Year: 1871

manner which made her voice seem to
him the sweetest and purest he had ever
heard, AT the end of another verse she
took breath and another voice said,
" Child, you astonish me. Either ! am
a poor Judge of music or your voice is
the sweetest | ever heard. You are right
in preferriug its cultivation to anything
else"


An electric thrill shot through OLD
Pauls frame, and quickened his blood
to rapidity that quite carried away his
rheumatic pains, and in twinkling he
was up stairs and in his little attic.


He was terrified at the sound of man s
voice, but the sight of handsome and
polished gentleman, with diamond studs
in his snowy linen, a heavy ring upon
his dainty white hand, unques tionable
broadcloth upon his back, in close CON
versation with his 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 times with
ering fingers had touched him, he was
shrivelled and dried like withered fruit,
but in his virtuous Indignation he puffed
out to the fullest extent and in falsetto
voice piped, Camilla, how dare you in
vite any one here ?"


"Oh, Uncle PAUL. this is Mr.. Claver-
ing gentleman whose-whose-"


Whose mother she saved from DEATH
Your niece, sir few days since, was pas
sing through our crowded thoroughfare,
when my mothers carriage drew up to
the pavement. The horses were restive
and bidding the driver attend to them,
she began to descend unas listed. Her
foot was on the step when the animals
sprang forward and flung her violently
from her foothold. But for the sudden
act Of your niece who received my moth
er in her strong young arms, the fall
might have proved a fatal one. My
mother at once entered shop and keep
ing your niece near her sent for me.
came to-day at my mothers earnest re-
quest, to express our heartfelt gratitude,
and to offer


You needn't offer Camilla a penny,
sir. She'll never suffer while I've pair
of arms to work for her" said Paul.


" You mistake me, | do not mean to
insult you, but would raise this child
from her poverty and educate her, that
she might be of use to you and herself,
and become refined woman. Don't let
your selfish love stand in her light and
shut it out from her. She sings like
prima donna, and wishes to study mu-
sic"


The great lustrous eyes Of the child
turned imploringly to her strange guard
ian.


Lor, Camilla, can't stand in your
way. know your every bit born la
dy, if your mother did die in a hovel
among wretches who turned her child in
to 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
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 further injury
TO his darling than an eloquent glance
from an expressive pair of eyes.


Then from the gloomy lodging house,
to snug set of chambers few streets
of, went Paul and Camella, and the
poor wretch began to look like another
being, in his cleaner work clothes and
Sunday suit, earned from the increased
number of pupils provided though the
willing assistance of their philanthropi-
cal friend Clavering.


Day after day Camilla went with her
books to the teacher so strangely provia-
ed and after little time there came
days when passers paused to listen to
the warbling 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?" said her soft voice.


Madam, Camilla is capable of doing
anything in musical way. She will be
a songstress of whom this country may
be proud. All, here she is y


"You have improved wonderfully, my
child p said the lady holding out her
gloved hand. {" came to bring YOU
Richards farewell. He leaves London
tonight, and will remain abroad many
years. Here is little gift as token of
remembrance.


She did not understand that Mrs. CLAW
ering had placed pretty necklace of
coral in her hand then. gathered nm