The Rider on the Bronze Horse

THERE is nothing suave about Mr. Kroll’s writing, but he may be counted on to tell a story which will keep you at it till you have finished it. And that, whatever the sophisticates may say, is a real gift. Eli Arn jilted Harriet Marks, whom he loved, for Rosalind Cotton, whom he did not love. Rosalind seemed the better bet because her father had been Governor, and also because he had a plantation. It was run-down to be sure, but Eli thought he could take it in hand and make it pay. Rosalind, too, had just been jilted; so they caught each other on the rebound. Old Cotton himself disliked Eli; a tug of war between the pair went on for years. At a crucial moment, Harriet turned up in town, with seven-yearold Melissa, Eli’s child. And, as you may guess, there was the devil to pay. At least, Eli’s evangelist bloodbrother Jacob thought the devil should be paid and gave him a helping hand. A good tale. J. C.