Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-12-18

rea, the necklace, the bracelets, had been
exchanged TOR gray serge robe and long
thick veil, which was now pushed back from
the fair girlsh face.
'Oh Elizabeth, Elizabeth - exclaimed
the organist, and he sunk at her feet and
gazed wistfulIy into her troubled face
Why are you here, Bertram? asked she.
| Il cannot bid you farewell and as L dared
not venture into the palace, [ gained access
to the cathedral by bribiDg the bell, ringer,
and having taken the vacant seat OF the
dead organist, let my music breathe out the
adleu L could not trust my lips to utter. ;"
| A low moan was the only answer, and he
continued:
''You are to be married on the morrow +"
Eyes, sobbed the girl. ''Oh, Bertram,
what trial it will be to stand at yonder al
tar, and take upon me the VOWS which will
doom me to living death !
''Think Of me, rejoined the organist.
Your royal father has requested me to
play at the wedding, and have promised
to be here. If were your equal, could
be the bridegroom instead of the orga list
but poor musician must give you up.
st is like rending soul and body asunder
to part with you, said the gir To
night | may tell you, this-tell you how
tondly love you, but in few hours it will
| be sin Go, go, and God bless you!'
She waved him from her, az If she would
Danish him while yet she had the power to
do so. ami he-how was it with him? He
rose to leave her, then came back, held ner
to his heart in "a long embrace, and then
with half sm m1thered farewell, left her.
The next morning dawned in cloudless
spleudor, and at nearly hour the cathedral
was thrown open and the sexton began to
prepare for the wedding. Flame coored
flowers nodded by the wayside- flame color
ed leaves catne rushing down from the trees,
and lay in light heaps upon the ground and
the ripe wheat waved hike golden sea, and
berries dropped in red and purple clusters
over the rocks along the Rhine.
At length the palace gates were opened,
and the royal party appeared, escorting the
Princess Elizabeth to the cathedral where
her marriage was TO be soiemniZed. 1t was
brave pageant far brighter than the un-
twlned foliage and blossoms were which
fOated from stately heads, and the festal
robes that streamed down the housings of
the superb steeds Bui the Princess noun
ted on a snow white PARRY ana ciad III snow
white velvet, looked pale and sad ; and when,
on nearing the church, she heard gush OF
organ music, which, though jubiant in
sound, struck on her ear like u fuHe al knell,
she trembled, and would have fallen to the
ground had not page supported her. a
few minutes after she entered the cathedral.
There, with his retinue, stood the royal
bride groom, whom she had never before
seen. But her glance rOved from him to
the organ-loft, where she had expected to
see the mysterious Organist. lie was gone, land
she was OBLIGED to return the graceful bow OF
the king, to whom she had been betrothed
from motives of policy. Mechanically knelt
at his side on the altar stone, mechanically
listened to the service and made the respon-
ses. Then her husband drew her tohim in
embrace, and whispered:
Elizabeth, my queen. my wife, look up !" |
Trembling in every limb, she obeyed. |
Why did those dark eyes thrill her so ?
Why did that smile bring glNw on her |
cheek All though the king wore the royal |
purple and many u jewelled order gEttered on |
his breast, he seemed the same humble per- |
son who had been employed to teach organ
music, and had taught her the lore of love.
Elizabeth mu! INJURED the monarch, |
'Bertrfm Hoffman, the mysterious or
ganist, and King Oscar are one. Forgive |
my stratagem. | wished to marry you, but |
| would not drag you to the altar an Unwill |
ing bride Your father was in the secret"
While tears OF JOY rained from her blue
eyes, the new made queen returned her hus- ,
bands fond kiss, and for once two hearts
we're made happy by a royal mar. iage.