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March 16, 1924 SUNDAY WORLD HERALD_MAGAZINE SECTION Thirteen
AMONG the NEW BOOKS
By Margaret H. Doorly

OF ESPECIAL interest to Nebraska readers is a volume of one-act plays by Elia W. Peattie, published by the Charles H. Sergel & Co., Chicago. The collection is entitled, "The Wander Weed and Seven Other Little Theater Plays," and each one of the sketches is excellent reading, as well as being of fine dramatic quality. Mrs. Peattie's work is well known to most of us, who still feel that she belongs at least in part to Nebraska, but the fineness and delicacy of her feeling has never been more apparent than in this, her latest, publication.

While a very delightful imagination colors her plays, and they are relieved by occasional touches of comedy or satire, tragedy is the under current of most of them. Even the most tragic theme, however, has an uplift in the ending the author showing in every case that sorrow

{Image} Elia W. Peattie.

may have a kind of beauty. "The Wander Weed" is the most imaginative and poetic of the present collection; "The Great Delusion," and "Pity" are particularly impressive; "Sunrise" and "The Silver Bell Tree" have each a pretty sentiment; "Family Reunion" and Spring Cleaning" are written in a delightful mood of satire. Mrs. Peattie never sacrifices her sense of the dramatic, and the necessary elements of conflict are always present in her plays. Her people, no matter how whimsical her theme, are vitally real, many of the characters being drawn from the southern mountain folk whom the author knows so well. The dialogue is natural and well suited to stage production, the stage settings simple, with a particularly effective plan for the dramatic "Pity."

NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD- By Jay William Hudson (D. Appleton Co.)
Mr. Hudson takes both sides in a debate on the merits of Chicago in his latest novel, its unpleasant features being emphasized by the hero in the first part of the book, its brighter in the latter portion. Stephen Kent, the central figure of the tale, is shown passing through a difficult period of adjustment. His great desire, to become a writer, is not encouraged by his father, who leaves him the unpleasant alternative of supporting himself in his chosen career in Paris, the city of his fancy, or coming home to settle down like a good boy and go into the family business. Kent finds a middle path, however, but to tell where it leads him would be to steal some of the author's ammunition. The story holds the interest although it never attains any great amount of distinction. The theme is well worn, but the study of Kent's psychology is sound. The romance is sufficiently satisfying, and almost too logical and inevitable. On the whole the story does very well as a contribution to light fiction.

SIEGE- By Samuel Hopkins Adams (Boni & Liveright.)

By far the best novel of Mr. Adams that has as yet appeared, in our opinion, this story, although the scene is laid in a factory town, is vastly different from the traditional tales of its kind. The conflict is between different generations as represented in the persons of two women, one old and accustomed to dominate, the other young, but already insistent upon power. In Fredericka the author has drawn a fairer picture of modern youth than is usually found in fiction, and the sympathies of the reader follow her eagerly in her clashes with the great-aunt, Augusta, the head of the Ruyland clan. The questions of capital and labor which arise in the tale are only supplementary to the conflict between the women. The characterizations of the numerous members of the Ruyland family are excellent and distinct, and that of Norval the "Grampian" is an artistic and tragic triumph. It is a pity that Kenneth Ruyland could not have appeared to better advantage, as we were rather led at the beginning to suspect him of possessing more backbone than finally proves to be the case, but at least the climax of the tale is saved- partly through his defection- from any lack of originality. It may not please the strict moralists, but this all depends upon what is considered morality- Aunt Augusta's brand, or Fredericka's, that of the old generation or of the new. One thing at least is certain, there is not a dull moment in the story.

MINCE COLLOP CLOSE- By George Blake (Robert McBride Co.)
There is a great individual charm in these tales of the slum section of Glasgow, and of the "queen" of a criminal band. Bella MacFayden is a character full of interest and appeal, her faults by no means glossed over by the author, but appearing somewhat glorious in spite of them. Each story is complete in itself, yet all hang together, giving the whole the appearance of a novel. Each one is in itself an artistic achievement, and the book is absorbing in interest and thoroughly delightful from the point of view of style. There is not enough of the Scotch dialect to make the reading of the tales difficult, but sufficient to give them a decided charm. Atmosphere, action and characterization, as well as plot, help to make the stories of Bella MacFayden's career of absorbing interest. In spite of the sympathy created for this central figure the ending is eminently satisfactory from every point of view and leaves a hope that some day we may hear of Bella's further exploits, unless they are no longer of the old picturesque variety.

THE SAFETY PIN- By J. S. Fletcher (G. P. Putnam's Sons.)
It is very hard indeed to know heroes from villains in Mr. Fletcher's latest mystery story, and the reader is very successfully kept in the dark as to the outcome until the proper moment for the denouement. Yet he is given a fair opportunity to do his own detective work, and has a chance offered him, of which he is unlikely to avail himself, to guess at the solution. Certainly "The Safety Pin" is one of Fletcher's best. There is a romance woven in the story, but one which comes as a decided surprise to the reader. It impresses us as a romance decidedly more like fact than fiction. The style of writing of the story is what we have learned to look for from this author, delightfully smooth and easy, showing at times a whimsical humor, holding the interest tense through the varied and exciting action, and painting the way very satisfactory word pictures in rural England. Altogether a tale no lover of mysteries will wish to miss.

BROOD OF THE WITCH QUEEN-By Sax Rohmer (Doubleday, Page & Co.)
The theme for this tale of horror has been suggested by the idea of the curse of the Pharaohs. Its tragedy is brought about by dealing with the black arts, yet fantastic though the idea is, the story is presented in a fairly plausible manner which will win for its characters both sympathy and interest. A modern physician and psychologist who has studied ancient lore extensively, is one of the central figures, and the story is written around the struggle he and his son make against a practitioner of ancient evil magic.

THY NEIGHBOR'S WIFE-By Liam O'Flaherty (Boni & Liverright.)

The theme upon which this story is built is an unpleasant one, nor is it redeemed by the manner of its telling. No matter how true may be the psychology of the young priest who is the central figure in the tale it cannot help but be offensive to many people from a religious point of view, and this kind of gratuitous offense is better left undone, particularly as its mission would have deprived the world of no great art.

FOUR BELLS--By Ralph D. Paine (Houghton Mifflin Co.)

A story of the sea, adventure in Southern waters, and the lure buried treasure, "Four Bells," will make a strong appeal to romantic minds. It abounds in action, and is full of contrasts, highly picturesque, and with decided possibilities for screening. The hero is of a favorite fiction type, the "strong, quiet man," who always finds sympathy among readers of this type of tale.

The heroine also has popular qualities, although she is less stereotyped. Her dar-

{Image} Ralph D. Paine (right), author.

ing search for her lost lover is one of the romantic features of the story. The scenes are laid variously in a quiet old New England village, in colorful Carthageua, in a Panama port and upon the high seas and on a treasure island, and the author seems equally at home no matter which he is describing. The account of the Carthagena is particularly striking, and could only have been made through an actual acquaintance with the place. The ancient galleon bell about whose tolling there cling shreds of old superstition, furnishes one of the most picturesque elements of the story, and plays also an important part in the plot.

CHATS ON SCIENCE-By Edwin E. Slosson (Century Co.)

The new book from Dr. Edwin Slosson's pen, "Chats on Science," is another that will be welcomed by the scientific as well as the quasi-scientific and layman. It is a work that gives a better idea of the new discoveries in science, and a better idea of the new theories of science. The author gives a more illuminating explanation of Professor Einstein's theory of relativity than anything that has yet come our way and even at that the idea of time and space seems to be almost impossible of comprehension by the present mind schooled in the old system of only three dimensions. The bending of a ray of light by the effect of attraction seems to be plausible and possible and one wonders that such a discovery had not been made before by some astronomer, but the time and space idea of fourth dimension is only capable of being grasped by the young and plastic mind. Our children and future generations will no doubt be taught to think in terms of the fourth dimension.

There are many interesting chapters in Dr. Slosson's book, such as Professor Harkin's' theory of atoms-that all elements are made from the elementary substance of hydrogen, and the atomic weights of the elements are all even numbers, which Dr. Slosson says has been verified; the Popover stars, which prove to be hydrogen and helium by the spectroscopy, the manufacture of furfal, which as yet has not come into its own, and the manufacture of commercial alcohol for use as a power to replace gasoline, and many more.

It is gratifying to have scientific subjects handled in such an attractive way as Dr. Slosson handles them, and no doubt the general reading public will agree with his suggestion of using short words instead of long scientific terms for scientific subjects in general. There is no doubt Dr. Slosson's new book will enjoy the popularity of his "Creative Chemistry."
GEORGE C. M'INTYRE.

JESUS OF THE EMERALD-By Gene Stratton-Porter (Doubleday Page & Co.)
The earnestness and sincerity which have inspired this little book must win for it a certain amount of sympathy, and certainly it is deserving of respectful attention. It tells the story, first in verse and then in prose, of the making of a picture of Christ upon an emerald, the work being done, supposedly, that order of Caesar, by one who had himself seen Christ. The author presents the reasons for believing this story true,

UNFINISHED

March 16, 1924 SUNDAY WORLD HERALD_MAGAZINE SECTION Thirteen
AMONG the NEW BOOKS
By Margaret H. Doorly

OF ESPECIAL interest to Nebraska readers is a volume of one-act plays by Elia W. Peattie, published by the Charles H. Sergel & Co., Chicago. The collection is entitled, "The Wander Weed and Seven Other Little Theater Plays," and each one of the sketches is excellent reading, as well as being of fine dramatic quality. Mrs. Peattie's work is well known to most of us, who still feel that she belongs at least in part to Nebraska, but the fineness and delicacy of her feeling has never been more apparent than in this, her latest, publication.

While a very delightful imagination colors her plays, and they are relieved by occasional touches of comedy or satire, tragedy is the under current of most of them. Even the most tragic theme, however, has an uplift in the ending the author showing in every case that sorrow

{Image} Elia W. Peattie.

may have a kind of beauty. "The Wander Weed" is the most imaginative and poetic of the present collection; "The Great Delusion," and "Pity" are particularly impressive; "Sunrise" and "The Silver Bell Tree" have each a pretty sentiment; "Family Reunion" and Spring Cleaning" are written in a delightful mood of satire. Mrs. Peattie never sacrifices her sense of the dramatic, and the necessary elements of conflict are always present in her plays. Her people, no matter how whimsical her theme, are vitally real, many of the characters being drawn from the southern mountain folk whom the author knows so well. The dialogue is natural and well suited to stage production, the stage settings simple, with a particularly effective plan for the dramatic "Pity."

NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD- By Jay William Hudson (D. Appleton Co.)
Mr. Hudson takes both sides in a debate on the merits of Chicago in his latest novel, its unpleasant features being emphasized by the hero in the first part of the book, its brighter in the latter portion. Stephen Kent, the central figure of the tale, is shown passing through a difficult period of adjustment. His great desire, to become a writer, is not encouraged by his father, who leaves him the unpleasant alternative of supporting himself in his chosen career in Paris, the city of his fancy, or coming home to settle down like a good boy and go into the family business. Kent finds a middle path, however, but to tell where it leads him would be to steal some of the author's ammunition. The story holds the interest although it never attains any great amount of distinction. The theme is well worn, but the study of Kent's psychology is sound. The romance is sufficiently satisfying, and almost too logical and inevitable. On the whole the story does very well as a contribution to light fiction.

SIEGE- By Samuel Hopkins Adams (Boni & Liveright.)

By far the best novel of Mr. Adams that has as yet appeared, in our opinion, this story, although the scene is laid in a factory town, is vastly different from the traditional tales of its kind. The conflict is between different generations as represented in the persons of two women, one old and accustomed to dominate, the other young, but already insistent upon power. In Fredericka the author has drawn a fairer picture of modern youth than is usually found in fiction, and the sympathies of the reader follow her eagerly in her clashes with the great-aunt, Augusta, the head of the Ruyland clan. The questions of capital and labor which arise in the tale are only supplementary to the conflict between the women. The characterizations of the numerous members of the Ruyland family are excellent and distinct, and that of Norval the "Grampian" is an artistic and tragic triumph. It is a pity that Kenneth Ruyland could not have appeared to better advantage, as we were rather led at the beginning to suspect him of possessing more backbone than finally proves to be the case, but at least the climax of the tale is saved- partly through his defection- from any lack of originality. It may not please the strict moralists, but this all depends upon what is considered morality- Aunt Augusta's brand, or Fredericka's, that of the old generation or of the new. One thing at least is certain, there is not a dull moment in the story.

MINCE COLLOP CLOSE- By George Blake (Robert McBride Co.)
There is a great individual charm in these tales of the slum section of Glasgow, and of the "queen" of a criminal band. Bella MacFayden is a character full of interest and appeal, her faults by no means glossed over by the author, but appearing somewhat glorious in spite of them. Each story is complete in itself, yet all hang together, giving the whole the appearance of a novel. Each one is in itself an artistic achievement, and the book is absorbing in interest and thoroughly delightful from the point of view of style. There is not enough of the Scotch dialect to make the reading of the tales difficult, but sufficient to give them a decided charm. Atmosphere, action and characterization, as well as plot, help to make the stories of Bella MacFayden's career of absorbing interest. In spite of the sympathy created for this central figure the ending is eminently satisfactory from every point of view and leaves a hope that some day we may hear of Bella's further exploits, unless they are no longer of the old picturesque variety.

THE SAFETY PIN- By J. S. Fletcher (G. P. Putnam's Sons.)
It is very hard indeed to know heroes from villains in Mr. Fletcher's latest mystery story, and the reader is very successfully kept in the dark as to the outcome until the proper moment for the denouement. Yet he is given a fair opportunity to do his own detective work, and has a chance offered him, of which he is unlikely to avail himself, to guess at the solution. Certainly "The Safety Pin" is one of Fletcher's best. There is a romance woven in the story, but one which comes as a decided surprise to the reader. It impresses us as a romance decidedly more like fact than fiction. The style of writing of the story is what we have learned to look for from this author, delightfully smooth and easy, showing at times a whimsical humor, holding the interest tense through the varied and exciting action, and painting the way very satisfactory word pictures in rural England. Altogether a tale no lover of mysteries will wish to miss.

BROOD OF THE WITCH QUEEN-By Sax Rohmer (Doubleday, Page & Co.)
The theme for this tale of horror has been suggested by the idea of the curse of the Pharaohs. Its tragedy is brought about by dealing with the black arts, yet fantastic though the idea is, the story is presented in a fairly plausible manner which will win for its characters both sympathy and interest. A modern physician and psychologist who has studied ancient lore extensively, is one of the central figures, and the story is written around the struggle he and his son make against a practitioner of ancient evil magic.

THY NEIGHBOR'S WIFE-By Liam O'Flaherty (Boni & Liverright.)

The theme upon which this story is built is an unpleasant one, nor is it redeemed by the manner of its telling. No matter how true may be the psychology of the young priest who is the central figure in the tale it cannot help but be offensive to many people from a religious point of view, and this kind of gratuitous offense is better left undone, particularly as its mission would have deprived the world of no great art.

FOUR BELLS--By Ralph D. Paine (Houghton Mifflin Co.)

A story of the sea, adventure in Southern waters, and the lure buried treasure, "Four Bells," will make a strong appeal to romantic minds. It abounds in action, and is full of contrasts, highly picturesque, and with decided possibilities for screening. The hero is of a favorite fiction type, the "strong, quiet man," who always finds sympathy among readers of this type of tale.

The heroine also has popular qualities, although she is less stereotyped. Her dar-

{Image} Ralph D. Paine (right), author.

ing search for her lost lover is one of the romantic