Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-30
Tales aud Sketehes.
THE BIRraMARK.
BY NATHANIEL. HAWTHORNE.


In the latter part OF the last century
there lived man of science, an eminent
proficient in every branch Of natural phil
osophy, who not long before our story
opens had made experiences OF spiritual
affinity more attractive than any chemical
one. He had left his laboratory to the
care OF an assistant, cleared his fine coun-
tenance from the furnace smoke, washed
the stain of acids from his fingers, and
persuaded beautiful woman to become
his wife. In those days, when the COM
-paratively recent disc overy of electricity
and other kindred mysteries of nature
seemed to open paths into the region OF
miracle, It was not unusual for tn love Oi
science to rival the love of woman in its
depth and absorbing energy. The higher
intellect, the imagination, the spirit. and
even the heart might all find their congen-
ial aliment in pursuits which, as some OF
their ardent votaries believed, would as
cend from one step Of powerful intelli-
gence TO another. until the philosopher
should lay his hand on the secret of crea-
tive force and perhaps make new worlds
for himself. We know not whether Ayl-
mer possessed this degree Of faith in man S
ultimate control over nature. He had de.
voted himself, however, too unreservedly
to scientific studies ever to be weaned from
them by any second passion. His love fol
his young wife might prove the stronger
of the two; but it could only be by inter.
twining itself with his love Of science and
uniting the strength of the latter to his
own.
Such union accordingly took place
and was attended with truly remarkable
consequences aud deep impressive NOR
al. One day, very soon after their mar
rage, Aylmer sat gazing at his vile will
a trouble in his countenance that grew
stronger until he spoke.
"Georgiana," said he, ''has it never oc-
eurred to you that the mark upon your
cheek might be removed?"
"No. indeed" said she, smiling; but,
perceiving the seriousness of his manner,
she blushed deeply. ITO tell you the
truth, it has 50 often been called charm,
that was simple enough to imagine il
might be So" ...
"Ah, upon another face perhaps il
might" replied her husband, "but neve1
on yours" No, dearest Georgiana, yol
came so nearly perfect from the hands o
nature that this slightest defect, which We
hesitate whether to term a defect, or &
beauty, shocks me as being the visible
mark of earthly imperfection."
'Shocks you, my husband ~ cried Geor.
giana, deeply hurt at first reddcning with
momentary anger, but then bursting into
tears. "Then why did you take me from
my mothers side? You cannot love wha,
shocks you!"
To explain the conversation, it must be
mentioned that in the center of Georgi
ana's cheeks there was singular mark
deeply interviewer, as it were, with the tex
ture and substance of her face. In the
usual state OF her complexion-a healthy
though delicate bloom-the mark wore 9
tint of deeper crimson. which imperfectly
defined its shape amid the rosiness. Wher
she blushed it became gradually more IN
distinct, and finally vanished amid the tri
umphant flow of blood that bathed the
whole cheek with its brilliant glow. But
if any shifting emotion caused her to turn
pale there was the mark again, crimson
stain upon the snow, in what Alymer
sometimes deemed an almost fearful dis
ilarity to the human hand, though OF the
sMUicst piStuy SIAc. 0Oot Siou" . ioNoi
were wont to say that some fairy at her
birth hour had laid her tiny hand upon the
infants cheek. and left this impress there
in token Of the magic endowments that
were to give her such sway over all hearts.
Many q desperate swain would have risk
ed lie for the privilege of pressing his lips
to the mysterious hand. 1t must not be
concealed, however, that the impression
wrought by this fairy sign manual varied
exceedingly, according to the difference
of temperament OF beholders. Some fas.
tidious persons-but they were exclusively
of her own sex-affirmed that the bloody
hand. as they called it, quite destroyed the
effect Of GeOrgiana's beauty and rendered
her countenance even hideous. Masculine
observers. if the birthmark did not height
en- their admiration, contented themselves
with wishing it away, that the world might
possess one living specimen of ideal love-
Illness without the semblance OF fiaw
After his marriage-for he thought little
or nothing of the matter before-Alymer
discovered that this was the case with
himself.
Had she been less beautiful-if cnvy's
self could have found aught else to sneer
at-he might have felt his affection haight-
ened by the prettiness of this mimic hand.
now vaguely portrayed, now lost. now
stealing forth again and glimmering to
and fro with every pulse Of emotion
throbed within her heart; but. seeing her
otherwise so perfect, he found this one de-
coot Svroxp mara ouI n,nra intO1aro hi w M