The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-01-12

Paul could say nothing and the
strange visitor departed, with no
further injury to his darling than an
eloquent glance from an expressive
pair of eyes.
Then from the gloomy lodging house
to a snug set of chambers a few streets
of went Paul and Camilla, and the
poor wretch began to look like a an
other being in his cleaner work clothes
and Sunday suit, earned from in
creased number of increased pupils,
provided through the willing assis-
tance of their philanthropic friend,
Clevering.
Day after day, Camilla went with
her books to the teacher so strangely
provided and after little time there
came days when passeTs paused to
listen to the Warbling of the rich
young voice.
When she had been tner six months
she entered one morning to find Mrs.
CleveriDg in the music masters room.
What do you intend 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
country will be proud. All, here she is!'
You have improved wonderfully,
my child" said the lady, holding out
her gloved hand. l came to bring
yCu Richards farewell. He leaves
for London tonight, and will remain
abroad many years. Here is a little
gift as token of remembrance.n
She did not understand that Mrs.
ClaveTing 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 as if in mortal pain, and, without
a word, flew down the street toward
home. AS she turned the corner, she
rushed peIl-mell into the arms of a
gentleman, who seeing her pale and
fearful, said:
"Why, little Camilla, what is the
matter ?"
"Oh Mr.. Clevering, you are going
away ~
Richard Coverings fine face grew
sad and expressive as the fearful eyes
looked into his own, and for the fiVst
time he cOmprehended that he was
young man, and that his YTOtege was
stealing from childhood into beautiful
girlhoOd, and was undeniably beauty.
Camilla, ! am going away, but
will you wait for my return? ??
y
run away"
"You do not comprehend me. Well,
it is better so. Perhaps two years later
you may understand me, GOOd-by,
Camilla. Kiss me gOOd-by.'
It was very quiet street, and Sc
Camilla lifted her head and kissed
him. In ali probability the child
would have kissed him in the main
thOrOughfare as readily as there, and l
only mention the fact of the street be-
ing a quiet one to silence the startled
propriety of those who are shocked at
the publicity of it.
Well, there they parted. He to go
over the sea, she to remain at home
and improve the opportunities he had
placed before her.
The great heart of the music-IOving
public was agitated with mingled
emotions of joy, pride, astOnishment
and awe. A new sOngstress had been
criticised, picked over piecemeal,
ground down to the finest point, dis
sected, examined through the most
perfect musical microscope, and pro-
nounced perfect And now the man
ager of a first-class, fashion -patronized
theatre had engaged her for a single
night at an almost fabulous sum, and
the world was to hear her voice.
The night came. The theatre was
crowded from pit to roof. The orches-
ira pealed forth grand overture, the
eXpectant crowd filled the air with
perfume, and soft murmusr of Whis-
pering lvOices and rustling silks arose
in subdued sound and then the broad
curtain rolled up, and disclosed the
elegantly fitted stage.
Suddenly there was hush in the
vast building as from the wing came
the de6Itd7lte.
A tall, graceful girl, with cleaning
shoulders and white, perfectly shaped
arms, with a crown of purple-black
hair upon the regal head; with great
dark eyes scanning the crowd, and
then, with almost childish shyness,
yelling themselves beneath the long
lashes; q mouth soft, tender, and beau
tifUl, and a cheek as fair as the pure
white satin of her sweeping rObe-and
they had seen the lOnS-taIked of and
highly-praised beauty.
a rUar like the rushing of distant
waters sounded in her ears, and then
swelled into a thunder of applause :;
and coming slowly down in the splen-
dor of the foOtlights, her beautiful
head erect, her eyes glowing with ex-
element, her beauty enchanted by the
elegant costume, Camilla, the poor
little wait, the child of poor old Paul
Smith, the prOtege of proud Richard
Clevering, received the homage of the
assembled crowd.
When the acclamatiOu had ceased,
the orchestra begun a soft symphony !;
and through the building ech0ed the
clear, pure nOLes of a voice that
sounded far away, dreamy, mystic
voice, full of hope, of doubt, of pain.
Nearer still nearer it sounded, ami hope
had drowned the doubts, but yet a
plaintiVe sorrow seemed to remain.
1t came nearer, and the sorrow was a
half>eXpectant, trembling glimpse of
something better; and then suddenly
the strange voice broke forth in a tri-
umphal strain, and listeners held their
breath as the wonderOus notes rang
out upon the air, and then died away
For a moment stealthy sileuce
reigned, but it was for moment only;
and then the building vitrated with q
crash of enthusiasm that came from
the music-craZed audience. Many
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 handkerchief 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
Camilla, weary and worn, went up TO
the dressing room. Some one stood in
the shadow of a side scene, and when
she asked permission to pass, caught
her by the hands and drew her out
into the light.
Camilla, little Camilla, it is you =?
Have I been listening to my little
girl all this glorious evening ? Speak
| to me. I am bewildered and blind. -
Mr.. Clevering When did you
come? Oh, I am so glad-sO very