The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-05-07

4
ring no risk Of want for she possessed
the art of needlework which provided
food for herself and child. She had
named the little one "Pearl," as being
of great price, and little Pearl grew up
a lovely child. People wished to take
her away and the matter was dis
cussed in the mothers presence by
Governor Bellingham and his guests
Rev. John Wilson, Rev. Mr.. Dimmes-
dale, and DIR. Chillingworth.
God gave me the child!" cried Hes
ter, and turning to the young clergy
man, Mr.. Dimmesdale, she exclaimed,
Speak thou for me. Thou vast my
pastor. Thou knowest what is in my
heart and what are mothers rights,
and how much the stronger they are
when that mother has but her child
and the scarlet letter! will not loose
the childi Look to it!''
"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 conf1ded to 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
| iingworth, 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 patient, the doctor de-
cided to know the mans inmost 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 un-
accountable horror
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 MANI" gasped Mr..
Dimmesdale, in terror. Il SILVER at
him, Hester. Canst thou do nothing
for me? have a nameless horror of
the man,
Remembering her promise, Hester
was silent.
worthy sir" said the doctor, ad.
vancing to the platform, "pious Mas
ter Dimmesdale! Can this be you?
Come, good sir, pray you, let me lead
you homel You should study less, or
these night-whimsies will grow upon
you"
Hester now resolved to do what
she could for the victim whom she saw
in her former husbands grip. One
day she met the old doctor in the
woods seeking herbs and implored him
to be merciful, saying that she must
now reveal the secret Of their former
relationship no matter what befell.
A week later Hester awaited the
clergyman in the forest and told him
about Roger Chillingworth and their
relationship, bidding him hope for d
new life beyond the sea in some rural
village.
Thou shalt not go alone" she whis-
pered.
Arthur Dimmesdale attained the
proudest eminence a New England
clergyman could reach. He had
preached the election sermon on the
holiday celebrating the election of
new governor.
Hester had taken berthS TO Eng
land, and on the holiday the shipmas-
ter informed her that Roger Chilling
worth had booked passage on the same
vessel; saying nothing, she turned and
stood by the pillory with Pearl.
The minister, surrounded by leading
townsmen, halted at the scaffold and
calling Hester and Pearl to him mount
ed the scaffold steps. Telling Hester
he was dying man and must hasten
to assume his shame, he turned to the
market-place and spoke with voice
that all could hear.
"People of New Englandl At last, at
last stand where seven years since
should have stood. Lo, the scarlet let
ter which Hester wearsl Ye have all
shuddered at It'll But there stood one
in the midst of you, at whose brand of
sin We have not shuddered."
With a convulsiye motion he tore
away the ministerial gown from his
lroacf II 1uoS vovaoIodf Than sinh