The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-13
A SHATTERED HARP.

considerations of convenience no passing
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
their hopes and plans had grown together,
but SelIner's uncertain position forced
them to postpone for long time the full
fllment 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 filed the
hours. They were both of them fine mu-
sicians and SeIIher's flute and Josephe's
harp made sweet music during the en-
chanted evenings, which sped all too
quickly The deep harmony of their in
struments was an suspicious 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 seriously upon her
delicate nerves. SelIner sent at once for
physician, who assured them that she
would recover in the morning. But after
an extremely restless night during which
she raved necessarily, the doctor found
poor Josephe with the symptoms of a neFv-
Gus fever. He devoted himself zealously to
the case, but Josephe grew worse daily.
SelIner 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 gentle
resignation.
dear Edward, - she said to her hus-
band, with deep sorrow leave this beau
tiful earth, where I have found thee and
highest blessedness but, though 1 may
not Hnger longer in thine arms, Josephes
love shall be round about thee until we
meet again above"
She sank back and fell asleep. It was
in the evening at the ninth hour.
Sellner's sorrow was unspeakable. He
struggled long with life. His grief de-
stroyed his health, and when after many
weeks he arose from his sickbed he was
without vestige 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
he made pilgrimage to this sanctuary of
his love. Hither on a clear moonlight
night he came and stood as in the time of
his happiness, leaning upon her window.
Into the sweet tones of the flute he
breathed his yearnings toward her who
had gone. Suddenly from a neighboring
AS if struck by light spirit hand, the
harp answered to his flute. Overcome
with awe, Sellner ceased playing on the
flute. The strains of the harp also ceased.
With deep emotion he now began Josephe's
favorite 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
biI1co1f brnat bod 11TOT1 nv the warmth
of spring, and a pale, shimmering light
shone round him.
"I know thee, blessed shadow Of my
sainted Josephep' he cried. 'tThou didst
promise in love to be round about mel
Thou dost keep thy word I feel thy
breath; thy kisses upon my lipsl Thy
glory shines upon me!'
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 whis-
| perings of the harp. He awoke late, wea-
| ried from the emotion of the night. He
felt the touch of supernatural hand upon
his life, and within him there was a
strange voice. 1t prophesied the speedy
| victory of the soul over the body.
With unutterable longing he waited for
| the evening At twilight he betook him
self to Josephe's room. Playing upon the
flute, he lulled himself into still dreams
until the ninth hour. Hardly had the last
| clot : stroke ceased before the harp again
| sent forth its strains to meet and blend
with the flute tunes in perfect accord.
| Again the pale shimmering light shone
| round him. Again he cried out to his
loved one: "Josephe, Josephel Take me
| with theer' Again the harp strains took
leave of him in gentle whisperings.
| SeIlner tottered back to his room. His
| looks terrified his faithful servant, who
FASTENED, in spite of his masters prohibit
lions, to the physician, who was also life
long friend of Sellner. The physician
found him in fever, with the very sy1np-
toms that 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 quieterS the
struggle was over. He felt assured of
speedy release. He revealed to the ply
stefan the occurrences of both evenings,
| and no arguments of cold reason could
dissuade him from his belief. AS evening
came on he grew weaker and asked at last
to be taken into Josephes 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 groaned forth from
the castle tower and Sellner's face shone
with a heavenly light.
"Josepher' he cried with ineffable Joy,
as if Gods hand had touched him. 10
sephe. greet me once more ere go, that
may know thou art near and may over
come death by thy loveP'
Then the harp strings vibrated ia splen-
did, triumphal strains, like pseans.
ST come, I come!" he cried, and sinking
back, struggled with life. The harp tones
grew soft and gentle, but lost no sweetness
nor clearness. Suddenly Sellner's struggle
ended and the strings snapped asunder.
|