Evening star., 1902-03-01

the castle might be freed of his presence.
You give up great deal just to stand In
| stuffX schoolroom and drill Latin rudi-
ments Into dull cubs like those Of ours
l dopt know why you do it!''
Like an arrow little Johnny's hand shot
out, the forefnger and thum cracking mer-
rily as If IN class.
II know-piease muzzer, Little Dzonny
knowsr'
why, because he loves father Johnny
and because he is kind, of course! said
his mother.
But Johnny had later information. He
would have none of such milk-and-water
explanations.
mo. tisn't one bitv' he almost shrieked
the words, being afraid he would be stop
ped; tbs betause i'm likes to hold teat-
zers hand!'
A gurgling explosion ran along the dou-
BILE line of Johnny's brothers and sisters.
Johnny, leave the room"
1t was the stern voice of his father, who
seldom spoke at table to his younger chill
dren. There was no gainsaying that com-
| mand throughout all the corners of the
| house of Costoun.
"Boo-hoo-hoo." went Johnny, roaring
rather than crying all the way to the door,
and stuffing his pinafore into his mouth to
moderate the vehemence which even he
felt to be unseemly at dinner time and in
the presence Of guest. But being arrived
at the portal Of the dining room he wres-
tied awhile unsuccessfully with the door
handle. which his flooding tears prevented
him from seeing clearly. Having secured a
| line of retreat he turned to fire his Par
THAN shaft, the great salt drops raining
from his chin. his cheeks, even from his
| little red-tip-tilted nose
But it's true-ast' him! Lii Dzonny was
Ounce, an. seed i'm! And teatzer she let
him. Yah! Don't want no dinner, Dzonny
doesn't! HoO-hoo-a -ahoo!'
And having left this pretty speech for
the assembled company to digest along
with theirs. Johnny fled to his most secret
hiding place to sob out his woes in soli-
tude.
There was silence for moment which to
John Glendonwyn seemed period only to
be computed by centuries. The children.
appalled, by the wholesale iniquity Of
Johnny, ceased their merely retail skuf-
filings and kickings. They exchanged mean
Ing glances. however.
But relief was at hand. The heavy guns
came into action on the nick of time.
What is thought in Edinburg Of the new
deputation which the Non-Intrusion party
are sending to London?' asked Henry Col
stoun, gravely. with that air Of cultured
aloofness which he could assume at will
as part of his professional outfit.
Really had not heard Of it," stammer-
ed John, little ruefully. it must be ad-
mitted, "but what does it matter? These
fellows are always trying some dodge Of
the kind. 1t will all come to nothing"
II wish could think so." said the rector;
"in my opinion the whole matter is of the
ly moved-far more deeply than 1 have
ever seen it in my time. l should not be
surprised If the Kirk of Scotland were to
be divided in two as with a sharp sword.
oh" cried John. reviving at the words;
they falkland talk, these firebrands and
high-fiers. But they will not risk a penny
worth Of stipend to make good their words.
So soon as government really closes Its
hand you will see that they will close their
mouths!'
II differ from you, john" said the rector.
quietly; "in my opinion not only Will by
far the greater part of those who profess
and expound the evangelical position cleave
to their leaders, but when it secedes that
will leave very few men Of genius or even
high ability within the state church..
"You do not mean to say" cried John,
in astonishment, that you Of all men favor
the opinions of ministers who set them
selves In open contempt of the law OF the
land?"
"That is only way of speaking con-
venient to their opponents, said the rector.
These men are obeying a law which is
higher than the law of any land-they fol-
low what they believe to be the law OF
Cod
"And you agree with them?' said John
looking at him in a half frightened man
ner Surely that might have very griev-
GUS consequences if you opinion became
known"
The strong face of the rector uncon-
in one by one his little flock, and the
mother sitting quietly at the table foot.
Il do not make any secret of my opin-
tons,' he went on. Neither do / obtrude
them l am a servant. not bond slave;
anc if a sacrifice be demanded of me, hope
that 1 may have the courage to face it as
well as another man. That such a sacri-
flee will be demanded of many, and that at
no distant date. l well assured. And
you. John-1 suppose you have made up
your mind over which sea you are to sail
your bark?
CTo be Continued)