Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-21

Nathaniel Hawthorne. 1804-l864, was
an American writer of romance and
short stories. His best known works
include THE Scarlet Letter" THE
Great Stone Face" and 1.-The House of
Seven Gabies'O
The May-pole at Merry Mount was a
symbol of merry-making and jollity;
around it colony of early settlers had
grown UP who spent most of their time
in sport and fun. bringing over all the
English festivals and celebrations TO
American soil. The Puritan colony near
By frowncd upon such festivities and
frivolities, and the Puritans fought for
a long time to suppress what they re-
garded as a settlement of wickednesS
almost In their midst.
What was the throng that stood hand
in hand about the May-pole now? On
the shoulders of a comely youth up
rose the head and branching antlers Of
a stag: a second. human IN all other
points. had the grim visage Of wolf;
a third, still with the trunk and limbs
of a mortal man, showed the beard
and horns of a venerable ile-goat,
Others were strangely CARRIED also, and
all were merry, for they were celebrat-
ing a wedding.
Within the ring of seeming monsters
appeared the two ARREST forms that
had ever trodden on any more solid
footing than a purple and golden
cloud. One was youth in glistenlng
apparel his left hand grasped the
fingers of fair maiden, not less gayly
decorated than himself. Bright roses
glowed in contrast with the dark and
glossy curls of each and were scattered
round their feet These were the bride
and groom.
Behind this light-hearted couple, so
close to the May-pole that its boughS
shaded his ioyial face, stood the figure
of an English priest. economically dressed,
yet, decked with flowers in heather
fashion and wearing a chaplet Of native
vine leaves.
.'Votaries of the May-pole." cried the
priest. ."merrily, all day long. have the
woods echoed TO your miTth. But be
this your nlerrieSt hour, my heartleS!
10, here stand the Lord and Lady of the
Nav. whom I am presently to Join in
holy matrimony. All We that love the
May-pole. lend your voices to the nup-
tiaI song of the Lord and Lady OF the
May!"
But the May Lord, he of the glisten-
Ing apparel, CHANGING 10 look into his
Iady's eyes, was wonder-struck az the
almost pensive glance that met his
own.
whispered he reproachfully. sis yon
wreath of roses garland TO hang
above your grave. that you look so sad2
Oh. Edith, this Is our golden time!
Tarnish 1t not by any pensive shadow
of the mind; for it may, be that. nothing
Of futurity will be brighter than the
mere remembrance of what is now
passing"
"That was the very thought that
saddened me! How came it in your
mind too?" said Edith, IN still lower
tone than he; for 1t was high treason
to be sad at Merry Mount, Therefore,
do / sigh amidst this festive music.
And besides, dear Edgar, struggle as
with a dream and fancy that these
shapes of our ioyial friends are vision
airy, and their mirth unreal, and that
we are no true Lord and Lady OF the
May"
Also, for the young loverS No
sooner had they had their hearts glowed
with real passion than they were aware
of something vague and unSubStantial
in their former pleasures, and felt a
dreary preSentment of inevitable change.
From the moment that they truly loved
they had subjected themselves to earth's
doom or care and sorrow. and troubled
JOY,
AT last solitary sunbeam is fading
from the summit OF the AIay-pole
Something sinister has happened. Black
shadows have rushed from the dark
woods III human shape. The ring Of