The New York herald., 1922-03-26

"HE time Of this new novel
the first novel from the au-
thor of "oueed" in seven years
lis April and May. 1915: the scene.
New York: the subject is q young
woman Of a somewhat pathological
personality predominant as viii, and
the idea is one enunciated by Ana
toie France in the phrase. Victory
Is a Spirit" The took contains q
chapter the sensational nature of
nhlch can seldom have been equaled
in English fiction. but il is not SEN
sational book. Very long, written
with skill and bearing evidences OF
careful reflection and generous sym
pathies. the noel reads for the most
part with the ease Of the best seller
i seems likely to become. The doubt
aroused in early pages OF any con-
siderable popularity for a story
hinSeing on American neutrality in
1915 is gradually resolved by a per-
eeDtion of the fact that everything
hinges upon Teresa DeSilver: and
is swamped for good on the 364th OF
456 pages. q doubt as to the artis-
try Of Mr.. Harrison's intention, lin
gering to the very last page, is there
yanquished The third and greatest
doubt. as to hts precise accomplish
ment. artistic and popular. is not
one to be settled by personal enthu-
siasm or by easy generalities; it re-
mains 10 be dealt with after the book
mas been laid down completely read.
and an effort viii be made to deal
oith it here. But. first. the story.
Teresa DeSilver. only grandchild
OF Josiah DeSilver. a girl in her late
twenties. has been excessively no
torious since her expulsion from col
lege. That followed a speech de-
nouncing marriage as a feminine
ideasl, and a witty editor fastened
upon the girl the nickname Of
Saint" Teresa. Thereafter she suf-
fered. in suffrage and other causes.
arrest, a brickbat and every species
slapped a Governors face. shot
burglar and was rumored to have
shot q French suitor. Lovers and
cameranen had been victims Of her
physical prowess. The eentlest com
ment was convinced that her sex
Iessness and unsexed activity were
the result OF an incurabIe passion
for publicity. a disgusting pose.
Miss peSilver, just prior TO this
Haster Sunday. April 4. 1915. has got
gorl1ing control Of {. small steel COM
pany. The cemps has recently
hlilt a new plant and is supplying
sEells to the Allies IN an important
quantity. She Is pacifist and she
shuts down the she'll plant. At the
same time Dean Masury. nearly ten
years her senior. journalist. editor,
office expert. goes to work for her in
charge OF the reorganization OF
Whites,onc Steefs New York cfIice.
he is opposed TO her pacifist policy
and this is not concealed from her.
As a matter OF fact there exists a
block OF i,0O0 shares OF whitestone
Steel stock. which II 1t could be
bought and voted with the stock not
held by Teresa would oust her from
control. To the dim chance Of Sc
curing this stock sIasury deyotes his
time out Of office hours. b one Of
those miracles just permissible in
Action and Jet common enough in
life lie does finally secure the hold
ing.
But he does not secure 1t until cir
cumstances. ironically altering, have
compelled him to become seni-pub-
Iicly his employers defender. Tie
does not secure it until he has. IN
the course Of his work in the Office
done foT Teresa signal and appre-
ciated service performed as her EN-
ployee. lie does not secure i until.
by direct collision with her and ~
service undeP her. he has been
forced to sink al that intense per.
soual antagonism that he had for
aer 1T the outset. Very gradually
ana with admirable method and Incl
.sn+ devised IL the novelist the es-