Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-09-12
THE MYSTERIOUS ORGANIsr.


Years ago, at grand old cathedral
that overlooked the Rhine, there appear
ed a mysterious organist. The great
composer who had played the organ SC
long had suddenly died, and everybody,
from the king to the peasant, was won.
dering who could be found to take hi.
place ; when, one bright Sabbath morn.
ing, as the sexton entered the church, he
saw stranger sitting at the Grape shroud-
ed organ. He was tall, graceful man,
with pale but strikingly handsome face,
great black, melancholy eyes, and hair
like the ravens wing for gloss and color,
sweeping in dark waves over his shoul-
ders. He did not seem to notice the sex
ton, but went on playing and such mu-
sic as he drow from the instrument nc
words of mine can describe. The aston
ished listeners declared that the instru-
ment seemed to have grown human
that it walled and sighed and clamored
as il tortured heat was throbbing
through its pipes. When the music at
length ceased, the sexton hastened to the
stranger, and said
Pray who are you, sir ~
" Do not ask my name," no replied, al
heard that you were in want of an organ
ist and have como here on trial"
Yoa'll be sure to get the place" said
the sexton, "Why, you surpass him
that's dead and gone, sir"
" No, no, you overrate," resumed the
stranger, with n sad smile ; and then, as
II dislnclned to conversation, he turned
from old Hans and began to play again.
And now the music changed from sor-
rowful strain to a grand old pean, and
the mysterious organist-
Looking upward, full of grace,
Played till from happy place
Gods glory smoto him ON tho iaco,
and his countenance seemed not unlike
that of ST. Michael as portrayed by
Guido.
Lost in the harmonies which swellod
around him, he sat with his iar-seeing
gaze on the distant sky, n glimpse OF
which he caught through an open win
dow, when there was stir about the
church door and royal party came
swarming in. Among them might be
seen young girl, with wealth Of gold
on hair, eyes Of violet hue, and lips like
wild cherries. This was the Princess
Elizabeth and all eyes turned to her as
she seated herself in the velvet-cushioned
pew appropriated to the court. The mys
terious fixed his gaze on her and went OF
playing. The bloom faded from hel
cheek; her lip quivered; her whole frame
grow tremuous. At last her eyes mo
thusv or tno organst IN II long yearnnl
look, and then the melody lost its joyou
notes, and once moro. walled and sigheC
and clamored.
BY my faith" whispered the king I,
his daughter, " this organist has mas
ter hand. Hark yo, he shall play at you
wedding"
The pale lips Of the princess parted
but she could not speak she was duml
with grief. Like one in painful dream
she saw the pale man pt the organ, anC
heard the melody which filed the vas
edilce. Aye, full we'll sho knew who
he was, why tho instrument seemed
breathing out the agony Of a tortured
soul.
When the service was over, and tn,
royal party had left the cathedral, h
stole away as mysteriously as ho hat
como. He was not seen again by th
sexton till the vespor hour, and then h
appeared in the organ lott aud commenc
ed his task, While he played veileC
figure glided in and knelt near sid
shippers dispersed, when the sexton touch
cd her on the shoulder and said
" Madam, everybody has gone out bu
you, and | wish to close the doors"
" am not ready to go yet" was tn
reply. " Leave me leave me |"
The sexton drew back into shad
niche watched and listened. The mys
T terous organist still kept his post, bu
his head was bowed upon the instrument
and he could not see the lone devotee. =.
At length she rose from the aisle, an'
moving TO the organ-loit stood beside tn
musician.
Betram I" she murmured.
Quick as thought the organist raise
his head. There, with the light OF
lamp suspended TO the arch above fallin
upon her stood the princess who had graC
cd the royal pew that day.
The court dress Of velvet, with its sol
ermine trimmings; the tiara, the neck
lace, the bracelets, had been exchanges
; ; for gray serge robe and a long, thic
veil, which was now pushed back fron
the fair, girlish face.
"Oh, Elizabeth Elizabeth |" exclaim
ed the organist; and he sank at her fec
and gazed wisthly into her eyes.
Why are you here, Betram p aske
the princess.
d" came to bid you farewell, and, as
dared not venture into the palace, | gain
ed access TO the cathedral by bribing tn
bell ringer, and taking the vacant seat {
the dead organist. Let my music breath
out the adieu that | could not trust IN
lips to utter"
A low moan was the only answer, an
he continued:
" You are to be married tomorrow :?
" Yes" sobbed the girl, " Oh, Betram
I what a trial it will be to stand at yonde
altar and take upon me the vow, whic
will doom me to living death.
t "Think of me ~ rejoined the organ
= list. Your royal father has requested IN
t to play at your wedding, and prom