The last number of the Advocate reaches a standard that should be most gratifying to its editors as well as to the readers of the paper. For the most part, the stories are of very even merit, and the number seems to be in a more serious vein than usual.

"Between Me and the Fireplace," an excellent sketch by Albert H. Nichelson, is unusually vivid for so short a piece, owing to good discrimination in the choice of detail. "Marjorie" is an interesting golf sketch by W. Wadsworth, though perhaps Marjorie's part in the story is somewhat unlikely. "Belknap Inn," by R. W. Child, and "Vanitas Vanitatum," by F. M. Class, are both well told, the former with some descriptive power, the latter with a good insight into the characters which it contains. By far the most original story, however, is "The Bluff of Rogers," by R. W. Ruhl. It is full of a droll humor that lightens what would otherwise be a rather sombre tale, and besides some admirable touches of description, the "moral" of the story is brought out forcibly and without affectation.

Of verse there are three pieces. "The Dome" is short, but brings a clear picture before the reader. There are two others, "When the Fishing Boats Come In," by A. D. Ficke, and "Rest" by Francis R. Dickinson. The former shows imagination and has a light and easy movement. The number is closed by several rather uninteresting book reviews.

There are more editorials than usual in the number, many of which are pointed.