River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-08-01

sLor, Camilla, l can't stand in your way
/ know you're every bit a born lady, il
your poor mother did die in hotel
among wretches who turned her child
into the cold as soon as the breath had
left her body; but, deary me, | can't part
with you.
And you shall not. Let me serve lit
tie Camilla, and she shall never leave you
but shall prove a blessing to you in your
old age"
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 lodgings to a
snug set of chambers few streets off,
went Paul and Camilla. and the poor
wretch began to look like quite another
being in his clean work clothes and Sun
day suit, earned from the increased num-
Der of pupils provided through the will
| ing assistance of their philanthropical
friend Clavering.
Day after day, Camilla went with her
books to the teacher so strangely provided
and after little time, there came days
when passers-by paused to listen to the
warblings of the rich young voice.
/ When she had been there six months,
she entered one morning to find Mrs.
Clavering in the music masters room.
"What do you propose to do with your
famous pupil?" asked her soft voice.
''Madame, Camil is capable of doing
anything in a musical way. She will be
songstress of whom this country will
be proud. All, here she Isl"
"lou have improved wonderfully, my
child" said the lady, holding
out her gloved hand. came to bring
you Richards farewell He leaves Lon
don tonight, and will remain abroad,
many years. Here is gift as token of
remembrance"
She did not understand that Mrs.
Clavering 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 as if in NOR
tai pain, and without . word, flew down
the street towards home. As she turned
the corner she rushed pell-mell into the
| arms of a gentleman, who, on seeing her
pale and fearful said, "Why, little Camilla
What is the matter2p
'.Ob, Mr.. Clavering. you are going
awayl"
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 young man,
and that his protege was stealing from
childhood into beautiful girlhood, and
was an undeniable beauty"
Camilla, | am going away, but will
you wait for my returns"
await for you? am not going to run
away
s'You do not comprehend me. Well, it
is better SO. Perhaps two years later you
may understand me. Good bye, Camilla.
Kiss me good bye"
1t was very quiet street, and so Ca
milla lifted her head and kissed him.
| In all probability the child would have
kissed him in the main thoroughfare as
readily az there, and only mention the
fact of the street being a quiet one, to
| silence the startled propriety of those
who are shocked at the publicity of it.
Well, they are 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
public was agitated with mingled emo
tons of joy, pride, establishment, and
awe. A new songstress had been criti-
cised, picked over piecemeal, ground
down to the finest point, dissected, exam
ined through the most perfect micro
scope, ard pronounced perfect! And
now the manager of first class fashion
patronized theater had engaged her for
{ an almost fabulous sum, as the world was
to hear her voice.
The light came. The theater was
crowded from pit to roof. The orchestra
/ pealed forth grand overture, the ex-
pectant crowd filed the air with per-
! fume, and soft murmurs OF whispering
voices and rustling silks arose in a sub
dued sound; and then the broad curtain
rolled up and displayed the elegantly
/ fitted stage.
| Suddenly there was hush in the vast
building, and eyes grew bright with
eager anticipation as from thes wing
came the debutante.
A tall, graceful girl, with cleaning
shoulders and white, perfectly shaped
arms; with crown of purple black hair
upon the regal head; with great eyes
scanning the crowd, and then with almost
childish shyness yelling themselves be-
meath the long lastes; a mouth, soft,
EN- der and beautiful. and cheek as talr
as the pure white satin of her sweep robe;
and they had seen the long talked OF and
| highly praised beauty.
A roar like the rushing OF distant
waters sounded in Ter cars, and then
swelled into thunder; and coming slow
lv down the splendor of the foot lights,
er beautiful head erect, her eyes glow
no with excitement, her beauty enhanced
bv the elegance of her costume, Camilla
the poor little waif, the child of poor old
Paul Smith, the protege of the proud
Richard Clavering, received the homage
of the assembled crowd.
When the reclamation had ceased. the
orchestra began soft symphony; and
then through the bulldog echoed the
clear. pure notes of a voice that sounded
far away-a dreamy, mystic voice, full o.
hope, of doubt, of pain. Nearer, still
nearer it sounded. and hope half drowned
the doubts, and yet plaintive sorro"
seemed to remain. 1t came near
and the sorrow was half ex
pect,nt. trembling glimpse o.
something better; and then suddenly
the strange voice broke forth in trium.
phal strain; the listeners held their breath
as the wondrous notes rang out upon the
air and then died away.
For moment deadly silence relgree
but it was for a moment only; .hen thu
building vlbrated with crash of enthu
siasm that came from the music-crasee
audience. Men rose in their seats ant
hundreds flung the floral tributes at he
feet.
In one of the boxes, above the ont
where the music master and manager sal
an old. odd looking man waved hi
handkerchief and cheered with grea
tears falling down his wrinkled cheeks
and Camilla looked up to that one box
and gave him the only smile that crosses
her lips during the night.
But at last the curtain fell. and "a
. | D,itia weary and worn went off to tn