Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-07

III.
was dusky with the fast gathering twilight.
Ascending to the gallery, she opened the or
gan, and in few moments the air was filled
with melody, and through the ivy.clad win
dows of the church came delicate rip-
pling movement, now loud, now soft, like a
placid river flowing between summer-crowned
banks; suddenly, with delicious allegro
movement, the involved melody of one of
Bach's fugues began, then after a moments
silence there trembled into sound the won.
drous sweetness of the vox humana, in the
exquisite melody of, I" He shall feed his
flock like Shepherd" As the last note
hushed itself into silence Edythe turned and
saw Harold Leigh standing beside her.
You herel / thought you were elaborat-
ing your Easter Sermon"
"No," Harold replied, was reading: and
when heard the music of the Messiah" +"
pealing from the organ, threw my book
aside and came into the church."
1t is growing very dark" said Edythe
"and | cannot see to play any more
think, Harold, we had better go in while we
can see"
As the boy who had been pumping the
organ for her came out from his corner, she
said to him, "John, don't forget to tell your
father to remember that tomorrow will be
at midnight"
"Indeed, Miss Allen, III not forget and
father will be sure to remember, for he loves
dearly to ring the bells he is very proud of
them"
As Edythe walked down the shadowy aisle,
Harold paused at the chancel and called her
back When she reached his side he said to
her" Edythe, | want you to arrange my
Easter lilies tonight; will YOU do so 2"
Certainly, 1 will gladly" she replied.
" But we will leave it until late so that
when the morning comes the flowers shall
have lost none of their beauty"
In the late evening, with their arms laden
with lilies, they came again to the old
church, which was dimly lighted by two
small lamps in the chancel.
Harold seated himself near the rail and
watched Edythe as she placed the lilies in
the marble font, and dropped them in
graceful clusters from the overhanging
arches, their pure whiteness thrown into
deep relief among the dusky shadows Of the
woodwork.
At the back of the chancel, high up on
the wall, was a cross, and as Edythe went
toward it holding in her hand spray of
lilies, Harold sprang after it.
"Edythe," he called, 81 will do that, it
Is bOO HlRu lOT yOu W TedCu.
Said Edythe archly, 81 am very much
obliged to you, my friend but please to re-
member that you asked me to arrange the
flowers. only ask for your approval and
that you will get me that ladder which
stands in the corner-and then-will you
hold it, please, while am on it ?"
"Ah, yes r. laughed Harold, " that is the
usual end of womans independence. She
is perfectly capable of ascending the lad
der, and even of reaching the highest round,
provided there is some man standing at
the bottom to hold the ladder, and catch
her when she falls"
"If the man holds the ladder firmly, there
is no danger of the woman's falling" said
Edythe, quickly, but | think, after ALL
shall not need the ladder; see, | can reach
it from the top of this table," and stepping
from the chair upon which she was stand
ing she easily reached the top of the small
table, from which eminence she placed the
lilies upon the cross. When she had fin
ished she turned to step again to the bridg-
ing chair, but waited a moment to see the
effect of the lilies upon the sides of the
chancel. As she stood above him in the
dim light, her face pure and white as the
single flower she held in her hand, Harold
Leigh knew the problem was solved-knew
that he loved Edythe Allen, and instantly
his passion pleaded for utterance. As she
turned to take the downward step he caught
her in his arms and lifted her gently to the
floor beside him.
"Edythe," said he, 81 love you. 1t seems
to me now that | have loved you since the
first day / saw you. Can you love me
You are a woman, and woman's world is
in the arms of the man she loves. l know
M Il m he fn or afy fa
dare not hope that | am; but, my darling,
yield me one word in reply"
He looked at her as she stood beside him
like some fair saint the lily in her hand
cleaning in its white purity, and filling the
air with fragrance; her face, not pale now,
but radiant with joy. Still she remained
silent.
Again Harold entreated, " "Edythe, answer
me, tell me you love me | believe you do ;
| think can read the sweet story in your
face, but tell me that you will let my love be
your guard, my arms your refuge. Will
you not speak Then let the lily be your
answer. Give it to me, dear, and | will be
content"
Slowly was the lovely flower placed within
his waiting hand, and her slender form
yielded to his eager embrace. Bending
over her he whispered passionately, "Kiss
me, my queen, let the touch OF your lips be
my royal accolade"
In moment the chimes in the tower
above them pealed forth until the whole
church throbbed with the triumphant notes
of that song of all songs, d" | Know that my
Reedemer Liveth." As the last peal trem.
bled into silence Edythe raised her head from
her lovers shoulder and said, 81 can tell
you now, Harold that love you with a love
which will need no resurrection, for it shall
know no DEATH"
As they reached the door of the rectory
Harold suddenly stopped, and taking Edythe
in his arms, said softly
Sweetheart, / sat by my study window
this afternoon, and saw you in the con-
servatory; tell me, what did the daisy petal
say p
With her face suffused with bushes
Edythe made answer:
g 1t said he loves me- "A lbany Journal.