Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-03

She is little known to the villagers,
living an isolated existence, and
stunning any intimacy with the
townsfolk: nevertheless she is uni
versally respected. There is, to be
sure, an atmosphere of mystery en-
shrouding this beautiful stranger
who is possessed of culture and
poise that place her in strata
above the simply bred inhabitants
of the sleepy little settlement
but since she goes to church, is
quiet and decorous, and gives her.
self no airs, she furnishes no cause
for criticism.
Her only visitor is Mr.. Lloyd
Prior. known to Old Chester as her
brother.
AS the story proceeds, however
we are made aware that Prior is
not her brother, but is Philadel-
phia widower with one daughter
whom he idolizes: and that he and
Mrs. Richie have for thirteen years
been living together awaiting the
death of Frederic, Helena's hus-
band, whose demise will leave them
free to marry. Frederic has been
dissipated man who, when not
himself. has been responsible for
the death of the Richie baby; and
he is now living a dissolute life in
Paris. The tragedy of. the baby S
death has been the eliminating FAC
tor in turning his wife's hatred and
contempt for him into revulsion,
and determining her to desert him
and go to Prior. To her lover she
gives all. the affection which the
! loss of her child and the destruc-
ton of her hopes have turned back
into her nature. .,...
Prior, on the other hand, has low
! ed her in the past, but now after
thirteen 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; fur
/ thermore his business demands his
| time; it. is less and less convenient
| to come to Old Chester; and he is nc
! longer young. He is a selfish, SEN
| sual being, with the typical mascu-
/ line dfstaste for everything that rem
ders him uncomfortable either ir
mind or body. While he is willing
| in an INDECENT sort of way, to contin'
ue his relation with Mrs. Richie; Is
! even honorable enough to marry hel
! if he must lit is" obvious that he
would gladly be rid, of the whole at
| fair.
But to Helena Richie this incident
! is not an affair" 1t is her life. She
! loves Prior with a devotion engender'
! ed by her lonely, heart-StarVed exist
ence, and she LOOK" forward to Tn;
! moment when Fredefic's death shall
release her from her present precari
| Gus position, and allow her to con
| front the world with a clear name
| That an ultimate marriage between
them will wipe out the. blot on theil
past she does, not question. In the
meantime she can only possess hel
soul of patience, and make the best
! enforced seclusion. No one can know
it, Therefore she feels quite secure
that is, as secure as is possible il
the face of the everpresent danger Of
| exposure. .. ..-a ...
Into this fevered life of hers three
important characters project them
selves: DIR. Lavender, the minister
of Old Chester; DR.. William King
the village. physician, and David, al
orphan child whom the rector ha!
hefriended. and on whom he is desir
Gus of finding a home. Of all Mrs
Deland's' creations none, perhaps, il
more beloved than is DR.. Lavendar
! Wise, benign, humorous; yet just a
all times-a man who is never to bt
turned aside from a principle by idle
sentimentaiity. DIR. King is not un
like him in this unflinching fealty
TO dOtV. and tn honor
These two persons put their heads
together and decide that since Mrs