The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-06-01
THE MYSTERIOUS ORGANIST

the Rhine there appeared distin-,
guished organist. The great compo-
ser who had played the organ so long
had suddenly died, and everybody,
from the king to the peasant, was
wondering who could be found to fill
his place, when one bright Sabbath
morning, as the sexton entered the
church, he saw stranger sitting at
the crape-shrouded organ. He was a
tall, graceful man, with a pale, but
strikingly handsome face, great black,
melancholy eyes, and hair like the ra-
ven's wing for gloss and color, sweep
ing in dark waves over his shoulders.
He did not seem to notice the sexton,
but went on playing, and such music
as he drew from the instrument, no
words of mine can describe. The as
tenished listener declared that the Or
gan seemed to have grown human
that it walled and sighed and clamored
as if tortured human heart were
throbbing through its pipes.
When the music at length ceased,
the sexton fastened to the stranger
and asked:
"Pray, who are you, sir?"
''Do not ask my name," he replied
" l have heard that you were in want
of an organist, and 1 have come here
on trial"
"You'n be sure to get the place."
exclaimed the sexton. Why, you
surpass him that's dead and gone"
No, no, you overrate me-" said the
stranger, with smile; then, as if dis
inclined to conversation, he turned
from old Hans and began to play again
and now the music changed from a
sorrowful strain to grand old paan,
and the mysterious old organist:
Looking upward full of grace,
Plays still from happy place
Gods glory smote him in the face,
and his countenance seemed not un-
like that of st. Michael, as portrayed
by Guido.
Lost in the melodies which swelled
around him, he sat with his " far-see-
ing" eyes fixed on the distant sky,
glimpse of which he caught through
an open window, when there was a
stir about the church door, and royal
party came sweeping in. Among
them might be seen a bright young
girl, with wealth of golden hair,
eyes like the violet's hue, and lips like
wild cherries. This was the Princess
Elizabeth,and all eyes were turned
toward her as she seated herself in the
velvet-cushioned pew appropriated to
the court. The mysterious organist
fixed his eyes upon her and went on
playing. No sooner had the music
reached her ears than she started as if
a ghost had crossed her path. The
blood faded from her crimson cheek,
her lips quivered, and her whole frame
grew tremulous. At last her eyes met
those of the erganist in long, yearn-
ing look. and the melody lost its joy
GUS notes, and once more walled and
clamored.
"By faith," whispered the King to
his daughter, "this organist has mas
ter hand. Hark ye, he shall play at
your wedding"
The pale lips of the Princess parted,
but she could not speak-she was
dumb with grief. Like one in pain
full dream, she saw the pale man at the
organ and heard the melody which |
filled the vast edifce. Ay, full well
she knew who it was and why the in
strument seemed breathing out the
agony of tortured heart.
When the services were over and |
the royal party had left the cathedral,
he stole away as mysteriously as he
had come. He was not seen again by
the sexton till the vesper hour, and |
then he appeared in the organ loft and
commenced his task. While he played |
a yelled figure glided in, and knelt |
near the shrine. There she remained |
until the worshipers disappeared,
when the sexton touched her on the
shoulder and said:
Madame, every body has gone but
you and me, and wish to close the |
door,"
"I am not ready to go yet" was the
reply, "leave me-leaYe mel"
The sexton drew back into shady |
nook and watched and listened. The
mysterious organist still kept his post,
and his head was bowed upon the in
strument, and he could not see the
lone devotee. AT length she arose
from the aisle and.moving to the or
gan loft, paused beside the organist.
Bertram I" she murmured.
Quick as thought the organist raised
his head. There with the light of a !
lamp suspended to the arch above fall |
ing full upon her stood the Princess |
who had graced the royal pew that
day. The court dress of velvet with |
its ermine trimmings, the tiara, the
neCkiaco, Inc bracelets, naQ DeeH eX-
changed for grey serge robe and a
long thick veil which was now pushed |
back from the fair girlish face.
Why are you here, Bertram ?" ask
ed the Princess.
" I came to bid you farewell; and
as I dared not venture into the palace,
gained access to the cathedral by
bribing the bell ringer, and haying
taken the seat of the dead organist,
let my music breathe out the adieu /
could not trust my lips to utter"
A low moan was the only answer,
and he continued:
You are to be married on the NOR
row:
"Yes," sobbed the girl. " "Oh, Bert
ram, what a trial it will be to stand at
yonder altar, and take upon me the
vows which will doom me to living
L.