Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-02-14
THE BROKEN HARP.

| 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 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 fulfillment Of
his hopes. At last he received his ap-
pointnent, and on the following Sunday
he 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 a
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
necessarily. 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.
Selner 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 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.
no was without a 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 a flute he
breathed his yearnings toward her who
mad gone. Suddenly from Il neighbor
ing tower the Waterman 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 favorite
song, and the strings sent forth strong.
loud notes in accompaniment to his mel
ody. He sank to the floor with shud-
der Of joy. and stretched out his arms
to embrace the beloved shadow. He
felt himself breathed upon as by tho
warmth of spring, and pale, simmer
ing light shone around him.
II 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 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 a strange voice. 1t prophe-
sled 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
! upoi LiS iutt, NC iulieQ llllllS6lI lnUO
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:
"Josephc, 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-
billions to the physician. who was also
lifelong friend of Sellner. The physician
found him in II fever. with the very
symptoms which had appeared in Frau
Sellner'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 release. He revealed to the
physician the occurrences Of both even