The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-03


his poor little Camilla.
His excitement carried him up to the
last flight of stairs, and, hearing Ca
milla's voice, he paused to rest and to
listen. She was singing in that sweet
and expressive manner that made her
voice seem to him the sweetest and
purest he had ever heard. At the end
of another stanZa he took breath, and
another voice said:
"Child, you astonish me. Either |
am poor judge of music, or else your
voice is the finest ever heard. You
are right in preferring its cultivation
to anything else"
An electric thrill shot through old
Paul's frame, and quickened his blood
to rapidity that quite carried away
his rheumatic pains, aud in a twink
ling he was upstairs and in his little
| attic.
He was terrified at the sound of
voice; but the sight of handsome and
polished gentleman, with diamonds in
his snowy linen, heavy ring upon his
dainty white hand, unquestionable
broadcloth upon his back, in close con-
versation with Camilla, whose Won
drous 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 Time
whitening fingers had touched him, he
was shriveled and dried like withered
fruit, but in his virtuous indignation he
pulled out to its fullest extent, and in a
10
dare you invite any one to come
here?h
"Oh, Uncle Paul! This is Mr.. Claver-
ing, the gentleman whose-whose-'
Whose mother she saved from
death. Your niece, sir, few days
since was passing through our crowded
thoroughfare, when my mothers car
riage drew up to the pavement. The
horses were FESTIVE, and bidding the
driver attend to them, she began to de-
scend unassisted. Her foot was on the
step, when the animals sprang forward
and flung her violently from her foot
hold. But for the sudden act of your
niece, who received my mother in her
strong, young arms, the fall might have
proved fatal one. l came to-day at
my mothers earnest request, to express
heartfelt gratitude, and to offer"
"You needn't offer Camilla penny,
sir. She'll never suffer while I've a
pair of hands to work for her." said
Paul.
"You mistake me. do not wish to
insult you, but would raise this child
from poverty and would educate her,
that she might be of use to you and to
herself, and become a refined woman.
Don't let your self-love stand in her
light, and shut it out from her. She
sings like prima donna, and wished
to study music"
The great, lustrous eyes of the child
turned imploringly to the strange
guardian.
"Lor, Camilla, can't stand in your
way. l know you're every bit born
lady, if your poor mother did die in a
hotel, among wretches who turned her
child into the cold as soon as the breath
had left her body; but, deary me, l
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 lodgings to a
snug set of chambers a few streets off,
went Paul and Camilla, and the poor
wretch began to look like quite another
being in his clean work-clothes and
Sunday suit, earned from the increased
number of pupils provided through the
willing assistance of their philanthropy
ical friend Clavering.
Day after day, Camilla went with her
books to the teacher so strongly pro-
vided, 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.
Madam, Camilla is capable of doing
anything in 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. 81 came to bring
you Richards farewell. He leaves
London tonight and will remain abroad
many years. Here is gift as a 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 as if in
mortal pain, and without word flew
down the street toward home. AS she
turned the corner she rushed pell-mell
into the arms of gentleman, who, on
seeing her pale and fearful, said: "Why,
little Camilla! What is the matterP"
"Oh, Mr.. Clavering, you are going
awayr'
Rich ard 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
4 Al.