The herald., 1896-04-26
Copyright, 1896, by Stone and Kimball)
SYNOPSIS.

Adam Weir. Lord Herruston. first the
Lord-Advocate, and then the Lord Justice
Clerk OF the Senators of the College of JUS
tice at Edinburgh. has married Jean Ruth
efford, last heir of her line, upon whose es-
.ate at the scottish village of Crossmlcnael
ne resides when court is not in session. he
Is noted for his severity, and has become
famous for the Hanging face" with which
ne confronts criminals-while his wife IS
OF mildly religious type. Their son Arch.
ioaid combines the qualities of the two but
mas been brought up by his mother almost
exclusively. She inspires him with her re-
ligous views, so that unconsciously ne
grows to resent his fathers severity and
roughness. His mother having dled Arcnle
continues his studies, having little in COM
mon with Lord Hermiston, with one or
whose fellow justices and friends, however,
a scholarly gentleman Of the old school, ne
forms close friendship. At the trial OF
one JoDp, for murder, Archie is especially
offendedby his fathers coarse remarks sand,
brooding over the exhibition of what seems
to him savage cruelty, he attends the eXecu-
ton. AS the mans body falls, he cries out:
II denounce this d-defying murder The
same evening, at his college debating So
ciety, lie propoundS the question whether
capital punishment be consistent with Gods
will or mans policy" great scandal IS
aroused in the city by these actions of the
family doctor. who shows him by an anec-
dote that, under his fathers granite exter-
ior the latter has a great love for him.
This creates a revulsion in Archies feel
ings. His father soon hears of his sons
performances, and reproaches him severe
ly. Archie accepts the rebuke and sub
mits himself. Nevertheless. Lord Hermls-
ton orders him to abandon the law, and as
signs him to the care OF the estate at Cross
michael. Archie goes the same evening to
call on the old Justice. already mentioned.
who comforts him and points out his IA
thers great abilities, and together they
drink the health of Lord Hermiston. Archie
establishes himself on the estate. and finds
still at the homestead his mothers former
bousekeeper, Kirstie Tor Christina) Elliott,
a distant relative OF his mothers, who is
devoted to the family fortunes. He does
not get or we'll with his scattered neigh
bors, and becomes much of a recluse. KRIS
tie INDUCES him with many long talks, re-
counting the history of the region. She
tells him a great deal about her four nep-
hews formerly wild set. but now leading
quiet lives. Robert, or Hob" is the laird
OF Cauldstaneslap, a small property near
by. Gilbert is a weaver and Independent
preacher. Clement has removed to Glas-
gow and become a well-to-do merchant.
Andrew or 'Dandie." a shepherd by trade,
is great wanderer about the country. and
local poet Of repute. Archie asks Kirstie
If there is not a sister also. She admits
that there is, young girl, Kirstie, named
after herself, and now at Glasgow with Gle
ment, Archie discovers that there is a
mark ed coolness between the elder Kirstie
and some of her nephews, the result of
sono old quarrel, so that they never come
10 see her. He goes to the Caudstaneslap
church one Sunday, and there meets the
Younger Kirstie. He talks with her OH the
way home Both are much impressed with
each other. The same evening, young
Kirstie goes for walk over the moors to
the Praying WeaVer's Stone, local monu-
mont of interest AS she sits on it, she
sees figure coming along the path from
Hermiston House.