The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-08-04

udu9aLy C0l1Q, anu run Q1L40fI Else /
must come to thee!'
But Pearl, not whit startled at her
mothers threats. any more than moli-
fed by her entreaties. now suddenly
burst into fit of passion, gesticulating
violently and throwing her small figure
into the most extravagant contortions.
She accompanied this wild outbreak
with piercing shrieks, which the woods
reverberated on all sides; so that, alone
as she was in her childish and unreason-
able wrath, it seemed as If a hidden
multitude were lending her their SYM
pathy and encouragement. Seen in the
brook once more was the shadowy wrath
Of PEARLS image, crowned and girdled
with flowers, but stamping its foot.
wildly gesticulating, and in the midst of
all still pointing its small forefnger at
Testers bosomI
81 see what ails the child" whispered
Hester to the clergyman, and turning
pale in spite of a strong effort to conceal
her tn ubIe and annoyance. Children
will not abide any. the slightest, change
in the accustomed aspect of things that
are daily before their eyes. Pearl
misses something which she has always
seen me wearP'
''I pray you," answered the minister,
'if thou hast any means of pacifying the
child, do it forthwith Save it were the
cankered wrath of an old witch, like
Mistress Hibbins, added he, attempting
to smile, 81 know nothing that would
not sooner encounter than this passion
in child. In Pearls young beauty, as
in the wrinkled witch, it has prefer
natural effect. Pacify her, if thou lowest
mer'
Hester turned again toward Pearl.
with crimson blush upon her cheek, q
conscious glance aside at the clergyman.
and then a heavy sigh; while, even be-
fore she had time to speak, the blush
yielded to deadly palloE.
Pearl" said she sadly, ''look down at
thy feetI There!-before thee!-on the
hither side of the BROOKE
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-
hected in it.
Bring it hither!'' said Hester.
"Come thou and take it up!'' answered
Pearl.
twas ever such childF' observed
Hester aside to the minister. "Oh,
have much to tell thee about her!
But in very truth she is right as regards
this hateful token. l must bear its tor
ture yet little longer-only few
days longer-until we shall have left
this region, and look back hither as to a
land which we have dreamed of. The
forest cannot hide It'll The midocean
shall take it from my hand and swallow
it up forevery'
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 moment ago,
as 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
breath-and here again was the scarlet
misery, glittering on the old spoti So it
ever is, whether thus typifed or no, that
an evil deed invests itself with the char
acter of doom. Hester next gathered up
the heavy tresses of her hair and con-
fined them beneath her cap. AS if there
her beauty, the warmth and richness of
her womanhood, departed like fading
sunshine and gray shadow seemed to
fall across her.
When the dreary change was wrought
she extended her hand to Pearl.
'Dost thou know thy mother now,
child?' asked she reproachfully, but
with subdued tone. "Wi1t thou come
across the brook and own thy mother,
now that she has her shame upon her
now that she is sadP'
eyes; now willr' answered the child,
bounding across the brook, and clasp
ing Hester in her arms. ''Now thou art
my mother indeedl And l am thy little
Pearll'
In a 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 kind
Of necessity that always impelled this
child to alloy whatever comfort she
might chance to give with throb of
anguish-Pearl put up her mouth, and
kissed the scarlet letter tool
''That was not kindp' said Hester.
"When thou hast shown me little love,
thou mockest mel"
"Why doth the minister sit yonder?"
asked Pearl.
"He waits to welcome thee" replied
her mother. ''Come, thou, and entreat
his blessingI He loves thee, my little
Pearl, and loves thy mother too. Wilt
thou not love him? Come; he longs to
greet thee!''
''Doth he love us?' said Pearl, looking
up with acute intelligence into her
mothers face. "Win he go back with
us, hand in hand, we three together, into
the town.
''Not now, dear child" answered Hes
ter. "But in days to come he viii walk
hand in hand with US. We will have q
home and fireside of our own, and thou
shalt sit upon his knee and he will teach
thee many things and love thee dearly.
Thou wilt love him, wilt thou notY'
"And will he always keep his hand
over his hearth" inquired Pearl.
Foolish child, what a question is
thatr exclaimed her mother. "Come
and ask his blessingT
But whether Influenced by the jea1-
ousy that seems instructive with every
petted child toward dangerous rival or
from whatever caprice of her freakish
nature, Pearl would show no favor to the
clergyman. It was only by an exsrtion