Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-28

chose 70 pay heed % me-ghe HeW pence
which otherwise they withheld.
Often l would force myself to do so, but
only by and by to break OF the hackneyed
strain in sheer disgust, wander off into
some soul-inspiring theme in which re-
coguiHed some master inspiration, and
wake from a dream such as I had dreamt
alas too often, to find myself without SO
much as a single listener.
Now as sat under those waving trees
i glanced up at the silent house-at the
darkness around me- and trembling, knew
not why, wondered how 1 was to decide
what was to be the strain with which l,
bold intruder that 1 was, should dare
break the silence and calm of the night.
One after another 1 nervously reviewed
my scanty stock of knowledge-until
after a moment e'er I exactly knew how,
l found my fingers wandering over the
strings of my instrument, almost as OF
their own accord
To this day do not know what 1t was
play ed--I did so aimlessly at flrst-letting
my fancy carry me where it would: but
after little the thoughts which all that
night had done such fierce battle within
my heart poured themselves out in one
increasing melody. The past struggle to
live-the more bitter one to die-the hope
lessness, the dreariness which filled my
soul-all all found vent in that wild
know not how, my mood seemed to
change. The very utterance Of my weari-
ness made 1t seem less to mel was
desolate, but not hopeless AS in reality
through the darkness Of the night had
shone that beacon-light SO through the
darker darkness Of the night within my
soul, the lamp of a mothers teaching in
childhood, not so long since, left behind,
was raised, to hold before my eyes the
shining hri lila Ocn of Our Heavenly Fat
love-
Unconsciously, helpless despair was
changed to heartfelt beseeching sup
plication. The words of a prayer, which
my mind was too full to utter, flowed out
into my music, and were waited far into
the chilly night.
How long 1 played thus 1 know not :;
but presently 1t seemed to me as though I
was but pouring out my soul in vain
What answer expected could not tell
but the night was as dark-the silence as
perfect as though my music were but the
moaning of the wind in the trees around
me, and gradually felt the old hopeless
ness creeping over me. Was then pray
ing in vain-was my prayer to go unheed-
ed? Mono, it should MOTT should be
heard.
Scarcely knowing, in the intensity of my
passion, what ! did, l allowed the strain
my instrument to me with a sudden
passionate fervour, and letting my throb-
bling head fall back, raised my burning
eyes to the darkness above
'Oh Godr' murmured, from the utmost
depths of my soul "Oh God, nought but
an angel from Heaven can save me nowp'
An angel! Was l dreaming, or had the
| bitter struggle of those last few hours
| done their work. Was the end come at
last2 Was driven from my senses-was
madH or did really see Alright? What
was that which met my astonished gaze
as turned 1t upwards9 That white-clad
form standing above me, that sweet face,
with the moonlight falling softly on it
| looking down tenderly at me-that sweet
| gentle voice. which broke the hushed still
ness, asking softly:
"Who Is there ?"
Only those few simple words; but oh
how their utterance thrilled me. Every
drop of blood in my veins seemed on fire
my heart bounded in my breast-I, who
before had felt too weak to so much az
stand, sprang to my feet, stretched out my
arms with one wild motion of sup
plication, while, with my very soul in my
voice, cried, Help Oh for Gods sake
have pity on me, and help mel
1t was all over in one moment-tht
next my weakness overcame me once
more Ifelt the darkness closing arounc
| me-and knew no more.