Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 30

6-S SUNDAY JANUARY 15, 1928 Book Bewws toLiteTQiy Aygsbi FANNIE HURST, whose latest novel is "A President Is Botn." From a pen drawing by Strandenaes. PAUL A. AUGSBURG of Oakland, graduate of the University of California in I9I9, whose "On the Air" is attracting a vide attention. Coleman photo. Mystery Four Books of Strange Events, Mysteries and Detectives.

Offer Treat Thwarted -i Sheila Kaye-Smith's Long Promised Novel Is of Wife and Mother Who Sees Love Only to Have It Swoop By on Dark Wings. Notable Work. Bell 'Hubhle-BuhhUr Alternate Choice in Recent Prize Competition, Centers About Careers of Young Congressman and Wife, fa! sf sir full Book Worm The French Wife An odd combination of farceters. But there are clever comedy and beauty is "The French Wife," story of an American girl who becomes, in fact, a countess and chatelaine of an exquisite chateau in Touraine. In her brief married life she learns much of the fickleness.

and manners of what a French husband may be. He Is charming to entertaining, roving enough to be distressing, and then he diea. Denise becomes. thoroughly- French and a gracious hostess. She Is courted by another French lover and all but capitulates and.

then comes the choice, to be a French wife again, or marry an American. Told baldly In this manner one may imagine as appropriate a burst of patriotic music or at least a waving of flags. Bave for its abundant entertain ing qualities the book Is not notable. Its Frenchmen are of the stage type, its scenes are either melodra matic or done in hearts and flow- urg Paul D. A ussburs of Oak land, Author of "On the Air" Book of Humorous and Human Short Stories Which Is Attracting Wide Notice.

An Oakland man, Paul D. Augsburg, has put the wave lengths In fiction. In a series of short stories, of the O. Henry length and in some other ways comparable to that master craftsman, he has brought In the radio as an incidental, but it appears In each story, and the book is called "On the Air." A name like that might handicap any book for it would intimate that here is a volume designed merely for the ones who listen-in or are particularly interested, in the wireless. Nothing is farther from the truth.

Augsburg has been estimating the part radio plays in our modern life and has sensed that it might well have a place in fiction. With ingenuity he works out plots which would have been Impossible before the days of the microphone but are plausible today and puts nothing of the technical Into the telling. A result is that the father will understand even as will tht, son. Writing in a sprightly manner, often colloquial, Augsburg unfolds simple tales of ordinary folk. He finishes each yarn with a surprise, enlivens It with humor and quaint expression, and exercises a rare repression in when dealing with pathos.

The result is a series of little tales of unusual merit, stories which will linger in the mind and challenge an attention. With these stories this Oakland man, who has appeared in a number of the magazines, is introduced to a larger audience. Of them the foremost of eastern critics have waxed enthusiastic. Theie is one story of an elevator man in a tall building, a thin fellow with bushy eyebrows and splendid voice and a weary one disillusioned. He has been an Motor for years without rising to he had his chance at a love affair and passed it by when expected histrionic reward failed to Men started to give plays over the radio and in the building of his elevator.

The man became a star and each night sent lis voles over the air as the hero's. What did it matter that the heroine was middle aged and stout, her voice was still eloquent in range and appeal? The vlllian was a man in a wheel chair. No one aw them act, Bave In the imagination. There were none to give encouraging applause, none to hurl missiles. Best of all, there was an audience larger than ever crowded an "opery house" in Indiana or any other state.

Finding his voice again, his tnanoe to return to youthful roles, our hero also rediscovers his romance. Secure in its promise and (reward he makes his last appearance before the microphone with 11 the style of an old trouper in' k. farewell appearance. There is the bare outline of a story which Is packed with human Interest, a btory close to the heart and vocabulary of the average man. And there is one of a henpecked husband who gets his chance; of a bad man who, in a moment of desperation, hears a voice over the air and turns in one good act to check against the evil.

It is a safe venture to eay that the reader, who finishes the first three tales will go to the last, picking up an enthusiasm cn the way. California and Oakland will wel- iwiuo iu uioir initial 4 nww writer who is attracting a national notice and resders, be they radio fans or not, will appreciate the artistry and -restraint of one who knows how to write real short stories. "On the Air," by Paul D. Augsburg: New York, D. Appleton Co, $2.) Kit Morley Is Done in Critical Verse A unique distinction, for West, goes to the University of Washington where students and former present in the occasional chap books" original literary of more than passing What Babette Hughes has said Vt Christopher Morley in the latent number, calls for wide reading and appreciation.

In verse form this recent graduate of the university criticises, praises, and makes good fun of a popular manner, keeping 11 within the proprieties of sense and manners. Recognizing the many sides to Morley she presents him, in many characters, at a Three Cheers for Morley Club. Kit is there and Mor LI, the Man darin, and the discussion Is heated, genial and bookish. Bo will one find reference to Gisslng, and Bowling Green, Morley cheese, malt, grog and sailing adventure. This -1s the twelfth of the Chan books and is to be bought of the University of Washington Book Store at Seattle for 65 cents.

"The Journal "of Kenko," -the musings of a Japanese Qoheleth in the Fourteenth century, is another of the Chapbooks and is by Her bert H. Gowen. It appeared originally as an essay in "The Open A philosophical work rescued from the dust, a book put out for a few who will give It af fection. Doris the yriung author of 'Chlwres or the wind," is allowing herself holiday recreation long enough to play the part or Blue beard's first wife in a musical ex initnnn nresented bv the Reper tory theater of Boston'. Her pub lishers.

Houghton. Mifflin com nnv incorf'iv hone that she es nm tha traditional fate of Mme. Bluebeard, for this sally into the world behind the footlights interrupts work on her second novel prblcb is progressing rapidly. Songs to Milne Book the somehowforeverpassing of your brow becomes the ETTAOI SHRETT DL SHR of your veil." A really good sculptor or land scape architect could even design a memorial to ourself which would enable the public to overlook the pretext. In commemoration of three quarters of a century of progressive publishing, Dutton's have Issued a small and tasteful volume entitled "Seventy-five Years; or The Joys and Sorrows of Publishing and Selling Books." When they began.

Dickens and Thackeray were the best best sellers, and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" came out that same year. That reminds us. Gene Markey has one of his inerrantly apt carl- catures in the January "Bookman of "Mr. Carl Van Vechten Dlscov ering Uncle Tom's Cabin." Gene Markey is positively our fa vorite literary cartoonist. Aside from that, for three years we have had a luncheon engagement with him, which has vnever been fulfilled because we can't get to Chicago, and he doesn't come tfc New York.

We have Just decided, if that's all that keeps him away, to let him off. The fact Is, we gave It up today, and went out and had lunch by ourself. Most o'f the "Atlantic Bookshelf" for December Is taken up with an article by Charles Denhard about Kuth Raphael. In which he quotes Ruth as saying she wouldn't put over a fake story If she could, because "an editor Is like an elephant" Yes, we guessed that wrong, too. We thought she was going to say something about ivory.

But no, Mr. Bones, an editor is like an elephant "because he never for gets." Now honestly, all the elephants we ever knew were the most absent-minded creatures! Half of 'em can't re member their own names or tele phone numbers. Ruth read that in a book once about ele phants, and we probably wrote the book; but we didn't really mean it; it was just a figure of speech. I. M.

Bennett J. Doty, the young American soldier of fortune whose escapades In the Foreign Legion al most brought him before the firing squad, has just finished writing the story of his adventures. The book is to be called My Adventures in the Foreign Legion, and The Century company will publish it some time next month. In this book Doty promises to reveal the "inside" story of the famous Legion of the Damned. He is generally acknowledged to be the first and only man to desert the Legion and live to tell the tale of his for the Ones Who Like Their Reading Exciting.

Color of the East: maglo of the desert; swiftness of Arabian steeds; allure of Oriental women! Achmed Abdullah paints them all In vivid hues in "Steel and Jade," a collection of mystery tales. In these powerful stories Abdul lah re-creates in fiery, glowing prose his native land and tells stories dramatic and poignant, su perb in their rich and varied background. Striking characters emerge from these masterful tales. Captain Ab dullah writes with a sure technique and a deep understanding both of mankind in the primitive and those subtler moods which are so typical Of th glamorous orient. R.

A. J. Walling recounts, in "That Dinner at Bardolph's" the story of a strongly assorted group gathered for that fatal dinner at Bardolph's to hear him announce his engagement to the fascinating Katherine Darley the announcement that was never made. And a strange situation, too, with un dercurrents of hate, ambition, or avarice influencing everyone present and Bardolph's great mining project, "Anglo-Iberians," dropping almost out of sight on the Exchange for apparently no reason whatsoever! "Suicide," the coroner said. All the guests agreed and one by one' disappeared or secluded themselves so effectively that they could tint ha raachad.

Then Scotland Yard stepped in. The teller of the is a retired lawyer, intimate friend of one of the firsc guests to disapptar accompanied, incidentally, by Bardolph's tiancce. Drawn into the web his only concern is to shield his friend, but when the mysterious Adelaide Mellon comes to bis house one cold evening, he finds himself the center of bewllderins romance, adventure, plots, and counterplots, with Scotland Yard threatening on one side and a sin-i ister financial power on the other.J J. S. Fletcher, master of mystery, puts forth "The Strange Case of Mr.

Henry Marchmont" as his latest contribution to the list of breath-takers and thrills. Henry Marchmont was a prosperous and respectable solicitor with an uneventful past. One night he was found murdered in his Lon-, don home. The scanty clues seemed to point to one Lansdale, wno had met the solicitor that day for the first time In twenty-five years. But the detectives and young Richard Marchmont soon discovered that there was a tangle of financial Intrigue to unravel before the truth could be learned, and that not one suspicious character, but several, had been lurking near Marchmont's house at the hour of the crime.

Slowly the law managed to wring startling and Incriminating con- lessions xrom a cooi-neaaea assistant clerk, another lawyer, a woman, and a millionaire recluse, un til the amazing facts were discovered and the criminal at last tracked to earth. The Death Maker, writes Austin Small in his novel bf that title, had cultivated enough sudden deaths to wipe out a city in a night, a nation In a week. And he meant to do it. Small knows how to execute thrills and provide mystery, and to make it all seem convincing. In this new story he hits upon another unusual idea and with fine skill weaves it, with romance and good characterization, into a tale that excites, horrifies and pleases.

and Jade," by Achmed Abdullah; New York, Doran, $2) Dinner at Bardolph's" by R. A. J. Walling, New York, Morrow, $2) Strange Case of Mr. Henry Marchmont," by J.

S. Fletcher: New York, Knopf, $2) Death Maker," by Austin Small: New York, Doran, $2) When You Think Books DALTON BROS. Booksellen and Stationer 467 12th St Alto a Oironlatinf Utou? for Tour Oonnnlono. Shop Mezzanine Floor Sheila Kaye-Smith labors long over her books and when one appears It Is the finished product of a writer who lives intensely with her characters. "Iron and Smoke," a novel which has been promised for three years, has made its appearance.

Thousands in this country who have come to regard this British writer as one of the finest in the language will" buy the work, weigh It with the others, and, in most cases, pronounce it the best. This is the story of two women and a man, and particularly the story of one of the women. Jenny, who has seen love coming only to have "it swoop ly on dark wings," Is a splendid woman who just misses attaining the promise of life and Is big enough to find her place. She and Isobel are rivals for Humphrey, whom she devotedly only to learn that his deepest emotions are foF the other. She bore a son and another woman took him away from her.

"Was it her own fault" that life had been like this a Levite passing by on the other side? Perhaps she had been afraid, perhaps she had sought the gardens and never the forests. She had tried so hard to be happy. And there was Isabel who owned a larger philosophy, Isabel who did choose to be happy, too, rather than adventurous. Jenny looks back at It all and wonders at herself. Hers was the story of a wife and mother, a story without' many complications, as life and fiction run, but one set down in a manner to make the readers warm with an understanding and affection.

Is it enough to say that Sheila Kaye-Smith Is mature and the artist, that she can put h.eart-beats on paper, and possesses an unusual store of human understanding? Those are the words which come to mind when one seeks to convey an impression of the qualities of the book. It, is to be read for the genuine people In it, for the emotional stories of Jenny and Isabel, and for the quiet adventure and challenging denouement. A dramatio story of the finer sort, one which will have large place in the year's discussion. and Smoke" by Sheila Kaye-Smith: New York, E. P.

Dutton $2.,50) "The Devil 'in the Cheese," Tom Cushing Those who ara lntereato1 in ing into" the interior nf riri. head will find Tom Hushing. drama, "The Devil in the Cheese," published now bv the Snmnoi French company of New York, a uiuot interesting closet drama. ine maid in question is rich. seventeen and in love with a dash- ins steamship steward, so her cerebrations are romantic.

Her thought, as visualized by dramatist actors and scenery show the lass in various stages of a cleanly inhibi Tliey wander with her and her handsome boy-friend from a desert island in the South Pacific to the very threshold of the White House, where he is to reign as President. "The Devil in the Cheese" is something of an extravaganza in the way of dream plays, but it does not seek after the whimsical vir tues of the Barrie dream excur sions, it is more In the class of "clever and novel drama," and contains a dash of satire, a snlclne of hokum and enough romance to please the most fastidious. It was one of the high lights of the last season in New York. In this New York presentation Robert McWade, who is now a guest star at the Alcazar in San Francisco, portrayed the gruff manufacturer of tinned goods who addicted to archaeology and the cneese habit, Is financing some ex cavations near the mountain monastery of Metorea in Greece. It is hefre that he eats of a magic cheese and is granted the usual three wishes.

One of the manufacturer's wishes is that he may be able to under stand his daughter and the granting of this gift affords him and the auditor, or in this case reader, the opportunity to probe the mind of the young girl who seems to have a predilection for seafaring stewards. It is melodramatic in theme, this play, and in the last act it becomes most flamboyantly melodramatic, but it never becomes uninteresting. Devil in the Cheese," by Tom Cushing: New York; The Samuel French company: $1.50.) Henry David Thoreau had plenty of time for introspection and In his journals, now condensed In one vol ume, "The Heart of Thoreau's Journals," by Odell Shepard, opened a rich mental storehouse for the gratification of busier minds. "I sometimes seem to my self," he in one entry, "to owe all my little successes, all for which men commend me, to my vices. I am perhaps more willing than others and make enormous sacrifices, even of others' happi ness it may be, to gain my ends.

It would seem even as if nothing good could be accomplished with out some vice to aid in It." Not all authors compose on typewriter. Olive Higgins Prouty for instance, whose new novel, "Conflict" (Houghton Mifflin company), has just been published, uses a soft, easy-running pencil and a ten-cent blank-book. When she goes on a pleasure trip, the soft pencil and blank-booK go too. ana she takes advantage of the days of freedom. Mrs.

Prouty has always looked upon her writing as her recreation rather than her work and although when she Is at home, she devotes several hours to it regularly every day, they are the hours that are left after she has attended jto the running of bar household. The scene of "Hobble-Bubble," the alternate choice in the recent Dodd, Mead Prize Novel Contest, Is set in Washington, where the story centers about the careers and ambitions of a young congressman and his wife. In "Hubble-Bubble." the author takes us Into the whirl of social life In Washington with Its endless rounds of petty formalities, its "charities," and "causes," its procession of dignitaries of churcn and state. Its glimpses of the great and popular figures of the day, its high-pressure parties, its race for social preference and political advancement with everywhere the endless chatter, the faultlessly artificial catchwords of etiquette, the drone and monotony of social gatherings endlessly repeated, the veritable hubble-bubble of Washington society life, at once fascinating, and devastating in its influences. "Hubble-Bubble" will impress the reader with its vitality, its closeness to the actual scene, its vivid glimpses of men and women of national prominence, but mostly with the dramatic intensity of the story of Sylvia Wentworth and her husband, caught In the maelstrom of words the hubble-bubble of Washington social life.

by Margaret Bell: New Tork; Dodd, Mead New Books at Public Library Literature AdflOMr. "Th Rnnlrmnn Tia. ury of Living Poets;" Anderson, saiuraayg unnaren;" Bacon, "Guinea Fowl and Other Poultry;" Bellinger, "A Short History of the Drama;" Cullen (ed), "Caroling Dusk;" Dukes, "The Man With a Load of MlanTilsf TTao-an "inrt Qn to Bed;" Galsworthy, "Escape;" u-uesi, --xne juignt or aitn," "Poems of Patriotism;" Homer, "The Odyssey," translated by Sir William MftlTlS! HiichnB "Thrna Women Poets of Modern' Japan;" Lawrence. "David T.maftr "T.it. erary Impressions;" Locke, "Plays oi inegro Ludwlg, "Bis marck" (three plays); Maugham, "The Letter;" Mikels, "Poetry of Today;" Noyes, "Poems;" Oliver, "Tea and Little Rice O'Neill.

Lazarus "Dramas by Present-Day Writers;" Phelps, "Twentieth Century American. Novels:" Prt-rn Sandy;" Ransom, "Two Gentlemen in Bonds:" Rodman A tki son;" Reld, "Coach Into Pumpkin;" iiuo, cuier Klttenhouee, "The Third Book of Modern Verse:" Rollanri "Th aam, Love and Death;" Scott "Es- wb, rormai ana Informal;" Van Dyke, "The Other Wise Man" (dramatized-); Webb, "One of the Family;" Wilkinson, "Citadels." Travel Branch "rvi ana ai3 Interpreters;" Canada Interior Department, "Prince Edward Island;" "A Vaalnd in Fiji;" Gar-stnv 'The Dragon and the Lotus Hammer, "Things Seen in Norway;" Herring, "The President's 2 I "KlnS Cobra;" Hornby, "Balkan Sketches;" James COW JHU t0 France!" Mackin-ThlnK8 Seen in Rome;" Mac-mlllan, "Etah and Beyond;" Mar-Trl'v-i Marble's 'Round the World Af GU'de: Mran, "Across Asias Snows and Deserts;" New Offion Publicity Zealand;" Noel, "The Story of Everest;" Robson, "A Spmn.the Seine:" Rsevelt. The Philippines;" Russell, "Trails Un.dMi" Seabrook, 'SL Arbla;" Streeter. i "Thompson. "The Mex- Thlrd" W1ISOn 'Man and His God: by Prescott Jernesan Jernesan believes taIk of God' or worship him In words, we must use symbols.

He Is for us in turn the Slowing sun. "the rippling water ana again the light that never iana or sea." "The fatal mn "ajH HUB "aiO iS embody one of -V 7 "ignts into a creed WnVta wm? the rest of man kind Into line with our private vi I nouh' Perhaps, to hint nJl? DVXt of a work whIh Dr. David Starr Jordan, Thomas Edison and many others have pro- eturdy. well-considered and, finely written. The tation is extermely liberal, the anS mi oetween philosophy and TTI.

rin i cott F. Jernegan; Palo Alto, $1.35.) wi.1!6 Gi.Imartin in his JJetectlve Holiday," wuls Huse Mystery" and wJ'ness at the Window," (DuttOns). Charts. T5 pen name of a well-known English juuiimustj, was intended for a priest and received the stiff mental QlsClDllna nf tVin i oouiwiaiji, Alter long reflection, however part of it monastery, he decided for a freer life. It may be inferred that tha disappointment to his father, an me Koyal Irish constabulary, for the next we Ipnrn of young Barry he was working uy various expeaients from New York to Seattle.

Some 19 of the United States were vial his way. Only temporarily halted by the Pacific, he started off on a world tour during which, in the caDacitiea of daolrhn he saw at least something of every continent except Australia, landing in Paris with so little ready monev that etarotil nhflA looKiog xer employment. As was to be expected and hoped, "Now We Are Six" is out with muslo to go with the rollicking verses. The songs are by H. Fra-ser-Slmson, the decorations by E.

H. Shepard, and the-' verses, of course, by A. A. Milne. The little book of rhymes celebrating the sixth year of Christopher Robin is a best seller, just as was "when We Were Very Young," and when 'The Good Hope' 5V iTtiaf -fifrrrTn'rin i ssWssi talk, almost thrlllingly fascinating males, exciting situations, and an odd little love puzzle to hold an at tention and make for more than one polite little gasp.

Perhaps Dorothy Graham has sought to show the difference between French and American husbands, the motive being to convince the wives in America they are ever so mucfl more lucky than those in France. More likely, she has found a situation prepared for Rer by popular conceptions and has dressed upi her pretty figures to strut for a while on the stage. There is a man Jean, the "likable vlllian" who would step off the boards and remain convincing. but the rest go through their parts more to amuse than Impress. One will find laughs here, some intrlgueing situations, and a story which does not falter in the telling.

French Wife," by Dorothy Graham: New Tork, Frederick A. Stokes $2). a book of child's verse is read by adults everywhere, the world has reason to class Milne with Lewis Carroll, and for different reasons with Gilbert and Sullivan. Read the rhymes tor pleasure, and If you can play the piano and have children to listen, buy the song book. From Now We Are Six," by A.

A. Milne and H. Fraser-Simson. New Tork: B. P.

Dutton J2.60.) schooner and in the last act reports her loss at sea and reveals the agony of those who are left husbandless, loverless and sonless ashore. Most of the action passes inside the cottage of a weathered old mother of two boys who put out to sea in the decayed schooner. It is into this cottage that old mariners come to drink and jest. that youngsters gather to dream of the future, and it is here that on a wickedly stormy night the women of the neighborhood, terrified by every blast, huddle to chatter in hushed tones of what the sea has wrenched from their lives. The play lends itself admirably, because of these virtues, to stage produc tion.

After the Le Gallienne presenta Hon the Samuel French publishing house undertook a book version, using the translation made by Lil lian Saunders and Carolina Heljermans-Houwlnk. It is an expert niece of work, closely knit and preserving in English the bitter traeedv of the Dutch. It is a sav age satire worthy of a place of honor on the book-shelf assigned to sea tragedies. Good Hope," by Herman Heijermans: New York: The Samuel French company: $1.50.) "You Cant Lice Your Own Life" Edgar Guest Edgar latest -little volume of gentle philosophy says "You Can't Live Your Own Life." Each of us is a high-powered ini strumenj; of joy or sorrow to This theme expanded, made readable by the words of one who writes close to the understanding of the many, reveals a man who is known as a singer as one who has a prose message wt cheer and Inspiration. Thoroughly honest wholesome is Guest, genuinely anxious to make this a better world.

Can't Live Your Own Life," by Edgar Guest: Chicago, Rellly Lee.) to New York, the contest sponsors arranged to have the prize presented to her at her; winter home in Orlando, Florida by L. M. Autrey. mayor of Orlando. The presentation ceremonies took place on.

the porch of Miss. Brown's, cot -i Turns With a As a though to begin the New Year with we choose the fact that Horatio Alger, the man who wrote so many books for boys pointing the way to success, "From Log Cabin to White House," was himself a total failure. Or so we are told by Herbert R. Mayes, whose biography of Alger will appear in the early spring. Compare ihis with Theodore Dreiser, who has made a fortune out of writing hard-luck stories.

Co did Conrad. Henceforth we shall end every novel of ours with murder, suicide, or matrimony. That's if we ever end another novel at all. It doesn't look much like it. Here we have been happy in our corner these three years past, like when there's nobody around and a mouse in a cracK, coming uul i-ustllnar among the papers pro dlgiously, dragging old cheese rinds around and making a noise like a piano-mover it is perfectly astounding what a noise one unadded mouse can make.

You look at the darned thing and sim ply don't believe it. But while unidentified, the creature sounds tremendously important. That Is why we have appre hensions about appearing in the open, hereafter, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Oh, well, we were bound to fall into the milk- jug some day. So listen for the splash.

Thus we are in a proper mood to receive with profit the scathing re buke of "Bozart," "the bi-monthly poetry review," of Atlanta. They quote our innocent remark that we "guessed Contemporary Verse' must be a magazine," and add: "Imagine any one on a liter ary revjew being reduced to GUESSING as to the identity of America's second-oldest poetry magazine. Whether the vrlter was merely attempting to be olever, or was merely unbelievably ignorant, It is Impossible to detect." Not at all, not at all, my dear Watson. Merely both. They are but slightly in error in thinking us reduced to that.

We rose to it, having begun by ask ing: "What are Keats?" To have guessed correctly about "Contemporary Verse" is surely a step onward and upward. Anyhow, we'll bet even the editor of "Bozart" cannot recite Sappho in the original, which Henry Goddard Leach can. He did so, for our benefit, at Eunice Chapin's tea party. We ought to mention that he had to be urged; very likely there are people who have known him for years who never suspected the depth of his erudition. Young poets are generally very earnest and exasperated, in the poetic role.

In mufti, they are mild and gentle like Herbert Gorman, who disguises himself as a man about town when not abso lutely engaged with the muse. We promised Herbert we'd start the New Year right by mentioning him prominently, and if he isn't satisfied with this he can write his own ticket. But to return to our nightingales, Ruth Willis Thompson extends to us an irresistible invitation to at tend a Thursday poetry soiree at the "First National Poetry Exhibition" (no connection with the First National Bank?) At 30 East Twelfth street. We simply must some fine Thursday, to meet Miss Thompson, since she can write as follows: "Your recent remarks about John Rose Gildea's noem. 'Some how This Modernism Does interest me because that poem has gotten under my skin also, for a different reason.

I have often asked Mr. Glldea, without receiving adequate reply, how any-self -re spectlng man can go about calling himself a rhomboid. One might almost become a paralleloplpedon and be done with it." And she ap pends her own rendering of Mr, Gildea's theme. "Procession is recession's kindest claim; abrasion is contusion's fairest form; none but the blind approximate the norm filled to the verge with Teason's utmost name; Lbut for the far high low contor tion's mind the universe and stxpense rule blind. come out of this unimportant Grail I have no polygons to give you parm Twenty-five years ago Herman.

Heijermans, a Dutch dramatist, irritated beyond expression at the Dutch shipping laws, wrote "The Good Hope," a sturdy tragedy. It was his primary object not to add to the dramatic literature of his country, but to force the hands of the government in the enactment of new laws that would protect the fishermen from unneces sary risks at their livelihood. But Heijermans was more a dramatist than a lecturer and he was accustomed to see things in a theatrical frame. As a result, "The Good Hope" justified its title and caused new laws to be enacted, but it also, through its wealth of characterization, become a part of Dutch dramatio history. All this is prelude to the cur rent on the old drama.

Nineteen years ago Ellen Terry had it translated into English and found the tragedy worthy of production. Last October, Eva Le Gallienne, with a new translation, presented "The Good Hope" with her reper tory players in New York and discovered that it was among the best of her extensive repertoire. Good Hope" chronicles the departure of the crew on a rotten "Hands Up," Book on Palmistry for Pastime Is the hand long, short, white, red? Are the fingernails ridged, long and oval, broader than long? Do the fingers curve over the palm when released? You put down the numbers only, and when you have answered all the. questions, turn to the Key and see your character disconcertingly revealed in the answers, number by number. Here is something new in palmistry.

A book that is at once a character analysis and an amusing game. Now at last, every one can read his own palm. The questions are so simple that any one can answer them. Up," by Caplnl Vequln; New York: Frederick A. Stokes, $1.00.) Miss Katharine Holland Brown, winner of the $25,000 prize in the Woman's Home Companion-John Dav Company novel contest, re ceived the donors' check for the full amount of the award the day before Christmas.

As Miss Brown's health did not permit her to come C. Cap well Company Clay, i4thand 15th, OAKLAND BOOKS We Sell Not Only Books But Book Knowledge OUT OF THE RUINS By PHILIP GIBBS A bookSarged with the life emotions of human beings in these days of change and struggle each one the climax of a stirring conflict, rich in significance and power $2.50. THE LIGHT BEYOND Bt E. PHILUPS OPPENHE1M Mr. Oppenhetm's newest tale of international intrigue.

The story deals with the settling of war debts, and the rehabilitation of Germany. Felix one of the world's richest men, his daughter, an American, Frenchman and Englishmen, all add to the intrigue of the story. Mr. Oppenheim keeps the ball of excitement and suspense continually rolling until the very end $2.00. CapwclVs Book.