Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-09-09

Arthur Diinmesdale prevents II. VII itogei !
ChilhngswOrth becomes physician TO Dimmes- |
dale. who is an invalid, and goes TO live In J
room adjoining the minister's. So on the !
story proceeds through 10 chapters. each one
growing In interest 20 the end.
y, !, - pray you" answered the minister,
'if thou hast any means Of pacifying the
lmoGiild, do it forthwith Save it were the
Oicankered wrath of an old witch, like
~ Mistress Hibbins," added he, attempting
mo smile, II know nothing that would
mot sooner encounter than this passion
aoin n child. In PEARLS young beauty, as
in the wrinkled WITCH it has o prefer
nnatural effect. Pacify her, if thou lowest
mel"
Hester turned again toward Pearl,
with a crimson blush upon her cheek, a
conscious glance aside at the clergyman.
and then heavy sigh; while, even be-
fore she had time to speak, the blush
yielded TO deadly pallor.
"PearlS' said she sadly, '1ook down at
thy feetl Therel-befofe theel-on the
hither side Of the brook"
The child turned her eyes to the point
indicated, and there lay the scarlet let
ter, so close upon the margin Of the
stream that the gold embroidery was re-
Elected in it.
Bring it hitherw said Hester.
Come thou and take it upl" answered
g Pearl.
"Was ever such a childF observed
Hester aside to the minister. "Oh,
have much to tell thee about herl
But in very truth she is right as regards
this hateful token. must bear its tor
ture yet a little longer-only a few
days longeP-until we shall have left
this region, and look back hither as to
land which we have dreamed of. The
forest cannot hide It'll The midocean
shall take it from my hand and swallow
it up forever"
With these words she advanced to the
margin of the brook, took up the scarlet
letter and fastened it again into her
bosom. Hopefully, but a moment ago,
rs Hester had spoken Of drowning it in
the deep sea, there was a sense Of inevi-
table doom upon her, as she thus received
back this deadly symbol from the hand
Of fate She had flung it into infinite
space-she had drawn an hours free
brcath--and here again was the scarlet
misery, glittering on the old spoil So it
ever is, whether thus typiied or no, that
m evil deed invests itself with the char
ncter Of doom. Hester next gathered up
the heavy tresses of her hair and con-
fined them beneath her cap. AS if there
wero a witlering spell in the sad letter,
her beauty, the warmth and richness of
her womanhood, departed like fading
sunshine and gray shadow seemed to
fall across. her.
When tho dreary change was wrought
she extended her hand to Pearl
"Dost thou know thy mother now,
childg" asked she reproachfully, but
with a subdued tone. "Wilt thou come
across the brook and own thy mother,
now that she has her shame upon her
now that shells sadg"
"Yes; now willr' answered the child,
bounding across the brook, and clasp
ing Hester in her arms 'Now thou art
my mother indeed And / am thy little
Pearlp
In mood of tenderness that was not
usual with her she drew down her
mothers head and kissed her brow and
both her cheeks. But then-by a kind
Of necessity that always impelled this
child to alloy whatever comfort she
might chance to give with a throb Of
Rnguish-Pearl put up her mouth, and
kissed the scarlet letter tool
"That was not kindl" said Hester
"When thou hast shown mea little love
-ra thou mockest mel"
.m "Why doth the minister sit yonderY
.-o asked Pearl.
,no "He waits to welcome thee" repliet
13 her mother. Come, thou, and entrea'
.ti his blessingl He loves thee, my it'll
ata Pearl, and loves thy mother too. vii
.ia thou not love him? Come; he longs Il
,s,-greet thee"
,ennaa'Doth he love us?" said Pearl, looking
-ss99,,np with acute intelligence into he
.irnmOther's face. "Will he go back witt
- as, hand in hand, we three together, int
ynb1he town."
mot now, dear child, !" answered Hes
ter. But in days to come he will wal
hand in hand with us. We will have
home and fireside Of our own, and tho
shalt sit upon his knee and he viii teacl
thee many things and love thee dearly
Thou wilt love him, wilt thou notY
"And will he always keep his han
over his heart" inquired Pearl.
Foolish child, what a question
thatw exclaimed her mother. "Com
and ask his blessingp
But whether influenced by the jea'
ousy that seems instructive with ever
petted child toward a dangerous rival c
from whatever caprice of her freaks
nature, Pearl would show no favor to til
clergyman. 1t was only by an exertio
of force that her mother brought her u
to him, hanging back and manifestin
her reluctance by odd grimaces;
which, ever since her babyhood, she Ia
possessed a singular variety, and coul
transform her mobile physiognomy int
a series Of different aspects, with ne
mischief in them, each and all. I'll
minister-painfully embarrassed, bl
hoping that kiss might prove talisma
to admit him into the childs kindli'
fegards-bent forward and impresse
une on her brow
Hereupon Pearl broke away from b.