Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-05-21

1t was twenty-five years since Austin
Robertson had lived in Eastdale. He came
back from his wanderings blind old man,
to teach music in the seminary of his native
town.
Here the Errington girls made his ac-
quaintance, and as they were musical
family he was invited to the house, where
their mother, handsome widow, always
gave him welcome.
He soon became a great favOrite with
Winnifred, the youngest, and Natalie, the
eldest, but he loved like daughter little
Lottie, who for seven years had been q
helpless cripple. 1t must have been their
infrmities which drew these two together.
One evening when the family we're in the
parlor be said:
II would like to tell you my story, Miss
Lottie, and how l came to leave Eastdale.
am nobody. Do you understand chat? I
was an almshouse waif, but think I must
have come from music-loving family.
When [ was only ten years old was taken
for gardeners boy in wealthy mans
family. He was a kind, good man, and
discovering my love for music, had me
educated, and even sent me abroad to com
plete my studies in Germany. Icame back
to Eastdale after an absence of five years,
and my benefactor took me into his
own family as his private secretary, and OBJ
tanned for me the position of Organist in the
church here. l was intensely happy. had
| free access to splendid library, leisure to
study my favorite art, and-oh, Lottie-I
was in love. 1 loved my benefactor's only
child, the fairest, sweetest woman ever
knew.
Now in my darkness, the memory of her
| face is to me sunshine of my heart. can
never see it grow old. Always, for me, will
her form be slender and erect, her face fresh
and lovely, her hair golden. I never knew
if she loved me. She was very kind, and
although l was twelve years older than her.
self, we were congenial companions. But,
in my folly, told my benefactor of my
love. Very kindly, but very firmly, he for
bade its mention to his daughter. She was
very young, only eighteen, and would be
very wealthy. l was an a.mshouse waif,
with not even a name save the one given
me by charity. He was right. I had no
claim to happiness. And I would not troub-
le her with declaring my hopeless passion,
and SO went away-away into the world. l
was very successful in my profession, but
being alone, not very prudent with my
money, lived WELL moved in pleasant art
circles of society, went abroad. But ever
there was in my heart the craving to see
1
blind. Then I was glad I had not spoken,
glad was sent away, glad my lost eyes
would not grieve her gentle heart. When
[ came to Eastdale meant to hide from
her; but was told her father was dead, and
she had married and lived abroad. So she
will never know how one blind man carries
her face in his heart, and will love her till
he dies"
ezs'It is very sad," Lottie said softly.
But instead of answering, the musician
CROPPED his way to the piano and began to
play. Every hand dropped it's work. They
tried to breathe more softly, to listen to the
wondrous music that awakene d under those
slender tingers 1t was sad-very sad-at
first; q strain of melody, slow and mournful;
but as he played the measure became majes.
tic, as of a soul triumpipg over pain and
sorrow, rising above earth's tribulatioLs to
a sublime resignation and hope.
I cannot describe it as it deserves; for
muse has a language mere words can never
translate.
When the hands fell from the keys there
was a moment of silence, ard then Mrs.
Errington spoke.
"Many years ago Charlotte Mayberry
lived in Eastdale, loving, warm-he arted
girl, if no more"
Three earnest faces were lifted, and eyes
full of eager interest scanned the mothers
face. But the blind musicians head droop.
ed lower and lower.
''Sbe was an ouly child, greatly beloved
by her father, but motherless from infancy.
When she was yet child she learned to
love man, full of noble impulse, generous
of heart and with an intellect that com.
manded her reverence. She loved him with
her whole heart, never knowing whether
her love was returned, asking no greater
happiness than to hear his voice, or see his
eyes bent kindly upon her. But she wal
very young, and did not know what lovt
was. So she did not deem it strange tina
her lover was silent, and did not question
her heart or his, until one day he left her
Then she knew what her life might havs
been had he stayed. She drooped,a as youns
life will, ia the blight of a wounded love
and her father took her abroad.
s'To please her father, she married on'
who had loved her lcng and who knew sh
: could give him only respect and esteem
But they were happy, and for ten year
d lived in Europe, until Mr.. Msyberry died
and only a few weeks later his child va
Widowed. With her double grief cagae. 20