had one ballot.

The great and beautiful organ took up nearly the whole of the large
gallery over the entrance, and extended up and up into the
clear-story until it was mingled with the supports of the roof.

In the organ-loft the candidates were crowded together in eager
expectation, and the glances that passed from one to another were
not the kindliest. Each of them had been allowed several hours, at
some time during the past week, for practice on the instrument; and
each doubtless considered himself deserving of the position.

Presently, when all was still, Monseigneur Jules Emile Gautier, a
very learned gentleman of the town, who had been chosen for that
purpose, ascended two steps of the stairway which curved up and
around the richly carved pulpit, and announced the name of the
person who was to begin.

I should not be able to give, in detail, the progress of the trial;
for the history of the affair is not minute enough for that. But
suffice it to say that the last name on the list was Raoul Tegot;
and the name immediately preceding it was that of Baptiste Lacombe.

At length, in his turn, Monsieur Lacombe, his iron-gray hair
disordered, his hands rubbing together nervously, and his eyes
flashing--as was afterwards remarked upon--with a malicious fire,
stepped forward and along to the organ-seat, and for a few moments
arranged his stops.

Then he began lightly and delicately, creeping up through the varied
registers of the noble instrument, blending the beautiful sounds
into wonderful combinations, now and then working in a sweet melody,
and then again upward until the grand harmonies of the full organ
rolled forth. There was something mysterious and awe-inspiring in
the effort. It seemed to the people that they had never heard music
before.

The music ceased. The people came back to their prosaic selves
again, looked in each other's faces, and said, with one breath,
"Wonderful!"

Gradually they recovered their sober judgment, and then, mingled
with the murmurs of admiration, were heard the remarks, "That is
fine, but Raoul Tegot will make us forget it!" "Yes, wait until you
hear Raoul Tegot!"

Soon Gautier ascended the two steps of the pulpit, and called the
name of their kind, generous townsman.

All waited breathlessly. All eyes were turned towards the
organ-loft. The musicians there looked around and at each other.
B