Evening journal., 1892-09-10


propose % take the child from its mother, Rev.
Arthur Dimmesdale prevents IL. Nll-hoger
dale, who Is an invalid ana goes 70 i've III
room adjoining the minister's. 80 on the
story proceeds through 70 chapters. each one
growing IN interest to the end.
Thus the Puritan elders in their black
cloaks, starched bands and steeple
crowned hats smiled not unbenignantly
at the clamor and rude department Of
these jolly seafaring men; and 1t excited
neither surprise nor animadverslon
when so reputable q citizen as old Roger
Chillingworth, the physician, was seen
to enter the market place IN close and
familiar talk with the commander OF
the questionable vessel.
The latter was by far the most snowy
and gallant figure, so far as apparel
went, anywhere to be seen among the
multitude. He wore a profusion OF RIB
bons on his garment and gold lace on
his hat. which was also encircled by a
gold chain and surmounted with a
feather. There was sword at his side
and a sword cut on his forehead, which,
by the arrangement of his hair, he
seemed anxious rather to display than
hide. A landsman could hardly have
worn this garb and shown this face,
and worn and shown them both with
such a galliard air without undergoing
stern question before a magistrate and
probably mourning fine or imprison-
ment, or perhaps an exhibition in the
stocks. As regarded the shipmaster,
however, all was looked upon as per-
tanning to the character, as to a fish bis
glistenipg scales.
After parting from the physician, the
commander Of tho Bristol ship strolled
idly through the market place, until
happening to approach the spot where
Hester Prynne was standing, he ap
peared TO recognize and did not hesitate
to address her. As was usually the case
wherever Hester stood, q small vacant
AREA sort OF magic circle-had formed
itself about her, into which, though Tia,
people We're elbowing one another at &
little distance, none ventured or felt dis
posed to intrude. It was q forcible typ
of the moral solitude in which the scar
let letter enveloped its fated wearer
"
the instructive, though no longer so IN
kindly, withdrawal Of her fellow cree
lures. Now, if never before, it answers
a good purpose by enabling Hester ant
the seaman to speak together withou
risk Of being overheard, and so changes
was Hester Prynne's repute before tn
public that the matron in town mos
eminent for rigid morality could no
have held such intercourse with less rC
suit Of scandal than herself
$50, mistress" said the mariner, a"
must bid the steward make ready on
more berth than you bargained forl n
fear Of scurvy or ship fever this voyag,
What with the ships surgeon and thi
other doctor, our only danger viii b
from drug or pill; more by token, q
there is a lot Of apothecary's stuff ABOARD
which / traded for with Spanish We
sell"
What mean your inquired Heste
startled more than she permitted to N
pear. "Have you another passenger
"Why, know you not, cried the shin
master, "that this physician here-Chil
ingworth no calls himself-is minded
Try my cabin fare with you? Aye, ay
you must have known it, for he tells Il
he is Of your party, and close friend
the gentleman you spoke of-he that
in peril from these sour old Purits
rulers"
"They know each other well indeed
replied Hester with a mien Of calmnes
though in tho utmost considerable
"They have long dwelt together"
Nothing further passed between &
mariners and Hester Prynne. But
that instant she beheld old Roger Chi
ingworth himself standing in the I
motest corner of the market place al
smiling on her-a smile which acre
the wide and bustling square, al
througlral the talk and laughter al
various thoughts, moods and intere.
Of the crowd, conveyed secret and fe,
full meaning.