d take her one gift in her hand and try her fortunes. On no
other terms would she accept the teaching which was to fit her for the
independence she desired. Faithfully had she used the facilities so
generously afforded both at home and abroad and now was ready to prove
that they had not been in vain. Much encouraged by the small successes
she won in drawing rooms, and the praise bestowed by interested friends,
she began to feel that she might venture on a larger field and begin her
career as a concert singer, for she aimed no higher.

Just at this time much interest was felt in a new asylum for orphan
girls, which could not be completed for want of funds. The Campbells
well had borne their part and still labored to accomplish the
much-needed charity. Several fairs had been given for this purpose,
followed by a series of concerts. Rose had thrown herself into the work
with all her heart and now proposed that Phebe should make her debut at
the last concert, which was to be a peculiarly interesting one, as all
the orphans were to be present and were expected to plead their own
cause by the sight of their innocent helplessness as well as touch
hearts by the simple airs they were to sing.

Some of the family thought Phebe would object to so humble a beginning,
but Rose knew her better and was not disappointed, for when she made her
proposal Phebe answered readily: "Where could I find a fitter time and
place to come before the public than here among my little sisters in
misfortune? I'll sing for them with all my heart only I must be one of
them and have no flourish made about me."

"You shall arrange it as you like, and as there is to be little vocal
music but yours and the children's, I'll see that you have everything as
you please," promised Rose.

It was well she did, for the family got much excited over the prospect
of "our Phebe's debut" and would have made a flourish if the girls had
not resisted. Aunt Clara was in despair about the dress because Phebe
decided to wear a plain claret-colored merino with frills at neck and
wrists so that she might look, as much as possible, like the other
orphans in their stuff gowns and white aprons. Aunt Plenty wanted to
have a little supper afterward in honor of the occasion, but Phebe
begged her to change it to a Christmas dinner for the poor children. The
boys planned to throw bushels of flowers, and Charlie claimed the honor
of leading the singer in. But Phebe, with tears in her