The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-07-02
THE BROKEN HARP.

The secretary and his young wife were
yet i'll the glalnor 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 as
little children. and their hopes and
plans had grown together, but Sellner's
uncertain position forced him to post
pone for a long time the fulfillment of
his hopes. At last he received his ap-
pointment. and on the following Sunday
he led his bride into their new home.
When the long, tiresome 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 joy!
Plans for coming days filled the hours.
They were both of them fine musicians,
and Sellner's flute 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 a
violent headache. It had begun in the
morning. and the days work and the
evenings pleasure had wrought serious
lyupon her delicate nerves. Sellner sent
at once for a physician; he came. treat
ed the matter as a trifie and assured
them that she would be quite recovered
i'll the morning. But after an extremely
restless night. during which she raved
incessantly. the doctor found poor Jo-
sephe with the symptoms of a nervous
fever. He devoted himself zealously to
the case. but Josephe grew worse daily.
SeIlner 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 gem
tie resignation.
Dear Edward" she said to her. hus-
band. with deep sorrow | 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 1t was
in the evening at the ninth hour.
Sellner's sorrow was unspeakable
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 Il 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
Dreathed his yearnings toward her who
mad gone. Suddenly from neighbor-
ing tower the watchman cried the ninth
hour. As if struck by light spirit
hand the harp answered to his iiute.
Overcome with awe. Sellner ceased
playing upon the flute; the strains of
the harp also ceased. With deep emo
tion. he now began .Josephe's favorite
song, and the strings sent forth strong.
loud notes i'll accompaniment to his mel
ody. He sank to the floor with IL siud-
der Of joy, and stretched ont his arms
to embrace the beloved shadow. Ee
felt himself breathed upon as by the
warmth of spring, and pale. simmer
ing light shone around him.
Il know thee. blessed shadow of my
sainted Josephe!" he cried. Thou didst
promise in love to be round about me,
Thou dost keep thy word! feel thy
breath; thy kisses upon my lips! Thy
glory shines upon mel"
Again he took the flute, and the harp
again sounded forth, but more and more
gently, until its 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 harm Ha awnko ,.te