Year: 1871

pretended that he was young man, and
that his portege was stealing from child
hood into beautiful girlhood, and was un-
deniably a beauty.


Camilla | am going away, but will
you not wait for my return?"


wait for you 3? | am not going to
run away"


"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 quiet street, and so Camilla
lifted her head and kissed him. In all
probability the child would have kissed
him in the main thoroughfare as readily
as there, and | only mention the fact Of
the street being quiet one, to silence
the startled propriety of those who are
shocked at 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 music loving pub
lie was agitated with mingled emotions
of joy, pride, astonishment and awe. A
new songstress had been criticised, pick
ed over piece-meal, ground down to the
finest point dissected, examined through
the most perfect musical microscope, and
pronounced perfect. And now the man
ager of a first class fashion patronized
theatre had engaged her for 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 orchestra
pealed forth agrand overture, the expec-
tant crowd filled the air with perfume,
and soft murmurs of whispering voices
and rustling silks arose in subdued
sound and then the broad curtain roll
ed and disclosed the elegantly fitted
stage.


Suddenly there was hush in the vast
building, and eyes grew bright with ca
ger anticipation, as from the wing came
the debuntante.


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
mouth soft, tender and beautiful, and
cheek as fair as the pure white satin of
her sweeping robe; and they had seen
the long talked of and highly praised
beauty


A roar like the rushing of distant wa
ters sounded in her ears, and then SWELL
ed into thunder of applause; and COM
ing slowly down in the splendor of the
footlights, her beautiful head erect, her
eyes glowing with excitement, her beau
ty enhanced by the elegance Of her cos
tune, Camilla, the poor little waif, the
child of poor old Paul Smith the portege
of the proud Richard Clavering, receiv-
ed the homage of the assembled crowd


When the acclamations had ceased
the orchestra began soft symphony =
and then through the building echoed
the clear, pure notes of a voice that
sounded far away, dreamy mystic voice
full of hope, of doubt of pain. Nearer
still nearer it sounded, and hope half
drowned the doubts, but yet plaintive
sorrow seemed to remain. 1t came near
er and the sorrow was half expectant
trembling glimpse of something better
and suddenly the strange voice broke
forth in a triumphal strain, and listeners
held their breath as the wondrous noise
rang out on the air, and then died away.


For moment deadly silence reign
ed, but it was for moment only. then
the building vihrated with a crash of
that came from the music
crazed audience Men rose in their seats
and hundreds flung the floral tribute at
her feet


In one Of the boxes, above the one
where the music master and manager
sat, and old, odd looking man waved his
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 Ca
milla, weary and worn, went off to the
dressing room. Some one stood in the
shadow of the side scene, and when she
asked permission to pass caught her by
the hands and drew her out into the
light.


Camilla, little Camilla, is it you p
Have been listening to my little girl
all this glorious EVENING" Speak to me
am bewildered and blind p


"Mr. Claveringl When did you come ?