The Afro-American advance., 1900-04-21
GVeVe0euoVe,4.o,ae'Veue
! A MUSICAL HEART
; BY Ida Estoiia r. Smith. 2
oaAAAaAAS'a.s en-
nnLEMoN nARyENrnAL haa

DHILEMoN HARYENTHAL had
lived three-score aud ten years in
the quiet village OF Aylesborough.
He was man of unblcmished char
aeter, was known To be very wealthy
aud lived In an unpretentious man
ner, lie was psyehlst. and his rath-
er peculiar religious views were the
cause Of many heated arguments
among those of his friends whom he
considered IL his duty to instruct In
the mysteries of his chosen faith.
lie fully believed that when the time
should come for him to put on i'm.
mortality" he would be received on
the next plane by host of bright
spirits. As he was charitable, owed
no man anght TINT he could not pay,
had kept the commandments and had
been as nearly ms possible what the
world calls an upright man. he be.
lieved that reception of unusual
grandeur awaited him.
Notwithstanding this assurance. he
seemed 60 prefer deferring his jour
ney to the "ever.gr shore" as long
as possible for u real or imaginary
pain In the region OF his heart one
day caused the good man to make
rather hurried visit 20 a physician of
his acquaintance.
DIR. Elwell was one among the list
OF possible converts 10 his spiritual
istic doctrine. and as Philemon en-.
tered his office he Immediately cast
about for an excuse whereby ho
might, II possible, avoid the expected
lecture. hut there was troubled
look ON his old friends face that quite
diaarmed him. aud few moments
later DIR. Elwells bead was pressed
against his side In listening atti-
tude. As he listened. instead of hear.
ing the heart -pulsations. as he ex.
pected, he heard musicl
lie raised his head and looked about,
but could no longer hear IL. Once
more he pressed his ear against Philc.
mona heart, and once more he heard
the same sweet strain. The music
sounded like the soft tones of his
own plane, as he had heard his daugh-
ter playing before lcRving the house
which stood about 20 yards distant
The doctor walked 10 the door and
listened. but heard no sound. lie
looked toward the house, but there
Was nothing unusual In that direction
liy the time the thoroughly puzzled
physician had listened irst at the
front then at the back door of the
ofiice, alternately pressing his ear
against Philemon's side. he had
aroused the old mans curiosity.
Anything peculiar about Il. doc
torg'
"A little unusual, surely"
"Unusual9"
II imagine hear music"
well, doctor, believe there Is To be
a show In town, | suppose they are
having a street parade"
The physician hesitated. II he ex.
planned he feared lecture on the
supernatural II he did not explain
be felt that he was decetslng an limo.
cent man.
Philemon continued: II hope that
II win not prove serious. though 1
suffer considerably at times, and
thought best not TO neglect it.
Yes
"Nou seem undecided
IL never had case OF this kind
bcforel think there must be some
mistake. but certainly hear music
every time | press my ear Ia YOUR
heart he replied. half fearing an
explanation OF the mystery from his
patients standpoint. aud preparing To
defend his own belief against all spir.
ituallstic aleiusion
Philemaa was silent. He looked
searchsngiy into the doctors esvs.
Aalf expecting to see a twinkle Of
merriment. but there was nothing %
the kind Indeed, his honest face wore
a troubled expression quite convincing
to the patient
Philemon pointed across the street.
II see DIR. Grey over there. Please
cali him.
a moment later DE-. Elwell was ex-
planning 10 his brother ply iician the
nnasuai ooc yrreRee. and tugssesr they