The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-04-27
NOT LOST.

people came chatting down the Hight Of
stone steps leading from the door OF o
cathedral church, in an old Atlantic
seaport town. They were members OF
the choral society attached to the
church, and they had evidently been
there for rehearsal. Within, the great
building yawned black and lonely, save
in the gallery, where, over the organ, q
gas.iet spun rays Of light in the gloom,
and the sound OF softly subdued voices
broke through the stiffness.
The visible occupants were two, o
man and Q naiden-young, and with
the cabalistic word, flowers" cleaning
asdid the mysterious handwriting OF
old on the wall, on their foreheads.
Robert Field, the organist, was turning
over some sheets Of manuscript music
with IN absorbed air, while by his side
stood Hester Heathersleigh, her pretty
face full OF anxious interest as she
watched his movements. A little cloud
OF uneasiness wrinkled her forehead
now and then as she saw the rent edges
Of ofangry clouds scud by the narrow slit
OF ofwindow, giving to the eastwhere the
gray sea lay tossing stormily.
"Well, Robert |" she said at last,
dropping her slim hand on his shoul-
der. "Well, Robert, what is it?p
The musician's dark, serious face
lighted o moment gloriously, as he
turned and took the little hands in
his. 63 te g.fif
I'll asked yoa to stay, Hester, be-
cause / wished to play for you some
passages from my new piece. I shall
submit II to the society at Music Hall
tomorrow evening, and i want your
opinion in advance"
The young girl lauehed-a little, rip
pling laugh Of gleeful enthusiasm.
"My opinionl Why, Robert, you
know beforehand what that will be. It
would be nothing but q form asking il. 4
Robert raised the little hand tenderly
to his lips. ~ :
"Iknow that love makes gentle crit
les Of us all,p he said, wisely. "But
now want You to forget who Ia the
author Of the melody, and to exercise
yeur judgment without stint. Remem-
ber, too, that love is the theme; love
which, wisely or unwisely, hopes I'LL
things, believes all things, and endures
all things unto the end" And then lie
turned to the organ.
Heplayed slowly at first. II was o
lonely opening, full OF strange, sad
chords, as II q soul were waiting some
where in shadow. Then, as brightness
entered, the theme asserted itself. The
wonderful tones climbed higher and
higher, expressive Of o great faith, OF o
fond, mad triumph, and bewildering
joy. On and on the chords swept; It
was as II o living chain Of light ran
round the world.
When he had finished there was
silence for moment between these
two. The lingering echoes rolled back
andforth till one by one they, too, es-
capped into stiffness. Then Hester
Heathersleigh stopped, and with quiy-
ering lips aud tear.wet eyes, reyerently
kissed the bowed forehead OF her
lover. .d'
"oh, my darlingl" she cried, at
is so beautiful I am SO proud Of you.
Who taught you to play like that?"
4. A proud and satisfied smile curved
Robert Fields lips as he listened.
My love for you taught me, he an
swered. Myloye for you, which is so
great, so all.absorbing, that my music
aeems to be but poor expression
Of IT."
Then lifting her head he gazed for q
moment with wistful tenderness into
the rose.pink beauty Of her small, sweet
face.
"You think it is a triumph then,
dear? All, Hester, are you sure you
speak for the music itself, or only out
Of tender mercy born OF your love for
me?"
An indignant Light Frightened the
pretty violet eyes out Of the drowsy
languor Of youth's enchanting dreams.
offender mercy for you, she repeat
ed. Then her voice changed. sAh,
Robert il my love can make you write
like that now, then your future life
shall be full Of inspiration, for I shall
love you more and more the longer 1
know you. Ishnll love you more and
more toreyerS
She wound her arm about his neck,
nnd with tender, maiden sweetness
kissed his forehead, and kissed his
wavy hair, and kissed the thin, pale
hand which lay nervelessly on the yell
low organ keys. And then stiffness
crept about them, stiffness more
fraught with eloquent joy than any
measure Of golden speech could have
been. el ~
While they thus stood hand in hand
talking the curtain behind them parti-
tioning OF the long gallery parted and
a dark face peeted through. II was o
man's face, handsome but cruel In that
purple gloom OF gathering shadow. II
was no friendly face, either, that with
its many changes Of hate and Jealous
anger and furious despair seemed.
while the lovers talked, to be PLAYING n
dark and stormy accompaniment 10 the
idyl Of their love. n
A sudden angry burst Of wind az the
narrow window reused them rnpleas.
antly TO q sense Of night and the near.
ing storm.
aoh, tho ramp cried Hester, with q
pale face. "How thoughtless Of us TO
stay, and you have that long, deaolate
walk over the cliffs in the dark" n
"Neyer mind |" cried Robert, stoutly.
There are such Light and warmth
,urikkin r,e khak I ahnl not had a f3Aas.