JOYCE OF THE JASMINES - RALPH HENRY BARBOUR With Itlustrations in Color by CLARENCE F. -- 1911, -- ILLUSTRATIONS SHE WAS SIILIXC A STRAXGE LITE SECRET THIXGB SMILE PULL OF ...................... Frontispiece man JOYCE OF THE JASMINES THIS story, such as it is, opens naively with a dialogue between a Man and a Fly.. Presently another Blan appears on tlie scene. Subsequently the Author, with amaz- ing originality, introduces a IIoman. Where- upon the tale proceeds leisurely to its con- clusion, leaving the Reader to ask. himself, with a shrug of his shoulders, why he has read it, After which Prologue-an apparently frank and generous warning to intending Readers, but in reality a crafty and calcu- lating attempt to induce perusal the curiosity and prodding the trariety that dwells in even the wisest and noblest of us-the Author retir curtain and the bell tinkles. D .. . . 8 Bzzz - zzz - zzz That was the Fly. Oh, get to the deuce out of here Tliat was the Man. I-Ie spoke querulously and smote the air in front of him vindic- tively but weakly with n folded copy of the Ridgdlarioz. The Fly dipped warily out of the path of destruction and settled on the handle of the nearest teaspoon, where, with ,z fine appearance of indifferclice, he groomed 11is glossy blue-green body wit11 ninible legs. The Man stared at him scowlingly. Coward You know very nll that I cant gct you there without upsetting two bottles of medicine. I dare you to come orer accepting the challenge, the Fly arose and charged straight at the Rlans face. The Clarioiz waved frantically. The Fly rode out of the storm and veered to the 10 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.