The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-17
CHAPTER XVII.

existence He became a constant Wis
itor at Braunt's rooms and began
teaching Jessie the rudiments of music
and finding her a willing and apt pu
pill as well as a very silent one. Her
gaunt face and large sorroWful eyes
haunted him wherever he went, while
she looked upon him with an awe such
as she would have bestowed upon a
being from another world: which per-
haps he was, for he certainly had little
relationship with this eager. money
seeking planet. Joe Braunt was quite
content to sit in his armchair and
smoke. However small the money is
for housekeeping, wOrkingman will
generally contrive to provide himself
with tobacco.
AS often as not Braunt was absent
when his daughter had her music les
son. for Mrs. Grundy has little TO say
about the domestic arrangements of
the extreme poor. The entire absence
of all world wisdom IN the young man
would have made it difficult for any
one to explain to him why two people
who loved music should not be to-
gether as often as opportunity offered,
had there been any one who took in
tereSt enough in him or in her to at
tempt such an explanation. The girl,
who had even more than her fathers
worship of harmony, was fascinated
by the Organist'S marvellous skill upon
the instrument to which he had de-
voted his life, before her solemn eyes
had lured his musical soul into their
mystic influence. The two were lovers
without either of them Suspecting it.
Once Langly persuaded Braunt and
his daughter to go to the empty church
with him and hear the grand organ.
The workman and the girl sat together
in the wilderness of vacant peWs and
iSfa Will no ol,I.e0
rhythm of the Dead March filed the
deserted edifice. Langly played one
selection after another, for the love
of the music and the love of his audi
ence. 1t was concert such as the
mad king of Bavaria might have
hearkened to in lonely state. but heard
now by man without a penny in his
pocket and hardly crust to eat in his
squalid rooms. Whether the deft fin
gers of the Bavarian player soothed
for the moment the demon that tor
tured the king. as the skill of David
lulled the disquet of Saul. who can
say? But the enchanted touch of the
solitary organist on the ivory keys
transported his listeners into d world
where hunger was unknown.
The stiffness of the great church, un-
troubled by outside sounds; the rever-
beration of harmony from the dim.
lofty. vaulted roof: the awakening of
unexp tied echoes lurking in dark cor
ners, >-dded to the Solemnity of the
music, gave the hearers and performer
a sense of being cut adrift from the
babel beyond. The church for the time
being was an oasis of peace in a vast
desert of turmoil.
Never again could Langly persuade
Braunt to accompany him to the
church. Some memories are too pre-
ciOuS TO be mOlested. and he who risks
feet bliss prepares for himself a posi-
BILE disilluson.
Nay. my lad" he said. well let
that rest. Some day. maybe. if I'm
ever like beginning to forget what I've
heard, I'll go back. but not now. l
would go stark music mad if I often
heard playing like you: in fact. l think
sometimes I'm half daft already"
But Jessie often accompanied the
Organist to the quiet church. neither
Of them thinking of prorriety or impro-
priety: and, luckily, they were unseen
by either the sexton or his wife. who
would have raised TODD in the sacred
interests of fitting and proper con-
duct Sometimes the girl sat with him
in the organ loft, watching him as he
played, but more often she occupied
one of the pews. the better to hear the
instrument in correct perspective.
Jessie had inherited from her father
the taciturnity which characterized
him, and her natural reticence was
augmented by her shyness. There was
seldom any conversation between the
two in the church, each appeared
abundantly satisfied by the fact that
the other was there. They might al
most have been mute lovers. for any
use spoken language was to them.
Once, on coming down the narrow
stair which led from the organ loft,
Langly thought she had gone, so
strangely deserted did the church seem.
Even in the daytime the gas had to
be lighted when service was held, for
the windows were of stained glass. and
the church was closely surrounded by
tall buildings. The atmosphere in that
grim quarter was rarely clear, and
the interior of the church was always
dim. Langly peered short sightedly
through the gloom, but could not de-
cry her. A feeling of vague alarm took
possession of him. until, hurrying up
the aisle, he saw she was in her place.
with her head resting on the hymn
book board Of the pew, apparently
asleep. sHe touched her gently on the
shoulder and, when she slowly raised
her head. saw that she had been silent
ly weeping.
What is the matter, dear?' he wills
pered, bending over her
Il feel afraid-afraid of something
] don't know what. The church grew
black dark suddenly, and the music
faded away. l thought / was sinking,
sinking down, and no one to save me-"
She shuddered as she spoke, and rose
uncertainty to her feet. lettering
slightly on stepping into the aisle. 1t
was like a bad dream, she added, with
longdrawn. quivering breath.
He slipped his arm about her waist,
supporting her as they walked down
the aisle together.
ITS the darkness of the church" he
said, and perhaps the sadness of mu-
sic. I'll play something more cheer
full next time you come. l play too
much in the minor keys
At the door she asked him to stop
a moment before going out. She dried
her eyes, but Intellectually; for. lean
ing against the stone wall. she began
TO cry again in a respondent. helpless
way that wrung the young mans
heart within him.
Jessie, Jessie" he faltered. not
knowing what to do or say.
Il feel i'll and weak" she sobbed.
q shall be all right again presently"
Come and we Will have tea some
where. That viii cheer you up"
They went away together, and he
took her to a place where tea was to
be had She sat there dejectedlv.
leaning her head on her hand, while
the refreshments were being brought:
he opposite her, in melancholy silence.
She took some sips of the tea, but
could not drink it, shaking her head
when he offered her the buttered bread.
Il must get home,' she said at last
Il can't eat. | shall be better there
They walked slowly to Rose Garden