Adam Hepburn's Vow

he barren fields still lay waiting to be upturned by the plough, and all interest in the ordinary routine of work seemed to be absorbed in other things. The mo

a neighbour's house, and left them in undisturbed possession. Having drunk their fill, the ruffians made a raid on every house, lifting what valuables they could lay hands upon, and insulting the women, and bringing many a burning blush to the fair cheek of youth. The unarmed and defenceless

dam Hepburn's house, and shelter its dear inmates from the bloody men. Early that morning Adam Hepburn had walked across the fields to Hartrigge to warn David Gray of his danger, and to bid the inmates of the house be prepared for a visit from the soldiery. He arrived to find the minister of Broomhill quietly seated at breakfast with the family, having just crept up from his hiding-plac

ur, wondered why uncle David bade them farewell so solemnly and with tears in his eyes; and

r on the face of the earth, can never hope either to acknowledge or repay it. And may the Lord also vo

into the thicket, and scrambled down the steep into the richly wooded valley below. Meanwhile the women folk at Rowallan busied themselves with their household tasks, and Agnes at least longing for her husband's return. The nervous fear had so grown upon her of late that she was never a moment at rest, save when he was b

and fled into the house. Jane Gray, hearing the noise, came hu

t? What has so frightened

imed the terrified girl. "Oh, Jane, hide m

e thought of their defenceless state, but

m two defenceless women, and Adam must now be ne

atter before the door. The pawing and snorting of the horses, the rattling of their trappings

rawing herself up, as if with a sudden courage, went out boldly to the do

rbidding-looking man, rode his horse up to the very door

Are you the wife of that notorious Whig, Adam Hepburn, who so persis

epburn's wife. There is none within this house but me and my sister, who is in delicate health.

urner's lips, which was re

those sweet lips for my payment. But say, is that renegade old

almly, while a red spot began

McTavish," he added, turning to a corporal and a sergeant, "dismount, and search the house, and you, Captain Blane, and young Drew, with the others m

er. She led the way direct to the room where Agnes sat, judging it better that she should be present with her, before the soldiers in their search reached the sitting-room. A

not harm you. He has but come in for som

et mistress. Unless compelled by duty, I would not lay a finger on you. But come, tell me where your brav

faltered back, and breathing an inward and passionate prayer that the

y. But just then he was somewhat mollified by the sight of a cup of rich Bu

mistress, I will not insist upon your revealing the rebel hiding-place. I know your kind, and how obstinate they can be

orway, saying they had met with no success, and that there was no p

ft the house to superin

d from the window, trembling at the lon

ered it again emerged into the open air, and it was quite evi

oons sprang to horse once more, and stood ready in the courtyard to depart. Then Turner

gades. I know not what keeps me from compelling you to divulge the secret of their hiding-place; but, hark! I will not

sly. Knowing he had accompanied his master to Hartrigge, they stood in intense and silent agony, momentarily expecting to see Adam

, and gave the order to march. The dog, now in a perfect fury, and seeming to have ta

d their aim, but found a mark in Agnes Hepburn's side. Without a sound she fell at her sister's feet. For a moment Turner looked dumbfounded and as if uncertain what to do; then, with another great oath, he repeated the word of command, and the whole troop rode off towards Hartrigge. Before they were well out of sight Adam Hepburn, j

de through the kitchen, and when he stood upon the threshold of the sitting-room door, what a sight met his view! Upon the couch lay the prostrate form of his

asked, hoarsely, and, with one st

wife's side, from which her

ay answered, in a voiceless whisper. "The bullet intende

ure, called his wife by every endearing name to look up to tell him she was not dead. The to

look of unutterable love. It was the last effort of the feeble strength. In the moment of agony which followed, the bre

which had but added to its beauty, were deepened into the furrows of a desperate resolution. Gently he laid his dead wife back upon the pillow, a

sheath until it has been wetted with the life blood of as many dragoons as there were years upon my darling's head," he said, in slow, deep, mea