The herald., 1897-12-12

showing his teeth in the midst Of his
red beard.
"what did your mother whom ~,
had learned your psalm?"
"She put her hands upon my heaA"
"And then what did she?" ~
''she prayed" II.
"Do ye mind the words Of that
prayer!" ~
II mind them" 81
"Then say them."
II will not!" he shouted loud and
fierce, clattering his gun on the hoof
and leaping to his feet. His sword
was in his hand. and he pointed Il
threateningly at me.
you will not say your mothefso
prayer" said: then I will say It for
you."
mo. you shall not. Quintin Mao
Clellan," he growled. III 1t comes to
that will say 1t myself. What ken
you about my mothers prayer?"
Il have a mother Of mine own, and
not once or twice she hath said
prayer for mel"
The point Of the sword dropped. He
stood silent.
Her hands were on your head" /
suggested "you had finished your
prayers. 1t was in the turret chamber
that looks to the north"
II ken-I ken!" he cried, turning his
head this way and that like a beast
tied and tormented.
But in his eyes there grew far
away look. The convulsive fingers
loosened on the sword-hilt The
blade fell unheeded to the ground and
lay beside the musket.
20 Lord" he gasped hardly above
his breath. from all dangers Of this
night keep this laddle. From powers
Of evil guard him with thy good angels.
The Lord Christ be his yoke bearer.
Deliver him from sin and from himself.
When am under green kirkyard
sward, be thou his father and his
mother. o God, Father in Heaven.
bless the lad!"
It was his mothers prayer.
And as the words came softer. Alex
ander Gordon fell on his knees, and
moaned aloud In the dim, smoky gar
ret
Then Judging that my work was
done, I. too. kneeled, and for the space
of an hour or thereby the wind of the
summer blew through the chamber.
and the shadows crawled UP the walls.
and Alexander Gordon moved not nor
spoke.
Then arose, took him by the hand.
and bade him follow me. We went
down both Of US together. And in the
chamber below, we found Mary, who
had sat listening with her head on her
hand.
Here is your father" said: take
him to his chamber. and when he IL
ready bring him into the great
room."
So very obediently he went with her
as a little child might.
Presently she brought him in again.
clean washed and with the black look
gone from his brow.
I bade her set him by the window.
She looked at me to see II she should
leave us alone. But desired her to
stay.
Then very gently I set the right way
before him.
Alexander" said I. I'VE have done
that which has worked great scandal.
Ye shall confess that publicly. Ye
shall clear yourself of that by a SOL
emn oath taken in the presence Of all
men,"
THAT cannot" said he. speaking
for the first. time; "the Presbytery
have refused me the privilege"
There Is door open for you,"
said, "in a place where the Presbytery
and your enemies have no power. II
may not be long mine. But for one
day 1t shall be yours, and after tho
service on Sabbath in the Kirk of
Balmaghie. ye shall stand up and
clear yourself by oath OF your sin."
II with do It," he said, and put his
hand in mine p4
So I left him sitting there with his
daughter. and with the knowledge that
my soul had power over his. took my
way homeward, knowing that he would
not fail me.
TO BE CONCLUDED.