Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-15
VOL. 7O.-3506. NO. 4S.

they were married quietly, aud after that,
IN the tender security Of his modest home.
under the fond and oherishing care Of his
Wiie, health and strength came slowly back
to the shattered frame of Robert Field.
| slowly too, out Of the darkness he began
| to wrench, one by one, the secrets Of bis
/ prisoned mind. Old melodies began to
shape themselves under his touch discordant
and iragmentary at first, but gradually as
Stunning symmetry and power.
Not quite a wreck he would sivh.
wistfnlly' Some day some good genii will
unlock my prison door and set me free"
In the child that was born to them--a
beautiful boy, who sang sweet music in every
tone of his childish yoice--his pride Wa
great. lie talked Of him, listened TO him.
predicted future of which Bertrand was 10
be the perfect flower, the very golden rose of
Joy. SO the five years passed. and sweet
Hester Fields fair face grew heavenly beauti
ful TO see, with its tired look of patient
waiting. God only knows how her heart
failed her now at times, or with what fierce
power she wrestled with her growing doubts,
and prayed for strength to help her bea~ this
cross whose shadow fell even darker and
deeper on her young life.
Had her love- then, been a sacrifice in
vain But one day the answer came Re
turning one afternoon from long walk.
Robert Field stopped in the hall, speli-bound
by the triumphant strains Of some new and
beautiful melody floating through the rooms.
What is it what is it2" he asked of
his wife, who came to meet him.
" Bertrand's musicl" answered proud
mother Hester. lie has been engaged with
IL long time. lie meant it to be sur
prise for you"
Robart EialI ,t,r.,,. 49,. H.: - III
joyful cry.
I" II is mine-minel Ny lost music The
music | played for you that long-forrotten
day llark Hester, do you not recognize
It now Oh to think that it has slept so
long, and now comes back to me so fresh
and fair This is what | have missed out
OF my life. This is my treasure which was
lost to me, and now is returned to me after
many years. Brought back by little
child Our child, Hester Oh, thank God
for that ."
Rushing into the parlor, he swept Ber-
trand from the STOOL and seating himself at
the organ, with one powerful sweep of his
hand over the keys he summoned his God
given genins from the tomb Of his youth,
aud bade it stand, resurrectionized in new
life, before him On aud on the music
swept; not a note was lost; not a chord
dropped out Of the splendid work Shout
ngly, exultantly, tho tones leaped forth,
"and their name was called Wonderful"
On, on Up and on
At last, from sheer exhaustion, the mnsi-
clan dropped to the floor, and lying there at
Hesters feet, he wept tears which were no
shame to him.
II is the very same" he cried " Ber-
trand has written it out, note for note,
counterpart Of my own work. Is it not an
awful thing to think Of 2 My own work,
and yet his Who but God can explain it
And oh, Hester the darkness is all gone
now. Let me thank God for that"
Then wrapping his arms about her, Rob
ert Field kissed his wife's pale face and
kissed her tender mouth, her wayy hair, and
her slim, pale, faithful hands.
My wife my wife Oh, what if your
love had failed you, Hester If in those
terrible first hours of my misfortune your
true heart had been one whit less true, then
should have been lying in my grave to-day,
broken AMI forgotten man "
So fame and success in the later days Of
his life came, not uuwelcomely, to Robert
Field. The world welcomed bis famous
piece with none the less acclaim for its long
delay, and for the strange story which ac-
companied it. One truth only concerning
that fatal night Robert withheld-known
alone to his faithful wife. But Conrad
Charters had long ago disappeared from the
town, and was seen no more among them.
So he and Hester buried the secret in their
hearts, contented that it should be so-for
God is His own avenger
They had been taught wonderful lesson,
too, by One who, having lived on earth, knew
what the full fruiton of earthly life must
be, and who gave ere He passed away from
among men, the browning blessing Of His
wisdom in last, new commandment:
Love We one another Z"