The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-09-07

| death. Your niece, Sir, o. few days
since, was passing through our crow
ded thoroughfare, when my mothers
carriage drew up. to the pavement.
The horses were restive, and bidding
the driver attend to them, she began
to descend unassisted. Her foot was
on the step, when the animals sprang
forward and flung her violently IRON
her foothold. But for the sudden act
of your niece, who. received my mo-
ther in her strong young arms, the
fall might have proved q fatal one.
My mother at once entered a shop,
and Keeping your niece near her, sent
forme. I came to-day, at my moth
cr's.earnest request, to express our
heartfelt gratitude, and to offer
."You needn't offer Camilla penny,
sir. She will never suffer while I've
a pair Of hands to work for her. said
Paul. ..--. - =.
"You mistake me. I 90 not wish
to insult you, but would raise this
child from her poverty. and educate
her, that she might be of uso to you
and to herself, and become a refined
woman. Don't let your selfish love
stand in her light, and shut it out
from her. She sings like a prims
donna, and wishes to study masic."
The great lustrous eyes of the
child turned imploringly to her
strange guardian.
"Lor', Camilla, I can't stand in
your way. I know you're every bit a
born lady, if your poor forsaken mo-
ther did die in a hovel among wretch
CO who turned her child into the cold
as soon as the breath had left her
body; but deary me, I can't part
with you" u - :. .s.
"And you shall not Let me save
little Camilla, and she shall never
leave you, but shall prove q blessing
10 you in your old age"
Paul could say nothing, and the
strange visitor departed, with no fur
ther injury to his darling that an elo-
quent glance from an expressive pair
of eyes.
Thon from the gloomy lodging.
house, to q snug set Of chambers, a
few streets of, went Paul and CamiL
Ia, and the poor wretch began to look
like another being, in bis cleaner
work-clothes and Sunday suit, earned
from increased number Of pupils pro-
vided through tho willing assistance
of their philanthropical friend cls
vcring. .
Day after day Camilla went with
her books to the teacher so strangely
provided; and after a little time, there
came days when passers paused to
listen to the warbling of the rich
young voice.
When she had been there six months
she entered one morning, to find
Mrs. Clavering in the music-master's
room.
"What do you propose to do with
your. famous pupil2" said her soft
voice. zl =: ~ 4;
"Madam, Camilla is quite capable OF
doing anything, in a musical way.
She will be songstress of whom
this country will be proud. Al, here
she is."
"You have improved! wonderfully,
my child" said the lady, holding out
her gloved hand. II came to bring
you Richards farewell. He leaves
London tonight, and will remain
abroad many years. Here is a little
gift, rs token of remembrance"
She did not understand. that Mrs.
Clavering had placed a pretty neck
lace of coral in her hand, and then
gathered up her shawl and departed !;
but when her teacher spoke. she
cried out a. if in mortal pain, and,
without o word, few down the street
towards home. rs she turned the
corner she rushed pellmell into the
arms of a gentleman, who, on seeing
her pale and fearful, said, "Why, lit
tie Camilla, what is the matter p
"Oh, Mr.. Clavering you arc going
away"
Richard Clayering's fine face grew
sad and expressive as the fearful eyes
looked into his own. and for the first
time he comprehended that he was a
young man, and that his protege was
stealing from childhood into beautiful
.girlhood, and was undeniably a beau
ty. 80,
"Camilla, I am going away, but
will you wait for my return ?"
"Wait for you? l am not going to
run away
You ado, not comprehend me-
Well, it is better SO. Perhaps two
years later you may understand me.
Goodbye, Camilla. Kiss me, good.
bye"
1T whs o very quiet street, and so
Camilla lifted her head and kissed
him. In all probability the child
would have kissed him in the main
thoroaghfare as readily rs there, and
only mention the fact Of the street
being quiet one to silence the star.
tied propriety of those who are
shocked ct the publicity Of il:
Well, there they parted. He to 60
over the sea, she to. remain at home
and improve the opportunities he had
placed before her. -....-
= u x ~
| The great heart Of the music-loving
public was agitated with mingled
emotions of joy, pridc, astonisbment
and eve. A new songctress had been