Adam Hepburn's Vow

Broomhill, was sitting in the study in his own manse, with his arms leaning

he newly-appointed bishops, and to accept anew presentations of their livings at the hands of the prelates within four weeks, on pain of b

and the minister bethought himself that he might try to enlist her sympathies on his side before she was influenced by her friends at Haughhead. Accordingly he rose from his chair, and went to the living-room in search of his wife. Hearing his foot in the passage, his little daughter, now able to run alone, came toddling to meet him, and stooping, the father raised her in his arms and passionately clasped her to his heart. Her little arms met fondly round his neck, her rosy cheek was pressed lovingly to his; the grave distu

an we talk here, Lilian

ll not awake for an hour," she ans

and handed it for her perusal. She carelessly glanced it over and

xtreme measures. Well, would it not have been better to have owned the bishop's sway

knife. He wearily passed his hand across his brow, and offered up a silent pra

hat such an edict, compiled by a few drunken and infamous men, will compel me to it? Middleton and his unde

eyes to his face, with a look o

uld sooner bear the penalty tha

eet in the right way. If He shows me that it is my duty to endure hardship for His sake, will my wife not willing

ers, and an expression of scorn somewha

gh your folly should render your wife and children homeless, it would not greatly exercise your spirit. But I am glad to t

-law, Gilbert Burnet of Haughhead, enquiring whether he was within. So he turned upon his heel, and, quitting the room, met his father-in-law in the hall. Opening the study door, he motioned him to enter therein, for he saw well enough that it was the proclamation which had brought him

ust decree concerning the bishops and the ministers," he said, in a facetious voice. "H

at unbecomingly to the father of his wife. Such jesting and mocking allusion to such a s

desires of the king, without having to be brought under this humiliating ban?" said Haughhead pre

er opinions nor conscience of my own?" enquired David Gray, hotly, for

t Burnet, drily. "I suppose now you will be halting still betwixt two alternative

for me so small a measure of respect," said the minister of Broomhill, with quiet but rebuking dignity. "I am halting betwixt no two alternatives. As I have hitherto refused to acknowledge the bi

verspread the face

his, if you still persist in your mad and bigoted resolve, I will remove her

of her own free will," said the minister, quietly. "I cannot t

d. "I will away home, and see what her mother says to it; no,

than the public high road, the distance not exceeding five miles, so that he came within sight of the roofs of Inverburn before darkness fell. He carefully guided his steed down a very steep mountain path, and from the valley into which he descended he had a good view of his brother Andrew's house of Hartrigge on the summit of the opposite height. He could either continue his course along the valley, which would bring him by a somewh

ise, and hastened to relieve him of his bridle rein. "No ill

am on my way to the manse, so you need not stable Charlie. He will stand quiet enough if he hears my voice, or i

end him out," said Andrew Gray. But there was no need, for presently the lad Gav

Gray rose from her spinning-wheel to greet her brother-in-law, her comely face smiling her hearty welcome.

ls; and he had a kind word too for douce Jeanie, who was sitting demurely by the spinning-wheel. It was a picture of quiet

amation?" said the minister, turning enquiringly t

gh his fearless eye, telling that it had

een our fat

of them all. When I was in she was audibly wishing she had her hands about Middleton's neck, and h

ind of wail. "I declare it makes a body lie doon i' their bed at nicht wi' fear an

the minister, gravely. "My father, then, has quite made up his

h heaving chest and flashing eye. "I would the day were here, and it is surely coming, when the peo

expecting her husband would be laid hands on then and there for such rebellious w

which means degradation and dishonour, as well as war, which is honourable and richt. M

a breathless listener to what was passing. The lad, young as he was, had as deep and heartfelt an in

rectly the minister rode away, sent hi

anse door, and at sight of the younger son of the m

xclaimed, incoherently. "Eh, sir, they bluidy and perjured monsters wha hae sold themsels tae Sautan for the persecution o' the servants o' the Maist High. Tae think

e, came out to see what was the matter, and at sight of her brother, her tears also flowed afresh. Her face was pale and anxious-

y sister, as He had need to com

and at sight of that aged face, so peaceful and benigna

u are very welcome to your father's house this

m down by the hearthstone in utter silence. It was brok

examine ourselves, and be glad that we are accounted worthy. They may take from us our earthly habitations, but, blessed be His name, they c

ears the substance of his father-in-law's remarks, as well as the dispo

tion. "But be of good courage. With God all things are possible, and your backsliding wife may yet be the brightest jewel in your crown. My son, I hope the arguments brought to bear

while his eyes beamed with a

e as dear to me as they are to most men, but the God of the Covenant is dearer still. Therefore, whatever may

ifice rather than to dwell at ease at the expense of conscience," said the minister, in tones of lively satisfaction. "Fear n