Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-10-13

"And you shall rot Let me sew lit
tie Camilla, and she shall never leave you,
but shall prove blessing to you in your
Cd age"
Paul could say nothing, and the strange
viei.or departed, with 40 further iEjnry TO
his darling than an eloquent glance from
all expres sive pair Of eyes
Then from the gloomy lodginghouse to
a snug set of chambers a few streets off
mt Paul aud Camilla, and The poor wretch
began TO look like another being, in is
c,eat or work-clothes, and Sunday suit,
earned from increased number of
pupils provided through the willing as.
sistance CT their philanthropic friend
Clavering.
Day after day Camilla went with her
books to the teacher so strangely pro-
vided; and after little tine 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.
Claverlng In the music masters room.
'What do you propose to do with your
famous pupil ?" said i.er soft voice.
Madam. Camilla is quite capable of
doing anything in a musical way. She
will be Bongstress of whom this country
will be proud All, here she is u
"You have improved wonderfully, nv
child" said the lady, holding out her
gloved hand. 81 came to bring you
Richards farewell. He leaves for Lon
don tonight, and will remain abroad
many years. Here is little gift, as a
token of remembrance"
She did not understand that Mrs CLAW
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 mortal pain,
and. with word, flew down the street to
ward home. As she TUNED the corner she
rushed pell nell into the arms of geotc-
man, who, on seeing her pale and fearful,
said, "Why, little Camilla, what is the
matter %
away ~
Richard Clavering'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 bt autiful giIlhoOd, and was
undeniablya beauty.
Camilla, am going away, but will
you swat fer my return %
Wait for you? an not going to ran
away"
"You do not comprehend me. Well, it is
better so. Perhaps two years la'er you
may understand me. Good-by. Camilla.
Kiss me good by"
1t was very quiet street, and s } CT
milla lifted her head and kissed him. La
all probability the child would have kissed
him in the main thoroughfare as readily
as there. ADD [ only mention the fact OF
the street being a quiet one to silence the
6 artled propriety of those who are shock
ed at the publicity of it.
Well, there they parted. He to go over
the sea, she to remain at home and i'm
prove the opportunities he had placed be-
fore her.
The great heart of the music loving pub
lic was agitated with mingled emotions OF
JOY, p.ide, establishment and awe. new
sOugstre3s had been criticised, picked
plecemeel ground down to the finest point,
di<sected, examined through the most
perfect music ii microscope, and pronoun-
ded perfect And now-the manager of q
first class, fashion-pa tronized theater
had engaged her for single night at an
almost fabulous sum, and the world Was
20 hear her voice.
The night came. The theatre was
crowded from pit to roof The orchestre
ealed forth grand overture. the expect
ant crowd filed the air with perfume,
and soft murmurs of whispering voices
and rustling silks arose ia a subdued
sound; and then the broad curtain rolled
up and disclosed the elegantly fitted stage
! Suddenly there wa, rush in the vast
.
Anticipation, as from the wing came the
debutdnte.
\ tall. graceful girl, with cleaning
shoulders, and white, perfectly shaped
| aims; with crown of purple black hair
upon the RECALLED head; with great dark
eyes scanning The crowd, and then with
almost childish shyness yelling themselves
beneath the long lashes; mouth, soft,
tender and beautiful, and a cheek as fair
tho L.
robe; and they had seen the long. talked
/ OF all highly-praised beauty.
roar like the rushing OF distant waters
sounded IN her ears, and then swelled into
a thunder Of applause; and bowing slowly
down IN the splendor Of the footlie hts.
her beautiful head erect, her eyes glowing
with excitement, her beauty enhanced by
the elegance OF her costume, Camilla, the
poor little Waif, the child of poor old Paul
Smith, the prottge of proud Richard Clay
er1Dg, received the homage of the assem-
bled 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 haf drowned
the doubts, but yet a plaintive sorrow
the sorrow was a half-expectant, tremb-
ling glimpse of something better; and
then suddenly the strange voice broke
forth IN trlumphal strain, and listeners
held their breath as the wondrous notes
rang out upon the air, and then died
away.
For a moment deathly silence reigned,
but it was for a moment onlY; and then
the building vibrated with crash of en-
thusiasm that came from the music-crazed
audience. Men arose in their seats, and
hundreds flung their floral tributes 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 wrinkled cheeks; and
Camilla looked 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 Ca
milla, weary and worn, went on to the
dressing room. Some one stood in the
shadow of side scene, ard when she