The state herald., 1920-08-13

Ing written several other books
gave to the public the fruit Of her
maturer skill in "The Awakening OF
Helena Richie"
The story is simple.
Stripped Of the charm Of Its setting
and the subtle dellcacy of Its treat.
ment. we have tale presenting few
characters, and with no very extended
scope for action.
The scene Of the novel is the same
small Pennsylvania town In which
Mrs. Deland has placed two previous
books: "old Chester Tales" and
doctor Lavendar."
At the opening Of the story Mrs.
Richie has come TO Old Chester and
taken up residence In the Stuffed
Animal House." so called because Its
former owner was n taxidermist. She
Is little known to the villagers, living
an Isolated existence. and stunning
any Intimacy with the townsfolk new.
ertheless she is universally respected
There is, TO be sure. an atmosphere OF
mystery enshrouding this beautiful
stranger who is possessed Of culture
and poisc that place her a stratum
above the simply bred Inhabitants OF
the sleepy little settlement. but since
She goes TO church. is quiet and dec
orous, and gives herself no airs, she
furnishes no cause for criticism.
Her only visitor is Mr.. Lloyd Prior,
known TO Old Chester us her brother.
As the story proceeds. however. we
are made aware that Prior is not her
brother, but is Philadelphia wldowcr
with one daughter whom he id0lIzes /;
md that he and Mrs. Richie have for
thirteen years been living together
awaiting the death Of Frederic, Hel.
ena's husband. whose demise VIII
leave them free 10 marry. Frederic
has been disslnated man who. when
not himself. has been responsible for
the death Of the Richie baby: and he
Is now living a dlssolute life in Paris
The tragedy OF the baby's death has
been the eliminating factor In turning
his wlfe's hatred and contempt FOR
him Into reyulslon. and detcrmlnlnc
her TO desert him and 20 to Prior. To
her lover she gives MI the affection
which the loss Of her child and the de.
s,ructlon Of her hopes have turned
back into her nature.
Prior, on the other hand, has loved
her In the past. but now, after thlr.
teen years of deferred happiness. his
passion is burned out. He Is tired Of
her. Alice, his daughter, Is growing
up, and he realizes the lndiscretion of
the entnnglemcnt: furthermore his
business demands his time: II Is less
md less convenient to come 10 Old
Chester. and he IL no longer young
He Is selfish, sensual being. with III,
typical masculine dlstaStc for every
thing thnt renders him uneomfor,nbl,
either In mind or body. While he Il
willing. In nn lndolcnt sort Of way, I,
continue his relation with Mrs. Richie
Is even honorable enough 10 marry he
II he must, II is obvious that he woul,
gladly be rid Of the whole affair.
But TO Helena Richie this lncidcn
Is not mn affair" II Is her life. sh
loves Prior with devotion cngen
dcrcd by her lonely. hcnrt.s,nrvcd cx
istencc. md she looks forward to III
moment when Frcdcrics dcnth shal
release her from her present precnri
Gus position. and nllow her 10 confron
the world with olcnr nnmc. That NJ
ultimate marriage between them VII
wipe out the blot on their past sh
does not question. In the mcnn,im
she can only possess her soul OF pa
tlcnce. and make the bcs, OF her On
forced sccluslon. No one knows he
secret. No one can know IT, There
fore she feels quite accurc-thnt Ia. a
secure ns is possible In the fncc o
the cvcr.present danger OF exposure.
Into this fevcrcd life Of hers ,hro
important characters project them
selves: Doctor inycndnr. the minis
ter OF Old Chester: DR.. William king
the village physician. aud David. nj