Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-30
A SHATTERED HARP.

inclination had united them. Love, ar
dent and proved by years of patient wait
ing, was the seal of their union. They had
known each other as little children, and
,.eir hopes ard plans had grown together,
but Sellner's uncertain position forced
them TO postpone for long time the full
fillmcnt of his hopes. AT last he received
his appointment, and on the following
Sunday he led his bride into their new
home. When the long summer days of
congratulations were ended, how gladly
they spent the beautiful evenings together,
with no third person TO claim and share in
their joyl Plans for coming days filled the
hours. They were both of them fine mu-
sicians, and Scllner's flute and JoSephe's
harp made sweet music during the en-
chanted evenings, which sped all too
quickly. Tho deep harmony of their in
strumentS was an suspicious omen for
their future.
One evening after they had played long
together JoScpho complained of violent
headache. 1t had begun in the morning,
and the days work and the evenings
pleasure had wrought seriously upon her
delicate nerves. Scllner sent at once for
physician, who assured them that she
would recover in the morning. But after
an'oXtrcmely restless night, during which
she raVcd necessarily, the doctor found
poor Joscpho with the symptoms of merry
Gus fever. He devoted himself zealously to
the case but Josephe grew worse daily.
Scllner was beside himself On the ninth
day the physician lost hope, and Josephe
herself felt that she could not live much
longer She awaited tho end with gentle
resignation.
Dear Edward" she said to her hus-
band, with deep sorrow leave this beau
tiful earth, whcro l have found thee and
highest blessedncss; but, though 1 may
not lingor longer in thine arms Josephes
love shall be round about thee until we
meet again above
She sank back and fell asleep. 1t was
in tho evening at the ninth hour.
Sollner's sorrow was unspeakable. He
struggled long with life His grief de-
stroyed hi, health, and when after many
weeks he arose from his sickbcd he was
without Il vcstigc of his former youthful
vigor. Deep melancholy fastened upon
him. He had left Josephe's room as it
was before her death, and every evening
his love. Hithcr ON u clear moonlight
night he came and stood as in the timo of
his happiness, leaning upon her window.
Into tho sweet tones of the flute he
brcathcd his yearnings toward her who
had gone. Suddenly from neighboring
tower the Waterman cried the ninth hour
AS il struck by a light spirit hand, the
harp answered to his flute Overcome
,,-i+ h oil ~, 81,
flute, The strains of the harp also ceased
With deep emotion he now began Josepho's
fayorite song, and the strings sent forth
strong, loud notes in accompaniment to
his melody. He sank to the floor with a
shudder Of joy, and stretched out his arms
to embrace the beloved shadow He felt
himself breathed upon as by the warmth
Of spring, and a pale, shimmering light
shono round him.
II know thee, blessed shadow of my
saintod Josepac!' he cried. "Thou didst
promise in love TO be round about me
Thou dost keep thy world 1 feel thy
breath; thy kisses upon my lips Thy
glory shines upon metz
A gain he took tho flute, and tho harm
again sounded forth, bat more ard more
gently until its whisperings were lost III
ono long, final chord.
Sollner cast himself upon his couch. In
all his heated dreams he heard the wills
pcrings of the harp. He Gwoke late, wca-
ried from the emotion Of the night. He
felt tho touch OF q supernatural hand upon
his life, and within him there was
strange voice 1t prophesicd tho speedy
victory of the soul over the body
With unutterablc longing he waited for
the evening. At twilight he betook him
self to .Josephc's room. Playing upon the
futo, no lullcd himself into still dreams
until tho ninth hour. Hardly had the last
clock stroke ceased before the harp again
sent forth its strains TO meet and blend
with the flute tunes in perfect accord
Again tho pale shimmcring light shono
round him. Again lie cried out to his
loved one: "Josephc, Josephcl Take me
with thee" Again tho harp strains took
leave of him in gentle whispcrings.
Scllncr tottorcd hacl, to his room. His |
looks terrified his faithful servant, who |
fastened, in spite of his masters prchibi-
tons, to the physician, who WAS also life |
long friend Of Sclner. The physician |
found him in a fever, with the very symp- |
toms that had appeared in Frau Scllnor's |
llalady. The fever increased during the |
Light. He raved ever Of Josephe and the |
harp,
In the morning he was quicter; tho |
was over. He felt assured Of |
speedy release. He revealed to the ply |
stefan the occurrences of both evenings, |
and re arguments Of cold reason could |
dissuadc him from his belief As evening |
came on he grew weaker and asked at last |
to be taken into Josepho'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 as
his last upon earth. The fatal moment |
drew near. He said farewell to all who |
were gathered around him and asked to be |
left alone with the physician.
Nine hollow strokes groancd forth from |
the castle tower and Sellner's face shono |
with a heavenly light.
"Josephep' he cried with ineffable joy, |
rs if God S hand had touched him. go
sephe, greet me once more ere 90, that ! |
may know thou art near and may over
come death by thy love!
Then the harp strings vibrated in SPLEEN
did, triumphal strains, like pnans.
Il come, / GOMEZ" he cried, and sinking
back, struggled with life. The harp tones
grew soft and gentle, but lost no sweetness