Evening journal., 1892-08-30

lister IN Its final and closest application
to the offender. Stretching forth the
official staff in his left hand, he laid his
right upon the shoulder Of a young
woman, whom he thus drew forward
until, on the threshold of the prison
door. she repealed him by an action
marked with natural dignity and force
Of character and stepped into the open
air, as if by her own free will She bore
IN her arms a child, baby Of some
three months old, who winked and turned
aside its little face from the too vivid light
Of day. because its existence heretofore
had brought it acquainted only with the
gray twilight of dungeon OF other
darksome apartment Of the prison.
When the young woman-the mother
Of this child-stood fully revealed before
the crowd. it seemed to be her first i'm
pulse to clasp the infant closely to her
bosom; not so much by an impulse of
motherly affection. as that she might
thereby conceal a certain token which
was wrought OF fastened into her dress.
In a moment. however, wisely Judging
that one token Of her shame would but
poorly serve to hide another, she took
the baby on her arm, and with a burn
ing blush and yet naughty smile, and
glance that would not be abashed,
looked around at her townspeople and
neighbors. On the breast of her gown,
in fine red cloth. surrounded with an
elaborate embroidery and fantastic flour
.shes Of gold thread, appeared the letter
A. 1t was so artistically done, and with
20 much fertility and gorgeous luxuri-
lnce Of fancy, that it had all the effect
" a last and fitting decoration to the
apparel which she wore, and which was
If a splendor in accordance with the
taste Of the age, but greatly beyond
what was allowed by the sumptuary
regulations Of the colony
The young woman was tall, with a
figure Of perfect elegance on large
'cale She had dark ana abundant hair,
so glossy that it threw off the sunshine
with CLEAN and face which, besides
ieing beautiful from regularity Of fea-
/ ure and richness Of complexion, had
he impressiveness belonging to a
marked brow and deep black eyes. She
vas ladylize. too. after the manner Of
he feminine gentility Of those days;
characterized By a certain state and dig
lity. rather than by the delicate, evan.
scent and indescribable grace which is
low recognized as its indication. And
lever had Hester Prynne appeared more
adylike. in the antique Interpretation
4 the term. than as she issued from the
rison Those who had before known
Ter. and had expected TO behold her
immed and obscured by a disastrous
loud. were astonished and even startled
o perceive how her beauty shone out
nd made a halo Of the misfortune and
gnominy in which she was enveloped.
1t may be true that. to a sensitive oh
erver, there was something exquisitely
ainful in it. Her attire, which. in.
eed. she had wrought for the occasion,
d prison. and had modelled much after
.er own fancy. seemed to express the
ttitude Of her spirit. the desperate reck.
-ssness of her mood, by its wild and
icturesque peculiarly But the point
'hich drew all eyes, and. as it We're
anshgurcd the wearer-so that both
zen and women who had been famil
I lrly acquainted with Hester Prynne
,ere now impressed as if they beheld
er for the first time-was that scarlet
stter, so Enthusiastically embroidered and
Illuminated upon her bosom. 1t had thu
fect of a spell. taking her out Of the
rdinary relations with humanity and
lclosing her in a sphere by herself
"She had good skill at her needle
hats certain" remarked one Of her
emale spectators; "but did ever n WON
n. before this brazen huzzy, contrivt
lch a way Of showing it, Why. gos
FPS. what is it but to laugh in the faces
{ our godly magistrates, and make q
ride out Of what they, worthy gentle
nen, meant for a punishment
1T We're WE'LL" muttered the mosi
ron visaged Of the old danes, IF W,
tripped Madam Hester's rich gown Of
ier dainty shoulders; and as for the rec
atter, which she hath stitched so curl
lusly. I'll bestow a rag of mine owl
heumatic flannel TO make filter oner'
"Oh. peace, neighbors. peacer whis
,ered their youngest companion; do no
ct her hear youl Not a stitch in tina
embroidered letter, but she has felt it il
Ter heart"
The grim beadle now made a gesture
With his staff.
Make way, good people, make way
the kings namer' cried he "Open
iassage, and, | promise ye, Mistress
prynne shall be set where man, woman
md child may have fair sight Of he
rave apparel, from this time till an hou
past meridian. A blessing on the right
GUS colony Of the Massachusetts, wher
niquity is dragged out into the sun
,hine! Come along Madam Hester, ant
how your scarlet letter in the marke
place"
A lane was forthwith opened through
the crowd OF spectators. Preceded b.
The beadle and attended by an irregula
procession OF stern browed men and un
Kindly visaged women, Hester Prynn
set forth toward the place appointed 70
ner punishment A crowd Of eager ant
curious schoolboys. understanding lit
lie Of the matter in hand, except that
gave them holiday, ran before he
progress, turning their heads continuall
, 10 stare into her face and at the wink
tntr bnhv In, hor arms and NJ the ipnc