Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-01-18

"Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood"
Years ago, at a grand Cathedral
overlooking the Rhine, there appear
ed a mysterious organist The great
composer who played the organ so
long, suddenly died, and everybody
from the King to the peasant, was
wondering who could be found TO fill
his place, when, one bright Sabbath
morning, as the sexton entered the
church, he saw a stranger seated at
the crepe-shrouded organ. He was a
tall, graceful man, with pale but
strikingly handsome countenance,
great, black, melancholy eyes, and
hair like ravens wing in gloss and
color. He had not seemed to notice
the sexton, but went on playing, and
such music as he drew from the in
strument no words of mine can de-
scribe. The astonished listeners de
clared that the organ seemed to have
grown human-that it walled, and
sighed and clamored, as if tortured
human heart was throbbing through
it. When the music at length ceased
the sexton hastened to the stranger
and said:
Pray, who are you, sir?'
do not ask my name" he replied.
81 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, sir. :"
mo, 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 a sorrowful strain to
grand old pean, and the mysterious
organist,
Looking upward full OF grace,
Played, TIL from happy place
Gods glory struck MIN III tDe lace,
and his countenance seemed not un-
like that of st. Michael, as portrayed
by Guido.
Lost i'm the harmonies which swelled
around him, he sat with his far-seeing
gaze fixed on the distant sky, glimpse
OF which he caught through an open
window, when there was a stir around
the church door, and royal party
came sweeping in. Among them
might be seen a young girl, with
wreath of golden hair, eyes of vio-
let hue, and lips like cherries. This
was Princess Elizabeth, and all eyes
turned toward her as she seated her
self in the velvet cushioned pew ap-
propriated to the court. The mystic
rious organist fixed his eyes on her
and went on playing. No sooner had
the music reached her ears, than she
started as if ghost had crossed her
path. The bloom faded from her
cheeks, her lips quivered, and her
whole frame grew tremulous. AT last
her eyes met those of the organist in
a long, yearning look, and then the
melody lost its joyous notes, and once
more walled and sighed and clamored.
by my faith" whispered the King
to his daughter, this organist has a
master hand. Hark We, my child, 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
full dream she saw the pale man at the
organ, and heard the melody which
filed the vast edifice. All, full well
she knew who he was, and why the
instrument seemed breathing out the
agony OF tortured heart.
When the service was over, and the
royal party had left the Cathedral, he
stole away a. mysteriously as he came.
He was not seen again by the sexton
till the vesper hour, and then he APP
peared in the loft and commenced his
task. While he played, veiled figure
glided in and knelt at shrine. There
she remained till the worshippers dis
appeared, when the sexton touched
her on the shoulder and said:
Madam, everybody has gone but
you and me. and | wish to close the
DOORS
The sexton drew into a shady niche
and watched and listened.
The mysterious organist still kept
his post. but he could not see the lone
devotee At length she rose from the
aisle, and moved to the organ loft,
paused beside the musician.
"Bertram," she murmured.
Quick as thought the organist raised
his head. There, with the light Of a
lamp suspended 70 the arch aboveher
stood the princess who had graced
the royal pew that day. The court
dress of velvet. with its soft ermine
trimmings, the tiara, the necklace,
the bracelets, had all been changed
for simple gray serge robe and a
long thick veil, which was now pushed
back from her girlish face.
''Oh, Elizabeth, Elizabeth cried
the organist, and he sank at her feet
and gazed wistfully into her troubled
eyes.
why are you here, BertramT' asked
the princess.
Il came to bid you farewell, and as