The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-07-21

wood that it was like the first encounter
/ in the world beyond the grave of two
/ spirits who had been intimately con-
nected In their former life. but now
/ stood cOldly shuddering in mutual dread,
| as not yet familiar with their state, nor
wonted to the companionship of disem-
/ bodied beings. Each ghost and awe
| stricken at the other ghostl They were
awestricken likewise at themselves be-
cause the crisis flung back to them their
consciousness and revealed to each heart
its history and experience, as life never
does except at such breathless epochs.
The soul beheld its features in the mir
ror Of the passing moment. It was with
fear and TREMENDOUSLY, and, as it were,
by a slow, reluctant necessity, that Ar
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 was
dreariest in the interview. They now
felt themselves at least inhabitants of
the same sphere.
Without word more spoken-neither
he nor she assuming the guidance, but
with an unexpressed consent they
glided back into the shadow of the
woods, whence Hester had emerged, and
sat down on the heap of moss where she
and Pearl had before been sitting. When
they found voice to speak it was at first
only to utter remarks and inquiries such
as any two acquaintance might have
made about the gloomy sky, the threat
ening storm and next the health of each.
Thus they went onward, not boldly, but
step by step into the themes that were
brooding deepest in their hearts. So
long estranged by fate and circum-
stances, they needed something slight
and casual to run before and throw open
the doors of intercourse, so that their
real thoughts might be led across the
threshold.
After awhile the minister fixed his
eyes on Hester Prynne's.
''Hester." said he. ''hast thou found
peace?"
She smiled drearily, looking down
upon her bosom.
''Hast thou?' she asked.
''None-nothing but despair" he an
swered. "What else could look for, be-
ing what l am, and leading such a life
as mine? Were an atheist-a man de-
void of conscience-a wretch with coarse
and brutal instincts might have found
peace long ere now. Nay, never should
have lost it, But as matters stand with
my soul, whatever of good capacity there
originally was in me, all of Gods gifts
| that were the choicest have become the
ministers of spiritual torment. Hester,
| am most miserablep'
1.-THE people reverence thee" said
Hester. "And surely thou workest good
among them! Doth this bring thee no
COMFORT
More misery, Hesterl-only the more
misery" answered the clergyman, with
bitter smile. 'tAs concerns the good
which l may appear to do, have no
faith in it. It must needs be delusion.
What can ruined soul like mine effect
toward the redemption of other souls2-
or polluted soul toward their purifica-
ton? And as for the peoples reverence,
would that it were turned to scorn and
hatredl Canst thou deem it, Hester, a
consolation that must stand up in my
pulpit and meet so many eyes turned
upward to my face, as if the light of
heaven were beaming from it!-must see
my flock hungry for the truth and listen
ing to my words as if a tongue of Pentecost
were spealing!-and then look inward
and discern the black reality of what
they idolize? have laughed, in bitter
ness and agony of heart, at the contrast
between what seem and what l am!
And satan laughs at itP'
You wronged yourself in this" said
Hester gently. "You have deeply and
sorely repented. Your sin is left behind
you in the days long past. Your pres
ent life is not less holy, in very truth,
than it seems in peoples eyes. Is there
no reality in the penitence thus sealed
and witnessed by good works? And
! wherefore should it not bring you peaceT"
mo, Hester, no, replied the clergy
man. "There is no substance in it. It
is cold and dead and can do nothing for
me. Of penance l have had enough.
Of penitence there has been none. Else
l should long ago have thrown off these
garments of mock holiness and have
shown myself to mankind as they will
see me at the judgment seat. Happy
are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet
letter openly upon your bosom. Mine
burns in secret. Thou little knowest
what relief it is, after the torment of
a seven years cheat, to look into an eye
that recognizes me for what am. Had
| one friend-or were it my worst enc
my-to whom, when sickened with the
praises of all other men, could daily
betake myself and be known as the
vilest of all sinners, methinks my soul
might keep itself alive thereby. Even
thus much of truth would save me.
But now it is all falsehood-an empti-
ness-al deathp'
Hester Prynne looked into his face,
but hesitated to speak. Yet. uttering
his long restrained emotions sc vehe-
mently as he did, his words here offered
! her the very point OF circumstances in
which to interpose what she came to say.
She conquered her fears and spoke.
'sSuch friend as thou hast even now
wished for" said she, ''with whom to
weep over thy sin thou hast in me the
partner of It'll" Again she hesitated, but
brought out the words. with an effort,
Thou hast long had such an enemy,
and dwellest with him under the same
roofl''
The minister started to his feet, gasp
! ing for breath and clutching at his heart
as if he would have torn it ont of his
bosom.
rrT1 L GI.o--sss .,,.:o5 h