SOME RECENT FICTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3142, 21 July 1917, Page 11

SOME RECENT FICTION

"Sundown Slim," by Henry Herbert Knibbs (Hodder.and Stoiighton). An exceptionally well-written story of life in "the wild and woolly West," to be precise, in Arizona, is "Rundown Slim." Xho hero, a hobo, or tramp, becomes cook on the ranch of a cattleman, whone wastrel brother the tramp has known us a fellow wanderer. A long, gaunt, simple fellow, is Suudown, with a homely and kindly philosophy all his uwn. ho becomes involved in a feud between -his master and a neighbouring eheepbreedor, who covets the formor'i land. There is a desperate struggle for the possession of *me water-ngh Iβ, for in Arizona water is well nigh as precious as gold, and the feud is further complicated by the fact that the cattleman is in loyo with the wool king's daughter. The story is rich in dramatic incidents, but is richer far in wholesome humour. Sundown's experiences in pie-making; Us affection for the dog Chance, his courting of the plump Anita, a Moxicun girl, his'ilaborioue, positively heroic attempts to become an accepted cowboy, his sterling honesty and fidelity to his muster— all these will not readily be forgotten by thoso who read the story. ,

"Adam," by Paul Trent (Ward,. Loc?k, and Co., per. Whitcombc and Tombs).

Paul Trent's latest novel deals with a decidedly originaj situation. The hero, tho orphan child 1 of a wealthy man, is loft, to Uio care of a half-oracked philosopher, who makes tho ucfortunato boy tbei subject of a very qurious and oruel experiment. Hβ is brought up—in a. lonely country house, surrounded by a hijfhwalled garden—without the slightest knowledge of tho mystery of lifo mid de.ath, and kepi in complete ignorance of tho existence, of any other sex but. his own. Consequently, when'he arrives at manhood, and hi» philosopher-guard-ian dies. and. the yoiuig man is taken charge of by a wise and kindly old judge, he finds himself, in a. position, which is productive of very curious experiences'. Taken up to London imd introduced to society, the young man s cnlightonmcnt, at HrsL very gradual, soon makes rapid progress, flow tho judge's handsomedaughter assists in this enlightenment and what, is the final result, thereof my readers must find out for Ihomeolviis in iho pages of Mr. Trent's agrwiihly written and very rcadoblo story.

"Teddy R.N.D." "Teddy R..N..U.," by Edith Mary ilooro (HoddcT and Stoughton) would make an excellent, school prize, being specially suitable for youthful reading. It is tlie story of a jolly English lad, at. homo, at various schools, and, finally, at tho front, whero we leavo him on tho point of making his first fight against tho enemy. Ho is a jolly little chap as a mcro child, a morry ■ schoolboy, and n jrholeaome minded young man, just the

English boy and youth at his best, one, of many scores of thousands of such, who are doing their duty gallantly at. the front in the cause- of King, country, aad Umpire. Tho school ticenes' will amuse youthful, readers, and as tho lad approaches- manhood aiirl his character develops, thfi .ta.lo -is one in which aaults also should bo deeply interested. "Prudence Says So." "Prudence-Says So," by Ethel Hueston (Hodder and Stoughton), is a. sequel to the same author's story "Prudence of the Parsonage," but can be read, quite independently of Mise Hueston's earlier effort. Tho background is the homo of an American. Methodist minister, tho chief characters his bevy of daughters, Prudence, Fairy, and. tho twins, Connie and Lark They aro all very delightful young people, of whoso invcnilo escapades, small joys and. sorrows, the author writes in a very engaging manner. The eldest girl, m> long the guardian and menlor of her eomowhat -unruly younger sisters, marries and .soon passes out of the 6tory, which'is forthwith very largely concerned with the love affairs of the other sisters as they grow up ?nd duly find male admirers. A homely, wholesome story, specially suitable for youthful family leading.

The engagements of Miss Kathleno MacDonell and Mr. Charles AViildron with ,1. C. -Williamson, Ltd., extend up till March next. So far "Daddy Long Legs hus not been soen in Molbournc. It ran seven weeks in Sydney, and was probably good for another three, but tho company had to move on to make room, for tho Marie Tempest season. Miss Ada Reovo denies flm rumour that sho will appear iu pantomime under a. mauagoment other thaji Mr. Hugh I). M'lntosh in Australia. Humours bavo boon circulated to tho efl'ocl; that .1. and N. Tait. worn to bring Ada. Roovo and Barry Lupino togeUior in a pantominio at the ond of Iho year.