Bitter Almonds

THE ALMOND TREE-Grace Zaring Stone-Bobbs-Merrttl ($2.50).* When middle-aged but still lovely Leda, newly widowed & impoverished, brought her only daughter Marise back to the U. S. to try to live economically, she thought she had nothing to look forward to. Her formidable spinster sister, a little-seen portent in Washington society, took them in with unenthusiastic, sisterly hospitality. Marise was 16, knew nothing about her native country, was pleasingly thrilled when she got a job in an interior decorator's office. Leda made no move to look up old friends; sat in the house all day and tried to remember her beloved dead husband.

Then she met Zachery Westcott, young naval officer. They made a mutual impression, but Leda was as rude to him as possible, tried to keep from seeing him. When daughter Marise met Westcott she fell in love with him very quickly; Leda, blind where her daughter was concerned, never noticed it. Westcott fell half in love with Marise, but Leda fascinated him. Marise's aunt saw what was coming and tried to warn Marise; before she could, Leda announced her engagement. Instead of fainting, Marise went into the bathroom and was sick. After Leda's honeymoon Leda died, happy, of a heartattack. Westcott and Marise were left in a pretty pickle.

The Almond Tree is the November choice of the Book League.

Published Nov. 2.

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