Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-13
The Minister'S Black Veil

gloom to the funeral and could portend moth
ing but evil TO the wedding. Such was It's i'm
mediate effect upon the guests that a cloud
seemed TO have rolled duskily from beneath
the black crepe and dimmed the light Of the
candles. The bridal pair stood up before the
minister, but the brides cold fingers trembled
in the tremulous hand Of the bridegroom, and
her death-like paleness caused a whisper that
the maiden that had been buried a few hours
before was come from her grave to be mar
rled. II ever another wedding were dismal,
il was that famous one where they tolled the
wedding knell.
After performing the ceremony, Mr.. Hooper
raised a glass Of wine to his lips wishing hap
piness TO the new-maUied couple in a strain
of mild pleasantly that ought to have bright
ened the features OF the guests like a cheer
full CLEAN from the hearth. At that instant,
catching a glimpse Of his figure in the look
ing-gass the black veil involved his own spirit
in the horror with which it overwhelmed all
others. His frame shuddered, his lips grew
white, he spilled the untasted wine upon the
carpet and rushed forth into the darkness, for
the earth too had on her black veil.
The next day the whole village of Milford
talked Of little else than Parson Hoopers black
veil. That. and the mystery concealed behind
it, supplied a topic for discussion between ac-
quaintances meeting in the street and good
women gossiping at their own windows.
It was remarkable that, of all the busy
bodies and impertinent people in the parish,
not one ventured to put the plain question be-
fore Mr. Hooper wherefore he did this thing.
Hitherto, whenever there appeared the slight
est call for such Interference, he had never
lacked advisers nor shown himself averse to
be guided by their Judgment. If he erred at
all, II was by so painful degree of self-dstrust
that even the mildest censure would lead him
to consider Indifferent action as a crime.
Yet, so well acquainted with his amiable weak
ness no individual among the parishiOners
chose to make the black veil a subject of
friendly remOnstrance. There was a feeling of
dread, neither plainly confessed carefully
concealed, which caused each to shift the re-
sponsbility upon the other, till at length It was
found expedient to send a deputation Of the
church in order to deal with Mr.. Hooper about
the mystery before 1t should grow into scan
dal Never did an embassy so i'll discharge its
duties. The minister received them with friend
ly courtesy but became silent after they were
seated, leaving to his visitors the whole bur
den OF introducing their important business
The topic, II might be supposed, was obvious
enough. There was the black veil swathed
around Mr.. HOoper's forehead and concealing
every feature above his placid mouth. on
which. at times, they could perceive the glim-
mering of a melancholy smile But that piece
of crepe, to their imagination, seemed to hang
down before his heart the symbol of a fearful
secret between him and them. Were the veil
cast aside, they might speak freely of Il. but not
till then Thus they sat for a considerable
time, speechless confused and shrinking un-
easily from Mr.. Hooper's eyes, which they felt
to be fixed upon them with an invisible glance
Finally, the deputies returned abashed to their
constituents, prOnouncing the matter too
weightY TO be handled except by a council Of
the churches, II, indeed it might not require
a general synod.
But there was one person in the village I'M
appalled, by the awe with which the black veil
had impressed all beside herself When the
deputies returned without an explanation or
even venturing to demand one, she, with the
calm energy Of her character, determined to
chase away the strange cloud which seemed
to be settling round Mr.. Hooper every moment
more darkly than before. As his plighted wife
II should be her privilege to know what that
black veil concealed.
At the minister's first visit therefore, she
entered upon the subject with a direct sim
plicity which made the task easier, both for
him and her. After he had seated himself she
fixed her eyes steadfastly upon the veil, but
could discern nothing of the dreadful gloom
that had oveTawed the multitude; ii was but
a double fold Of crepe hanging down from his
forehead to his mouth and slightly stirring with
his breath.
NO" said she aloud, and smiling. there is
nothing terrible in that piece of crepe, except
that II hides face which | am always glad to
look upon. Come, good sir. let the sun shine
from behind the cloud First lay aside your
black veil, then tell me why you put it on"
Mr.. Hooper's smile glimmered family.
There is an hour to come" said he. when
all OF us shall cast aside our wells. Take 1t
not amiss, beloved friend, if wear this piece
of crepe till then"
Your words are mystery, too" returned