Adam Hepburn's Vow

describe fitly that sad farewell. It was indeed a very rending of the heart-strings to the venerable minister of Inverburn. In spite of the wording of the Act, that every ejected

n. The minister of Broomhill found a shelter at Hartrigge, so that unit

owallan by their beloved shepherd, and all whose soul thirsted for the living water were invited to attend. And, lo, at the hour of meeting, so great was the press thronging in Adam Hepburn's barn that it was hastily decided to hold the meeting out of doors. So a kitchen table with a settle behind it was erected as a pulpit in the corn-yard, and from this the minister of Inverburn preached to his flock. Something in the unusual nature of the proceedings seemed to stir all hearts and to imbue them with a holy enthusiasm. Never had the psalm been sung with such deep fervour; never had the attitude of the hearers been so rapt and reverential. There was something in the knowledge that it wa

hlee, to hear John Methven preach. On their way home they passed so many dressed people on the roads, es

nd his sister Betty, leisurely wending their way homewards.

many people on the road at this hour. They look to me as if they had been at kirk som

en wanderin' tae?" asked Watty, innocently. "Mebbe they've been awa' see

other utter this deliberate falsehood, and she tugged vehem

Here, you woman, you were the manse maid, I think," he added, directing his remarks to Betty. "Can you tell me whether i

a lee," said Betty piteously; "ye wudna hae

d Watty in her ear, and taking her by the arm, dragged her right away from the coac

nk back, laughing, in the coach, not sor

s, but she was of too sweet and gentle a disposition to se

r brother released his grip on her arm. "Did the thocht o' the fire and brimstane,

"Was I gaun to get the minister and the flock into a peck o' troubles wi' my lang tongue?

ae daur [defy] the laird,

inst my will," said Watty, calmly; and Betty, completely over

of heaven. Such a state of affairs, which betokened such utter disregard and contempt for the Prelacy, could not long be allowed to continue undisturbed. The next step taken by the bishops was

e Bishop of Glasgow, offered his shelter and patronage to any gentle

up on the church door intimating that public worship would be r

e, with the exception of a few of the laird's pensioners in the village, had not the smallest intention of attending upon the curate's ministra

or the gaun [going], it wasna likely they

, watching from the window, beheld the coach from Inverbu

ter Rintoull, the bailiff, 's on the box aside the coachman," she cried, excitedly. "I'

serenely. "But gang you intae the ben-end [par

in meeting the laird's questioning gaze, Betty hastily ret

ed out the coachman. "Coome

door, a very uncouth looking figure in his rough homespun garb,

u were getting ready for the service," said the laird sternly

and giving his somewhat loose nether garments an expressive hitch. "If he's come tae a cauld pairt, it's

ed, and not too well pleased a

turned his stern eye on Watty's unruffled countenance. "Look here, McBean, go into the house and put on y

stonishment. "Sir Tammas, it's perfectly unpossible that I could be ready at the time. Just look at me; I've a week's dirt ta

rd bit

ll not go unpunished. Once for all, will you or will you not be ready to perfo

e'en get a man for hissel," answered Watty, with fearless resolution. Then he fixed his keen eye on the ill-favoured face of the curate, and addressed a concluding remark to him. "Ye hae taen muckle upo

Watty turned about, and enteri

ir Thomas," said the curate sourly, "I fear

the insolent utterance of a half-witted fellow like Watty McBean. I cannot think the people of Inverbu

note in the parish, came dropping into the church, and when the hour struck there were not more than thirty persons present, and these included the laird and his retinue from Inverburn. Nevertheless the service was proceeded with, and conducted after the true E

efence of their absence from the church on the previous day. His first place of call was Rowallan, but before he reached the house he met Ada

yesterday, Hepburn?" the laird said briefly, and without greeting of any kind.

not in the service, he is better at home," replied Adam, qui

d; "is that old man, your father-i

" answered Adam, in

bounds of the Presbytery? Rowallan is not without these bounds. I have it in my power to have your father-in-

he bit his lip. The hot blood of his race sprang

preaching, Sir Thomas," he said with curling lip. "Such a threat is scarcely worthy of your

ng his spurs into his horse's sides, turned the animal's head, and rode away full gallop to Hartrigge, onl