The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-09-25
A NEW DELILAH.

How they ever came to be engage;
was the one thing that puzzled half thu
young people in the society. 1t wa
whispered that they would soon bt
married. Some of the old ladies whC
sat in the gallery, where they had fine
! chance to see all that passed in the
choir, thought differently. Some o.
the young altos thought they knew
all about it. She was playing desper
ate game, and would break or win. The
people at ST. Marks watched the fight
with becoming interest, and looked over
the top of their prayer-books to where
it would end.
The benediction had been pronounced,
and the congregation were slowly
fltering out of the church, with low
murmur of talk and gossip, which
seemed like the soft gurgle of escaping
water. From the Organ-loft little heed
did he pay to it. He took up the theme
of the last hymn, and began to i'm
provise upon it. 1t was a large, lofty
church, and noble organ. Under his
fingers it seemed to sing a heartfelt
song of praise and prayer. The deep,
tremulous thunder of the diapasons
seemed to breathe of awesome rever
ence, and the liquid tones of the flutes
lifted the soul to serener heights of
holy meditation and peace. The idle
chatter of the people was subdued IN
the atmosphere of ant and beauty he
spread about them. The saints in the
glowing windows seemed to look down
upon the dim aisles as if they, too,
heard the music and felt its uplifting
charm,
The murmur of voices in the church
died away. A few fingered in silence to
hear the music, and deep calm seemed
to fall on the place. Through it all
ran the golden thread of the music,
soft, delicious, prayerful, beautiful.
He sat absorbed in his work. His
face was lifted, that be might behold
the golden pipes above him. His fingers
wandered on over the yellow keys, and
his whole being seemed to be absorbed
in his work. He knew not that she
stood near him, silent, admiring him,
and with a petulant frown on her fair
face. Young, more than pretty, finely
formed, with large blue eyes and light
golden hair. 1t hung in tangled masses
round her low forehead, and fell in neg
lected clouds about her shoulders. It
treated it accordingly. Her dress was
of the best material, and il the latest
fashion. What itmay have been matters
not. 1t was becoming, and she knew 1t.
She had dressed with special care that
day.
it was not surprising that he loved
her. She was winsOme, intelligent, and
inordinatelv selfish. This last he did
4. IL
and they were engaged to be married.
She loved him little, and herself
much. He was talented and cookbook
ing. He was the organist of the fash
ionable Episcopal church of the city,
and as such was much admired and
sought after. She enjoyed the SUNSHINE
of his popularity, but hated his work.
1t seemed to draw him from herself,
ard interfered with her plans and hopes
for the future.
Even now it took his whole at entiOn.
He did not heed her, though she stood
by his side. There was no need to stay
longer. The people, save few stupid
old ladies, had all gone. Why did he
not stop and speak to her ? She touched
his arm with her parasol. With
smile, he brought the strain to a proper
close, and stopped.
"You are very slow to-day. Why
didn't you stop when 1 touched you"
Indeed did as quickly as | could
finish the phrase. You wouldn't have
me stop in the middle of a sentence"
Give been waiting. And it's time to
go home"
Her speech and manner seemed to
Crate harshly upon him. Had she no
love for the music?
"Why did you play so long to-day
1t was dreadfully tiresome."
He made no reply, but closed the in
strument in silence, while she impa-
tiently tapped on the back of a seat
with parasol.
"You knew was in a hurry to go
home.
"NIy dear How could /"
She saw in a moment that she was
going too far, and with a gentle, sinu-
1us motion took his arm in hers. and |
1rew him to her with soft caress. He !
smiled, and yielded himself to the |
,harm of her beauty and apparent af- |
lection. Thus together they passed out |
If the organ loft, and prepared to 60 |
lown stairs into the dim and quiet |
church. The stairway led directly tito |
he main aisle, and gave them a clear |
view of the springing arches, the great |
windows glorious in living color, and |
he dark roof sprinGing aloft in the |
shadowy vault above their heads.
"What a beautiful place to spend |
)ne's life in. 1 do not wonder that the |
I'D monks were content to spend their |
.ime in such scenes. I almost wish we |
lad service every day"
at would be dreadfully stupid"
"Oh, no. Think what life such a |
nan as old Bach spent in his Thomas |
Kirche Nothing to do but to play up
IN his organ every day. / almost wish |
was a cathedral organist in some an
,ient minister"
"Pm sure don't. It's bad enough |
Is it is"
Chow SOP"
My love, are you so stupid What /
S the position of organist? /? I'm sure l |
nope you don't think of being one all
Tour life."
"Why not ?"
"Oh It's all very well, now-for a
little while-but-my dear, you must
see"
He paused on the last step, and
ooked at her as if he did not quite un-
lerstand.
"See what Surely you do not oh
ect to it?'
"Oh dear no but then you know
hat it isn't exactly-the thing one
wishes to do all his life"
"Pm not so sure. If I was rich, I .
would always play in church, and, in
act, would give up my time to the
tudy of music. What nObler ambition
ould a young man have than to assist
It divine worship with the best gifts
lrt and heaven had bestowed on him ?''
She had the wit to see that she had
zone too far, and with soft smile and
With a caressing touch she led him out
# the church into the bright sunshine
# the street. They walked away in ST.
ence. His thoughts returned to his
rt and the church. She was scheming
ow to make the next assault.
1t so happened that they did not meet
gain for several days, On the Friday