Evening journal., 1892-09-07


uttering these words, lifted his hands
with look Of horror, as if he had be-
! held some frightful shape, which he
rould not recognize, usurping the place
Of his own image in a glass 1t was one
If those moments-which sometimes oc-
eur only at the interval of years-when
mans moral aspect is faithfully re-
vealed to his minds eye. Not improba-
bly,, he had never before viewed himself
as he did now.
Hast thou not tortured him enoughY
said Hester, noticing the old mans look.
"Eas he not paid thee alp
mol mol He has but increased the
debtw answered the physician; and as
be proceeded his manner lost its hercer
characteristics and subsidized into gloom.
"Dost thou remember me, Hester, as
was nine years agone? Even then was
in the autumn Of my days, ndfSwas it
the early autumn. But all my life had
been made up Of earnest, studious,
thoughtful, quiet years, bestowed faith
fully for the increase Of mine own
knowledge, and faithfully, too, though
this latter object was but casual to the
other-faithfully for the advancement
OF human welfare. No life had been
more peaceful and innocent than mine;
few lives so rich with benefits conferred.
Dost thou remember me? Was l not,
though You might deem me cold, never
thelcss a man thoughtful for others.
craving little for himself-kind, true,
just and Of constant, if not warm aifec-
lions? Was 1 not all thiss'
IAN this and more," said Hester.
"And what am ! now:" demanded he,
looking into her face and permitting
the whole evil within him to DO written
on his features. II have already told
thee what ami A fendl Who made
Inc sog"
at was mysefr cried Hester, shud.
Ger1ng. 1T was ] not less tnan he.
Why hast thou not avenged myself on
meg'
81 have left thee to the scarlet letter, 4"
replied Roger Chillingworth. IF that
have not avenged me / can do no InoreP'
He laid his finger on it with a smile.
lit has avenged theer' answered Hes.
ter Prynne.
81 judged no less, said the physician
"And now, what wouldst thou with
me touching this many
Il must reveal the secret, answered
Hester firmly "He must discern thee
in thy true character What may be
the result, know not. But this long
debt of confidence, due from me to him,
whose bane and ruin have been, shall
at length be paid. So far as concerns
the overthrow or preservation Of his fair
fame and his earthly state, and per
chance his life, he is in thy hands. MOI
do whom the scarlet letter has dis
ciplined to truth, though it be the truth
of red hot iron entering into the soul
nor do perceive such advantage in his
living any longer a life of CHASTITY empti
ness that l shall stoop to implore thy
mercy Do with him as thou wilt
There is no good for him--no good fo
memo good for thoel There is no gooS
for little Pearl! There is no path t.
guide us out of this dismal mazel"
Woman, could well nigh pity thee!
said Roger Chillingworth, unable to re
strain a thrill Of admiration, too, 70
there was a quality almost majestic il
the despair which she expressed. ''Thoi
hadst great elements. Peradventure
hadst thou met earlier with a better low
than mine, this evil had not been. pit
thee for the good that has been waste
in thy nature"
"And thee, - answered Hester PrynnC
"for the hatred that has transformed
.11f wise and just man to a hendi Wilt tho
yet purge it out Of thee and be ono
oil more human? If not for his sake, the
doubly for thine own. Forgive, an
t35rileavo his further retribution to the Pow
9d',er that claims it. l said, but now, tina
rsis.t there could be no good event for him G
~ thee or me, who are here wandering tC
20 ygether in this gloomy maze of evil an
tah' Stumbling at every step over the gul
noit NYllerewith we have strewn our pail
1t is not sol There might be good &c
thee and thee alone, since thou has
been deeply wronged, and hast it at th
win to pardon Wilt thou give up tn,
only privilege: Wilt thou reject tn;
priceless benefit"
peace, Hester, peacel" replied q
old man. with gloomy sternncss. at
not granted me to pardon. 1 have 1
such power rs thou tellest me Of. N
old faith, long forgotten, comes back
me and explains all that we do and a
we suffer. BY thy first step awry tho
dldst plant inc germ OF eNu, but sln'
that moment it has all been a dan
necessity. Ye that have wronged II
are not sinful, save in q kind Of typic
illusion; neither am | fendlke, wi
have suatched tend's, Office from b
hands. It is orr fate. Let the bla,
flower blossom as it mayl Now go q
ways, and deal as thou wilt with yond
man"
lie waved his hand and betook hin
self again TO his employment of gathC
ing herbs.
.Be it sin or no." said Hester pryn
bitterly. as she stil gazed after him.
hate thc nanT
She uphraided herself for the sen
mont bat could not overcome or less
it. Attempting % DO so she thought
those long past days in distant Ian