The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1920-12-17

n 1905 Margaret Deland, after hav
ing written several other books
- gave to the public the fruit of hel
maturer skill in 1.-THE Awakening O
Helena Richie"
The story is simple.
Stripped Of the charm Of its setting
and the subtle delicacy of its treat
ment.'w have q 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 Il taXider1niSt. 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 e~nshrouding this beautiful
stranger who is possessed Of d culture
and poise 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 as her brother.
AS the story proceeds, however, we
are made aware that Prior is no her
brother. but is a Philadelphia widower
with II daughter whom he idolizes;
and that he and Mrs. Richie have for
thirteen years been living together
awaiting the death Of Frederic, Hell
ena'S, husband, whose demise will
leave them free to marry. Frederic
has been a dissipated man who, when
not himself, has been responsible for
the death Of the Richie baby; and he
Is now living a dissOlute life I'm Paris.
The tragedy Of the baby's death has
been the eliminating factor 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
the loss of her child and the de-
Of her hopes have turned
back into her nature.
Prior, on the other hand, has loved
her in the past. but now, after thir-
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 in~discretion of
the ENHANCEMENT; furthermore his
business demands his time; 1t is less
md less convenient to come to Old
Chester; and he is no longer young.
He is a selfish, sensual being, with the
masculine distaste for every
hing that renders him uncomfortable
either in mind or body. While he is
Wiling, in an indolent sort Of way, to
his relation with Mrs. Richie.
S even honorable enough to marry her
t he must, it is obvious that he would
daddy be rid of the whole affair.
But to Helena Richie this incident
S not an affair" 1t is her life. She
owes Prior with a devotion engen-
Tered by her lonely, heart-starved ex-
and she looks forward to the
when Frederic's death shall
elease her from her present precari-
us position, and allow her to confront
he world with a clear name. That an
Ultimate marriage between them win
'ipe out the blot on their past she
oes not question. In the meantime !
can only possess her soul Of pa !.
lence, and make the best Of her en- /.
orced seclusion. No n knows her :
ecret. No one can know It. There.
ore she feels quite secure-that Is, a. =
ecure as is possible In the face Of !
e~ver-present danger Of exposure. :
Into this fevered life Of hers three :
nportant characters project them :
Doctor Layendar, the minis c
r Of Old Chester; DR.. William King,
village physician; and David, an