South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-15


maturer skill in "Tne Awakening Of
Helena Richie. The volume is
dedicated 90 Lorn Deland who has
since died. and no wife could have
reared more magnificent monu-
ment to honor one dear 20 her than
Is this masterpiece which stands,
and viii stand. for. au that is best
IN creative fiction.
The story is simple.
Stripped OF the charm OF its set
ting and the subtle delcaey of its
treatment. we have tale present
ing few characters. and with no
very extended scope for action. To
S. in It's emOtiOnaI quality that its
power lies. and this emotion Gene
tiers about the moral conflict ~ the
heroine and her transition from a
creature seeking mere happiness TO
a woman Of alert conscience and
aroused soul
The scene OF the novel is the
same small Pennsylvania town DO
which Mrs. Deland has placed two
previous books cold Chester
Tales" and Doctor Lareudar. and
IL - with pleasure that we continue
in this later work our acquaintance
with several OF the characters all
ready introduced TO us in these
earlier writings.
AT the opening Of the story Mrs.
Richie has come 90 Old Chester
and taken up residence in the
Stuffed Animal House. so called
because its former owner was "a
taxidermist she is little known TO
the villagers. living an isolated eX-
istence. and stunning any intimacy
with the townsfolk, nevertheless
she is universally respected. There
is 90 be sure. an atmosphere Of
mystery enshrouding this beautiful
stranger who is possessed of Gull
ture and poise that place her
strata above the simply bred in
habitants OF the sleepy little settle
ment. but since she goes to church.
Is quiet and decorous, and gives
herself no airs. she furnishes no
cause for criticism.
Her only visitor is Mr Lloyd
Prior. known 70 Old Chester as her
brother.
AS the story proceeds. however.
we are made aware that Prior is
not her brother. but is a Philadel-
phia widower with one daughter
whom he idolizes. and that ne and
Mrs Richie have for 9 years teen
Frederic. Helena's husband whose
demise will leave them free TO
marry Frederic has been a dis
sipated man who when not himself
has been responsible for the death
% the Richie baby. and De Isl now
living n dissOlute life I'm Paris. The
tragedy of the babys death has
been the culminatinE factor in
turning his wife's hatred and con-
tempt for him into revuIsion. and
determining her 90 desert him and
20 20 Prior. To her lover she gives
all the affection which the loss of
her child and the destruction Of her
hopes have turned back into her
nature.
Prior. on the other hand has
loved her IN the past but now. aft
er Is years OF deferred happiness. (
his passion is burned out. He is
tired OF her Alice. his daughter is
growing up. and he realizes the in
discretion OF the ENHANCEMENT.
furthermore his business demands
hts time, II is less and less conven-
lent TO come 20 old Chester: and nc
Is no longer young. He is "a selfish.
sensual being. with the typical
masculine Gistaste for everything
that renders him uncomfortable
either in mind or body While he
IS willing. i'm an indOIeut sort OF way.
20 continue his relation with Mrs
Richie. Is even honorable enough
20 marry her IL ne must. il is obvi-
Gus that he would gladly be rid of
the whole affair
But 20 Helena Richie this incl
dent is not an affair" IL is her
life She loves Prior with "a deyo-
ton engendered by her lonely.
heart-starved existence and she
looks forward 70 the moment when
Frederic's death shall release her
from her present precarious posi-
ton. and allow her 90 confront tho
world with a clear name That am
ultimate marriage between them
she does not question. In the mean (
time she can only possess her soul
OF patience. and make the best OF B
her enforced seclusion. no one
knows her secret. No one can