Evening star., 1908-01-21
THE AWAKENING OF
HELENA RICHIE.
Bv MARGARET DELAND,
Author OF dr. Lavendar's People," Od Chester Tales" Et
Copyright 1s By

mean to her. he would not have wasted
his breath in suggesting that she should
give him up! Yet the possibility OF such
a thing had the allurement of terror; she
played with the thought. a child. winc-
ing, presses thorn into its flesh to see
how long. it can bear the smart. Sup
pose instead OF this three days trip with
DR. Lavendar, David was going away to
stay? The mere question made her catch
him in her arms as If to assure herself
he was hers
The day before he started Helena was
full of maternal preoccupations. The
travelling bag that she had begun to pack
for herseif-for so different a journey
had to be emptied of its feminine pos
sessions and David's little belongings
slowed in their place. David himself had
views about this packing: he kept bring
ing one thing or another = his rubber
boots, cocoon, large lump OF stag
honeycombed with air holes: would she
please put them into the bag?
Why. but darling. you will be back
again on Saturday, she consoled him. as
each treasure was rejected. c'Suppose
he was not coming back. How should l
feelo'D
He was to spend the night before the
journey at the rectory, and after supper
Helena went down the hill with him. Il
wish l hadn't consented to it." she said
to herself: do you like to go and leave
me, David?" she pleaded.
And David, jumping along at her side,
said joyously Yes, ma ann
At the rectory he pushed the door open
and bounded in ahead Of her. I'm here!'
DR.. Lavendar. put down his Spirit OF
Missions and looked over his spectacles.
you don't say so! And you're here, too.
Mrs Richie? Come in"'
Helena, hesitating in the hail. said she
had only come to leave David. But DR..
Lavendar would not listen to that.
"Sit down. Sit down.! he commanded.
genialy.
David, entirely at home. squatted at
once upon the rug beside Danny.
DIR. Lavendar." she said. you'll bring
him back to me on Saturday,"
Unless l steal him for myself" said
DR.. Lavendar twinkling at David, who
twinkled back, cozily understanding.
Helena stopped over him and kissed
him: then took one of his reluctant hands
from it's clasp about his knees and held
it, patting it. and once furtively kissing
1t. Goodbye, David. Saturday you IL
be at home again"
The cbild's face fell His sigh was not
personal; 1t only meant the temperatures
of all human happiness. Staring into the
fire in sudden melancholy. he said. BY.
But the next minute he spark1ed into ex-
cited joy. and jumped up to hang about
her neck and whisper that In Philadelphia
he was going to buy false face for a
present for DIR. Lavendar, ''or else a
jews harp. He'll give 1T to me after
WdTO, anu i IHlUk i WdIL d Jc"
the most lie explained.
David Helena said, In whisper, put
ting her cheek down against his, "Oh
David won't you please give me-'forty
kisses? I'm so-lonely.'
David drew back and looked hard into
her face that quivered in spite of the
smile she had summoned to meet his
eyes. 1t was a long look, for a child;
then suddenly he put both arms around
her neck in. a breathless squeeze. One
/ fxr-n fINt~nn fnIvy hnh hnrr
William King. coming in for his even
ing smoke. saw that quick embrace; his
face moved with pain, and he stepped
back into the hall with some word of ex-
cuse about his coat. When he returned
she was standing up, hurrying to get
away Saturday" she repeated to DR..
Lavendar: Saturday, surely?'
Why" the old man said,, smiling, you
make me feel like thief. Yes. you shall
have him Saturday night. Willy, my boy
the hill alone?'
"Oh. it will be bright moonlight in a
few minutes she protested, nervously,
not looking at the doctor.
Il will walk home with Mrs. Richie"
William said.
NO, OH. no: please don'tr' The dis
may in her voice was unmistakable.
DR.. Lavendar thrust out a perplexed
lower lip. If she'd rather just go by
herself. Willy, there are no highwaymen
in Old Chester, and
But William King interrupted him gent
ly. Il wish to speak to Mrs. Richie"
And DIR. Lavendar held his tongue.
Il am sorry to bother you." William
said, as he held the gate open for her,
but l felt must speak to YOU"
Helena made no reply. All the way
down the street, almost to the foot of the
HILL Old Chesters evening stiffness was
unbroken. except for the rustic of fallen
leaves under their feet. Suddenly the
great disk of the hunters moon lifted
slowly up behind the hills. and the night
splintered like dark crystal; sheets of
light spread sharply in the open road.
CULTS of shadow deepened under trees
and beside walls. 1t was as abrupt as
sound. William King broke into hurried
words as though he had been challenged:
Il knew You didn't want me to walk
home with. you. but. indeed, you ought
not to go up the hill alone.f Please take
my arm. the tagging is SO uneven here"
mo. thank you
Mrs. Richie. please don't feel that l
am not your friend. just because Indeed.
think am more your friend than i ever
was. You will believe that, won't you?"
"Oh, l suppose so; that is the way
saints always talk to sinners
Il am far enough from being saint"
William King said. with an awkward eff
fort to laugh. but"
But / am sinner she interrupted.
"Oh, Mrs. Richie. don't let us talk this
way! / have nothing but pity and-and
friendship. The last thing l mean to do
is to set myself as a judge of your ac-
tions: God knows have no right TO
judge anybody. But this matter of
David. that's what I wanted to speak to
you about. My responsibility" he stop
ped and drew in his breath. Don't you
see my responsibility
Helena did not speak: she was mar
shaling all her forces to fight for her
child.
Cro be continued tomorrow.)