The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-09-07
VOLUME XIX K@-NO. 2Q.<

the broad curtain rolled mp ana o1e-'
closed the elegantly tied stage. s3,
.suddeply there was q hush "a ttle
vast building, and eyes grew bright
with eager anticipation, as from sthe
wing came the debutaats. 80
A tall, graceful girl, with cleaning
shoulders, and white, perfectly y.shaps
ed arms; With . crown Of purple
black hair upon the regal head With
great dark eyes scanning the crowd
and then. with almost childish shys
ness yelling themselves beneath the
long lashes; o mouth, soft, tenderand
beautiful, apd Q cheek IS fiji aa tho
pure white satin OF her sweeping
robe; and they had seen all the long
talked-of and highly y.praised beautyf
A roar: like tne rnsaing Of distaat
waters sounded in; her ears and tbeE
sweiled into thunder Of applause;
and comingslowly downsin the splehe
dor of the footlights, her beautifiyf
head erect, her eyes glowing -witss'
excitement, her beauty enhaneedb
the elegance of her costume, Camik.;
the: poor little wait, the child Of poer.
old Paul Smith, the protegs. Of prousss
Richard Clavering, received the hos
ma ge Of the assembled crowd -
" When the acelamations hadSceasedS
the orchestra began ascft tsymphosY
and then through the building echee9
the clear, pure notes Of q voice that
sounded far away, q dreamy, us5stic
voice, full Of hope, df doubt, Of pass
Nearer, still nearer, it soundso
hope half drowned tho doubts,saA
yet plaintive sorrow seemed 10 ge.
main. It came nearer; and the SCR
row was q halEexpectant, trembling
glimpse Of something better and
Then suddenly the strange Nelce erote
forth IN q trlgmphai STRAIN, ana
:teners heid tnelr preatn - 3 tns Won 9
drous notes rang OUT upon tce alrs
and then died away 80 tsss - !.
For q moment % sdeathIy silanc6
reigned, but it was for q mcnIenS on
" /; and then the building vibrated
with p crash q; enthusiasm thas came
from the muslc-crased audience
Men arose IN then seatG ana h1ns
dreds lung their Moral tributes at 4 hcr b' !.
feet. s; :.
In one OF the boxes above The one
where the music -naastef and manager
sat, an old, odd-lookipg man WaFsd
his handkerchief and schesred, wi.h
great tears falling down bis Wrinkled
cheeks; and Camilla looked mp to.
tnat one boz, and gave him the only
smiIe that crossed her lips during the !
night. /. g So s. .!s
1, Blt5at length the curtain feb, and
Camilla, weary and worn, went tson5t to
the dressing-ropm. Som5 one stood
ia the shade W ofa side-scens, ard
when she asked permission 10 pass,
caught ber by; the, hands ands dreW
her. out into the: light. ~, !,
Camilla, little Camilla, IS It yon2:.
Have L been listening to- my .ll.Ea
girl all this glorious evening? Speak
to me ! am bewildc Tered Alid&' blind"
Z "Mr CIavprilsg " hem did you.
GOMEZ Oh, I am SO glad, so happy!s
she exclaimed. ~ ss {. -.
. iAre You glad :? Are you 1appYsS
OF, is this my welcome Have syoh
waited for me, my love, my darlinr?,.
She put her hand over her ,eyes.
murmuring, "Yer do not mean ymour our
words! Lam dreaming! I am mad"
s .s.You are here wide awake. Camilla:
and I am asking YOU to love me. anS
to be nv wife. - .,s4s,9,55.se - 81
She drew him away for a brief ..se.
ment, and laid her weary head via.
his arms. Then she passed ON s.:
dressine-room, and when he,re5l: =
she put out her hand, saying 70.
Richard, take me awayI l am scu'
sick of all this"
"And you will only sing
"In your nest. Come. we must Lot
forget Uncle Paul. He is waiting in
the box for me-"
= The box was near at hand, and in a
moment they stood at sthe door =.
was ajar, and Richard pushed SO,
ro-allow Camilla to enter, andsarS.
,sld man sitting in one Of. the ~.
nus chairs, his head lying. bs5s
the soft cushions, and his la. 60 ?.
fully folded.
aUncle Paull', cried Gtlsin.s
.,l,n,> f.oroo ;t 20 +;,,, - -. a..
She started back with a