The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-07-28

lated to lead him beyond the scope Of
generally received laws; although, In
single instance, he had so fearfully trans
gressed one of the most sacred Of them.
.
Thus we seem to see that, as regarded
Hester Prynne, the whole seven years of
outlaw and ignominy had been little
other than preparation for this very
hour. But Arthur Dimmesdale! Were
such man once more to fall, what plea
could be urged in extenuation Of his
crime? None; unless it avail him some
what, that he was broken down by long
and exquisite suffering; that his mind
was darkened and confused by the very
remorse which narrowed it; that, be-
tween fleeing as an avOwed criminal
and remaining as hypOcrite, conscience
might find it hard to strike the balance:
that it was human to avoid the peril of
death and infamy and the inscrutsble
Vaccinations Of an enemy; that, finally,
to this poor pilgrim, ON his dreary and
desert path, faint, sick, miserable, there
appeared a glimpse Of human affection
and sympathy, new life and a true one,
In exchange for the heavy doom which
he was now expiating. And be the stern
and sad truth spoken, that the breach
which guilt has once made into the hu-
man soul is never in this mortal state re-
paired. It may be watched and guarded;
50 that the enemy shall not force his
way again into the citadel, and might
even in his subsequent assaults select
some other avenue in preference to that
where he had formerly succeeded. But
there Is still the ruined wall, and near it
the stealthy tread of the foe that would
win over again his unforgotten triumph.
The struggle, If there were one, need
not be described. Let it suffice that the
clergyman resolved to fee and not
alone.
eff, in all these past seven years"
thought he, 81 could recall one instant
Of peace or hope, would yet endure,
for the sake Of that earnest of heavens
mercy. But now, since am irrevocably
doomed-wherefore should not snatch
the solace allowed to the condemned
culprit before his execution? Or, if this
be the path to q better life, as Hester
would persuade me, l surely give up no
fairer prospect by pursuing It'll Neither
can any longer live without her COM
partnership; so powerful Is she to sus-
tain-so tender to soothe! o thou to
whom dare not lift mine eyes, wilt
thou yet pardon mer'
''Thou wilt goE'' said Hester calmly,
as he met her glance.
The decision once made, glow Of
strange enjoyment threw its Pickering
brightness over the trouble of his breast.
It was the exhilarating effect-upon
prisoner Just escaped from the dungeon
of his own heart-of breathing the wild,
free atmosphere Of an unredeemed, un-
christainized, lawless region. His spirit
rose, as it were, with a bound, and at
tanned a nearer prospect of the sky than
throughout all the misery which had
kept him groveling on the earth. Of
deeply religious temperament, there was
inevitably tinge Of the devotional in
his mood.
"Do feel joy again. cried he, won
dering at himself. ''Methought the
germ of it was dead in mel o Hester,
thou art my better angel! l seem to
have flung myself-sick, sin stained and
sorrow blackened-down upon these for
est leaves, and to have risen up all made
anew, and with new powers to glorify
him that hath been merciful! This Is
already the better life! Why did we not
find it soonerT
''Let us not look back" answered Hes
ter Prynne. 1.-THE past is gonel Where
fore should we linger upon it now? See!
With this symbol undo it all, and
make it as it had never been!'
So speaking, she undid the clasp that
fastened the scarlet letter, and taking it
from her bosom threw it to distance
among the withered leaves. The mystic
token alighted on the hither verge of the
stream. With hands breadth farther
fight it would have fallen into the water
and have given the little brook another
voc to carry onward, besides the unin-
teligible tale which it still kept muir
muring about. But there lay the en-
broidered letter, glittering like lost
Jewel, which some Ill fated wanderer
might pick up, and thenceforth be
haunted by strange phantoms of guilt,
Einkings Of the heart and unsccountable
misfortune.
The stigma gone Hester heaved long,
deep sigh, in which the burden of shame
and anguish departed from her spirit.
Oh, exquisite relief She had not known
the weight until she felt the freedOmi
BY another impulse she took of the
formal cap that confined her hair; and
down it fell upon her shoulders, dark
and rich, with at once a shadow and
a light in its abundance, and impart-
ing the charm of softness to her fea-
lures. Thare played around her mouth
and beamed out Of her eyes radiant
and tender smile that seemed gushing
from the very heart of womanhood. A
crimson flush was glowing on her cheek
that had been long so pale. Her sex,
her youth and the whole richness of her
beauty came back from what men call
the irreyocable past, and clustered them
selves with her maiden hope and hap
piness before unknown within the magic
circle Of this hour.
And, as if the gloom Of the earth and
sky had been but the efiuence Of these
two mortal hearts, it vanished with