Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-21
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
THE MAY.POLE

gay masquers is disordered and broken.
The stag has lowered his antlers In
dismay. The Puritans have played
| their part at last
The leader of the Puritans who have
broken up this gay group stood in the
center of the circle. So stern was the
energy of his aspect that the whole
man, visage, frame, and soul. seemed
wrought OF iron, gifted with life and
thought, yet all of one substance with
his head-piece and breast-plate. It was
the Puritan Of Puritans: it was Endi-
colt himself
with his keen sword. Endicott as
saulted the hallowed May-pole and soon
| the only May-pole In New England"
"Amen!" echoed his followers.
"Yet," said Endicott. 81 could find 1t
in my heart to plant 1t again. It would
have served rarely for whipping
post!"
"But there are plenty Of pine trees"
suggested lieutenant.
True" said the leader. Wherefore
bind this heather crew. and bestow on
them a small matter of stripes apiece,
to show our future justice. Set some
of the rogues in the stocks to rest them
selves. Further penalties. such as brand
1tlB dIlQ ClNPRIlS Va cars SA4oA4 VIC
| thought Of thereafter"
| Here is a couple of shining ones"
/ said one. pointing at the Lsrd and Lady
| high station among these INSIDERS.
Methinks their dignity viii not be fitted
/ with less than a double share of stripes"
| Endicott rested on his sword, and
! closely surveyed tn dress and aspect Of
! the hapless pair. There they stood
pale. downcast. ana apprehensive. Yet
there was an air of mutual support and
of pure affection. 81 ek1ng aid and Civ
ing 1t, that shove them to be man
and wife, with the auction OF priest
upon their love. The youth. in the
peril of the moment, had thrown his
arm about the Lady of the May, who
leaned against his breast, too lightly
to burden him. but with weight enough
to express that their destinies were
linked together. for good or evil.
They looked first at each other and
then into the grim captains face.
There they stood. in the first hour o.
wedlock, while the idle pleasures. of
which their companions we're the en-
hlems. had given place 20 the sternest
cares of life. personiied by the DARK
Plritans. But never had their youth
full beauty seemed SO pure and high, as
when its glow was chastened by adj
verSity.
youth" said Endicott," yet stand IN
evil case, thou and thy maiden wife
Make ready presently: for am minded
that We shall both have a token 10 re-
member your wedding dayi"
Stern man." cried the May Lord.
how can move thee? Do with me
as thou wilt; but let Edith so IN
touched"
Not So" replied the zealot. I'VE are
not won't to show idle courtesy to that
sex which reQulreth the stricter disci-
pine What sayeth thou. naid2"
BE ii DEATH" said Edith. land lay II
all on mel"
The deepening twilight could not al
together conceal that the iron man was
softened: he smiled at their fair spec
tacle of early love: he almost sighed fer
the inevitable blight OF early hopes.
The troubles OF life have come
hastily on this young couple" he said
We viii see how they comport them
selves under their present trials. before
We burden them with greater"
The young couple returned 70 Merry
Mount no more. But as the nowery
garland of their wedding day vas
wreathed of the brightest roses that
had grown there, so in the tie that
entwined them so were united ell the
pureSt and best of their early Joys.
They went heavenward supporting
each other along the difficult path
which it was their lot TO tread. and
never wasted one regretfnl thought on
the vanitieS of Merry Mount.