The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-29

LUIS N6EIES
known and feared for SO long, were al
forgotten; and he FASTENED home, impa
ttient to confess his misdeeds, impatient t.
throw himself on the mercy Of this imagi
mary character.
He was not to be long without a rud
awakening. 1t was in the cleaning wheI
he drew near the doorstep of the lighted
house, and was aware of the figure of hi.
father approaching from the opposite side
Little daylight fingered; but on the dool
being opened. the strong yellow shine o.
the lamp gushed out upon the landing ant
shone full on Archie, as he stood, in the
lold-fashioned observance of respect. tc
yield precedence. The Judge came without
haste, stepping stately and firm, his CHR
raised, his face las he entered the lamp
Light strongly illumined, his mouth sci
hard. There was never a wink of change
in his expression; without looking to the
right or left, he mounted the stair. passed
close to Archie and entered the house. In
stinctively, the boy, upon his first COM
ing, had made a movement to meet him
instinctively he recoiled against the rail-
ing, as the old man swept by him in a
|
| less; he knew all-perhaps more than all
and the hour of judgment was at hand.
| 1t is possible that, in this sudden revul-
sion of hope and before these sysmptoms
of impending danger. Archie might have
fed. But not even that was left to him.
My lord, after hanging up his cloak and
hat, turned round in the lighted entry.
band made him an imperative and silent ges-
ture with his thumb, and with the strange
instinct of obedience, Archie followed him
into the house.
All dinner time there reigned over the
Judges table palpable silence, and as
soon as the solids were despatched he rose
to his feet.
"McKillup, taxi the wine into my room"
said he; and then to his son: "Archie. you
and me has to have a talk"
1t was at this sickening moment that
Archie's courage, for the first and last
time, entirely deserted him. II have an
appointment" said he.
It'll have to be broken then" said Her
mission, and led the way into his study.
The lamp was shaded, the fire trimmed
to a nicely, the table covered deep with
orderly documents, the backs of law books
made a frame upon all sides that was only
broken by the window and the doors.
For moment Hermiston warmed his
hands at the fire, presenting his back to
Archie: then suddenly disclosed on him
the terrors of the Hanging Face.
whats this hear of YEP he asked.
There was no answer possible to Archie
"I'll haze to tell ye then" pursued Her
mission. "It seems we've been skirling
against the father that begot We, and one
of his Maijestys Judges in this land; and
that in the public street, and while an
order of the Court was being executit. For
bye which, it would appear that we've been
airing your opeenions in Coallege Debat-
in Society,"" he paused moment; and
then, with extraordinary bitterness, added:
Eye damned eediot."
ct had meant to tell you," stammered
Archie. IT see you are well informed"
"Muckle obleeged to ye," said his lord
ship, and took his usual seat. "And so
YOU disapprove of Capital Punishment?'
he added
81 am sorry, sir. do" said Archie.
IT am sorry, too" said his lordship.
"And now, If you please, we shall approach
this business with little more par
teecularity. I hear that at the hanging
y >
client therein the middle of all the riffraff
of the ceety, we thought fit to cry out,
This is a damned murder, and my gorge
rises at the man that haangit him. >"
mo, sir, these were not my words"
cried Archie.
"What we're yer words, them" asked the
81 believe 1 said denounce it as MUIR
derp" said the son. II beg your pardon
God-defying murder. I have no wish to
conceal the truth he added, and looked
his father for a moment in the face.
God, it would only need that of it next"
cried Hermiston. There was nothing about
your gorge rising, them"
THAT was afterwards, my lord, as was
leaving the Speculative. 1 said had been
to see the miserable creature hanged, and
my gorge rose at it.
"Did We, thought" said Hermston. "And
suppose We knew who haangt him."
81 was present at the trial, ought to tell
you that, I ought to explain. l ask your
pardon beforehand for any expression that
may seem undutiful The position in which
I stand is wretched," said the unhappy
hero, now fairly face to face with the bust
ness he had chosen. Il have been read
ing some Of your cases. 1 was present
while Jopp was tried. 1t was hideous
business. Father, it was a hideous thing
Grant he was vile why should you hunt
him with vileness equal to his own? 1t
was done with glee-that is the word-you
did it with glee; and looked on, God help
me! with horror"
You're young gentleman that does nae
approve of Capital Punishment" said
Hermiston. "Weel, I'm an auld man that
does I was glad to get Jopp haangit, and
what for would I pretend l was nae?
You're all for honesty, it seems; you could
MT even steik your mouth on the public
street. What for should l steik mines up
on the bench, the Kings officer, bearing tho
sword, a dreid to evil-doers. as I was from
the beginning, and as l will be to the end!
MAR than enough of it! Heedious! I new
er gave twa thoughts to heediousness,
have no call to be bonny. I'm a man that
gets through with my days business, and
let that suffice"
The ring of sarcasm had died out of his
voice as he went on; the plain words be-
came invested with some of the dignity OF
| the Justice-seat
! 'It would be telling you if you could say
as much" the speaker resumed. "But ye
cannot. Ye've been reading some of my
cases we say. But it was not for the law
in them, it was to spy out your fathers
nakedness fine employment in a son.
You're splairging; you're running at large