Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-20

Child" said the lady, holding out her
gloved hand. 81 came to bring you
Richards farewell. He leaves for Lon.
don tonight, aud will remain abroad
many years. Here is little gift, az q
token of remembrance"
She did not understand that Mrs. Clay
ering had placed a pretty necklace of
coral in her hand, and then gathered up
her shawl and departed; but when her
teacher spoke, she cried out as if in NOR
tai pain, and, without word, flew down
the street toward home. AS she turned
the corner she rushed pell. nell into the
arms of gentleman, who. ON seeing her
pale and fearful, said, "Wby, little Ca
milla, what is the matteii"
ooh, Mr.. Clavering, you are going
away" 20 =.
Richard Clavering's fine face grew sad
aud expressive as the fearful eyes looked
into his own, and for the first time he
comprehended that he was young man,
and that his protege was stealing from
childhood into beautiful girlhood, and
was undeniably beauty.
''Camilla, | am going away, but will
1Ou Nhit LO4
'fWait for you? am not going to run
away"
'You do not comprehend me. Well,
it is better so. Perhaps two years later
you may understand me. Good by, Ca
milla. Kiss me good-by."
II was very quiet street. and so Ca
milla lifted her head and kissed him. 10
all probability the child would have
kissed him in the main thoroughfare as
readily as there, and only mention the
fact of the street being quiet one to ST.
lence the startled propriety of those are
shocked at the publicity of it.
Well, there they parted. He 10 go
over the sea, she to remain at home and
improve the opportunities he had placed
before her. <
The great heart of the music loving
public was sgitated with mingled emo
tons of joy, pride, establishment and ave.
A new songstress had been criticised,
picked over piecemeal ground down to
the finest point, dissected, examined
through the most perfect musical micros-
cope, and pronounced perfect Aud now
the manager of frst-class, fashion.
pstronized theater had engaged her for
single night at an almost fabulous sum,
and the world was to hear her voice.
The night came. The theater was
crowded from pit to roof. The orchestra
pealed forth grand overture, the expec
tsnt crowd filled the air with perfume, and
soft mnrmurs of whispering voices and
rustling silks arose in subdued sound;
and then the broad curtain rolled up and
disclosed the elegantly fitted stage.
Suddenly there was rush in the vast
building, and eyes grew bright with
eager anticipation, as from the wing came
the de6utante.
A tall, graceful girl, with cleaning
shoulders, and white, perfectly shaped
arms; with crown of purple black hair
upon the regal head; with great, dark
eyes scanning the crowd, and then with
almost childish shyness ye ling themselves
beneath the long lashes; mouth, soft,
tender and beautiful, and cheek as fair
as the pure white satin of her sweeping
robe; and they had seen all the long.
talked of snd highly-praised beauty.
A roar like the rushing of distant wa
tiers sounded in her ears, and then swelled
into thunder of applause; and bowling
slowly down in the splendor of the foot
lights, her beautiful head erect, her eyes
glowing with excitement, her beauty en-
HANGED by the elegance of her costume,
Camilla, the poor title waif, the child of
poor old Paul Smith, the protege of proud
Richard Clavering, received the homsge
of the assembled crowd.
When the acclamstions he'd 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 plsintive sorrow
seemed TO remain. 1t came nearer, and
the sorrow was half-expcctant, trem-
bling glimpse of something better; and
then suddenly the strange voice broke
forth in a triumphsl strain, and listeners
held their breath as the WondrOus notes
rang out upon the air, and then died
away.
For moment deathly silence reigned,
but it was for moment only; aud then
the building yibrated with crash of en-
thUsiasm that came from the music crazed
audience. Men arose in their seats,
and hundreds flung their floral tributes a.
her feet.
In one of the boxes, above the one
where the music master and manager sat,
al old, odd looking man waved his hand.
kerchief and cheered, with great tears
falling down his wrinkled cheeks; and
Camilla looked up to that one box, and
gave him the only smile that crossed her
lips during the night.
But st length the curtain fell, and Ca
miila, weary and worn, went on to the
dressing room. Some one stood i'll the
shadow of q side scene, and when she
asked permission to pass, caught her by
the hands ard 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 mt! 1
am bewildered and blind"
'Mr. Clavering. When did you come?
Ga, l am SO glad, so happy!" she ex-
claimed
care you glad? Are you happy? Ga,
is this my welcome Have you waited
for NE, my love, my darling2"
She put her hsr DIS over her eyes mourn
ing.
"YOu do not mean your Words am
dreaming l an mad"
"You are here, wide awake, Camilla,
and l am asking you to love me, and to
be nv wife,
She drew him away for brief mo-
meDt, and laid her weary head within bis
arms. Then she passed OF TO her dress
ing room, and when she returned she put
out her hand, saying, 900, Richard, take
me away! am soul>sick of al this. "
Gard you will only sing"
I'm your nest. Come, we must not
forget Uncle Paul. He is waiting in the
box for me-
The box was near 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 IF The luxurious chairs, his
head lying back upon the soft cushions,
and bis hands peacefully folded.
''Sncic Paul" cried Camilla. "Why,
you naughty boy, you are fast asleep
Come, it is time to go home. 5SAh!n
she started back with a cry, for the
hand she touched was ICY cold, and fell
back stiff and helpless.