The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-05-07

| indu, MI. DlmIueSudle, sue cACisiilucus
Speak thou for me. Thou vast my
pastor. Thou knowest what Is In my
heart and what are a mothers rights.
and how much the stronger they are
when that mother has but her child
and the scarlet letter! l will not loose
the child. Look to itr
"There is truth IN what she says"
began the minister There Is quail
ity of awful sacredness between this
mother and this child. 1t is good for
| this poor sinful woman that she hath
an infant confided tn her care-to be
trained by her to Righteousness. Let
us leave them as providence hath seen
fit to place them!"
"You speak, my friend. with a
strange earnestness," said Roger Chill
lingworth, smiling at him.
HE hath adduced such arguments
that we will leave the matter as 1t
stands" said the governor. The af-
fair being so satisfactorily concluded,
Hester and Pearl departed.
Rev. Mr.. Dimmesdale's health fail
ing he consulted DR.. Chillingworth.
Taking him as a patient, the doctor de-
cided to know the mans Utmost nature
before trying to heal him. Arrange
ments were made for the two men to
lodge together so that he might be con-
stantly under the doctors observation.
AS Doctor Chillingworth proceeded
with his investigation, begun as he
| imagined with the integrity Of Judge
DESTROYS only of truth, terrible fas-
cination seized him and insisted that
he do its bidding He now dug into
; the poor clergyman's heart, like a
miner seeking gold; and Mr.. Dimmes-
dale grew to look at him with an I'M
: accountable horror.
Il Often Mr.. Dimmesdale tried to
speak the truth of his past from the
pulpit but had cheated himself by
confessing his sinfulness in general
terms. Once. indulging in the mockery
of repentance, he mounted the scaffold
where Hester had stood. There was
no danger of discovery for everyone
, was asleep. Even so he was surprised
by Hester and Pearl, returning from
death bed in the town, and pres.
: emily by Roger Chillingworth.
! "Who is that mann" gasped Mr.
Dimmesdale, in terror. II SILVER al
I him, Hester. Canst thou do nothing
for me? have nameless horror OF
the man."
Remembering her promise, Hester
was silent.
worthy sir" said the doctor, adj
;, vancing to the platform, 'pious Mas
:, ter Dimmesdale! Can this be you
a Come, good sir, pray you, let me leat
q you home! You should study less, OF
: these night-whimsies will grow upor
: you"
y Hester now resolved to do wha
:. she could for the victim whom she saw
/. in her former husbands grip. ON
d day she met the old doctor in tn,
n woods seeking herbs and implored hin
d to be merciful, saying that she mus
n now reveal the secret Of their forme
relationship no matter what befell.
e A week later Hester awaited tn
8 clergyman in the forest and told hin
o about Roger Chillingworth and thei
relationship, bidding him hope for
T. new life beyond the sea in some rura
village.
+ '"Thou shalt not go alone" she whis
Il pered.
4. Arthur Dimmesdale attained tn
re proudest eminence New Englan
e clergyman could reach. He ha
e preached the election sermon on tn
y holiday celebrating the election Of
onew governor.
Hester had taken berths to En-.
le land, and on the holiday the shipma.
$, ter informed her that Roger Chilling
u worth had booked passage on the sam
10 vessel; saying nothing. she turned an
stood by the pillory with Pearl.
a. The minister, surrounded by leadin
IL townsmen, halted at the scaffold an
. calling Hester and Pearl to him noun
e ed the scaffold steps. Telling Heste
lg he was dying man and must haste
II to assume his shame, he turned to tt
IN market-place and spoke with voit
Il, that all could hear.
"People Of New England! At last, ,
last stand where seven years since
= should have stood. Lo, the scarlet lie
I'll ter which Hester wears! Ye have a
shuddered at it! But there stood OF
n in the midst Of you, at whose brand ,
er sin We have not shuddered."
ne With convulsive motion he to-
ue away the ministerial gown from h
NC breast. 1t was revealed! Then sin
- ing down on the scaffold he died,
- head resting on Hester's bosom.
:. Afterwards, conflicting accoun
arose about the scene on the scaffol
~ Many testified to seeing scarlet Il
"a ter on the minister's bosom, while OF
~ ers denied 1t, saying that Dimmesdale
confession implied no part Of Hester
guilt.
Roger Chillingworth died, bequeat
~ ing his property to Pearl.
"a Hester and Pearl lived in EnglaI
for years. then. Pearl marrying, Hest
o. returned alone to the little dwellil
-. by the forest.