Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-04-13
MYSTERIOUS ORGANISE.

L ears ago at grand OLD cathedra
overlooking the Rhine, there appeared
a mysterious organist. The great com
poser who had played the organ so Ions
had suddenly died, and every person
from the peasant to the king was won
dering who could be found to oil hi
place. One bright Sabbath Morn, a.
the sexton entered the church he saw
stranger sitting at the Grape shroudec
organ. He was a tall, graceful man
with pale but strikingly handsome
face, great black, melancholy eyes, and
hair like a raven for gloss and color
sweeping in dark waves over his shout
ders. He did not seem to notice the
sexton, but went to playing; and such
music as he drew forth from the in
strument no words can describe. The
astonished listener declared that the
organ seemed to have grown human
that it walled and sighed and clamored.
When the music at length ceased, the
sexton FASTENED to the stranger and
said:
"Pray, who are you, sir?"
"Do not ask my name," he replied.
"I 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 sur
pass him that's dead and gone"
"No, no, you overrate me-" resumed
the stranger, with a 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 un-
like that of st. Michael as portrayed by
Guido.
Lost in the harmonies that swelled
around him, he sat with far. 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 a royal party came
sweeping in. Among them might be
seen a young girl, with blue eyes like
the violet hue, and lips like cherries.
This was the princess Elizabeth, and
all eyes turned to her as she seated
herself In the velvet-cushioned pew
appropriated to the court. No sooner
had the music reached her ears than
she started as If a ghost had crossed
her path. At last her eyes met those
of the organist, in q long yearning
look, and the melody once more lost
its joyous notes and walled and clam
ored.
"By my faith" whispered the king
to his daughter. "this organist has a
master hand. Hark 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 a pain
full dream she saw the pale man sitting
at the organ, and heard the melody
that filed the vast edifice. Aye, full
well she knew who he was, and why
the instrument seemed breathing out
the agony Of 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
appeared in the organ lott and COM
menced his task. While he played, a
'veiled figure glided in and knelt near
the shrine. There she knelt until the
worshipers dispersed, when the sexton
touched her on the shoulder and said :
Madame" every one has gone ex.
cept you and me, and wish TO close
the door,"
The sexton drew back into q shady
niche and listened. The mysterious
,orgsnist still kept his place. but his
head was bowed 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.
~'Bertramp she murmured.
Quick rs thought the organist raised
his head. There, with the light of q
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 sof
ermine trimmings, the tiara, the neck
lace and the bracelets, had been ex
changed for a grey serge robe, and
long thick veil which was now pushes
back from the girlish face.
''Oh, Elizabeth, ElizabethP ejaculat
ed the organist, as he sank at her fee
and gazed wistfully into her trouble
eyes.
why are you here, Bertram?' aske
the princess.
You are to be married on the mo-
row."
Eyes" sobbed the girl. "Oh, Be
tram, what trial it will be to stan
at yonder alter to take upon me ii
vow which will doom me to a ivin
death"
Think, Of me-" rejoined the orgal
asst.
your royal father has requested n
to play at the wedding, and Ia,
promised to be here. II I were yoI
equal, Icould be the bridegroom instes
a. - -