Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-09-09

echoed the clear, pure notes of a
voice that sounded far away, a
dreamy, mystic voice, full of hope,
of dou bit, of pain. Nearer, still
nearear it sounded, and hope half
drowned the doubts, but yet a plain
tive sorrow seemed to remain. 1t
came nearer, and the sorrow was
a ahalf-expectaut, trembling glimpse
of something better; and then sud
denly the strange voice broke forth
in triumphal strain, and listeners
held their breath as the WondrOus
notes rang out upon the air, and
then died away.
For a moment a deathly silence
reigned, but it was for a moment
only; and then the building yibrated
with a crash of enthusiasm that came
from the music eraZed audience-
Men arose in their seats, and hun
dreds flung their tributes at her
feet.
In one of the boxes, above the one
where the music master and man
ager sat, an old, odd looking man
waved his handkerchief and cheered,
with great tears falling down his
wrinkled cheeks; and Camilla look
ed up to that one box, and gave him
the only smile that crossed her lips
during the night.
But at length the curtain fell, and
Camilla, weary and worn. went on
to the dressing room. Some one
stood in the shadow of a side scene,
and when she asked permission to
pass, caught her by the hands and
drew her out into the light
Camilla, little Camilla, is il yOus
Have / been listening to my little.
girl all this glorious EVENING" Speak
to mel l am bewildered and blind"
"Mr. Claveringl When did you
come? oh, am so glad, so happyw
she exclaimed.
:'Are you glad? Are you happy?
Oh, is this my welcome? Have you
waited for me, my love, my dar-
ling?"
She put her hands over her eyes
mourning.
"You do not mean your words? l
am dreaming! am mad!'
''You are here, wide awake, Ca
Fmilla, and | am asking you to love
me, and to be my wife"
She drew him away for a brief
moment, and laid her weary head
within his arms; Then she passed
on to her dressing-room, and when
she returned she put out her hand,
saying, "Oh, Richard, take me a
wayl | am soul sick of all this"
"And you will only sing"
"In your nest. Come, we must
not forget Uncle Paul. He is wait
ing in the box for me-"
The box was fear at hand, and in
a moment they stood at the door. 1t
was ajar, and Richard pushed it
open to allow Camilla to enter, and
saw the old man sitting in one of
the luxurious chairs, his head lying
back upon the soft cushions, and his
hands peacefully folded.
"Uncle Paui!' cried Camilla.
"Why, you naughty boy, you are
fast asleepl Come, it is time to go
home. Ah!'
She started back with a cry, for
the hand she touched was icy cold,
and fell back stiff and hopeless.
Camilla, darling, come away. l
will attend to him.
"Oh, Richard!"
"Hush, love, he is beyond us now.
Those strains of music have carried
him to heaven, from whence they
came"
The poor old man dead. With
the consummation of his hearts
wish, his quiet, unpretending, unof-
Tending life, had passed out into the
new existence.
There were loud growls in the
music loving world, but nothing
ever came of them. for Richard
Clavering removed their singing
bird so deftly that few knew the
cause of her fight, and now she
sings only TO him; and to her brood
of young Claverings.