The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20

Whatever objections may be urged against Camille" it shows great orig inality, a wonderful facility in handling words and a marvellous dexterity in inn plying more than is said. The people in "Camile" are not persons whom one would ask to dinner-but they are very interesting.
 4 RMAND DUVAL came to Paris as "A so many other young gentlemen 4 A from the country have come-with firm belief of the great things he was to do in the world. But there was plenty of time for that; he would see the world first and have his fling. In this also. he was like hosts of other young gentlemen from the country. He had an income of 5000 francs year, partly allowed him by his father, the receiver general at C., and partly inherited from his mother.
 "You can live very well in Paris on your income if you add to it by law or medicine" said his father. Armand smiled the superior smile of 21, went to Paris, studied law. put his diploma in his pocket and proceeded to enjoy himself. He lived at the rate of 1000 francs a month and did not owe a The way he did it was this: He spent four months of the year on a visit to his father, who was delighted to have him home with him. Thus he achieved reputation of having an income of 12.000 francs year and of being dutiful son.
 He really loved his father and he really loved his sister; and he was not such q very wild young man after alas is evi- denced by the fact that he was not in debt.
 One day. as he was stroling idly along the street. an open carriage drew up in front of shop near the bourse, and a girl of IS, dressed in white and carrying a bunch of camelias in her hand, alighted amid a murmur of admiration from the bystanders
 She was elegantly dressed in a robe of muslin. Her India shawl was richly em- sbrodered and her straw hat and single bracelet were in the extreme of fashion. 1t is impossible to ina zine one more charmingly beautiful than this young girl. Every movement of her wonder ful. 1.-the form was instinct with coquetry. Her face was an oval of in expressible grace and her arched brows so exact that they seemed painted. Her eyes were yelled by long lashes so black that when they dropped tn ey seemed to cast d shadow over the cheek. Her nose was perfect and straight. The intellectual nostrils were half opened as with an ardent aspira- ton toward the physical joy of life. The lips of the adorable mouth were gently expanded over teeth white as milk and her cheek was covered with 8 fine down like that of a peach which no hand has ever touched.
 Her hair, black as jet, waving natur- ally, lay in two large bands over her brow and disappeared at the back of her head, exhibiting the extremity of ears In each of which hung diamond worth four or five thousand francs. Her countenance had strilIingly in- nocent, childish expression. One of the bystanders, evidently a stranger to Paris. said as the beautiful creature swept into the shop: Judging from her walk, that woman is either virgin or a duchessr' At this another by stander laughed scronfully and turned away.
 Armand stood rooted to the spot pntil the girl, who seemed to him like a vision, again appeared and was driven away "Who is she?" he ventured at last to inquire of one of the loungers.
 ..Oh. they call her the Lady with the Camelias because she always has those flowers with her. She calls herself Camille Gautier, I believe" The tone of the speaker was such that Armand N did not dare ask more.
 AEhe recollection of the lady with the camelias haunted the young man. He began to seek for h CT everywhere. At las st one night at the Opera Comique he saw her in one of the front poNes. She was dressed with the same ele- pance as the first time but far more gorgeously, and she famed with jewels She had with her three articles without which she was seldom seen; great bouuuet of white camelias, box of bonbons and lorSnette.
 Armand's companion said: Look at that pretty womani An, she secs me and smiles. I will just speak to her and return. Or. come you along, and
 ;,t DermlS- sion first" answered Armand.
 .Nonsense," replied his friend. Tt is silly to talk thus when Camille is in question"
 Young Duval was irritated by his friends language and manner lie feared to learn with certainty enal .,i .he beautiful girl was unworthy Of the feeling he had for her. Presently his friend returned. ..Come," he said, "she awaits you"
 Camille had a woman companion with her and was eating bonbons. She paid little attention to Armand, but rallied ms friend in a rather free manner. At some staid and stupid remark of Duvals both she and her companion laughed impu- dentiy. Armand immediately arose, bowed and left the box.
 He was almost cured of his infatuaton at that moment: it had been well for him had he been quite cured. But he waited aIleT lHe pidy lu see 'dfllllle come ont She came, the woman with her, and two young men. At the door was serv- ant to whom she said: "Tell the coach- man to drive to the Cafe Anglais; we will walk thither.' And what did the xouth do but walk thither, too just for tho measure of catching at the window gIinonse of the woman whom he had left so abruptly.
 The next week all his infatuation went aeanoe again when he heard that Camille was ill Every day he called at her door to inquire after her until he was informed that she had recovered and had cone to take the waters at Bagneres Then he went home to his father and dreamed of Camille-as little as he could. Gossip had told him strange things of this fair girl who a year before had come to Paris simple country lass. scarcely able to write her own name and now spent q small fortune every month on her lux uries.
 while Armand was at home. struggling