Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-06-11

overhead Was q gray eA p<tllSc VI Ciutlt1
slightly stirred, however, by a breeze,
SO that CLEAN of Pickering sunshine
might now and then be seen at its soli
tary play along the path. This fitting
cheerfulness was always at the farther
extremity Of some long vista through
the forest. The sportive sunlight
feebly sportive at best in the predonli
nant pensiveness of the day and scene
withdrew itself as they came nigh, and
left the spots where it had danced the
drearier because they had hoped to find
them bright.
Mother" said little Pearl, 1.-THE sun
shine does not love you. 1t runs away
and hides itself because it is afraid Of
something on your bosom. Now, see
There it is, playing, good way of.
Stand you here, and let me run and
catch it. am but a child. 1t will not
flee from me. for wear nothing on my
bosom yet"
'sNor ever viii, my child, hope
said Hester.
"And why not, motherY asked Pearl,
stopping short, just at the beginning OF
her race. "Will not it come Of its OWL
accord, when am woman grown?
"Run away, child" answered hen
mother, 'sand catch the sunshinel II
win soon be gone"
Pearl set forth at great pace, and, as
Hester smiled to perceive, did actually
catch the sunshine, and stood laughing
in the midst Of it, all frightened by its
splendor and scintillating with the vi
vacity excited by rapid motion
When her elf child had departed,
Hester Prynne made step or two to
ward the track that led through the for.
est, but still remained under the deep
shadow of the trees. She beheld the
minister advancing along the path en-
tirely alone and leaning on a staff
which he had cut by the wayside. He
looked haggard and feeble and betrayed
nerveless dependency in his all
which had never so remarkably charac.
terized him in his walks about the set
Element, nor in any other situation
where he deemed himself liable to no
tice. Here it was woefully visible, In
this intense seclusion of the forest,
which of itself would have been heavy
trial to the spirits. There was istless
ness in his gait, as if he saw no reason
for taking one step farther, nor felt any
desire to do so, but would have been
glad, could he be glad of anything, 70
nearest tree and lie there passive for
evermore. The leaves might bestrew
him and the soil gradually accumulate
and form little hillock over his frame,
no matter whether there were life in it
or no. Death was too definite an object
to be wished for or avoided.
To Testers eye the Reverend Mr..
Dimmesdale exhibited no symptom OF
positive and vivacious suffering except
that, as little Pearl had remarked. he
kept his hand over his heart.
Slowly as the minister walked, he had
almost gone by before Hester Prynne
could gather voice enough to attract his
observation. At length she succeeded.
arthur Dimmesdalep she said faint
ly at first; then louder, but hoarsely,
ARTHUR Dimmesdale!"
'sWho speaksyn answered the minis
ter.
Gathering himself quickly up, be
stood more erect, like man taken by
| surprise in mood to which he was re-
| luctant to have witnesses. Throwing
his eyes anxiously in the direction of the
| voice, he indistinctly beheld form I'M
| der the trees clad in garments SO som.
| Der and so little relieved from the gray
| twilight into which the clouded sky and
the heavy foliage had darkened the
| noontide, that he knew not whether il
l were a woman or a shadow. It may be
| that his pathway through life was
haunted thus by specter that had
stolen out from among his thoughts.
He made step higher and discovered
| the scarlet letter.
'sHesterl Hester Prynnel' said he.
'Is it thou? Art thou in life?'
"Eyen sol" she answered. "In such
life as has been mine these seven years
past! And thou, Arthur Dimmesdale
dost thou yet ive?"
It was no wonder that they thus ques
toned one another's actual and bodily
existence and even doubted of their own
So strangely did they meet in the din
wood that it was like the first encounter
in the world beyond the grave of twt
spirits who had been intimately con
nected in their former life, but nov
stood coldly shuddering in mutual dread
as not yet familiar with their state, no
wonted to the companionship of disem
bodied beings. Each ghost and awe
stricken at the other ghostl They wer
l Oh 1,o
cause the crisis flung back to them thei
consciousness and revealed to each hear
| its history and experience, as life neve
does except at such breathless epochs
The soul beheld its features in the mir
ror of the passing moment. TWAS witt
fear and TREMENDOUSLY, and, as it were
by slow, reluctant necessity, that Al
thur Dimmesdale put forth his hand
chill as death, and touched the chill
hand Of Hester Prynne. The grasp
cold as it was, took away what wa
dreariest in the interview. They nov
felt themselves at least inhabitants o
the same sphere.
Without word more spoken neithe
he nor she assuming the guidance, bu
with an unexpressed consent 49, the
| glided back into the shadow Of tn
woods, whence Hester had emerged, an
sat down on the heap Of moss where sh
and Pearl had before been sitting. Whe
they found voice to speak it was at frs
only to utter remarks and inquiries sue
as any two acquaintance might hav
made about the gloomy sky, the threat
| aiming Storm and npxt fha health of eacl
Thus they went onward, not boldly, bu
step by step into the themes that wer
brooding deepest in their hearts. S
long estranged by fate and circun
stances, they needed something sigh
and casual to run before and throw ope
the doors of intercourse, so that thei
real thoughts might be led across til
threshold.
After awhile the minister fixed b
eyes on Hester Prynne's.
Hester" said he. "hast thou foun
peaceg'
She smiled drearily, looking dow
upon her BOSOM
"Hast thouw she asked.
"None-nothing but despair he al
swered. What else could look for, b
ing what am, and leading such Lii
as mine? Were l an atheist-a man d.
| void of Conscience wretch with coars
and brutal instincts might have foun
peace long ere now. Nay, never shoul
have lost It'll But as matters stand wit
my soul, whatever of good capacity fhel
. originally was In me, all of Gods gift
u -