Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22

q
" A ND that is all the story. think there is
no more" Helena, herself telling the
truth to woman friend, back home Long
Island after dozen years in Rouen, England,
Paris, the Basque Coast, Florence, from 1918
forward. "IndiScreet years." all of them. This
dispassionate review, naturally, marks the end.
Not at all. For Helena is about to step off, as it
turns out, into a narrow sphere of complete
rectitude of lfe into such a strict convention Of
behavior as only here and there the small town
yet maintains in an otherwise tremendously
loosened world. Helena, living in wickedness and
retiring at last into the decorum of an honest
elderly mans house and home. Not true
story certainly. And Larry Barretto knows that
he is spinning fairy tale. To be sure, his name
has an alien twist and we are told that in some
parts of the world-maybe, where the Bar
rettos grow-social institutions and ways of life
are different from our own. However, to dis
cover whether or not this be true would involve
investigation quite outside the business in hand.
And this is Larry Barrettos new novel. Frankly,
it is the story of misbehaving woman. Odd,
that recently there appears to be turn on the
part of youthful male novelists toward this
strange matter. Not only turn toward it, but
one that is in the grip of new spirit.
It was the war. Let go back. Everybody
mad, the world itself turned mailman. Gross
lapses of every sort under the tremendous fear
and emotionalism of the terrible situation. That
is where the story of Helena begins. And the
matter progresses much in man fashion AS If,
possibly this author had deliberately shifted the
time-honored role of man the devastator and
the despoiler. Just to see, possibly how life
would have looked If the inconceivable had
come to pass, If woman had been the recreant
that man has so complacently ever been. How
ever, the purpose of the author Is, in the main,
mmaterial. The point Is his personal attitude
toward the theme of a beautiful intelligent
poised, attractive woman who has departed from
the way laid out for her by her traditional
protector and superior-rnan. The attitude Of
Barretto IS one of studious concern and of SYM
pathy. Now, by sympathy mean nothing Of soft
and ameliorative content. mean understanding,
nothing else. Such exclusive attention Of mind
and intuition and Interpretation comes close to
making this study of account And all along
it seems to that here is warmer, more
understanding contact with human nature, male
and female under great diSruptive forces, such
as the brought to bear, than will be come
upon in much reading of, perhaps, more pre-
tentious form than mere novel can expect to
offer. Much of the story is very beautiful. None
of it is unbeautiful The episode of Tito,
the young F1oreutine boy, is an idyl-heart-
breaking in the simple pity of it. Maybe
I'm giving this BaTretto man more credit
than should go into a theme which
is generally looked upon opprobrious
theme. Sorry! But again it seems to me that
here is an honest man. painting picture real
istic and bitter of this terrible thing called
being alive" An honest man, and clearly q
gifted one.
THE ENHANCING LIFE BY J. NJ Barrie
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
A LITTLE thing. First, talk to young men,
body Of students. Then, booklet. Now
in effect, personal letter to you and to me-
few minutes will serve for its reading. Hours
will go into its bordering, into many a swift
recapturing Of the spirit that sent it out on
its wide way.
The promise Of youth never natures. Its
time re Vfe faM
perfect mirage. 1t lasts but an hour yet, men
and women do not as a rule lay by for the
rainy day Of its flight The world is still beau
tiful, but this they do not see Being alive is
still an adventure, but this they deny. And, So
the majority settle into the dismal swamp Of
self-pity, into the sluggard thoughts of lazy
minds and bodies. Not James M. Barrie, not that
man! To him the world Is still a wonder
world. To him, even the common run of every
days doings is still an enchantment. To this
young man all life is an embracing thing to be
seized upon at its ever approach, whether 1t
come in rain or III shine, In laughter or in
grief. That Is why this little letter from
James B"-rie, so sincere, so honest in its faith,
so sf-fdy IN its approach to each new ex-
Pc 4rnce so robust and even gay-that Is why
this letter, address, booklet makes it's way and
will make its way where the discouraged and
the respondent, however learned he may be,
will be refused even in the most ponderous Of
his reasonings and teachings. But this other
man will step off with hosts of us In the plain
days work OF making go of life.
I HAVE KILLED MAN. BY Cecil Freeman
Gregg, author of 1.-THE Three Daggers," etc.
New York: The Dial Press.
7 IKE the prologue of old days, a straight
declaration Of the truth embodied in this
title settles the point about which mystery
tales buzz in bewilderment Of doubt and false
clue. A startling effect Is produced by this
DEVICE as was, intended. The point In passing
Is that prepared tricks for the sake Of putting