Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-26
THE BROKEN HARP.

THE BROKEN HARP.
The secretary and.his young wife were
yet In the glamor Of their honeymoon.
No considerations Of convenience, no
passing inclination, had united them.
Love. ardent and proved by years Of
patient waiting, was the seal of their
union. They had known each other US
little children, and their hopes and
plans had grown together, but Sellner's
uncertain position forced him to post
pone for long time the fulfllment Of
his hopes At last he received his ap-
;pointment, and on the following Sunday
hesled his bride into their new home.
When the long. tiresorne days Of con-
'gratulations and family feasts were
ended, how gladly they spent the beau
tiful evenings together, with no third
person to claim any share in their joyi
Plans for coming days filed the hours.
They were both OF them fine musicians,
and Sellner's fiute and Josephe's harp
made sweet music during the enchanted
evenings, which sped all too quickly.
The deep harmony of their instruments
was an auspicious omen for their future.
One evening, after they had played
long together. Josephe complained Of q
violent headache 1t had begun in the
morning. and the days work and the
evenings pleasure had wrought serious
ly upon her delicate nerves. Sellner sent
at once for physician; he came, treat
ed the matter as trifle and assured
them that she would be quite recovered
in the morning. But after an extremely
restless night. during which she raved
incessantly. the doctor found poor Jo-
sephe with the symptoms of nervous
fever. He devoted himself zealously to
the case, but Josephe grew worse daily.
Sellner was beside himself. On the ninth
day the physician lost hope, and Josephe
herself felt that she could not live much
longer. She awaited the end with gen.
tie resignation.
Dear Edward she said to her hus-
band, with deep sorrow i leave this
beautiful earth, where have found thee
and highest blessedness; but though |
may not linger longer in thine arms,
Josephe's love shall be round about thee
until we meet again, above"
She sank back and fell asleep. It was
in the evening at the ninth hour.
Sellner's sorrow was .nnspeakable.
He struggled long with life. His grief
destroyed his health, and when, after
many weeks. he arose from his sick bed,
he was without vestige of his former
youthful vigor.
Deep melancholy fastened upon him.
He had left Josephe's room as it was be.
fore her death, and every evening he
made pilgrimage to this sanctuary Of
his love. Hither on clear moonlight
night he came and stood as in the time
Of his happiness, leaning upon her win
dow. into the sweet tones Of flute he
breathed his yearnings toward her who
had gone. Suddenly from o neighbor-
ing tower the watchman cried the ninth
hour As II struck by a light spirit
hand the harp answered to his flute.
Overcome with awe. Sellner ceased
playing upon the Aute; the strains of
the harp also ceased. With deep emo
tion, he now began Josephe's favorite
cong, and the strings cent forth strong.
loud notes in accompaniment to his mel
ody. He sank to the door with shud-
der Of joy. and stretched out his arms
to embrace the beloved shadow. He
felt himself breathed upon as by the
warmth Of spring. and q pale, simmer
ing light shone around him.
Il know thee, blessed shadow of my
sainted Josephew he cried. "Thou dilst
promise in love to be round about mel
Thou dost keep thy word! Il feel thy
breath; thy kisses upon my sipsl Thy
glory shines upon mei'
Again he took the flute, and the harp
again sounded forth, but moro and more
gently, until it's whisperings were lost
in one long, final chord.
Sellner cast himself upon his couch.
In all his heated dreams he heard the
whispering Of the harp. He awoke late
and wearied from the emotion Of the
night. He felt the touch Of q supernat-
ural hand upon his life, and within him
there was strange voice. It prophe-
sied the speedy victory Of the soul over
the body.
With unutterable longing he waited
for the.evening. At twilight he betook |
himself to Josephe's room. Playing
upon his flute, he lulled himself into
sill dreams until the ninth hour. Hard
y had the last clock stroke ceased, he
fore the harp again sent forth its strains
TO meet and blend with the flute tones
in perfect accord. Again the pale,
shimmering light shone around him.
Again he cried out to his loved one:
"Josephe, Josephe!' Take me with
theel" Again the harp strains took
leave Of him in gentle whisperings.
Sellner tottered back to hisroom. His
looks terrified his faithful servant, who
FASTENED in spite Of his masters prohi-
bitions to the physician, who was also a
lifelong friend Of Sellner. The physician
found him in fever, with the very
sy-aptoms which had appeared in Frau
5ellner's malady. The fever increased
during the night. He raved ever Of |
Josephe and the harp.
In the morning he was quieter; the
struggle was over; he felt assured Of
speedy releases He revealed to the
physician the occurrences Of both even
Ings, and no arguments of cold reason
conld dissuade him from his belief. As
evening came on he grew weaker, and
asked at last to be taken to Josephe's |