Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-05-28
THE BROKEN HARP.

yet in the glainor of their honeymoon
No considerations OF convenience, NJ
passing inclination. had united them
Love, ardent and proved by years oi
patient waiting, was the seal Of theil
union. They had known each other al
little children. and their hopes and
plans had grown together but Sellner';
uncertain position forced him 10 post
pone for a long time tho fulfllment OF
his hopes At last no received his ap-
pointment, and on the following Sunday
he led his bride into their new home.
When tho long, tiresome days Of con-
gratulations and family feasts were
ended how gladly they spent the beau
tifu evenings together, with no third
person 10 claim any share in their joy!
Plans for coming days filed the hours.
They were both Of them fine musicians,
and Sellner's Aute 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
|
morning and the days work and the
evenings pleasure had wrought serious
| ly upon her delicate nerves. Sellner sent
| at once for a physicians; he came, treat
| cd tho matter as IA trife and assured
them that she would be quite recovered
! Ia 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.
Sellner was beside himself. On the ninth
LAY the physician lost hope, and Josephe
herself felt that she could not live much
| longer She awaited the end with gen.
| tie resi- -ignation.
Dear Edward" she said 10 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,
Josephr's love shall be round about thee
until we meet again, above"
She sank back and fell asleep. II was
in the evening at the ninth hour.
Sellnpv's sorrow was unspeakable.
Tie struggled long with life His grief
destroyed his health, and when. after
many weeks. no arose~fom his sick bed.
no was without Il veStlge Of bis former
youthful yigor
Deep melancholy fastened upon him.
lie had left IOscphe's room as it was be
fore her death. and every evening he
made pilgrimage TO this sanctuary OF
his love llithor on clear moonlight
night be 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
mad gone Suddenly from a neighbor-
ing tower the watchman cried the ninth
hour AS If struck by 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 fayorite
song, and the strings sent forth strong
loud notes in accompaniment to his mel
ody. He sank 10 the floor with "A shud-
der Of joy, and stretched out his arms
20 embrace the beloved shadow. Ho
felt himself breathed upon as by the
warmth Of spring, and a pale, simmer
ing light shone around him.
Il know thee, blessed shadow of my
sainted Josepher' 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 mey'
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 bis 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 supernat-
ural hand upon his life, and within him
| there was strange voice. IL prophe-
sled the speedy victory Of the soul over
the body
With unutterable longing he waited
for the evening At twilight he betook
himself ~ Josephes room. Playing
upon his flute, he lulled himself into
! still dreams until the ninth hour. Hard
| ly had the last clock stroke ceased, be-
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, Josephel Take me with
thee" Again the harp strains took
leave of him in gentle whisperings.
Sellner tottered back TO his room His
looks terrified his faithful servant, who
fastened in spite of his masters prohi.
bitions to the physician, who was also
lifelong friend of Sellner. The physician
found him in fever, with the very
symptoms which had appeared in Fran
Sellners malady. The fever increased
during the night. He raved ever of
Josephe and the harp,
In tho morning he was quieter; the
struggle was over; he felt assured of
speedy release. He revealed to the
physician tho occurrences Of both even
ings' ana no arguments or cold reason
could dissuaae him from his belief. AS
evening came on he grew weaker, and
asked at last 10 be taken 10 Josephe's
room They did his bidding. He looked
about him at each beloved object with
tears of JOY and spoke with certainty Of
the ninth hour IA his last upon earth.