Part 39 (2/2)

Author of ”The Banner of Blue,” ”The Firebrand”

FLOWER O' THE CORN

Mr. Crockett has made an interesting novel of romance and intrigue. He has chosen a little town in the south of France, high up in the mountains, as the scene for his drama. The plot deals with a group of Calvinists who have been driven from Belgium into southern France, where they are besieged in their mountain fastness by the French troops. A number of historical characters figure in the book, among them Madame de Maintenon.

”Flower o' the Corn” is probably one of Mr. Crockett's most delightful women characters. The book is notable for its fine descriptions.

By Edith Wyatt

Author of ”Every One His Own Way”

TRUE LOVE

A Comedy of the Affections

Here commonplace, everyday, ordinary people tread the boards. The characters whom Miss Wyatt presents are not geniuses, or heroes, or heroines of romance, but commonplace persons with commonplace tricks and commonplace manners and emotions. They do romantic things without a sense of romance in them, but weave their commonplace doings into a story of great human interest that the reader will find far from commonplace. The vein of humorous satire, keen, subtle and refined, permeating the story and the characterization, sets this work of Miss Wyatt's in a cla.s.s by itself.

By Pauline B. Mackie

Author of ”The Was.h.i.+ngtonians”

THE VOICE IN THE DESERT

This is a story of subtle attractions and repulsions between men and women; of deep temperamental conflicts, accentuated and made dramatic by the tense atmosphere of the Arizona desert. The action of the story pa.s.ses in a little Spanish mission town, where the hero, Lispenard, is settled as an Episcopal clergyman, with his wife Adele and their two children. The influence of the spirit of the desert is a leading factor in the story. Upon Lispenard the desert exerts a strange fascination, while upon his wife it has an opposite effect and antagonizes her. As their natures develop under the spell of their environment, they drift apart and the situation is complicated by the influence upon Lispenard of a second woman who seems to typify the spirit of the desert itself.

The spiritual situation is delicately suggested and all is done with a rare and true feeling for human nature.

By Shan F. Bullock

Author of ”The Barrys,” ”Irish Pastorals”

THE SQUIREEN

Mr. Bullock takes us into the North of Ireland among North-of-Ireland people. His story is dominated by one remarkable character, whose progress towards the subjugation of his own temperament we cannot help but watch with interest. He is swept from one thing to another, first by his dare-devil, roistering spirit, then by his mood of deep repentance, through love and marriage, through quarrels and separation from his wife, to a reconciliation at the point of death, to a return to health, and through the domination of the devil in him, finally to death. It is a strong, convincing novel suggesting, somewhat, ”The House with the Green Shutters.” What that book did for the Scotland of Ian Maclaren and Barrie, ”The Squireen” will do for Ireland.

By Seumas McMa.n.u.s

Author of ”Through the Turf Smoke”

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