The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1892-09-28

"
away like bird, and making bare her
small white feet went pattering along
the moist margin Of the sea-
Here and there she caino 10 a full
stop, and peeped curiously into pool
left by the retiring tide rs a mirror for
Pearl to see her face in. Forth peeped
at her out of the pool, with dark, glisten-
ing curls around her head, and an elf
smile in her eyes, the image Of a little
maid whom Pearl, having no other play
mate, invited to take her hand and run
. race with her. But the visionary lit
Ne maid, on her part, beckoned likewise,
's II to say: This is better placed
Come thou into the poolr' And Pearl,
stepping in mklleg deep, boheld her own
white feet Mt the bottom, while ont Of a
still lower depth came the CLEAN of a
kind Of fraginentary smile, floating to
and fro in the agitated water.
Meanwhile her mother had accostod
the physician.
IL would speak word with you,"
said she; "a word that concerns us
much"
AHA! and Is 1t Mistress Hester that
has word for old Roger Chilling.
WORTH answered he, raising himself
from his STOPPING posture. with all
my heart! Why. mistress, hear good
tidings of you on all handsl No longer
ago than yester eve a magistrate. n wise
and godiy man, was discoursing Of your
affairs, Mistress Hester, and whispered
me that there had been question con-
corning you in tho council. 1t was de-
bated whether or no, with safety to the
common veal, yonder scarlet letter
might be taken off your bosom. On my
life, Hester, made my entreaty to the
worshipful magistrate that it might be
done forthwith
at lies not in the pleasure of the
magistrates to take OFF this badge"
calmly replied Hester. Were worthy
to DO quit of it, ii would fall away of its
own nature, or be- transformed into
something that should speak a different
purport."
may, then, wear it If il suit you bet
ter rejoined he. "A woman must
needs follow her own fancy touching
the adornment of her person. The let
ter is gayly embroidered and shows
right bravely on your bosoinr'
All this while Hester had been look
ing steadily at the old man, and was
shocked as well rs wonder smitten to
discern what a change hal been wrought
upon him within the last seven years.
1t was not 80 much that he had grown
older, for though the traces Of advancing
life were visible he bore his ago wen
and seemed TO retain why vigor and
alertness. But tho former aspect Of an
intellectual and studious man. calm and
quiet, which was what she best remem-
bered in him. had altogether vanished
and been succeeded by an eager. search
ing, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded
look. II seemed to be his wish and pur-
pose to mask this expression with
smile, bat the latter played him false
and flickered over his visage so deri-
ively that the spectator could see his
blackness all the better for it. Ever
and anon, too. there came glare Of red
light out OF his eyes, rs If the old mans
soul were on fire and kept on smolder-
ing duskily within his breast. until, 10y
some casua, puff of passion, it was blown
into n -romentary flame. This he re-
pressed MS speedily as possible and strove
to look rs II nothing Of the kind had
happened.
In a word. old Roger Chillingworth
was striking evidence Of mans faculty
of transforming himself into devil If he
will only for reasonable sS,ce OF time
undertake DEVILS Office. This unhappy
person had effected such a tunsfonna-
ton by devoting himself for seven years
to the constant analysis OF heart full
of torture and deriving his enjoyment
thence, and adding fuel to those fiery
tortures which he analysed and gloated
over.
The scarlet letter burned on Hester
Prynnes bosom. Here was another
ruin, the responsibility Of which came
partly home to her.
What see you in my face" asked the
physician. shat you look at II 30 ear
nestly?"
Something that would make me weep
II there were any tears bitter enough for
it." answered she. "But let 1t pass! II
is of yonder miserable man that would
speak.
"And what of himy' cried Roger Chill
lingworth eagerly, MS il he, loved the
topic and were glad Of an opportunity
to discuss II with the only person Of
whom he could make n confidant. mot
to hide the truth. Mistress Hester. my
thoughts happen just now to be busy
with the gentleman. SO speak freely.
and will make answer"
"When we last spake together" said
Hester, "now seven years ago, 1t was
your pleasure TO extort promise Of
secrecy as touching the former relation
betwixt yourself and me. AS the life
and good fame of yonder man were in
your hands. there seemed no choice to
me save to be silent in accordance with
your behest. Yet II was not without
heavy misgiyings that thus bound my
self, for. having cast off all duty toward
other human beings, there remained
duty toward him, and something whis-
pered me that i was betraying 1t in
pledging myself to keep your counsel
Since that day no man is 30 nenr 70 him
as you. You tread behind his every
footstep. You are beside him, sleeping
and waking. You search his thoughts.
You burrow and rankle In his heart.
Your clutch is ON his life, and You cause
him to die daily living death, and still
he knows you not In permitting this
have surely acted false part by the
only man to whom the power was left
me to be truei"