The Van Buren press., 1871-09-26

anticipaton as from the wing came the
de5ufonte.
A tall, graceful girl, with cleaning
shoulders, and white, perfeetly-shaped
arms with crown Of purple black hair
upon the regal head; with great dark
eyes scanning the crowd, and then with
almest childish shyness yelling them.
selves beneath the long lashes; mouth
#, tender and beautiful, and cheek as
fair as the pure white satin other sweep.
ing robe; and they had seen all the long
talked. of aud highly-praised beauty
A roar like the rushing Of distant wa
ter sounded in her ears. and then swslled
into thunder Of applause; and coming
slowly down in the splendor OF the foot
lights, her beautiful head erect, her eyes
glowing with excitement, her beauty on
haneed by tho elegance of her costume,
Camilla, the poor little waif, the child OF
poor old Paul Smith, the protege OF
proud Richard Clavering, received thf
homage ofthe assembled crowd
When the acclamations had ceased, The
orchestra began soft symphony and
then through the building echoed the
clear, pure notes OF voice, that sounded
far away, dreamy, mystic voice, full OF
hope, OF doubt, OF pain. Nearer, still
nearer it sounded, and hope half drowned
the doubts, but yet a plaintive sorrow
seemed to remain II came nearer, and
the sorrow was half-expectant, trem.
bling glimpse of something better; and
then suddenly the strange voice troke
forth in triumphal strain, and listeners
held their breath as the wondrous notes
rang out upon the air, and then died
away.
For moment deathly siIonce reign.
ed but IL was for moment only; and
then the building vibrated with crash
of enthusiasm that came from the music
crazed audience Men arose in their
seats, and hundred flung their floral trib
utes at her feet.
In one Of the boxes, above the one
where the music master and manager sat,
an old, odd looking man waved his hand.
kerchief and cheered, with great tears
falling down his wrinklcd checks; and
Camilla looked up at the one box, aud
gave the only smile that crossed her lips
during the night.
But at length the curtain fell, and Ca.
milla, weary and worn, went on to the
dressing room. Sons one stood in the
shadow OF side scene, and when she
asked permission TO pass, caught her by
the hand and drew her out into the light
camilla, little Camilla, is it you
Have been listening to my little girl all
this glorious evening? Speak to me!
am bewidered and blind. F"
"Mr. Claveripg When did you come
Oh | am so glad, so happy" she ex'
claimed. l.
"Are you glad? Are you happy
Oh, is this my welcome2 Have you
waited for INC, my love, and darling Z"
mnrnp you Y Dc daS"S "aSof fHss %Gahh heyy dHfs Jay JaIyy
| am dreaming am mad p @
"You are here, wide awake, Camilla.
and am asking you to love me, and be
my wife.
She drew him away for 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 o, Richard, take me
away! am soul-sisk OF all this. "
And you will only sing--"
"In your nest, Come, we must not
forget Uncle Paul. lie is waiting in the
box for me,
The box was near at hand, and in a
moment they stood at the door. 1T was
ojar, and Richard pushed it open to al
low Camilla to enter, and saw the old
man sitting in one ofthe luxurious chairs,
his head laying back upon the soft cnsh-
ions, and his hand peacefully folded.
"Uncle Paul! |" cried Camilla. why
you naughty boy, You arc fast asleep
Come, it is time TO 60 home. All J!
She started back with cry, for the
hand she touched was icy cold aud fell
back, stiff and helpless.
Camilla, darling, come away, Will
attend to him.
"Oh, Richard I"
"Hu.h, love! He is beyond us now
| Those strains Of music have carried Inn
to heaven, from whence they came.
The poor old man was dead. With The
consummation Of his hearts wish, his
quiet, unprotending, unoTending life had
passed out unto the new existence.
There were loud growls in the music
loving world, but nothing ever came o
them; for Richard Clavcring removed
their singing bird so deity, that few
knew the cause OF her flight; and nov
she sings only to him, and to her brood
Of young Clayerings
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