The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-31

keys II was the simple old Pleyel'S HYMN
he played, but he lent his beautiful voice
to the clangor of the bells and sang his
mothers favorite words:
children of the Heavenly King
As We journey sweetly sing,
Sing your Savior's worthy praise,
Glorious in His works and ways
A moment later he was gone. The
years had been many and long since
then, but no tidings ever came and
1lspeth hair grew white before the
look OF expectancy in her dear eyes
changed to the calmness of resignation
lie was dead. of course They knew
now that it must be so, though they had
not given up hope till they had left the
old home and followed their wanderer
70 the new country. They had heard of
tne wrecked ship, to be sure, but hope
dles hard Perhaps if they had been
patient-had stayed on amid the scenes
or his childhood-he might have come
back TO them: but how could they be
patient when the world was so wide,
and half of it lay between them and
the land that had called their child
They were only waiting now-he and
Elspeth--for the summons which should
call them to the happy reunion in a
home where there would be no sad
gOOdbyes. where music knows no minor,
and hearts forget how to ache
The first stroke of midnight sounded
and an instant later the bells pealed
forth, while the old man sang with
trembling lips and voice that no one
heard but God-as he had sung every
New Year since that one:
Children of the Heavenly King
As we journey sweetly sing:
Sing your Savior's worthy praise
Glorious in His works and ways"
Then. as the last reluctant echo died
away, he stumbled down the narrow
stairs toward home and Flspeth.
Not far from the belI-tower stood a
mansion. where great throng had as.
sembled to watch the Old Year out -2Ill
/ the New Year in. Sifl1en draperies rus
tied, jewels cleaned, music rippled on
the perfumed air, and happy voices rang
sweet and high. But every sound was
silenced, and bright eyes grew dim in
the flood of melody which suddenly
poured about the gay throng. They
crowded toward the music room. trying
to catch a glimpse of the player. Those
who were near saw a slender man. with
fair curling hair brushed back from a
brow as pure as a woman's. The face
was pale and the eyes sad. but about
the sensitive mouth played an express
/ sion of rare sweetness and beauty. Qui-
city he sat before the grand piano, play
ing without the slightest effort such
masterful music as had hushed the lis
teners to awe-struck silence.
Who is he2' was the question passed
from one to another when at last the
cessation of the music broke the spell.
He is a friend of fathers" their hos
tess told them. Father met him abroad
some years ago, and by helping him in
a search for some missing friends, won
his heart. The search was not success
full. but that did not seem to lessen
Professor Won Bulows gratitude, and
they have correspondent in desultory
way ever since. Father invited him here
for the holidays this year. but he de-
clined the invitation, then this evening
suddenly and unexpectedly appeared.
These great musicians are always es-
centric you know. 1 heard him tell faith
er that this is an anniversary he doesn't