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

in such scenes. l almost wish we had
service every day" ,. .......
1t would be dreadfully stupid"
so mol Think what life such man
as old Bach spent in his Thomas Kirchei
Nothing to do but to play upon his organ
every day. | almost wish l was cathe-
dral organist in some ancient Minister"
" Pm sure don't, It's bad enough as
it is" . Z"
Glow so?"
My love, are you so stupid? What
is the position of organist? | am sure l
hope you don't think of being one all your
life"
"Why not?"
Oh, it's all very well now-for lit
tie while-but-my dear, you must see
He paused on the last step and looked
at her as if he did not quite understand
g See what? Surely you do not object
to it?"
go dear, no; but then you know that
1t isn't exactly the thing one wishes to
do all his life"
" I'm not so sure. If 1 were rich
would always play in church, and, in
fact, l would give up my time to the
study of music. What nobler ambition
could young man have than to assist at
divine worship with the best gifts art
and Heaven had bestowed upon him."
She had the wit to see that she had
gone too far, and with soft smile and
caressing touch she led him out of the
church into the bright sunshine of the
c nbo1y
His thoughts returned to his art and the
church. She was scheming how to make
the next assault. .
1t so happened that they did not meet
again for several days. On the Friday
of each week he spent the evening at the
church in practice and alone. On Satur-
days the choir met, and he was too busy
attending to their wants to do justice to
his own.
One lamp burned brightly over his
head, and cast a bright glare on his book
and the desk. The tips of the stops
glittered, and the pipes overhead each
had long bar of yellow light. The out
line of the vast instrument was almost
lost in the shadow. The church seemed
to spread around, below and above him,
in silence and dusky shade. The arches
overhead were barely visible, and far
away the gilded leaves of the Bible on
the desk caught the light in a spot of
yellow radiance. The windows looked
black and dead, and everywhere save by
his seat it was gloomy, vague and I'M
real.
Absorbed in his music, he went on by
the hour, little needing anything, save
the work IN hand. The dim, silent
church behind him was quite unnoticed,
and he turned leaf after leaf, forgetful
of both time and place. There was a
soft step on the carpeted stairs, and a
light figure in charming apparel and
lovely looks came in and stood near by
in silence Presently he stopped and,
wiping his forehead said aloud
1t is glorious"
She felt pang of conscious jealousy
in her heart, and, silently advancing into
the organ-loft, she stood near him. He
discovered her at the moment, and, with
out rising, extended his hand and well
coined her with smile.
81 happened to pass and l tried the
door. found it unlocked"
And you came in. How kind of you,
dear"
Eyes, came in because-I want to
see you-and talk to you"
He made room for her on the broad,
smooth bench, and, grasping one Of the
stops for support, she mounted the
high seat and sa: down. What perfect
picture she made, under the top-light
and with the dark, carved organ for
background. She turned partly round
and supported herself against the stops.
Her splendid hair half obscured the
music book, and one hand toyed with the
white keys. He drew a soft stop on the
other side, and suddenly the keys dis
Coursed broken, disCOrdant music be-
meath her jeweled fingers.
He pushed the stop in hastily and the
keys were silent.
Don't. ! wanted to play"
ooh! you do care for music-just
little"
He drew another stop, and her fingers
brought out rough bolts of noisy thunder.
Chow provoking in you! That isn't
pretty. Give me something else"
He drew another stop and the sounds
flowed in liquid bird-notes.
Pretty-but trifing-like most
music"
"Not all?"
Nearly all"
Then she paused for moment, and,
Strengthening up, sat close behind him,
and gently drew her arm about his
shoulder, Then she said abruptly:
hy love, do me a favor?"
With all my heart"
Will you, really and truly?"
Name it."
"Give up the organ"
What do you mean?"
"Give up the place Don't play any
more"
"Why not"
"Because l want you to. Because
because it is better to go into business
just as other men do-and make fortune
perhaps"
my love is ambitious"
Eyes, very"
You are very frank" he said, with a
tinge of bitterness in his voice.
"Why shouldn't be? It's not for my
self that care. am ambitious for you"
The lamp above them shone full on
her fair face. Her airy, floating hair al.
! most swept her cheek and she suffered