San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-03-16
MYSTERIOUS ORGANISE.

n mysterious organist. The great COM
poser who had played the organ so long
had suddenly died, and every person
from the peasant to the king was Won
dering who could be found to fill his
place. One bright Sabbath morn, rs
the sexton entered the church, he saw
stranger sitting at tho Grape shrouded
organ. He was tall, graceful man,
with IA pale but strikingly handsome
face, great black, melancholy eyes, and
hair like raven for gloss and color,
sweeping in dark waves over his shout
ders. He did not seem to notice the
sexton, but went on playing; and such
music as he drew forth from the in
strument no word can describe. The
astonished listener declared that the
organ seemed to have grown human
hat it walled and sighed and clamorod.
When the music at length ceased, the
sexton fastened to the stranger, and
said:
"Pray, who are you, sir?"
"Do not ask my name,"'h he replied.
AZ have heard that you are in want of
an organist, and have come here on
trial"
you'll be sure to get the place." ex-
claimed the sexton. "Why, you surpass
him that's dead and gone"
mo, no; you overrate me-" resumed
the stranger, with sad smile; and
then, as if disinclined to conversation,
he turned from old Hans and began to
play again. And now the music
changed from sorrowful strain to a
grand old pean, and the mysterious Or
ganist-
Looking upward full of grace,
Prayed till from happy place
Gods glory smote him on the face"
and his countenance seemed not unlike
that of st. Michael, as portrayed by
Guido.
Lost in the harmonies that swelled
around him, he sat with ar-seeing
gaze fixed on the distant sky-a
glimpse of which he caught through
the open window-when there. was a
stir about the church and royal party
came sweeping in. Among them might
be seen young girl, with blue eyes
like the violet hue, and lips like cher
ries. This was the Princess Elizabeth,
end all eyes turned to her as she seated
herself in the velvet-cushioned pew APP
propriated to the court. No sooner had
the music reached her ears than she
started as if ghost had crossed her
path. At last her eyes met those of the
organist, in long, yearning look, and
the melody lost it's joyous notes and
once more walled and clamored.
"By my faith" whispered the king to
L. HkI;. o;okh
ter hand. Hank vel he shall play at
your wedding"
The pale lips of the princess parted,
but she could not speak-she was
dumb with grief. Like one in pain
Jul dream she saw the pale man sitting
ut the organ, and heard the melody that
filed the vast edifce. Aye, full well
she knew who he was, and why the in.
strument seemed breathing out the
agony of o tortured soul.
When the service was over, and the
royal party had left the cathedral, he
stole away as mysteriously as he had
come. He was not seen by the sexton
until the vesper hour, and then he APP
peared in the organ loft and commenced
his task. While he played, yelled
figure glided in and knelt near the
shrine. There she knelt until the wor-
slippers dispersed, when the sexton
touched her on the shoulder, and said
Madam, every one has gone except
you and me, and L wish to close the
door"
The sexton drew back into a shady
niche and listened. The mysterious
organist still kept his place, but his
head was uowed upon the instrument,
and he could not see the lone devotee.
At length she arose from the aisle, and,
moving to the organ loft, paused before
the musician.
Bertrand" she murmured.
Quick us thought the organist raised |
his head. There, with the light of !
lamp suspended to the arch above fall /
ing upon her, stood the princess who |
had graced the royal pew that day.
The court dress of velvet. with its soft |
ermine trimmings, the tiara, the neck
lace and the bracelets, had been ex- /
changed for the grey serge rsbe, and a
long. thick veil, which was now pushed |
back from the girlsh face.
@Oh, Elizabeth, Elizabeth ejacu-
lated the organist, as he sank at her /
feet and gazed wistfully into her trou-
bled eyes. !
why are you here, BertrAm p asked
the princess.
You are to be married on the NOR /
row.
Yes sobbed the girl. ooh, Bert
ram, what q trial il will be 10 stand at 4
yonder alter and take upon me the vow
which viii doom me 10 a living death =
Think Of mel rsieined the organ !