Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26

would have been incapable of any serious fault.
But marriage with Mary Faber was now out Of
the question; 1t 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
prevented upon him to perform an act which he
must ever regret. The only course which now
seemed opened to him was to seek some lady
whose attachments and disposition fitted her to
oe ms companion, and to aid him with her
sympathy. More he would not ask from her.
ana could not give, as he felt that he was
doomed to loveless life
CHAPTER v.
Mr.. Calvert's only sister was wife of the rec
tor OF Spindleton. This lady was considerably
older than her brother, and took matronly in
terest in him. When. therefore, he confided
10 her the fact that he was anxious to marry
before entering upon his new duties, his sister
determined to do her best to aid him in procur-
ing suitable wife. Neither to his sister nor to
any one else did Mr.. Calvert communicate the
fact that his matrimonial projects were not
altogether voluntary
In mentally reviewing the young ladies of
her acquaintance. the rector's wife was not
lons IN making her selection. Ladies bent on
matchmaking do generally form their decis-
Ions with promptitude. 1t had already been
arranged that MIR. Calvert was to come on a
short visit to tho rectory. and as he was ex-
pected soon, his sister resolved to take no ac-
i've steps In furtherance of her plans till after
his arrival.
During the evening on which he came she
made no allusion to the matter which was oc-
cupylng so much of her thoughts; but on the
following day she told him that she knew of a
,ady VINO could not fail to make him an excel
lent WIFE. She added for his information that
the young lady in question belonged to a good
family, but that her father had been unfortu-
nate In money matters and was now wholly de-
pendent on his daughter, who was one of the
chief mistresses in the local high school for
girls
This description did not sound very promis-
ing to MIR. Calvert, whose face as he listened
assumed a doubtful expression, which was not
dlspelled even when his sister exclaimed en-
Enthusiastically that the young lady in question
was a dear, sweet, unselfsh girl, who could not
fail to make devoted wife, while her accom-
pllshments left nothing to be desired Finally,
MS sister informed Mr.. Calvert that she had
invited the young lady and her father to din
ner that evening in order to meet him.
On hearing this intelligence, Mr.. Calvert
sighed somewhat YEARLY. and began to think
that he had made a mistake in supposing that
his sister could aid him in carrying out his
matrimonial projects.
In the evening the two guests arrived before
MI. calvert had quite finished dressing and as
ne entered the drawing-room he heard a gen.
tleman talking whose voice seemed familiar to
him. though he could not remember to whom
IL belonged. He did not remain long in doubt
| as on passing a screen that at first had OBJ,
scured his view, he saw to his astonishment
Colonel Faber standing talking to the rector
while seated on a couch by his sisters side
was Mary, looking. I'M plain white dress, more
attractive than ever
The hostess was genuinely surprised to find
tnat her guests were acquainted with her
Drother, and as she looked keenly at Mary
faber while her brother was taking the young
lauy hand beam of honest pleasure passed
over the matronly features of the rector's wife,
At dinner Colonel Faber with his usual in
genuousness, told Mr.. Calvert that shortly
after he had met him he had been persuaded
to embark his small capital in trade, and had
soon lost all he had The colonel added, not
without touch Of pride, that he was now
s sIIa dependent on his little girl, who was
aDie 10 earn good income; and he told Mr.
Calvert that if he could find time to call at
their little cottage it would give him much
pleasure to see him there.
During dinner only a few commonplace OBJ
servations passed between Mary Faber and MIR.
calvert. He did not smoke. and while the
rector and colonel were enjoying a cigar in the
library after dinner he Joined the ladies in the
drawing room. Very soon afterward he found
himself alone with Miss Faber
1t was pleasant surprise for me-" said Mr.
Salvert, Ito meet you here tonight Although
! knew my sister expected lady to dinner, 1
had no idea she would prove to be YOU"
And as had,never heard her maiden name,
when she told me should meet her brother
tonight, OF course had not any expectations
| Of seeing you"
MIR. Calvert might be said to possess a dual
nature, as In some respects he was very natu-
raj and human in his thoughts feelings and
actions, but occasionally he became formal
and pedantic: The one side of Mr.. Calverts
character had been revealed by his Irritation
with Miss Faber. at Eastbourne. and the other
side was manifested in the terribly severe view
which he had taken Of poor Mary's fault. His
manner and tone were altogether scholastic
now, as he said:
1T was under very different circumstances
MISS Faber, that you and 1 last met"
The girls face crimsoned, her eyse fell, and
her quicker breathing also BETRAYED her emo
ton. Presently, however, she looked up at
MIR. Calvert with steadfast though timld
glance, and said in an eager tone:
81 cannot tell you how often have wished
that this opportunity might come, when
| should be able to explain my motives for doing
what you must have considered both strange
and blameworthy. 1t was just at the time
seemed SO broken down and dispirited that
felt he must for the future be dependent on
my exertions. 1 knew that if / took a high
place at the college examination 1 should have
no difficulty in obtaining a good situation.
And, on the other hand, if failed, knew how
difficult my struggle would be. With the ex-
ception of Latin l had no fear for any of the
other subjects, as l had always done well in
them in our classes, but by the regulations
then in force it was necessary to pass in Latin
in order to obtain a place on the honor list.
Hence the fears that distracted me, and when
l came to you that night, Mr.. Calvert, to ask
your aid, I was acting thoughtlessly, without
elaboration, urged by a sudden impulse which
was prompted by the dread of my fathers des-
Tuition"
While he listened, Mr.. Calverts expression
had grown softer: it was the natural element In
him that was being manifested now After
a brief pause Mary began again, speaking
quickly:
'No sooner had returned home than be-
gan to understand how foolish and wicked the
request was that made to you. When, on pom
dering over the matter, l became aware Of the
heartily ashamed of myself. OF course knew
then that you would never do what had
'Whatr' exclaimed Mr.. Calvert in a startled
voice.
II knew" continued Mary, with look and
tone of candor, THAT although you had said
you would do as l wished, in order to humor
me, or, perhaps, to get rid of me, you would
not fail in yOur duty examiner, but would
act with perfect impartiality. was convinced
that you were too honorable to be influenced in
the very least by what had said And had L
thought otherwise then, when had recovered
from my excitement, assure you, Mr.. Calvert
that I would have returned, and would have
implored you to forget every thoughtless word
had spoken"
II wish you hadv' exclaimed Mr. Calvert.
81 thought it needless; but l hoped that
sooner or later might have this Opportunity
of making an explanation and apology"