El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-08
THE PHANTOM HARP


yet in the glamour of their honeymoon. No
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 little children. and
their hopes and plans had grown together.
but Sellner's uncertain position forced
them to postpone for long time the full
fllment of their hopes. At last he receiy-
ed 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 togeth-
or. with no third person to claim AMI
share in their joyi Plans for coming days
filed the hours. They were both of them
fine musicians. and Sellner's hute and
Josephe's harp made sweet music dur
ing the enchanted evenings, which sped
NIL too quickly. The deep harmony nj
their instruments was an suspicious
omen for their future.
One evening after they had played long
together Josephe complained OF violent
headache. 1t had begun in the morning.
and the days work and the evenings
pleasure had wrought seriously upon her
delicate nerves. SeIlner sent at once for
physician. who assured them that she
would recover in the morning. But after
she raved necessarily. the doctor found
poor Josephe with the symptoms of a
nervous fever. He devoted himself zeal
ously TO the ease. but Josephe grew worse
daily. Sellncr was beside himself. On
the ninth day the physician lost hope. aud
Josephe herself felt that she could not
live much longer. She awaited the end
with gentle resignation.
Dear Edward" she said to her hus
nd -,,t \ a.
beautiful earth. where | have found thee
and highest blessedness: but. though
may not iinger longer in thine arms. 10
sephe's love shall be round about thee I'M
ill We meet again above" bees
She sank back and fell asleep. 1t was
In the evening at the ninth hour.
Sellncrs sorrow was unspeakable. He
struggled long with life. His grief de-
stroyed his health, and when after many
weeks he arose from his sckbed he was
without a vcstige OF his former youthful
vigor. Deep melancholy fastened upon
him He had left Josephe's room as il
was before her death, and every evening
he made 81 pilgrimage tn this sanctuary
OF his love. Hither 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 warnings toward her who
had gone. Suddenly from a neighborinG
tower the Waterman cried the ninth hour.
As il struck by n light spirit hand the
harp answered 10 his flute. Overcome
with awe. Sellner ceased playing on the
flute. The strains OF the harp also
ceased. With deep emotion he now he
gan Josephe's favorite song, and thc
strings sent forth strong. loud notes in ac-
compartment TO his melody. He sank 10
the floor with a shudder OF JOY and
stretched out his arms to embrace the lac
loved shadow. He felt himself breaflcd
upon as by the warmth of spring, aud
pale shimmering light shone round him.
II know thee. blessed shadow of my
sainted Josephei" he cried. Thou dilst
promise in love to be round about me.
Thou dost keep thy world j feel Thy
breath; thy kisses upon my lips Thy
glory shines upon me-.
Again he took the flute, and the harp
again sounded forth. but more and NOR.
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
whisperings OF the harp. He awoke late.
wearied from the emotion of the night.
He felt the touch of n supernatural hand
upon his life. and within him there was u
strange voice. 1t prophesied the speedy
victory Of the soul over the body.
With unuttcrabl longing he waited for
the evening. At twilight he betook him
self To Josephe's ROOM Playing upon the
flute. he lullcd himself into still dreams
until the ninth hour. Hardly had the last
clock stroke ceased before the harp again
sent forth its strains To meet and blrnd
with the flute tunes in perfect accord.
Again the pale. shimmering light shon'
round him. Again he cried out 10 Ais
loved one: "Josephe. Josephc! Take mr
with thee!' Again the harp strains took
leave of him in gentle whisperings-
Scllner Iottered back to his room. His
looks terrified his faithful servant. whr5