Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-05-22
THE BROKEN HARP.


yet in the glamor Of their honeymoon.
40 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 long time the fulfllment Of
his hopes. At last he received his ap-
pointment, and on the following Sunday
be led his bride into their new home.
When the long, tiresome days of con-
CALCULATIONS 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 suspicious 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
ut once for physician; he came, treat
ed the matter as a trifie and assured
them that she would be quite recovered
In the morning. But after an extremely
restless night. during which she raved
necessarily. the doctor found poor 10
scphe with the symptoms Of a nervous
fever. He devoted himself zealously to
the case. bat 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 leave this
beautiful earth. where have found thee
and highest blessedncss; but though I
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.
Sellne-'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 pilgrimage to this sanctuary of
his love. Hitler on a clear moonlight
night he came and stood as in the time
Of his happiness. leaning upon her VIM
dow. Into the sweet tones OF a flute he
breathed his warnings toward her who
mad gone. Suddenly from a neighbor-
ing tower the Waterman cried the ninth
hour. As IL struck by q light spirit
hand the harp answered to his flute.
Overcome with awe, Sellner ceased
playing upon the flute. the strains Of
the harp also ceased. With deep emo.
ton. he now began Josephe's favorite
song. and tho strings sent forth strong.
iond notes in accompaniment 10 his mel.
ody. lie sank to the floor with shud-
der Of Joy. and stretched out his arms
"a embrace the beloved shadow. lie
felt himself bresthed upon a. by The
warmth Of spring. and pale. simmer
ing hight shons sfoand him.
Il know thee. biessed shadow Of my
tainted JosephefA he cried. Thou dldsi
promise Ia love TO bs round about me
Thou siost keep thy wori' feel tbs
breath thy kisses upon nay iips' Thy
glory shinss upon me-
Again he iooi the Gate. ana the bari
again sounded forth. bat more aud more
seasly, aasil It's vhispeTings were ieel
Ia ese iasg. fsai chord
sellsss easi himself apsa his coach
+, Ia ali ais heated dTssms be heard tks