After All.

sphere with their ringing- sounds , which the comfort-coaxing- cushions drank in and absorbed . Then the " palpitating treble " of the smaller pipes would trill out their joyful songs , and gradually subside almost into silence , like angels hymning their glad praises above , ancl the hollow flute-voiced tubes would throat their mellow notes in liquid cadences , floating on the air and charming the ear with their enchanting lullabylike the ripple of a distant

, rivulet . With all these arts was Arthur Humberton conversant , ancl he often became completely absorbed in his performance on the beautiful instrument at his command . The deep , reverberating bass would at times rush and roar like thunder , while the harsh-toned reeds lent their peculiar accompaniment ; this would , in its turn , give place to harmonious melody throbbing in lovely airs . With the former he associated noble purposes , high deeds , and grand victories ;

ancl with the latter the soul of Olivia , light and impulsive , warm ancl clinging , beautiful and loving , was ever present . Here , then , was his consolation , his substitute-companion , his spirit-recaller . Here he sat on Sabbath mornings ancl sustained the sweet-voiced choir singing praises to heaven ; or the mysterious music murmured along the " long-drawn aisle , " as the solemn prayer ascended to the throne of Deity . Then , when the impressive service was ended , would it burst forth into glad noise , awakening dead souls to a sense of their duty , and inspiring them with courage for fresh ancl faithful work in this transient Avorld . Truly an

important position , ancl Arthur filled it well . The Phanes were always delighted with his manipulation of the " king of instruments , " ancl Olivia now felt a new pleasure in listening to him . Not much did she hear of the minister ' s homily on the Sunday succeeding the evening party at which she had seen Arthur Humberton . Nor was the latter attentive either ; his eyes were almost always fixed on the sequestered pew below , so dear to his heart , and the sermon might have been a love poemfor he thought of nothing but her . But when

, the service was concluded Arthur commenced to play his new march . It had an effective ancl pompous opening ivhich compelled its hearers to listen , and scores of worshippers stayed in their seats . The air and rich running harmony seemed to have a language of their own ; an argument deeper , truer than the sermon ; a lesson too good to be told ; ancl when it sunk to a sympathetic pianissimo and limpid airs fell down in thrilling rillssobbing with compassion

, , ancl imploring in its eloquence , then was its audience touched ; then the quiet tears trickled clown many a face , as they felt that an Orpheus was amongst them . One , was more affected than the rest . Olivia Phane was filled with emotion , which gradually increased beyond her control , and when the pleading , beseeching agony of the music brought the tears from other eyes , she was unable any longer to listen and support her feelingsancl she swoonedand was

, , carried into the vestry . Happily Arthur was ignorant of this at the time , ancl continued playing to the end of his composition , which gradually roused all his hearers from the melancholy lethargy into AA'hich he had plunged them , and filled them with lively , bright , ancl happy feelings .

Olivia ' s first words on slig htly recovering were , " Oh ! Arthur ! " ancl then she lapsed into silence . Soon she was considerabl y better , and able to be conducted home , when her anxious parents questioned her further as to her sudden illness . The two words she had allowed to pass her lips had been some index to her feelings ancl thoughts , ancl they soon found out that she was in love with the clever young musician . She , for her part , confessed the whole of their proceedings , ancl left them to muse over ancl discuss the new state of affairs , while she went to her quiet little room and passionately wept for she knew not ivhat !