Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-29

that, striving for thing or another. Then
there comes the reason, rooted in climate and
soil and racial strain. Harry Franck Seizes
the heart of the immemorial struggle of man
and the nature around him for an answer to
the particular problem of one and another
Of these swarming tribes Of the earth.
Thirty years ago Harry Franck, out Of the
University of Michigan, began his nomadic
career So he Is now a familiar to travellers
who go chiefly by way of books He Is
Trustworthy. Readers have learned that. They
want that sort. Fiction is all right, but not
for this kind of man and writer. So, for his
qualities and his powers We not only accept
Harry Franck and his work; We embrace him
for 1t, as well.
MY BEST STORY: An Anthology of Stories
Chosen by their own authors. Indianapolis:
The Bobbs-Merril Co.
A MOST ingenious and original plan Here
are II stories by rs many well known
writer's. That Ia not the point Of real interest
Instead, this lies in the fact that each author
selected the story which, according to him, was
most representative of his work as q whole. So
in procession, here are Wells and Wylie and
wapole. Bennett and Chesterton, Sir Philip
Gibbs and Sheila Kaye-Smith Oppenheim and
Beresford. Vaughan and Frankau, and
others UP to the number 81. Good reading?
The very best in the way of short-story writ
ing. However, 1t Is the immediate effect Of
the book as q whole, upon the reader that Is
sure to be a high point in the enterprise. Il
doubt is this Is Michael Aren's best story. Ger
tainly it Is q strong and beautiful and waywise
invention, such as Arlen Is able to produce, but
is il the fnest?" So the readers mind runs in
respect to each Of these And along with this
self-imposed critical attitude, Of which the
reader is very proud goes involuntary re-
viewing of these various authors to see If, just
possibly they have not made mistakes in these
choosings.
II they have not--which finally must be con-
ceded-then, what q light each choice throws
upon the author himself herself. That Is,
really a fine feature Of the plan-the self
revelation of the author. However above and
beyond these personal appraisals, stands the
fact that here to the readers hand is a sur
passing book Of short stories.
MATA HARI: Courtesan and Spy. BY Maj.
Thomas Coulson, o. b. E. New York:
Harper & Brothers.
At bottom this book Is an expert study Of
the intricate espionage system of three
countries as this was pursued by them, re-
spectively, during the World War It's author,
Mai. Coulson, first q fighting man, was then
an active member Of the British intelligence
service, counting intimate acquaintance with
many SPIES The most famous Of these among
women was Mata Har1, whose courage in meet
ing death as q spy drew q commentator that
arouse. A strange woman of vagarious dream
ings about herself and her destiny. Dutch
girl who, nevertheless, deliberately invented her
own legend of Hindu origin, when I was q
child on the banks OF the Ganges," or AS a
young girl, a chosen one mounting the steps OF
the great temple" 50 Mata Hari would
Groom in her rich voice to the hypnotiZing Of
her hearers into q belief of these inaginings or,
certainly into a recognition of the spell of this
keenly intelligent reader OF the average weak
ness of mere man. In the service of Germany
Mata Hari was both shrewd and indefatigabie.
Her adventures had to do with armies, with
countries. This woman worked on the grand
scale having been ofhcially credited with the
death of so 900 soldiers. The story reads like
a tale of magic. Yet it is history war history.
wherein at points and upon occasion officials
Of high rank, both military and civil forgot and
became men IN the thran of beauty and charm.
Every war IN history has had its spy system.
That is part of the regulation war procedure.
The most of these, even far back in the past,
have had woman spies. It is not hard to be-
neve that the most rigorous combing of mill
tary history in this respect would reveal more
dangerous q more devastating instrument OF
secret activities, than did this same Mata Hari,
the most modern of spies. In q sense this book
is a study of the war Many points not usually
brought into the familiar outlook upon inter-
national strife come out here along the way OF
tracing the tempestuous and dangerous career
of this "courtesan and spy.
HOOPER DOOPER. BY Fftzhugh Buckner.
Newark, ". j.: Barse Sc Co.
UDEAR MRS. MYERS" said Mr.. Ull-
~ man. Because this book Is at once
spirited and speedy; fresh and free; witty and
WISE" then the aIliterative twins giving o''t on