The Afro-American advance., 1899-08-05
Mrs. Dahl requested monsieur to cali

Mrs. Dahl requested monsieur TO cali
upon her the next day, and at the hour
swept into the room with something OF
indignation in her mind. The little or
ganist stood at the window and bowed
quite as gracefully to her as ever.
well, monsieur, and have you found
suitable lady among those You have
met 81
Monsieur looked at the minister's
wife as terrified child looks at its
tormcntor.
Good madam. are tloze all re ladies
zu haf zelected for me ~ he stammered.
why, you've seen seven. That is "A
great many to select from. is il not -
ley are all old latiies. iss it not?
Zey air not fraish, zu call it; not full of
feeling
Man alive!" cried Mrs. Dahl, forget
ting her politeness inZher =vexation,
did You expect 10 meet young girls
TO marry us If you were young and
fresh yourself? Why. man. look at
yourself lou are past middle age.
You are not attractive to young girls.
Look at yourself!
She pushed him in front of the long
mirror. The poor little organist looked
long and hung his head. Then he sought
for his hat, and as he took il he turned
and spoke;
Madame, zu haf been kind. vera
kind Zu speak truly. l am nicht
u+t est.tx
has made me old, but | forgot, for re
heart has vet re youth. | may nefer
find re lady dat l seek-I grow old.
Madame, | will return to my musique.
Forgive me. madame"
81 wanted to cry, and yet never was
SO provoked" said Mrs. Dahl 10 her
hus band. us he or is he not a fool?'
Her husband did not reply.
In the dusk of the evening NJ. Au-
gUste leaned from the attic window.
| The magnificence of sunset was in his
face, the silvery moon rode high in
| the east His eyes showed that he had
wept. Now a cnlmness was in them,
the calmness of resigned hope. \ pile
| of music lay on II chair near him. lie
would soon go down 10 the church, and
/ by the single gas jet lighted in the vast
room give his whole soul up to his god
| dess, Music. She would be richer by the
death of a hope, the rude dominion Of
n foolish but ecstatic dream.
There was a timid knock at the door.
| When he opened it there stood a tall,
slight girl there. She was very young
and very timid On her arm hung IA
! basket, from which she took bundle
| for him.
'Zanks to you, Mile. Marguerite.
Could not re small brozzer come wiz re
article? Nicht zu?"
The girl colored and tears came into
her eyes.
''IIe is siek-there was no one else.
Mother hopes the mending will suit
you and that you will have more
Yah. oui. | mean yes" said NJ. Au-
guste, gravely. Il will come to see
small brozzer tomorrow. 1t will be re
great plazzir to me. Tell him. | will
go down re stairs wiz zu, mademoiselle.
| Zu air one brave girl. one goot girl
They proceeded down three flights 10
| the street door. In the light the or
ganist saw the traces of tears on the
girls cheeks. His heart melted. An.
other wept in sorrow, one so young and
who would, were il not for grinding
poverty, be fair, be happy. His voice
was very gentle.
''Go home, my child" he said. "Ve
must all suffer mooch. will not forget
To see ze small brozzer tomorrow; If
he is in great dangair come TO re church
for me zis evening. / play re organ to
ease my soul. Good night, mademoi-
selle. | will not forget to pray for re
happiness of one SO young, so sorrow
| full"
He turned up the street, but as she
hurried away the girl smiled at him
through very rainbow of tears. That
smile went with him. and after he
| lighted the gas jet in the church gall
lery he turned to the organ and once
| more played out an ecstatic, impro.
| vised chant to Love, to Home, TO Peace,
to his hungry hearts best wishes.-Chi.
cago Times-Herald.