The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-08-14
IN 1909 Margaret pciand, after hn,

gave TO the public the fruit ~ her
maturer skin ia "The Awakening Of
Helena Richie"
Tho story In simple.
Stripped of the charm OF its setting.
and the subtle dellcucy OF It's trent.
ment. We have n tnle presenting few
harncters. and with no very extended
scope for action.
The s.cne Of the novel II the same
small Pennsylvania town Ia which
Mr.. Dcland hns placed two previous
books: "Old Chester Tales" aud
doctor Lavcndnr."
Al the opening of the story Mrs.
Richie has come 10 Old Chester aud
taken up residence In the stuffed
Animal House" 80 called because iis
former owner was u taxiderinlst. She
10 little known TO the Villagers. living
m Isolated existence. and stunning
any Intimacy with the townsfoIk: new
ertheless she In universally respected.
There IN. 10 be- sure. an atmosphere of
mystery cnshrouding this beautiful
stranger who IN possessed of n culture
and poIse That place her a stratum
above the simply bred inhabitants of
the sleepy. little settlement. but since
she goes 20 church. IL quiet and dee
erous. and gives herself no ulrs. she
furnishes no cause for criticism.
Her only visitor II Mr.. Lloyd Prior
known 10 Old Chester M her brother.
A. the story proceeds. however We
ARE made aware that Prior is not her
brother. but Is u Philadelphia widowcr
with one daughter whom he idollzcs !;
and that hc and Mrs. Richie have for
thirteen years been living Together
awnltlng tie death of Frederic. Ilcl-
rna's husband. whose demise viii
leave them free 10 marry. Frederic
has been dlsslpated inan who, when
not himself. has been responsible for
the death of the Richie Lady: and ho
~ now living dlssoiute life Ia Paris.
The tragedy ~ the bnby's death hns
besD the cuiminnting factor In turning
his wife's hatred aud contempt for
him into reyulsi0n. and determining
her Ia desert him aud go 10 Prior. To
her lover she gives all the affection
which the loss Of her child and the dc.
struction of her hopes have turned
back Into her nature.
Prior on the other hand. has loved
her IN the past. hui now, after thlr.
teen years ~ deferred happiness. his
passion IL burned uut. lie is tired of
her. Alice, bis duughtor. n grOwlng
up. and he rcnllzcs the infiscrciion OF
the entnDglcment; furTiernorc bis
business delnands his time: II Is less
nnd less Convenient 10 come to Old
Chester; aud he II no longer young.
lie Is selfish, sensurl being. with The
Typical inn#ulnc dls,aste for every
thing that renders him uncomfortable
either IN mind or body. While he II
willing. IN an indOlenl sort Of way, 10
continue his relation with Mrs. Richie
IN even honorable enough To marry her
if he must, IL IL obvious that he would
gladly be rid of the whole affair.
But to Hclena Richie this incident
IL not an affair" II Is her life. She
loves Prior with devotion engen-
dered by her lonely, heart-starved ex-
istence. and she looks forward 10 the
moment when Frederic's death shall
release her from her present precari-
Gus position. and allow her TO confront
the world with clear name. That an
ultimate marriage between them viii
wipe ont the blot on their past she
does not question. In the meantime
she can only possess her soul Of pa
tience, and make the best of her. en-
forced seclnsiOD. No one knows her
secret. No one can know IT, There
fore she feels quite secure--thnt Is, as
secure as is possible IN the face OF
the ever-prescnt danger of exposure.
Into this levered life Of hers three
important characters project them
selves: Doctor Lavendar. the minis
ter Of Old Chester; DR. william King.
ste village physician; and David, al