PUBLICATIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 8 March 1909, Page 1

PUBLICATIONS.

WOOING A WIFE.

The name of Robert Elson is a ■ew one to fiction-readers, but there s no suggestion of inexperience or "riidity iibmit the novel which boar* his name, "The Magnate" (London: Wm. Heinemann). It is a very fine story indeed. Admitted, as it must be admitted, that the heroine is ton entirely perfecti in her physical charms for reality, and that the' hero is too entirely simple and unobtrusive for a great financier and man of business, Mr Elian has nevertheless had the wisdom to temper the perfection of both of them with serious faults. The decidedly passionate temper of the lady, Ler unreasonable-!"'-s, and her self-will make her very human, in spite of her faultiestbeauty, whilst the millionaire, John Holden, is a very baby in the knowlodge of women and their ways. Gently born, and of surpassing loveliness, Janet Nicholson finds tho lot )f a genteel lady-help anything bul " , " M(iv ° »nc. There ure .tunes, however, when it hay its comi>cn«ations, and all employers are not Uavi-drm-rs. It i s wiii Is* sho is, sojourning at Ilfracombe with an employer of the kindlier sort that Janet .viakos tiie acquaintance of John • lolden. They are caught by the tide ■vith a number of other holidaymakers, aud they fiud each other conifi'iunl companions. An untimely •■j.rsui prevents Holden from following :ip at once ;i friendship which pro ■iii>"s K r,, at pleasure to him. lie remembers the girl aj the only woman jf whom he has ever thought as a possible wife. Finding that tho mc mory of their brief friendship remains with him after the lapae of a year, he seeks her out again, and finds her 'the drudge of a vulgar Manchester wo :ii:«i. Mr X.'son is a little unkind, by ihe way, to Manchester and it.--people. Holden proposes to the girl, '-'!' ng that she likes him well •^'iiigh to many him, ag an escape fr -m the fordidness of her life. But -he has better stuff in her than that, and he is refused. She recalls her refusal, however, after a vulgar fcene with her employer. But she makes a condition before she promises to marry her friend. All her life, sinco she has had her living to earn, her beauty has made her the recipient oi unwelcome attentions from meu. She lias come io regard auy such attentions with fear and horror, and so sin stipulates that Holden, .the ouly real friend that she has evor known, shall never even carets her until she is prepared to be a wife in reality and not in name. The impossibility of Mich a relationship is mado manifest 'a the tory that follows. Holden •ii! n>es to a condition which imposes ■n the story that follows. But the -'waster which ensues is Hie result, int of the breakdown of his resolution, but of the woman's want of understanding of her own nature and i eds. His story is frank, but it is pregnant with common sense. and safeguarded hy its innate refinement. Tt is a strong novel, fresh and vigorens, and thoughtful.