The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-29

brilliant career at Oxford, he had confer
red additional renown upon the old school.
He was also known to be skilful teacher
and to possess rare powers of organization.
All this was, of course, to his advantage;
but, on the other hand, his youthfulness
seemed to initiate against his chances of
success. Many, however, who were well
qualified to Judge, believed that he would
be the successful candidate, as 1t was
understood that the electors were anxious,
if possible, to appoint young man who
would devote the best years of his life to
the work, and who, having a proper sense
of the widening scope of modern studies,
would be free from old. fashioned prejudi-
ces.
The master of Joseph's College, Oxford,
was in a virtue of his office one of the gov
ernors of Cauonbury School. When, there
4 fore, Mr.. Calvert one morning received a
note requesting him to call on his elector
he knew that he must be one of those
whose appointment was being contemplated,
and that the master of Joseph's had been
I deputed to ascertain his views on certain
points, or to obtain some pledge from him
regarding his policy should the choice fall
upon him.
/ Nor was Mr.. Calvert mistaken. After
few commonplace observations the master
/ of Joseph's said to him
In becoming a candidate for the head
mastershiP of Canonbury you were doubt
/ less unaware that in two important parti-
culars you are really ineligible.
II was certainly not aware of the fact,
replied Mr. Calvert, supposins that his age
must certainly be- one of the objections
I found to him.
You are not in orders, said the Mas
( ter, "and il is necessary that the headmas-
ter of Canonbury should be a clergyman.
IL is true that there Is no statutory regula-
ton to this effect, but the headmasters
have hitherto invariably been in orders,
and the electors decline 70 form a new
precedent by appointing layman.
For some time have intended to enter
the church, aud certainly could not con-
ceiye of Canonbury having a headmasteT
who was not in orders.
Very good, replied the master blandly.
~ODe of the objections Of which | spoke Is
therefore removed The Master gazed
into the fire for little while in silence in
an distracted manner which he bad. At
length he said
Il did not suppose the objections were
iBsurmountable,' aud he gazed into the
Ere again in a tantaliEing way.
The electors are of opinion, he con
tinued after a little, "that the headmaster
Of Canonbury should be a married man.
He has the domestic care Of number Of
boys who reside in his house; he must en-
tertain thc masters, aud in some cases the
parents or guardians Of the pupils, and
these things be cannot do satisfactorily
unless be has a wife What is your opin-
lon on this point, Mr. Calvert p
Il was not so easy as before for the fel-
low Of Merton 10 give a reply, aud ere he
spoke half-stifed sigh escaped him. The
Master seemed to have no wish TO hurry
him, and was looking placidiy into the hre
From bis apparent apathy It seemed al
most as if some other matter were now Oc-
eupying the attention Of the venerable
bead OF Joseph's- He prided himself on
hts skill in the discernment of character
and in his knowledge OF human nature,
and perhaps be had anticipated Mr. Cal
vrrts reply.
Do ! understand you TO say, asked
Mr. Calvert a, length, that only man
who is married can be appointed ?
I'VE would not regard as Negligible
one who was about 70 enter the state Of
mairimony at an early date, was the sig
niheans answer.
The Master continued TO look calmly in
the FIRE. but Mr. Calvert was breathing
quickly, aud in his breast there ragged
tempest Of emotion
Il think, he said at length, ''that the
eleC,ors are right, as there Is no doubt that
the hcadmaster would discharge his duties
better IL be were married
On hearing this the Master rose and ex-
tended his hand To bid his visitor good morn.
ing
Il shall communicate your opinions To
the other electors, he said
Il would have been difficult for a
thoughtful reader to discern any gyadations
Of feeling FROM the touch Of the plump
hand of the Master Of Joseph's but, unless
Mr. Calvert was mistaken, when he bade
the Master good-by be could plainly feel
slight pressure Of eongratula,ion.
4 few days later it was announced that
Mr. Calvert had been appointed headmas-
ter of Canonbury.
Rarely, if ever before, had 50 great a
prize in scholarship fallen TO so young a
mau. An income of several thousands
year was attached TO the post, which in
numerous instances had led directly to a
bishopric. But, amid the congratulations
that we're shOwered upon him BY his friends,
Mr.. Calvert was far ftom being happy.
He was aware, though he had given no
direct pledge, that he had received the
appointment subject to the condition of
his marrying. He had indeed attained to
honor and riches, but the good things of
the world seemed TO have now fallen in
value In certain circumstances how
different his feelings would have been
/ He blamed himself for not speaking to
I Miss Faber according to the dictates of
his heart ere they parted at Eastbourne.
( Ii was true that he did not then possess
/ the means Of marrying, but a little reHee-
\ ton would have taught him, not indeed to
expect the brilliant fortune that had befallen
him, but to understand that his circum-
stances must ere long change for the bet
ter. Under his guidance he felt sure she
would have been incapable of any serious
fault. But marriage with Mary Faber
was now out of the question. Ii was
impossible that he could enter upon his
great responsibilities-which Mr.. Calvert
was earnestly hoping he might be enabled
faithfully to discharge-united to one who,
failing in her own sense of honor, had
prevailed upon him to perform an act
which he must ever regret. The only
course which now seemed open to him was
to seek some lady whose attainments and
disposition fitted her to be his companion
and to aid him with her sympathy. More
he would not ask from her and could not
give, as he felt that he was doomed to a
loveless life.
CHAPTER V.
Mr.. Calverts only sister was wife of the
Rector of Spindleton. This lady was con-
siderably older than her brother, and took
matronly interest in him. When, there
fore. he confided to her the fact that he