Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-05-21
NOT LOST

| NOT LOST.
II vas late in the afternc( : dul
autumnal day that grou ing peo
pie came chatting down u - stont
steps leading from the do nthe1ra
church. in an old Atlauti eoen
They were members Of 4 soesetJ
attached to the church. n ted ev.
identity been there for reke Wi16in,
the great building yawned ND lone-
ly, cave in the gallery. ever ~
organ. . gas.jet spun rsy = y ~
gloom. and the sound d UI oo1
voices broke through %
The visible occupant II -
lea6. : mei1apz - =
alasfie word. 'sloters, cleaning as did
the mysterious hand writing Of old on the
vail, on their forehcads. Robert Field,
the organist. was turning over some sheets
of manuscript music with an absorbed air,
while BY his side stood Hester Heaihers-
leigh. her pretty face full Of anxious in.
terest as she watched his movements. A
little cloud Of uneasiness wrinklcd hel
forehead now and then as she saw the rent
edges Of angry clouds scud by the narrow
slit of onward giving to the east where
the gray sea lay tossing stormily.
"Well, Robert !" she said at last. drop
ping her slim hand on his shoulder. We'll,
Robert, what is it?'
The musicians dark, serious face
lighted moment, gloriously. as he turned
and took the little hands In his.
Il asked you 90 stay. Hester, because
| wished to play for you some passages
from my new piece. l shall submit il
to the society at Music Hall Tomorrow
evening, and 1 want your opinion in ad.
vance,"
The young girl laughed-a little, rip
pling laugh Of glceful enthusiasm.
"My opinion! Why. Robert, you know
beforehand what that will be. 1t would
be nothing but form asking it."
Robert raised the little hand tenderly
to his lips.
IL know that love makes gentle critics
of US all, he said. wisely. .'But now
want you to forget who is the author oi
the melody. and to exercise your judg.
ment without stint. Remember, too. tha,
love is the theme; love which. wisely oil
unwisely. hopes al things. believes al
things, endures all things unto the end. y
And then he turned to the organ.
He played slowly at first. Il was a
lonely opening full of strange, sad chords,
as if soul were waiting some where in
shadow Then, as brightness entered
the theme asserted itself. The wonder
ful tones climbed higher and higher, ex.
pressive of great faith. of fond. mad
triumph. and bcwildering joy. On aud
on the chords swept: it was as il a living
chain Of light ran round the world.
When he bad finished there was silence
for moment between these two. The
lingering echoes rolled back aud forth til
one by enc they, too. escaped into still.
ness. Then Hester Hea,hersleigh stoop.
ed. and with quivering lips and tear-we,
cg"s. revercntly kissed the bowed fore.
head of her lover.
"Oh. my darling! ~ she cried. "it is sc
beautiful! | am so proud OF you. Who
taught you to play like that ?''
A proud and satisfied smile curved Ro.
bert Fields lips AZ he listened. "My love
for you taught me-" he answered. "My
love for you. which is so great, so all-a -ab.
sorbing. that my music seems to be but q
poor expression of it"
Then lifting her head he gazcd for q
moment with wistful tenderness into the
rose-pink beauty of her small. sweet face
"lou think it is triumph, then dear
All, Hester, are you sure you speak fol
the music itself, or only out of a tender
mercy born of your love for me 7"
An indignant light frightened the pret
ty violet eyes out Of the drowsy languol
of youths enchanting dreams.
Tender mercy for you," she repeated
Then her voice changed. "Ah. Robert
if my love can make you write like tha
now. then your future life shall be full o.
inspiration. for | shall love you more ant
more the longer know you. l shall low,
you more and more forever"
She wound her arms about his neck
and with tender. maiden sweetness kisset
his forehead. and kissed bis wavy hair
and kissed the thin. pale hand which la,
uervelessly on the yellow organ keys
And then stiffness crep. about them.
stiffness more fraught with eloquent jo,
than any measure Of golden speech coul'
have been.
While they thus stood hand in har,
talking. the curtain behind them parti
tioning of the long gallery parted aud
dark face peercd through. Ii was a man
face. handsome brt cruel in that purpl
gloom of gathering shadow. 1t was n
friendly face. either, that with its man
changes of hate and jealous anger and fu
rious despair seemed. while the lover
talked, to be playing a dark and storm,
accompaniment to the idyl of their love
4 sudden angry burst Of wind at th
narrow window reused them uupleas
antly to sense Of night aud the nearin
storm.
"Oh, the rain :" cried Hester, with
pale face. How thoughtless Of US ,
stay, and you have tha, long. desola,
walk over the cliffs in the dark -
Never mind :" cried Robert. stou,iy
There sre such light aud warmth With
me ,ha, shall no, heed passing touc
OF wind and water. will see you to you
door FIRST. and then goodnight"
"My cousin Conrad promised to com
for me-" Hester answered. Il wonds
wha. detains him. 1t is too bad for n,
to take you all this long way out Of you
route"
Al like it better So" the young ma
said. gravely. al do not like your cou.
| in Conrad. and sm not willing to tru,
! you to bis care. Oh. my darling!' n
~sss On earnestly. eff M music b,