" K." By Mary Roberts Rinehart. (Smith, Elder, and 6s.)—Here
is- a book-which is essentially pleasant. Even when it is dealing with unpleasant people, or with those whom it calls " not good," it does so with a slightly apologetic air, and wears a perpetual and polite smile which tends to become a little wearisome. The chief theme of the story is the develop- ment of a girl's romantic nature. Sidney Page first " saw life " in the wards of a hospital ; she worked hard, helped men to live •and children to die, and fell in love with the, surgeon; until, with one of the unexpected touches of melodrama which Miss Rinehart thoroughly enjoys,-a jealous fellow-nurse changed the medicines, and almost brought disgrace upon the poor heroine ; and, through all these vicissitudes, " K." waited and watched' with his own secret to keep, till the moment arrived. Miss Rinehart writes well, and her men and women are more probable than her plot ; and we are quite pleased to meet so many fairly interesting people, although the book is too disconnected and haphazard to stir us to more than passing acquaintanceship.
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