The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-05-15

FOOD for herself and child. She had
named the little one "Pearl." ~ being
Of great price, and little Pearl grew up
a lovely child. People wished to take
her away and the matter wns dis
cussed In the mothers presence By
Governor Bellineham and his xuswts---
Rev. John Wilson. Rev. Mr. Dllnmes-
dale. and DR.. Chillingwofth.
God give me the chIldl" cried Hes
ter, and turning 20 the youug clergy
man, Mr.. Dlmmesdale, she exclaimed.
"Speak thou for me. Thon vast my
pastor, Thou khowcst what In In my
hcnrt and what nre n mothers rights
and how much the stronger they are
when that mother has but her child
and the scarlet letteri I will not loose
The chIldi Look TO iti'
"rhere is truth In what she says"
began the minister. "Therc is n quail
ity Of awful sncrcdncss between this
mother and this child. N is good for
this poor sinful woman that she hath
an infant coniided IL her cnre---to be
trained by her to righteousness. Let
us leave them as providence hath seen
iit TO place thelnr y
"You speak. my friend. with a
strange carnestncss." said Roger Chill
lingworth, smiling nt him.
"He hath adduced such arguments
that we will leave the mntter ms II
stunds." said the governor. The af.
fair being 80 satisfactorily concluded,
Hester and Pearl departed. ~
Rev. Mr.. DImmesdale's health fan,
Ing he. consulted Dr. Chillipsworth.
rakipg him % = patient. the doctoy de-
cided to know the mans inmost nature
before trying TO heal him. Arrange
mcnts were made for the two men tn
lodge together M that he might he, con.
stantly under the doctors observation.
As Doctor Chiilingworth proceeded
with his Investigation. begun M he
imagined with the integrity OF judge
desirous only Of truth. Q terrible FMS
cination seized him and insisted that
he do its bidding. He now dug Into
the poor 'clergyman's heart, like q
miner seeking gold; ana Mr.. Dimmes-
dale grew to look nj him with an un'
accountable horror. =.
Often Mr.. Dimmesdale tried to
speak the truth OF his past from the
pulpit but had cheated himself by
confcssIng his sinfuIness In general
terms. Once. indulging In the mockery
OF repentance. he mounted the scnfrold
where Hester had stood. There was
no danger OF discovery for everyone
was nsleep. Even so he wns surprised
by Hester and Pearl. returning from
a death bed In the town. aud pres
entity by Roger ChlIlIngworth.
'who is that mnnf' gaspcd Mr.
In terror. II shiver nj
him. Hester. Canst thou do nothing
Tor met have nameless horror of
the man."
Remembering her promise, Hester
sas silent.
WORTHY SIR" snid the doctor. nd.
10 the platform. 'pious Mas
Ter DImmesdaiei Can this be your |
Come. good sir. pray you. let rne lead
you hoinei You should study less. ar
Ihese nlght-whImsIes will grow upon
vou."
Hester now resolved to do what
'he could for the victim whom she saw
n her former husbands grip. One
lay she met the old doctor In the
woods seeking herbs and impIorcd him
q he merciful. saving That she must
low reveal the secret OF their former
no matter what befcll.
A week Inter Hester awaited the
clergyman In the forest and told him
bout Roger ChillIngworih aud their
bidding him hope for n
lew life beyond the sea In some rural
'illage.
"Thou shalt not so alone" she whIs-
'ered.
Arthur Dimmesdaie attained the
'roudest emincnce New England
clergyman could reach. lie had
reached the election sermon on the
oliday celebrating the election Of .
ew governor.
Hester had taken berths to Eng.
md. and on the holiday the shipmns-
er Informed her TINT Roger Chilling
Forth had booked pnssagc on the same
essel /; saying nothing. she turned and
TODD by the pilIory with Pearl.
The minister. surrounded by leading
ownsmcn, halted nj the scaffold and
alling Hester AMI Pearl To him mount
Il the scaffoid steps. Telling Hester
G was q dying man and must hasten
0 assume hts shame. he tnrned 10 the
iarketplnce .and spoke with voice
hat all could hear.
people of New England At last. at
ist stand where seven years since
hould have stood. Lo, the scarlet let
n which Hester wears! We have all
huddered at II! But there stood one
! the midst Of you. at whose brand OF
IN ye have not shuddered."
With conyulsiye motion he tore
wny the ministerial gown from his
reast. II was revealed Then sink
" down OW the scafrold he died. his
rad resting ON Hesters bosom.
Afterwards, conflicting accounts