The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-08-17

| His excitement carried him up to the
last flight of stairs, and hearing Camil-
las voice, he paused to rest and to listen.
| She was singing in that sweet and ex-
pressive manner which made her voice
seem to him the sweetest and purest he
had ever heard. At the end of the stan
"a she took breath, and another voice
said:
"Child, you astonish nae. Either l
am poor judge of music, or else your
voice is the finest 1 ever heard. You
are right in preferring its cultivation to
anything else"
An electric thrill shot through old
Pauls frame, and quickened his blood to
rapidity that quite carried away his
rheumatic pains, and in a twinkling he
was up the stairs and in his little attic.
He was terrified at the sound of
mans voice, but the sight of handsome
and polished gentleman, with diamond
studs in his snowy linen, a heavy ring
upon his dainty white hand, unquestion-
able broadcloth upon his back, in close
conversation with his Camilla, whose
wondrous beauty had of late startled
even his dull perception, was more than
Paul could bear.
He was very small man-had been
In his youth-and now that Times with
ering fingers had touched him, he was
shrivelled and dried like withered fruit
but in his virtuous indignation he puffed
out to his fullest extent, and in his fall
setto voice piped Camilla, how dare
you invite any one here ?"
"Oh, Uncle Paul this is Mr.. Claver-
| ing, gentleman whose-whose-"
"Whose mother she saved from death.
Your niece, sir, few days since, was
passing through our crowded thor
oughfare, when my mothers carriage
drew up to the pavement. The horses
were restive, and bidding the driver at
tend to them, she began to descend un-
assisted. Her foot was on the step,
when the animals sprang forward, and
flung her violently from her foothold.
But for the sudden act of your niece, who
received my mother in her strong young
arms, the fall might have proved fatal
one. My mother at once entered a
shop, and keeping your niece near her,
sent for me. 1 came to-day, at my
mothers earnest request, to express our
heartfelt gratitude, and to offer"
"You needn't offer Camilla penny,
sir. She'll never suffer while I've pair
of hands to work for her." said Paul
"You mistake me. do not wish to
insult you, but would raise this child
from her poverty and educate her, that
she might be of use to you and to her.
self, and become refined woman. Don't
let your selfish love stand in her light,
and shut it out from her. She sings like
a prima donna, and wishes to study mu-
SIC"
The great lustrous eyes of the child
turned imploringly to her strange guar
dian.
"Lor', Camilla, can't stand in your
way. 1 know you're every bit borne
lady, if your poor forsaken mother did
die in a hovel among wretches who
turned her child into the cold as soon as
the breath had left the body; but deary
me, can't part with you"
"And you shall not. Let me serve
little Camilla, and she shall never leave
you, but shall prove blessing to you in
your old age"
Paul could say nothing, and the
strange visitor departed, with no fur
ther injury to his darling than an elo-
quent glance from an expressive pair of
eyes.
Then from the gloomy lodging-house
to q. snug set of chambers a few streets
off, went Paul and Camilla, and the poor
fellow began to look like another being,
in his cleaner work-clothes, and Sunday
suit, earned from the increased number
of pupils, provided through the willing
assistance OF their philanthropical friend,
Clavering.
Day after day Camilla went with her
books to the teacher so strangely pro-
vided and after little time there came
days when passers-by 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 pupil?" said her soft voice.
Madam, Camilla is quite capable Of
doing anything, in a musical way. She
will be songstress OF whom this coun-
try will be proud. All, here she is!
"You have improved wonderfully, my
child" said the lady, holding out her
gloved hand. "I came to bring you
Richards farewell. He leaves London
tonight, and will remain abroad many
years. Here is a little gift, as token OF
remembrance"
She did not understand that Mrs.
Clavering had placed 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, without word, few
down the street towards home. As she
turned the corner she rushed peU mel
into the arms of gentleman, who. on
seeing her pale and fearful, said: "Why
little Camilla? What is the matterY"
"Oh, Mr.. Clavering, you are going
awayP aT o
Richard Claverings fine face grew sad
and 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 a beauty. ......
Camilla, am going away, but will
you wait for my return I" gr- ..tr.
"Wait for you? l am not going to
run away" .'
"You do not comprehend me. Well
it is better SO. Perhaps two years later
you may understand me. Goodbye
Camilla. Kiss me eood-bye."