything romantic !
may be expected Of a pretty girl of !
personality, the reader is |
prepared in advance for the wedding
ring which comes at the end of the !
story. A thoroughly enjoyable de-
scription of life as it is lived in a |
sha bby genteel boarding house in |
London Introduces Patricia as COM !
ng down stairs in answer to the din
rer gong when she pauses with fam
ng cheeks and anger-driven pulse to
hear herself belittled by two ladies'
IF the establishment: Miss Wangle,
acid of speech and barren of pity. who |
claims social precedence by right of !
being great niece Of a dead and gone
bishop. and her toady, Mrs. Mosscrop-
Christian charity. They agree that Pa
.ricia lacks the attraction to please
nen since-no man ever takes her
then and there some devil !
possesses Patricia to announce at the
Inner table before everybody that
III will dine next evening with her
lance. Driven to details. she visions
ler invention as an army officer, with
whom she will dine quietly because
If the war" at the Quadrant grill
'oom-and naturally when the poor
little fibber goes to the restaurant to
Eat alone and carry out her make-be-
ieve, Miss Wangle and her toady are
here waiting to sec what would be
going on. It would have been a per
'ectly awful show-up for Patricia. ex-
,ept, that in her desperation. she goes
'ver to a table where an officer is
lining alone and takes him into her
the outcome makes as
delightful a story as one
nay hope to read. To the plot interest
# the book is added the zest of curl
'sity as to whom may be- it's writer
'ince a question mark stands sponsor
.or a name.