Year: 1872

shawl and departed; but when her teacher
spoke she cried out as if in mortal pain.
and without word flew down the street
toward home. AS she turned the corner
she rushed pell nell into the arms of a
gentleman, who, on seeing her pale and
fearful, said, why, little Camilla, what
is the matter?"


"Oh, Mr.. Clavering, you are going
away" !"


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 a young man,
and that his protege was stealing from
childhood into beautiful girlhood, and was
undeniably a beauty.


Camilla. am going away, but Will
you wait for my return 81


wait for YOU | 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-by, Camilla.
Kiss me good-by.'


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
as there; and only mention the fact Of
the street being quiet one to silence the
startled propriety OF those who are shocked
at the publicity of it.


''WelI, there they parted. He to 90
over the sea. she to remain at home and
improve the opportunities he had placed
before her.


The great heart of the music loving
public was agitated with mingled emotion
of Joy, pride, astonishment and awe. A
new songstress had been criticised, picked
over piecemeal, ground down to the finest
point, dissected, examined through the
most perfect musical microscope and pro-
nounced perfect And now the manager
OF first class, fashion patronized theater
had engaged her for single night at an
almost fabulous sum. and the world was
to hear her voice


The night came. The theater was
crowded from pit to roof. The orchestra
peaed forth grand overture, the expect
ant crowd filled the air with perfume, and
soft murmurs of whispering voices and
rustling silks arose in subdued sound
and then the broad curtains rolled up and
disclosed the elegantly fitted stage.


Suddenly there was rush in the vast
building, and eyes grew bright with eager
anticipation, rs from the wing came the
! debutante.


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 iashes; mouth, soft.
tender and beautiful. and a cheek as fair
as the pure white satin of her sweeping
robes; and they had seen all the long
talked-of and highly praised beauty.


a roar like the rushing of distant waters
sounded in her ears, and then swelled into
thunder of applause: and coming slowly
down in the spiendor ofthe footlights, her
beautiful head erect, her eyes glowing
with excitement. her beauty enhanced by
the elegance of her costume, Camilla,
the poor little waif, the child of poor old
Paul Smith, the protege of proud Richard
Clavering, received the homage of the as
sembled crowd.


When the acclamations had ceased the
orchestra began soft symphony; and
then through the building echoed the clear
pure notes of voice that sounded tal
away, a 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. Ii came nearer. and the sor-
row was half eNpectant, trembling
glimpse of something better, and then sud
denly the strange voice broke forth in n
triumphal strain, and listeners held their
breath as the wondrous notes rang out
upon the air, and then died away.


For moment deathly silence reigned,
but it was for Il moment only; and then
the building vihrated with a crash of en-
thusiasm that came from the music crazed
audience. Men arose from their seats,
and hundreds flung their floral tributes at
her feet.


In one of the boxes. above the one where
the music master and manager sat, an old
odd looking man waved his handkerchief
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 on to the
dressng-room. Some one stood in the
shadow Of Il sidc-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? Have
| been listening to my little girl all this
glorious evening" Speak to me +? am be-
wildered and blind"


Mr.. Clavering: When did you come
Oh. | am so glad, so happy" she ex-
claimed.


Are You so glad? Are you so happy
oh, IS this my welcome Have You waited
for me my love, my darling pr


She put her hands over her eyes mourn
ing.


You do not mean Your words am
dreaming? | am mad


"You are here, wide awake, Camilla.
and am asking you to love me. and to be
my wife


She drew him away for u brief moment.
and laid her weary head within his arms.
Then she passed on to her dressing room,
and when she returned she put out her
hand. saying, "Oh, Richard, take me
away. am soul sick of all this"


"And you will only sing"


"In your nest. Come, we must not for
| get Uncle Paul.


The box was near at hand, and In
/ CONCLUDED on FOURTH PAGE.l