The Penn's Grove record., 1897-04-16

Noy 6hAiA Il AAt wan
ed, resting in the shadow OF one
of the huge pillars which framed the
e~ntrance-way to the quaint old cath
edral, bending forward eagerly as each
step sounded on the pavement beyond,
and sinking back ms it died away in
the distance, with a look of keen dis
appointment on her young face. And
thus had she sat watching and waiting,
hour after hour passing away, till the
afternoon had nearly waned, and
weary. she was about to leave, when q
sudden sound arrested her. A mans
step rang sharp and clear on the mar
bic near, and passing in the direction
of the gallery stairs slowly assembled.
The girls whole aspect changed;
she bent eagerly forward, her hands
clasped tightly, her lips slightly
parted. alt is hel 1t is he |" she
murmured, the rich color flushing her
cheeks and dying away as swift as 1t
had come. Almost as she spoke she
was on her feet, cropping with extended
hands in tho direction the stranger
had taken.
1t was the grand master she was fol-
lowing, and even as she reached the
stairs the low sweet notes of the organ
aoated to her col. She opened the
gallery door softly and seated herself
On n of the steps of the choir.
To Berthald Reimer the exquisite
pleasure she derived from hearing the
master as he came each day to practice
was the icy of her life. She had
learned to know his footstep, and
would wait after each cathedral ser.
vice that she might but touch him as
he passed along, and go horne salts
fed with the sound of the mighty
music she had heard clinging to her
and helping her bear hs-ssd youxng
life more bravely, for Berthald was a
poor child, and withal che was blind.
The master had often noticed the
little figure and the soft, tender ex-
preston of the child's face, and would
have spoken; bat somehow, when he
had the opportunity to do SO, she was
always gone, and so the time passed
away and the master played and she
sat and listened, wondering and hop.
ing that the day might come when she
could feel his hand and hear the
sound of his voice.
Perhaps the master was not SO at.
tentiye to his duties, or Berthald
might not have closed the gallery
Goor so softly that afternoon, hut he
noticed the child when she entered,
and when he had finished his piece he
rose quietly, and before the girl could
leave the choir he was beside her.
"You are not afraid of me, my
child?' he asked gently, laying his
hand on her soft golden curls.
sob no sir" she answered eagerly,
her whole frame trembling with ex.
element; mot afraid OF you"-she
paused, uncertain what TO say, and
lifted her large sweet eyes to his face.
"What is your name?" be asked
again, still keeping his hand on her
head.
"Berthald Reimer. the blind girl
she answered quietly. A look OF in.
tense pity passed over his face, and he
did not speak for a few seconds; ther
he said; "Well, Berthald, would yor
like to hear me play ngain?" Th,
look of Joy which passed over the girl
face, and her eager, "ohl yes, sir 7
were enough. He smiled, and takin,
her by the hand led her to the oreal
and placed her beside him. For j
long time he played, then. sudde1
Pausing, he asked, "Can you sing
"a little" she answered. He playe|
the prelude to an air sweet and simple
which vas we'll known.
Sing this, Bsrthald. child, The said
a