The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-16
A NEW DELILAH.

"a ANl w
How they ever came to be engaged was
the one thing that puzzled half the young
people in the society. 1t was whispered
that they would soon be married. Some
of the old ladies who sat in the gallery,
where they had a fine chance to see all
that passed in the choir, thought differ
emily. Some of the young altos thought
they knew all about it. She was play
ing desperate 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 see where it would end.
The benediCtion had been pronounced,
and the congregation was slowly filtering
out Of the church, with a low murmur of
talk and gossip, which from the organ
loft seemed like the soft gurgle of escap-
ing water Little heed did he pay to it.
He took up the theme Of the last hymn,
and began to improvise upon it. 1t was
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 atmos-
phere of art and beauty that he spread
about them. The saints in the glowing
window seemed to look down upon the
dim aisles as if they, too, heard the mu-
sic and felt its uplifting charms.
The ,O1rn1I1r of VOicpe in tho phurcb
died away. A few fingered in silence
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 he 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, but 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 around her
low forehead, and fell in neglected clouds
about her shoulders. 1t was her great
CutILl. ClC hllCN IL, anu IlCdbGu IL az
cordingly. Her dress was of the best
material, and in the latest fashion. What
it may have been matters not. 1t was
becoming and she knew it. She had
dressed with special care that day.
1t was not surprising that he loved
her. She was winsome, intelligent, but
Unfortunately selfish This last he did not
know Her beauty had won him, and
they were engaged to be married. She
loved him little, and herself much. He
was talented and goodlooking. He was
the orgauist of the fashionable church of
the city, and as such was admired and
sought after She enjoyed the sunshine
of his popularity, but hated his work.
1t seemed to draw him from herself, and
it interfered with her plans and hopes
for the future.
Even now it took his whole attention.
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 proper close
and stopped.
You are very slow to-day. Why
didn't you stop when touched you?"
Indeed did, as quickly as l could
finish the phrase. You wouldn't have
me stop in the middle of sentence?"
I've been waiting. And it's time to
90 home"
Her speech aud 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 lonesome"
He made no reply, but closed the in
strument in silence, while she impatient
ly tapped on the back of seat with her
parasol.
"You knew l was in hurry to &c
home"
"My dear! How could l." .
She saw in a moment that she was go
ing too far, and with gentle sinuous
motion took his arm in hers, and drew
him to her with soft caress. He smiled
and yielded himself to the charm of hel
beauty and apparent affection Thus to
gether they passed out of the organ-loft
and prepared to go downstairs into the
dim and quiet church. The stairway lee
directly into the main aisle, and gave
them a clear view of the springing
arches, the great windows glorious il
living color, and the dark roof springinG
aloft in the shadowy vault above theil
heads. ...
"What beautiful place to spend one'
life in. / do not wonder that the ole
monks were content to spend their tint