REFRESHING NOVEL.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19911, 13 June 1936, Page 18 (Supplement)

REFRESHING NOVEL.

Berta Buck’s Latest Story. A DELIGHTFUL ROMANCE. " Spring Comes to Miss Lonely Heart," Berta Ruek's latest novel, brings to the reader a. refreshing tale of gay young romance. and a. breath or the English countryside, in the greyness of Winter, and in the spring when the (buds are blossoming into loveliness with the promise of a glorious summer. MiSs Ruck takes lonelineSS as her theme and weaves it into a delightful tale. Centred round the seemingly eocentrio will made by a far—seeing old uncle, the plot unfolds with now a touch of humour, now a vivid character sketch and here and there an in—cident savourih-g almost or melodrama. Events move rapidly in the old manor house in a quiet country neighbourhood and the interest of the reader is held to the last page. The young hero—ine, Desda 'l‘ottenhem, passing the long days of her solitary exile with a gay courage, the charming gardener Adam, so unmi‘stakeahly a “gentleman." Dunning foreign Anna Macey with her overwhelming love for " Herr Rittmeistar." Desda'e unattractive cousin Ralph. married to Meeey, “e gloomy man who spends most of his time nottlng losers," and gullible wholesome Mrs ‘Atr/h make a pot pourri of char—meters altogether delightful. Reggie Allsopp and his little girl bride Fern, passing their ecstatic way on their long deferred honeymoon. and little mouse—li'ke Mary Bertram, with her amazing story—book dreams add their stories to the interest of the book.

Deeds, sentenced lby «her uu-ole‘s will to a six-months‘ ordeal by loneliness in his old manor house, is the victim of the pinprloklng efforts of Anne .\lacey and Ralph 'l‘ottenham, who wish to oust her. She fails to fulfil the terms of the will when Ralph and Anna plan their last. trap, Into whloh she walks because of her love for Adam, the gardener. There is a happy ending, however, when a subsidiary will is found which leaves an Inheritance to Desda. and the remainder of her uncle's property to Adam, consoquent on her failing to keep the con—dmons of the will.

Fllled with. vlvld incidents in the llfe or a ” Lady of the Manor." the book is delightful. and Miss Buck‘s pen travels lightly on to the conclu—sion, leavlng the reader 10th to part company with such charming people. It is a praiseworbhy addition to the author's considerable works.

“Spring Games Vito 'Mi-ié Lonely Heart." by Berta Ru‘ok-——-Hodder and Stoushton, Ltd., London.