The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-17
HARRIET AND THE PIPER.

HARRIET AND THE PIPER"
 By Kathleen Norris. Illustrations by l.
 A. Kellar. Doubleday-Page and Com
 pany, Publishers, Garden City, New
 York.
 He who calls the tune must pay the Piper" This is the motif upon which Mrs. Norris weaves the story of Harriet who is bravely trying to piece together tho fragments of her life shattered by an early and, as she learned too late an illegal marriage to poet and ad- vehturer. She discovers the mistake in the hour of the wedding and escapes, but the piper must be paid, for the facts in the hands of the interruptions Bland in afford him weapon for his boldest stroke Her position as governess in the home of Richard Carter is menaced by her former husband, now suitor of Nina. her young charge. How she saves the girl from her infatuation, wins the admiration and finally the love of Rich ard Carter himself is a study in the vivid interplay of human emotions which cEaracterizes Mrs. Norris most brilliant work.
 Mrs. Norris, the author of Mother" 'The Story of Julia Page" and Sis ters," has rapidly won for herself the distinction of being not only writer oc best sellers, but also one of the most able interpreters of contemporary Amer ican life, the wholesome, optimistic kind of Americanisu that is characterized by genuine kindliness and simplicity. And the most convincing thing about Mrs. Harris Is that she lives as she writes.
 The title of Kathleen Norris new novel comes, as has been previously said, from the old saying that those who will dance must pay the piper. However, if so small a payment as the one made by Harriet Field were all that was usually demanded by that well-known, if not l-ha ain oia tire world would doubt be footing it gayly and with few unpleasant antic- patons It is true that Harriet was obliged to pass several fairly uncomfort- able moments, and at least one very un- comfortable night but on the whole she seems to have had more rather than less of the ample share of good fortune which usually falls to the lot of that very familiar character of popular f1c- ton, the poor but beautiful and virtuous soverness secretary, who eventually -marres some member of her rich em- poyer's family, unless. indeed, she mar ries the rich employer himself.
 try which existed before the railroads ara exciting in many of it's situations.
 THE VALLEY OF SILENT MEN CA Story of the Three River Country By James Oliver Curwood. Illustrated
 by Dean Cornwell The Cosmopolitan
 Book Corporatlon PuplShers, NsW
 York City.
 When a new novel of the North Coun try by James Oliver Curwood, is an- nounced, the literary world sits up ani takes notice,' for the certainty of an in teresting, well written, tremendously thrilling story is assured, and in The Valley of~Silent Men the author has not disappointed his thousands of readers.
 From the opening chapter of the book descriptive of 'The Three River Coun- try" which existed before the railroads thin line of steel bit their way 1p through the wilderness to the very finale-in the "chauteau which Malcolm McT'rigger and his brother, Donald, had built of logs up there in 'The Valley of Silent Men" beyond the sulphur Country, where Marette is unveiling tha mystery the situation to her lover, Jim Kent, the reader is held spellbound wiln interest and excitement
 Certainly Mir Curwood has reached .he top notch of descriptive powers in 'The Valley of silent Men and the love story is absorbing and appealing.
 Of the many "revie vs' from the cr.t- ics concerning this excellent story, none is more interesting and accurate thnh that of William F BiSelow in Good Housekeeping. in which he says
 'I've ben asked to write something about James Oliver Curwood and ms newest novel, The Valley of Silent Men had the privilege of reading the novel as it came fresh from the typewriter, and am fairly sure it will be long time before another manuscript of novel will give me that same wonder