Evening star., 1897-01-16

hearkened to in lonely state, but heard now
by man without penny in his pocket
and hardly crust to eat in his squalid
rooms. Whether the deft fingers of the
Bavarian player soothed for the moment
the demon that tortured the king as the
skill of David lulled the disquiet of Saul,
VINO can say? But the enchanted touch
of the solitary organist on the ivory keys
transported his listeners into world
where hunger was unknown.
The stiffness of the great church, untrou-
bled by outside sounds; the reverberation
OF harmony from the dim, lofty, vaulted
roof; the awakening of unexpected echoes
lurking in dark corners, added to the SOL
emnty of the music, gave the hearers and
performer sense of being cut adrift from
the babel beyond. The church for the time
being was an oasis Of peace in a vast des-
ert of turmoil.
Never again could Langly persuade
Braunt to accompany him to the church
Some memories are too precious to be mo-
lested, and he who risks the repetition of
an experience of perfect bliss prepares for
himself a possible disillusion.
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
sic-mad If l often heard playing like yon; i;
In fact. think sometimes I'm half daft al
ready"
But Jessie often accompanied the organ
1st to the quiet church. neither of them
thinking of propriety or impropriety; and
luckily, they were unseen by either the sex
ton OF his wife, who would have raised q
to-do In the sacred interests of fitting and
proper conduct 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 in
strument in correct perspective Jessie had
inherited from her father the taciturnity
which characterized him, and her natural
reucence was augmented by her shyness
There was seldom any conversation be-
tween the two in the church; each appear-
ed abundantly satisfied by the fact that
the other was there. They might almost
have been mute lovers, for any use spoken
language was to them.
Once, on comirg down the narrow stair
which led from the organ loft, Langly
thought she had gone, SO strangely desert
ed did the church seem. Even in the day
time the gas had to be lighted when sery-
Ice was held, for the windows were of
stained glass; and the church was closely
surrounded by tall buildings. The atmos-
phere IN that grim quarter was rarely
always dim. Langly peered shortsightedly
through the gloom, but could not descry
her. A feeling of vague alarm took possess
slcn OF him, until. hurrying up the aisle, ne
saw she was in her place, with her head
resting en- the hymn book board of the
pew, apparently asleep He touched her
gently on the shoulder, and, when she
slowly raised her head, saw that she had
been silently weeping.
What is the matter dear?" he Whisper-
ed. bending over her.
II feel afraid-afraid of something-I
don't know what. The church grew black
dark suddenly. and the music faded away
thought was sinking, sinking down, and
no one to save me-" She shuddered as she
spoke. and rose uncertainty to her feet.
tottering slightly on stepping into the aisle
1T was like a bad dream" she added, with
long-drawn, quivering breath
He slipped his arm about her waist sup
porting her as they walked down the aisle
together,
TITS the darkness of the church" he
said, "and perhaps the sadness of music.
I'll play something more cheerful next time
you come l play too much IN the minor
keys"
At the door she asked him to stop mo-
ment before going out. She dried her
eyes, but Intellectually; for, leaning against
the stone wall, she began to cry again in
a despondent, helpless way that wrung
the young mans heart within him.
Jessie, JESSIE" he faltered, not knowing
what to do or say.
II feel i'll and weak" she sobbed. Il
shall be all right again presently"