The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-09-20


and the mellow. wonderful voice Oh
tho musician rose. until the dim.
ouaint old church was filled with the
exquisite harmony.
Slowly and cautiously one OF the
heavy outer doors was partly opened
and a dark. lovely face looked umid'
IN in as the music swelled upward IN
an It's sublime sweetness, the door was
pushed farther open by little brown
hand and a slight. childish figure en-
tered and crept softly. hesitaunsiy
up the aisle.
Presently the music stopped. but
the child remained kneeling as II IN
france The door leading from the
organ loft opened and the musician
came slowly down. humming softly
10 himself. As he came forward his
ewes fell on the kneeling child with
her rapt exquisite face and her won
drous. lifted eyes, and he stopped
short in astonish ment.
"Iiebe Himmeli" he muttered. II
IS the face of an angel
A tide OF crimson flooded the love-
IL olive face as the child sprang up
and shrank back timldly.
Pardon. SRA thousand pardons
she stammered. in soft, musical
voice. tremulous with fright.
The look Of wonder and astonish-
ment on the good professors face
changed TO one of gentleness and
pity at the little ones evident fear.
"Pui. little one. thou hast naught
10 fear: am | then so sreat mon
ster that thou shouldst run from me?
Come. maitchen, let US see thee
closer"
The child came shyly forward and
stood before the great master, who
took her small hands in his own and
gazed with kindly curiosity into her
face.
Thou art a puzzle, little one he
said. smiling WHO art thou? /
hnd thee in this quiet English town.
and the tongue is English. too, but
the face and voice. they do not belong
90 an English maid. How is IL, leib-
chem"
4 am Gabrielle said the child.
simply. My father keeps the music |
shop near by. He is English. but
- am like my mother who is with |
the angels She was born over the |
sea. in Italy"
All, that accounts for thy soft |
voice and dark face my lovely one. |
i thought there was southern blood |
IN thy veins. And thou vert listen I
ing 70 the music? Perhaps thou /
wouldst like TO learn. thyself?'
The child drew in her breath quick /
~ and clasped her hands spasmod- /
ically in the emotion that suddenly \
swept over her.
All If | might" she cried. III I /
only might, But there is none to /
teach. and can do nothing but sing.
and that not at home. for it makes
my father sad Ny mother sang, and |
he is always remembering
So you sing, then. little one; let us
hear you. Come. do not be afraid. |
sing something you know well"
He had. somehow, expected to hear
an unusual voice. but nothing like
what he did hear; as the child threw
back her head proudly and her sweet,
clear voice swelled upward, the pur-
ity and richness of its exquisite tones
thrilled the great master, and filed
him with wondering establishment.
1T is wonderful" he exclaimed. as
the sweet voice died away, and Cab
rfelle stood flushed and trembling be
fore him My child. you are best
of the saints your voice is perfect.
You will have the world at your
feet"
Il want only to be able to play the
great organ and sing as you do. Shall
over be able to sing the song you
sang Just now"
Certainly. and many much more
difficult than that"
-'Bnt who would teach me, sir ?"
faltered Gabrielle. My father has
no money"
We shall see TO that, little one;
we shall see to all that-such voice
must bot be lost to the world. Tell
me where you live and | will see
the father about it,"
Gabrielle directed him. and then
with the impulsiveness born OF her
hot, southern blood, she raised his
hand TO her lips and covered 1t with
kisses
The great German master had come
TO this little out-ofthe-way English
town some weeks before, for the pur
pose OF resting. He had steered clear
of hotels and boarding houses, though
they were Of a very quiet. primitive
order in this country place. and had
secured lodgings with one OF his own
countrymen. Karl Hansel. a music
teacher. who soon ascertalned who
his guest was, and was not a little
proud Of the distinction of havfng
the famous Herr Professor" to use
his own words. under his roof. He
became great favorite with the sim
pie town folk, who always spoke Of
HIM after Karl Hansers example. as
the Herr Professor But now the
time for his departure was at hand
and he made haste to see Gabrielle's